The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced a return to street protests on Tuesday, citing the government’s failure to uphold a return-to-work formula agreed upon last year.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah, in a video statement on Monday evening, accused the government of reneging on its promises, stating that doctors have been left with no choice but to strike once again.
“Such a time last year, March 2024, we were on the streets; we negotiated with the government, went on strike, and got an agreement. Again this year 2025, we are back on the streets because the government does not know how to honour agreements,” Atellah said.
The agreement, signed on May 8, 2024, ended a 56-day nationwide strike after addressing grievances such as salary arrears, the hiring of trainee doctors, and the provision of medical insurance. As per the deal, intern doctors were to receive a salary of Ksh206,000, with 50% of their basic salary arrears disbursed immediately. However, KMPDU claims these commitments have not been fulfilled.
Last December, KMPDU called off a planned strike after the government showed willingness to implement the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, Atellah says that the relief was short-lived, as the government has since backtracked on its promises.
“This time, we are on the streets because we agreed that there’s a collective bargaining agreement that needs to be used in the payment of wages, not only for interns but for everyone, but the government has decided to backtrack on this,” he emphasized.
KMPDU has urged all healthcare workers, including interns, to join the protest in large numbers.
“If you stay silent, this government will take everything from you. It’s time to fight, and when we fight, we win,” Atellah added.
The strike coincides with growing concerns over the Social Health Authority (SHA). Auditor General Nancy Gathungu recently revealed that the new social health insurance system is being managed by private entities at a cost of Ksh104 billion. President William Ruto has defended the system, stating that it is operated by a consortium of technology firms to curb fraud.
As doctors prepare for another round of protests, the crisis in Kenya’s healthcare system remains unresolved, putting public hospitals and patients at risk.
