Beatrice Elachi: As Parliament We Have Let Down Doctors

• The doctors' strike has lasted for 32 days, with no indicator of a solution after failed talks between the government and KMPDU
• Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi argued that the parliament was a contributor to the strike and has let doctors down
• She urged for a discussion by parliament to find a way for President William Ruto to have talks with the doctors to end the strike

Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi has called out Members of Parliament for failing the striking doctors.

Speaking to KTN News on Monday April 15, the lawmaker said it was unfortunate for the National Assembly to adjourn the call to discuss the stalemate, which is on its 32nd day.

''As parliament we have failed, we were to debate it on Thursday. It was not about ranting or blaming. We wanted to bring up a possible sit down between the president and the doctors, and have discussion on why they are abandoning the agreement made in 2017,'' Elachi said.

What are MPs' duties as advisors of the president?

Elachi further called on a refresher session for the duties of MPs as the lawmakers' recent acts have proven to have no knowledge as advisers of the president.

''It is so sad, that people in parliament whenever you are discussing anything, you're discussing the president, which is wrong. Parliament is also there to advise the president, when they think the president is not doing right, or his vision is not being done by his Cabinet. I don't know whether this parliament needs a training to understand that,'' Elachi explained.

Elachi urged the government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) to reconsider other issues raised by the doctors.

She reiterated that the health sector also needed a commission like the National Police Service (NPS) for the police and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for teachers.

She further said that devolving the health sector has proven to be challenging to county governments.

''This was one place we needed a commission, for them to be sorting all this, like TSC and NPS, and a sector we assumed it will work well with the counties, and we have realized it is not doing well at all,'' Elachi said.

What are the effects of the strike?

In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, Will Rop, an anesthetist at Kitale Referral Hospital, noted the strike has rendered them free, as they cannot work without the surgeons.

He called on government and KMPDU, to look for a solution.

''We only work when doctors and the surgeons are at work. They are the ones who schedule the surgeries with patients. We cannot work without them. Government and KMPDU to look for a solution,'' Rop said.

According Rop, the situation was dire among patients in the country, who are seeking help in private hospitals, that are expensive for reach among many Kenyans.

What else you need to know about Kenyan doctors' strike

• MP James Nyikal had written a letter to the National Assembly to discuss the doctors' strike
• President William Ruto said the government has no money to pay the doctors
• Inspector General (IG) of Police threatened to take action against the doctors as they were becoming a public nuisance
• KMPDU said the Ethiopian medics hired at Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital are unqualified.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi wants parliament to take part in ending doctors' strike.

Beatrice Elachi: As Parliament We Have Let Down Doctors - Tuko.co.ke

Mzalendo Parliament - The National Assembly