KMPDU condemns threats to sack striking doctors in Kiambu

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has condemned threats by the Kiambu County government to sack striking doctors, calling the move illegal and a violation of their rights.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, addressing the press on Friday, said the ongoing strike is legally protected and the medics are exercising their constitutional right.

The doctors are protesting delayed statutory remittances, denial of sick leave, and poor working conditions, issues they say have persisted despite a similar strike last year.

The union says non-remittance of statutory deductions by the Kiambu County government has led to inhumane working conditions for the doctors, where some have been denied medical care, evicted over unpaid rent, or flagged as high-risk by banks due to the county's failure to remit payments.

KMPDU now warns that if Kiambu doesn’t resolve the crisis, the strike could escalate to the national level.

“We gave the notice to Kiambu County government on May 5, 2025 and up to the time that we were going on strike, we had not had any meetings with the county,” said Dr. Atellah.

“So I’m justified by all means and mechanisms to say that this strike that we are on today as Kiambu doctors has been necessitated and forced upon the doctors by the inactiveness of the Kiambu County government. The take home is if the county has touched any doctors, we will not leave it for those doctors in Kiambu, we will have it as a national issue.”

Medical services across Kiambu County were thrown into disarray after doctors commenced the strike this past Tuesday, citing failure by the administration to address longstanding grievances.

KMPDU National Chairman Dr. Abi Mwachi, in a hard-hitting press address then, cited lack of promotions of doctors as well as punitive actions against those who challenge the county as some of the foremost reasons for the strike.

“The foremost grievance in the county of Kiambu is the lack of promotion of our doctors dating upto 10 years back,” stated Dr. Mwachi.

The union accused the Governor Kimani Wamatangi-led county government of dragging its feet even after being granted a 21-day notice period to resolve issues amicably.