Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho Fires 86 Striking Doctors

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho’s administration has axed 86 doctors who failed to resume duty after their strike was called off.

Among those who have lost their jobs are senior medical specialists including Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) secretary-general Chibanzi Mwachonda.

Through a notice dated January 6th, 2021, Mombasa County Public Service Board secretary Jeizun Faruk said the 86 medics failed to deliver services without valid reasons which amount to negligence of duty.

“Following the correspondences shared between the Department of Health and the County Public Service Board on the doctors strike, the Board pursuant to Section 59 (1) (c) of the County Governments Act No. 17 of 2012, hereby conveys its decision vide Special Board meeting held on 5th January, 2021 that all the doctors who have failed, refused and/or neglected to return to work be dismissed from County Services as provided for under Section 44 (4) (a), (c) and {e) of the Employment Act 2007 which constitute justifiable or lawful grounds for the dismissal as highlighted in the Act,” reads a notice from the board.

The sacked doctors were directed to immediately surrender all properties belonging to the county government to their supervisors.

KMPDU coast branch secretary Dr. Abidan Mwachi confirmed the medics received termination letters and vowed to challenge the move in court.

"We have received the letters of dismissal but they are illegal, they are the ones who took us to court and cannot by-pass the court process. We are not scared. We will move to court to get an injunction," said Mwachi.

Mombasa County has a total of 220 doctors.

Doctors called off their nationwide strike on December 24th after they signed a deal with the government.