Doctors in Wajir to get promotions, training in deal with county

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, during the meeting with KMPDU officials /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Doctors in Wajir county are set for promotions, permanent job confirmations, and renewed training opportunities after the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) struck a deal with Governor Ahmed Abdullahi’s administration.

The meeting has been hailed as a breakthrough for healthcare delivery in the region.

The agreement that was reached during a high-level engagement between KMPDU and Wajir county officials outlines several measures aimed at improving the welfare of doctors while enhancing healthcare service delivery.

Among the key outcomes, contracted doctors will be confirmed to permanent and pensionable terms in the next financial year, doctors will be promoted to higher job groups, and the ban on releasing medics for postgraduate studies has been lifted.

Abdullahi pledged his support for ongoing negotiations on the 2025–29 Collective Bargaining Agreement, signaling a progressive approach to labour relations in the health sector.

“We recognised the role of doctors in service delivery while addressing issues such as absenteeism and delays in patient care. My administration is committed to several actions: furnishing a doctors’ call room in the new accident and emergency unit, facilitating promotions and redesignations, and conducting a needs assessment to guide approvals for study leave,” he said.

Abdullahi also emphasised support for private facilities, but was quick to add that provided public health services remain the first priority.

He said effective collaboration between doctors and the county health management team will guide their progress.

Speaking after the meeting, KMPDU secretary general Dr Davji Atellah described the developments in Wajir as transformative for healthcare access.

He highlighted that the county’s medical workforce has grown significantly over the past 15 years.

“If there is a place where we must see real change, it is Wajir county and we can now confirm that things are indeed changing,” Atellah said.

Atellah also highlighted the collaborative nature of the talks, noting that the discussions lasted over five hours with the county leadership and three hours with doctors.

“If this is the progress we see in counties, then the issues of doctor strikes we have faced in the past will be a thing of the past. We have confirmed to the chair of the Council of Governors that these engagements open the way to make amendments to any issues that may be upcoming,” he said.

In May, the Senate health committee, during a visit to the county, lauded Abdullahi's effort to provide quality healthcare service to residents.

The committee was in the county as part of its oversight mandate to assess the status of critical health infrastructure and equipment in hospitals.

During the tour, the committee chair Jackson Mandago acknowledged the effort the county has put in place in ensuring residents get quality services, despite the limited resources.

KMPDU secretary general Dr Davji Atellah / STEPHEN ASTARIKO