Relief for Murang'a doctors as county gov't clears promotions, begins recruitment

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced a raft of commitments from the Murang’a County Government following talks with Governor Irungu Kang’ata, aimed at improving doctors’ working conditions and strengthening healthcare delivery in the county.

In a statement issued on Friday, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah said the union first met doctors on the ground at the referral hospital to assess the working environment before holding formal negotiations with the Governor, his deputy and senior health officials.

“Doctors’ voices continue to guide our agenda, our focus and our actions,” Dr. Atellah said, describing the discussions as firm and solution-oriented.

Among the key outcomes was the near-completion of long-pending promotions and redesignations for doctors.

According to Dr. Atellah, all promotions have been effected except for three cases, which the county pledged to conclude within two months.

The county also committed to support the reopening of Maragua Level IV Hospital as an internship training centre, a move expected to ease pressure on the referral hospital and expand training opportunities for young doctors.

On staffing, recruitment of five doctors is already underway, with the administration promising additional hires in the current and next financial years to address chronic understaffing.

Murang’a will further allow the release of doctors for postgraduate training and introduce collegiate systems similar to neighbouring counties to widen career progression and improve specialised care.

Doctors on contract will be absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms once their contracts end, while the county signalled plans to align its job grading with the national 17-tier structure, moving away from the current 19-tier system to streamline career advancement.

The implementation of an amenity policy - allowing the establishment of private wings within public hospitals - is also expected to proceed after its approval by the County Assembly.

The KMPDU boss said the union will be involved in negotiations to ensure transparent revenue-sharing arrangements.

The Governor further assured the union that measures are being taken to clear backlogs in statutory deductions through debt-management strategies.

To strengthen accountability, both sides agreed to organise a “kamkunji” forum bringing doctors and the Governor together for direct engagement.

Dr. Atellah said the union will now focus on ensuring the pledges translate into tangible improvements.

“The commitments are on record. Our work now shifts to follow-up and implementation,” he said.