Kenya’s public health sector could grind to a halt in two weeks if the government doesn’t act fast. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice, citing unpaid salary arrears and failure to honour key agreements.
Highlights:
- KMPDU gives government 14 days to clear unpaid salary arrears.
- Doctors threaten a nationwide strike if demands aren’t met.
- Union accuses both national and county governments of violating CBAs.
- Delayed July 2025 salary adjustments add fuel to the fire.
Main Story:
Doctors across the country are on the brink of another major walkout as the KMPDU accuses the government of defaulting on multiple salary-related promises. In a strongly worded statement, Secretary-General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah said the union will mobilise for a nationwide strike if their dues are not paid within 14 days.
The grievances include pending arrears from the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement, unpaid conditional grants, and failure to implement agreed salary adjustments for July 2025.
Should the strike proceed, public hospitals will face serious disruptions. The union has warned that essential services will be withdrawn, leaving millions of Kenyans vulnerable. Previous walkouts have paralyzed operations in both referral and county-level health facilities.
KMPDU also accused the government of acting in bad faith by ignoring Return-to-Work Formulas and breaching timelines agreed upon in earlier negotiations.
“We have waited too long. If the government doesn’t act within 14 days, we will not hesitate to down our tools,” said Atellah. The union has threatened to seek legal action against government bodies for contempt if their issues are ignored.
As the countdown begins, Kenyans now brace for potential chaos in the health sector, just months after the last round of strikes shook the country.
When the people trusted to save lives are pushed to the edge, the question isn’t if there will be impact it’s how long the system can survive without them.
