PAY ATTENTION: TUKO is in WhatsApp Channels now! Subscribe and read news in favourite messenger.
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has backed President William Ruto's stand over the ongoing doctors strike.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Wednesday, April 10, the outspoken leader backed Ruto's sentiments that the government lacks the money to meet the demands of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU).
PAY ATTENTION: Don't miss trending Kenyan news. Follow TUKO.co.ke on Twitter!
According to the veteran trade unionist, the president was trying to be sincere with the striking doctors over the current stalemate.
He argued that what needed to be done was to have a compromise position to ensure doctors resume their work.
"But the president says he has no money. He's trying to be candidly clear on what he has, but how do we turn that into a paper and sign? How do we convince, or how do we get a way out of it? He's trying to be sincere," Atwoli said.
Atwoli pointed out that the expert opinion of National Treasury workers could have informed Ruto's position.
"You know very well the Treasury, people who want to focus on taxation, people who look into the affairs of our economy, people who handle issues on a daily basis that concern Kenyans, as far as working men and women in this country are concerned, are in government. And these are the people that understand what happens from each and every quarter," he added.
He defended the government's move to spend KSh 900 million to renovate the state house.
Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki banned ongoing demonstrations by KMPDU doctors.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 9, Kindiki said the doctors were engaging in illegality, arguing that the Employment and Labour Relations Court ordered the parties in the ongoing industrial dispute in the health sector to engage in conciliation and negotiation proceedings within 14 days.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Unlock the best of TUKO.co.ke on Pinterest! Subscribe now and get your daily inspiration!
Push For New US Lithium Mine Leaves Some Americans Wary
Boni Khalwale Calls For Probe Into Airworthiness Of All State-Owned Aircraft
Milka Chelyech: Another Tour Company Offers Lady Who's Never Left Village 5-Star Treatment
Trade unionist Francis Atwoli speaking at COTU event in Nairobi.
Francis Atwoli Defends Ruto's Stand that Govt Lacks Money to Pay
Francis Atwoli Defends Ruto's Stand that Govt Lacks Money to Pay