The debate on Kenya Medical Pharmacists and Dental Union leaders one-month jail sentence continued today with senate question the decision to have them jailed.
The Helath Secretary, Cleopa Mailu appeared before the Senate Committee on Health and said he had initiated consultations with Attorney General Githu Muigai in a bid to have the jailed KMPDU officials freed.
“You cannot negotiate with doctors who are in prison,” pointed out Bony Khalwale – Kakamega Senator.
Mailu called for the release of the seven jailed doctors’ union officials in order to continue with the negotiations.
“I can assure you that I will do everything possible within the law to bring doctors back to the table,” Mailu assured.
Khalwale asked by the CS to explain why instead of punishing is officials he turned his face away and instead struck the least, innocent officials.
“With your wrangles instead of punishing your PS you have punished the doctors. Can you now tell Kenyans how you will have stay orders so that you tell the court that it is you who failed and not them?” asked Khalwale.
Nominated Senator, Godliver Omondi backed Khalwale’s words terming Mailu a failure for not negotiating well to have the doctors back to work.
“You have failed this country, and if those doctors will not be out of jail today you have no business being in office. Step aside and let the country move forward,” said Nominated Senator Godliver Omondi.
The Senate committee was forced to adjourn for lack of a progress report from the Ministry of Health.