The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a fresh warning of a possible nationwide doctors’ strike, citing delays by county governments in implementing agreed salary adjustments and clearing pending arrears.
According to the union, the dispute stems from the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which outlined salary increments and other benefits for doctors. Despite the agreement being in place for several years, KMPDU says many counties have yet to fully honor its provisions. In a notice dated July 21, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah urged doctors across all 47 counties to carefully review their July 2026 payslips. The aim is to confirm whether the expected salary adjustments have been effected and whether any outstanding arrears have been paid.
The union is pushing for immediate compliance, warning that continued delays could trigger industrial action. KMPDU argues that failure to implement the agreed terms not only undermines trust but also affects morale within the healthcare sector. Doctors have been advised to report any discrepancies in their pay, as the union gathers data to determine the next course of action.
If counties fail to act promptly, KMPDU has indicated it may mobilize doctors for a nationwide strike. Such a move could significantly disrupt healthcare services across the country, especially in public hospitals that rely heavily on unionized medical staff. Healthcare experts warn that a strike could place additional strain on an already stretched system, potentially affecting access to critical medical services for millions of Kenyans.
For patients, the looming strike raises concerns about service delivery in public hospitals. Delays in treatment, reduced staffing, and overcrowding in private facilities are some of the potential consequences if the situation escalates. Stakeholders are now calling for urgent dialogue between county governments and the union to resolve the standoff before it impacts healthcare services nationwide.
