I am deeply perturbed by the jailing this morning of the officials of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union following a protracted battle between the medics and the Jubilee Government.
It is rather shocking that a government that lays claim to respect for democracy and human rights would sit unconcerned and watch as the doctors' strike snowballs into a full-blown crisis. The jailing of the union officials reflects very badly on the Jubilee regime which has stood helplessly as corrupt officials looted with abandon the Health ministry's coffers.
Sadly, the culprits in the Afya House looting spree continue to strut the streets of Nairobi, free, unfettered and unhindered.
Granted, Jubilee has made martyrs out of the incarcerated union officials, scoring an own goal in the process. The incarceration of the doctors will not solve the problem but rather exacerbate it.
Meanwhile, we in NASA have advised our legal team to move with speed to ensure the sentence is set aside and the officials freed.
H.E. STEPHEN KALONZO MUSYOKA,
LEADER, WIPER DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT-KENYA AND
CO-PRINCIPAL, NATIONAL SUPER... ALLIANCE (NASA)