NAIROBI, Kenya –Healthcare services in Nairobi could be thrown into disarray starting Thursday as doctors prepare to down their tools over unresolved labor disputes.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) confirmed on Wednesday that its members would begin a strike at midnight, citing persistent salary delays, illegal salary stoppages, and wrongful dismissals.
Doctors are also protesting stalled promotions, unpaid gratuities, and delays in receiving confirmation letters.
Speaking at a press briefing, union officials emphasized that they had exhausted all avenues to resolve the issues but had been met with inaction.
“Doctors don’t choose to strike, but how can we care for patients when we are deliberately incapacitated?” the union stated.
🔴 STRIKE NOTICE: All Nairobi County doctors (@NMS_Kenya • @NairobiCityGov) will down their tools at midnight on February 27 due to illegal salary stoppages and dismissals, chronic salary delays, stalled promotions, unpaid gratuities, and delayed confirmation letters.
The looming strike raises concerns over disruptions to healthcare services across Nairobi’s public hospitals.
As of Wednesday, county health officials had yet to issue a response to the planned industrial action.
The dispute comes just two months after a nationwide doctors’ strike was averted through an agreement brokered by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
On December 19, 2024, the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors (CoG), and KMPDU signed a deal that committed the government to paying intern doctors Sh206,000, as outlined in the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
With the latest crisis brewing, it remains unclear whether the county government will intervene before the strike takes effect.
