Additional Reporting by Stacy Akeyo
Patients in 17 counties could face disruptions in public healthcare services from November 25, after the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) issued a 21-day strike notice over failure by county governments to implement doctors’ basic salary adjustments.
The counties are Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Machakos, Makueni, Laikipia, Narok, Kajiado, Embu, Isiolo, Meru and Vihiga.
“Today, the 4th of November 2026, we issue a 21-day strike notice to these 17 counties that have not implemented basic salary adjustment as was directed by the Council of Governors meeting of 22nd July 2026 and by the court order of 8th of May 2024 and a return to work formula of 8th May 2024.” KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atellahdeclared.
“We want you to take action and adjust those monies and give to the doctors. If it fails by 25th, then you will not see any doctors in those particular facilities. ” He added.
Dr Atellah says the salary adjustments were part of a return-to-work agreement reached in May 2024 following a doctors’ strike in February that year, which was subsequently adopted as a court order.
He says the Council of Governors, through a directive issued on July 22, 2026, required counties to implement the agreed adjustments in the August payroll.
The union maintains that the counties have failed to honour the commitment despite receiving funds through the national government’s equitable share.
Atellah says KMPDU had given them a three-month grace period and issued reminders in October, but has now ruled out further negotiations, insisting that the outstanding salary adjustments must be implemented before the strike deadline.
