Seven doctors’ representatives who have been serving a one-month jail sentence have been released unconditionally.
The release today comes after their colleagues, through lawyers James Orengo, Philip Murgor, Mutula Kilonzo Junior and others successfully appealed their jailing.
Court of Appeal Judge Wanjiru Karanja ordered that the doctors be released immediately as negotiations towards the ending of the strike that has persisted for three months continue.
The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commissioner have been tasked to lead the negotiations.
Among those present in court during the ruling was opposition leader Raila Odinga who had early indicated NASA lawyers would be tasked to ensure the jailed doctors are released.
The seven were sent to jail after they failed to call off the strike as directed by the court as a pre-requisite to holding negotiations.
Kenyans were angered by the incarceration and blamed the government for apparently harassing doctors and refusing to honour a CBA it signed.
On Tuesday February 14 Aden Duale accused Raila of playing blame games and even offering ODM lawyers to intervene in the doctors’ strike drama yet the 2013 CBA was passed when he was the Prime Minister.
“The illegal CBA was created when Raila served as Prime Minister. The health docket was led by his close ally, supporters and appointee Anyang’ Nyongo,” he said.
He further stated that Raila has taken a stand with the KMPDU bosses and not with the Kenyans who are suffering from the ongoing strike.
