March 19, 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.
Doctors strike
Doctors are expected to down tools today in protest after a meeting with Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha yesterday failed to avert the planned industrial action.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) officials acknowledged that even though the Ministry had shown goodwill and commitment to ensure that the issues on the table were resolved, they said calling off the strike would be reneging on the members’ demands.
“We had an impromptu meeting with some officials from the Ministry of Health in what we hoped to be an attempt to make the first right. But from the beginning, I want to make it clear that the strike is still on,” Dr Abidan Mwachi, the Union’s national chairman, said yesterday.
The doctors also denied earlier announcements by the CS that they had agreed on most of the grievances as presented to the Ministry by the Union.
“There is no particular matter that we agreed on, a little progress, but not anything tangible,” Mwachi added.
In a briefing at Afya House, Nakhumicha said progress had been made in addressing issues that lie within the Ministry. She disclosed that it had been resolved that issues which require a whole nation approach be escalated for further discussion.
“However, matters which require multi-stakeholder engagement will be addressed in a meeting which will be held later this week,” she told journalists.
The CS said most of the issues that the doctors had raised were crosscutting and would require the involvement of other stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, the Council of Governors, the Salaries Remuneration Commission (SRC), the National Treasury, and the Head of Public Service.
Weatherman
It is going to be a hot day today in most parts of the country.
The Kenya Meteorological Department issued a 7-day forecast stating that the dry spell will continue in most parts of the country this week.
According to the weatherman, most regions in Kenya should anticipate sunny and dry conditions.
However, exceptions are expected in specific areas including the Central Highlands, South-western Kenya, South-eastern lowlands, and the Coast, where rainfall is predicted.
"Weather Outlook (19-25 March 2024): Most parts of the country are likely to be sunny and dry. However, expect rainfall in the Central Highlands, South-western Kenya, South-eastern lowlands, and the Coast," the weatherman stated.
Moreover, the department highlighted that several areas could experience high average daytime temperatures exceeding 30°C.
Accidents
Transport stakeholders are today expected to spring into action following a spate of accidents across the country.
On Saturday, March 16, at least two people lost their lives and several others were injured when a Kapsabet Boys High School bus was involved in an accident at Patkawanin along Karbaret-Marigat Road in Baringo.
On Monday, 11 students died and 21 others were seriously injured after a Kenyatta University bus collided with a truck in Voi on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
The bus was ferrying students heading to Mombasa for an academic trip.
That same Monday, five people lost their lives and 18 others were injured after a fatal collision in the Mugango area along the Olunguruone-Silibwet road in Bomet County.
The accident involved a Toyota Hiace matatu with registration number KCK 758R and a motor tractor registered as KUB 805 Massey Ferguson.
Another tragic accident involving a police Landcruiser and a taxi occurred in Wajir on Monday, killing the taxi driver instantly.
