NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) management have agreed to transition 224 doctors from contract to permanent and pensionable employment, alongside launching new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations.
The agreement was reached during a consultative meeting on Monday between KMPDU and KNH management, led by Acting CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, focused on implementing resolutions from the union’s 10th Annual Delegates Conference (ADC).
Contract Transition
The 224 doctors will move from contract terms to permanent and pensionable employment effective July 1, 2026. The transition includes pension remittances and comprehensive medical insurance coverage.
CBA Negotiations
CBA 2025-2029 negotiations will commence next week under a structured 60-day framework aimed at advancing fair remuneration and improved working conditions.
Specialist Training Expansion
The parties agreed to expand specialist training through 15 Centres of Excellence and 10 Fellowship programmes, including pro-rata remuneration for doctors in training.
Facility Modernisation
KNH will continue facility modernisation, targeting a 65pc paperless clinical environment and revitalising the Dental Unit through incoming equipment upgrades.
Accountability Mechanisms
A joint implementation review is scheduled for June ahead of the July transition timelines to ensure accountability.
“Implementation is not a statement. It is a process, and that process is now underway,” KMPDU said.
The union said it remains committed to structured engagement, quarterly technical meetings, and annual consultative forums to ensure every resolution translates into meaningful progress for doctors, patients, and the healthcare system.
The agreement comes after prolonged tensions between KMPDU and the government over doctor welfare, including a nationwide strike in 2024 that paralysed public health services for weeks and exposed systemic failures in honouring previous CBA commitments.
