Nairobi, Kenya- The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has raised concerns over an increasingly strained working relationship with newly appointed Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
Their frustration stems from what they see as a lack of understanding of how the healthcare system and doctors actually function.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atella recalled similar struggles with former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha, who, as a non-doctor, found it difficult to grasp the complexities of medical practice.
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A Call for Competence, Not Politics
KMPDU isn’t holding back. Atella emphasized that Duale, a career politician, must avoid politicizing health matters.
Instead, he urged him to take time to understand the welfare of health workers and the systemic issues plaguing the sector.
He pointed to the tenure of former Health CS Debora Barasa, who he says approached medical affairs with pragmatism.
During Barasa’s leadership, KMPDU canceled a strike notice for the first time in its history.
Atella argued that this was proof that effective leadership comes from addressing core issues rather than turning them into political battles.
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Doctors Demand Fair Pay and Reforms
Atella made it clear that if government officials and politicians can get salary increases, doctors should not be facing wage cuts.
Speaking at the KMPDU Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kirinyaga County, he criticized the government for prioritizing raises for MPs and ministers while medical professionals continue to battle delayed salaries, demotions, and underpayment.
The union also took issue with the Social Health Authority, arguing that it benefits politicians and government officials rather than solving critical healthcare challenges.
Doctors are demanding solutions, not bureaucratic policies that fail to support medical workers on the front lines.
Meanwhile, frustrations are mounting in Kiambu County, where doctors have had enough.
KMPDU has issued a formal notice, citing exhaustion from persistent salary delays, unexplained demotions, and, in some cases, months without pay.
If the government doesn’t address these grievances, another wave of strikes could be on the horizon. Kenya’s already struggling healthcare system can hardly afford it.
