April 13, 2024: Top news events to look out for today
Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today's happenings.
Health crisis
Today marks day 13 of the clinicians' strike while the ongoing industrial action by doctors enters day 32 today.
Doctors have been on strike since March 14, 2024, over pay and working conditions. Clinicians joined them on April 1, 2024.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) is demanding that the national and county governments issue confirmation letters on permanent and pensionable terms to UHC staff hired during the Covid-19 period and to national TB programme clinicians and all members currently on contractual terms.
Clinicians also want the national government and counties to recruit more than 20,000 unemployed and qualified clinical officers to cover the existing shortage.
The union additionally demands the government provide comprehensive medical cover for all actively serving clinical officers in the public sector so they can access services wherever they need them.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Dentists and Pharmacists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah on Friday, April 12 maintained his stance on continuing the ongoing doctors' strike.
Speaking on the matter during an interview, Atellah blamed the government's inaction for the crisis saying it is their responsibility to give doctors their demands to resolve the impasse which has seen 500 Kenyans die from lack of medical attention.
Meanwhile, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary (CS) Florence Bore asked striking doctors to call off the ongoing strike and welcome dialogue with the Ministry of Health.
In a statement, the CS said the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Dentists and Pharmacists Union (KMPDU) must come together with the relevant parties and hold a dialogue to resolve the differences.
Road closure
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) will today temporarily close Haile Selassie Avenue (CBD Bound) between Haile Selassie Roundabout and Parliament Road.
This closure is scheduled to commence from Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10:00 pm to Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 5:00 am.
KeNHA said the closure is aimed to allow for the installation of service ducts.
The authority has advised motorists to follow the proposed traffic management plan and cooperate with the police and traffic marshals on site.
"The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) wishes to notify the public that there will be a temporary closure of Haile Selassie Avenue (CBD Bound Lanes) between Haile Selassie roundabout and Parliament Road. This closure is scheduled to commence from Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10:00 pm to Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 5:00 am," KeNHA stated.
