THE government has enacted measures to avert a doctors' strike slated for Monday.

Doctors have accused the government of being insincere, saying the problem is bound to recur.

They are calling on government to find a lasting solution to the impasse.

"Could this problem be bigger than what we are seeing?" the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union secretary general Sultani Matendechero said.

A Ministry of Health official yesterday told the Star that finance employees are making last minute rush to ensure doctors and other health workers receive their pay in time.

The doctors are set to get their pay before the elapse of their Saturday deadline.

They maintain that if their dues will have been paid, they will reverse an earlier decision to down tools from Monday and push for their July dues.

Speaking yesterday on the phone, Matendechero sought to assure the public that KMPDU will reverse its decision to consolidate its workforce to demand for their salaries, prior to resumption of services.

KMPDU has appealed to the public to seek services from private hospitals if their salaries will not have been paid by Sunday.

"We hope the money will be taken to the bank later today to enable doctors receive their dues in time," the source, which sought anonymity said.

Depending on one's bank, the official said the health personnel should expect to receive their pay as early as tomorrow.

Matendechero condemned the pay delay to saying the move has inconvenienced members as "they are unable to commit themselves to their monthly obligations".

"What will people do to their mortgages, rents and other requirements attached to their salaries? " he said. Matendechero appealed for dialogue, saying the government should not push them into confrontation.

"Don't bring politics in the health sector, this delay will still be occasioned, as we know that some counties are ill equipped to address issue of employees' salaries."

The ministry official blamed the stalemate on the Transition Authority and Treasury.

On Tuesday, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia sought to assure doctors that their dues will be paid by midnight tonight.