Please go back to work, we must live within our means, Ruto tells doctors

President William Ruto has implored striking doctors to resume work.

Ruto who joined worshippers at AIC Fellowship Eldoret, for a Sunday church service urged the medics to accept the government’s offer saying it’s the best for now due to lack of funds.

While appreciating the doctors’ valuable contribution, the President who jetted back home from West Africa acknowledged he was aware of their demands that could not be met because of the huge wage bill which he pledged to slash.

He reiterated that the country must live within its means to be free from debt distress.

“Doctors we value your contribution, we mind about them and the service they give to our nation, but we must live within our means, we can’t spend what we don’t have’, he said.

He added “A responsible father leaves an inheritance for their children. We as Kenyans must not leave debts to our children. I’m confident as a country we will make the right decisions. I will always speak the truth to our nation”.

Ruto said the 1,500 interns who receive Ksh 70,000 stipends will be absorbed soon.

The doctors’ strike which is in its third week has crippled health services in public hospitals across the country. Clinicians have also downed their tools demanding better pay and improved working conditions.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) last week turned down a Ksh2.4 billion government offer.

The officials vowed to stay put until the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is fully honoured.