Doctors in Nairobi have called off their 39-day strike after reaching a significant agreement with the Nairobi County government and the national government. The strike, which began on February 27, 2025, was one of the longest industrial actions in Kenya’s healthcare sector, and it saw all Nairobi County doctors, including those from the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), down their tools in protest.
The strike was driven by multiple grievances, including chronic salary delays, illegal dismissals, stalled promotions, unpaid gratuities, and delayed confirmation letters. Medical professionals had also expressed frustration over career advancement barriers and the impact of these issues on their ability to provide quality healthcare. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) had repeatedly warned the government that without addressing these concerns, the strike could escalate further. Tensions heightened when controversial remarks were made by the then Health Cabinet Secretary, Deborah Barasa, regarding the reduction of salaries for new medical interns.
The breakthrough in the negotiations came on April 8, 2025, when both the Nairobi County government and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), a national government-run facility, agreed to address nine key demands put forward by the doctors. The agreement was seen as a major step forward in resolving the issues faced by healthcare workers.
The nine demands covered a wide range of issues, both for Nairobi County and KNH doctors. For Nairobi County doctors, the agreement included the reinstatement of dismissed doctors, the issuance of 369 Promotion and Posting (PnP) letters by May 1, 2025, and the payment of arrears owed to the Mama Lucy hospital staff, which had been pending since 2021. The deal also addressed the delayed payment of NMS doctors’ gratuities, with payments scheduled for July 2025. Further, the agreement outlined the promotion of 72 doctors to Grade S, 80 to Grade Q, and 78 to Grade R by July 15, 2025, and progress on a 4% mortgage deal.
For doctors working at Kenyatta National Hospital, the agreement also included the reinstatement of doctors who had been dismissed, salary harmonization to ensure equity across the board, and the promotion of 26 consultants, with more promotions scheduled for May 2025. These measures were aimed at restoring morale among healthcare professionals and addressing long-standing pay disparities within the public healthcare system.
The strike was initially triggered by frustrations over the ongoing issues that had affected doctors’ working conditions and financial stability. The delay in salary payments, which had been a persistent problem for healthcare workers, had compounded the already existing challenges faced by the sector. Doctors argued that these conditions not only hindered their professional development but also negatively impacted the quality of healthcare services provided to the public.
The successful suspension of the strike has been hailed as a victory for healthcare workers in Nairobi. It signals the beginning of a resolution to long-standing issues that have plagued the sector for years. By reaching an agreement, the doctors have secured much-needed relief, both in terms of improved working conditions and better pay.
In the wake of the strike suspension, the government has expressed a commitment to addressing the underlying causes of the dissatisfaction in the healthcare sector. However, there remains cautious optimism as the full implementation of the agreements will need to be closely monitored in the coming months. Healthcare workers are hopeful that this agreement will set a positive precedent for resolving future disputes in the sector.
The resolution of the strike also brings relief to the people of Nairobi, who have endured disruptions in healthcare services during the strike. With the doctors now returning to work, patients can expect a return to normalcy in medical care, with the government and medical professionals continuing to work together to improve the state of the healthcare system in Kenya.
