[Nasa leaders in a past political rally in Kajiado. They want the government to settle pay issues with Kenyan doctors before importing doctors from Tanzania. Photo/nation.co.ke]
Opposition alliance NASA has opposed plans by the government to hire doctors from Tanzania.
Speaking on Sunday during a political rally in Kitengela, Kajiado County, the outfit urged the government to first settle pay issues with the Kenyan doctors before contemplating importation of the professionals.
“We have a stake in this government and the Jubilee government cannot pretend to love the citizens of this country by importing doctors without settling what is ailing its doctors at home,” Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said.
Khalwale's remarks were reiterated by his Makueni counterpart Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, who noted that it was illogical for the government to procure health services of about 500 doctors from Tanzania at the expense of unemployed medics in the country.
State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu has since defended this move by the government, denying that there are over 1,400 jobless medics in the country.
According to Tanzanian President John Maghufuli, the sending of the doctors to the country is meant to mitigate the effects of the 100-days doctors' strike.