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Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua has fired at President William Ruto over his recent remarks on the doctors’ strike.

Ruto had earlier stated that the government could not meet the financial demands issued by doctors, adding that the country was already overspending on salaries.

The president further stressed that the country should live within its means and advocated for a reduction in the country’s wage bill to free more resources that will allow the government to create more jobs for young people.

“It is important for us to agree that we must live within our means. We cannot continue to spend the money we do not have. Our wage bill is 47 per cent of our revenue. It should be 35 per cent according to the law. So we are way above. We need a conversation so that those of us who earn salaries are responsible. And we can reduce our wage bill so that we can free more resources to create jobs for our young people,” Ruto said.

Martha’s calls out Ruto

In her statement, the firebrand lawyer rubbished Ruto’s remarks saying the government was deliberately denying doctors their rights while misusing taxpayers’ money on non-essential luxury items.

“At the heart of the strike is the plight of intern doctors who are being left to stay unposted and unemployed for over a year and for some seven years and when posted being grossly underpaid. This is happening when our health facilities are seriously understaffed and under-equipped,” Martha wrote on her X account.

The Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya co-principal further criticized the government saying it was unreasonable that they prioritised their comfort at the expense of Kenyans suffering from the ongoing strike which has entered its fourth week.

“It is unconscionable for the regime to continue splashing tax payers’ money on no essential luxury items (motor vehicles, pavilions and fancy umbrellas to name but a few) to enhance a pampered life for a few, while neglecting to listen to the cried of doctors, citizens and indeed all health workers who serve the bulk of the population,” she said.

“Our conclusion is that the lives of citizens do not matter to this regime and that their priority is their own comfort and that of select few. We condemn this in the strongest terms. Kenyans deserve better,” she added.