ODM party leader Raila Odinga has welcomed the deal between the government and medical workers that ended the 56-day strike.

In a statement, Odinga acknowledged the public's agony over the strike and said that all parties must maintain their half of the deal to avoid a recurrence.

PHOTO | COURTESY Raila Odinga

"Our congratulations to the Kenya Dentists and Medical Practitioners Union on the successful negotiations with the government, leading to the Return to Work Formula agreed on today. We regret that this agreement came against the backdrop of pain and duress to the public, which could have been avoided," said Odinga.

"The government must immediately implement its commitment as proof that it has learnt lessons on the fault of intransigence and refusal to honour CBAs and court rulings. The health workers must also show good faith by honouring their side of the agreement signed today," said Odinga.

PHOTO | COURTESY Raila Odinga

He added: "We are watching and we will not hesitate to call out the party that betrays today's deal."

The Kenya Medical Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) ended its 56-day statewide strike after reaching an agreement with the government.

During their strike, the medical professionals were demanding the execution of the 2017-2021 collective bargaining agreement and reached an agreement with both the national and county administrations.


PHOTO | COURTESY KMPDU boss

The administration has promised to harmonize terms of service within 90 days in conformity with the current legislative framework.

On post-graduate courses for doctors, the national government has committed to promptly refund any unpaid costs incurred by government-sponsored registrars' postgraduates from 2018 to the present.