NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s healthcare sector is staring at another paralysis after the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) issued a 14-day strike notice, accusing both the national and county governments of reneging on legally binding agreements.
In a letter dated August 6, addressed to top state officials—including Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Health), John Mbadi (Treasury), Geoffrey Ruku (Public Service), Alfred Mutua (Labour), and the Council of Governors—the union lamented what it termed as a “blatant breach of trust.”
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah cited failure to honour the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and its subsequent addenda, including the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) signed in May 2024 and amended in December 2024.
“Despite explicit commitments, the national government has failed to provide conditional grants to counties for healthcare—a key part of the agreement,” said Dr. Atellah.
The union expressed alarm over the non-payment of salary arrears to doctors under both the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour, and the lack of salary adjustments in July 2025 payslips—despite being clearly stipulated in the December 2024 addendum.
The warning comes after the County Government Additional Allocation Act, 2025, and Supplementary Budget III made no mention of financial allocations necessary to implement the agreements, confirming the union’s fears.
“Take notice that unless the issues herein are resolved within 14 days, the union will convene to determine the way forward, including but not limited to calling for industrial action,” Dr. Atellah warned.
The KMPDU has further threatened to pursue contempt of court proceedings against accounting officers who have ignored the implementation of binding agreements.
If no solution is found within the deadline, the strike could cripple services in key public health facilities including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and dozens of county hospitals—leaving millions of Kenyans without access to care.
The warning comes just months after a 56-day doctors’ strike, which ended in May 2024 and severely disrupted healthcare services nationwide.
