Kisumu doctors in strike threat over unpaid salaries, discrimination

Doctors in Kisumu have issued a seven-day strike notice to the county government, citing delayed salaries and alleged discrimination in medical insurance coverage.

Through their union, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) Nyanza branch, the medics said they have not been paid for the past two months, a situation that has left them in financial distress and disrupted services in public hospitals.

In a letter dated September 1, 2025, addressed to the county secretary, KMPDU accused the county of neglecting its health workers while senior officials continue to enjoy comprehensive medical insurance.

Doctors, they noted, have been denied similar cover and in some cases turned away from major hospitals, despite bearing the responsibility of caring for patients.

“This failure has stripped Kisumu doctors of their dignity, harmed morale and hampered care delivery across public county hospitals,” said KMPDU Nyanza branch secretary, Dr Aggrey Nyabuti.

The union announced an immediate withdrawal of all elective services and outpatient clinics by its members in Kisumu county, with only emergency and life-saving services continuing.

KMPDU warned that unless the county settles outstanding salaries and provides comprehensive, non-discriminatory medical insurance by midnight on September 8, 2025, doctors will proceed with a full strike.

The union further accused the county of breaching the constitution and the Employment Act, which guarantees fair labour practices, timely payment of salaries, social security and protection against workplace discrimination.

Copies of the strike notice were sent to Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, senior county officials and the KMPDU national secretary general.

“This is an unequivocal and sufficient seven-day strike notice,” Dr Nyabuti said, insisting that the welfare of doctors must be prioritised if Kisumu residents are to receive quality health care.

However, Kisumu county secretary Hesbon Hongo, while acknowledging the salary delays, assured that payments for July and August would be made by Thursday this week.

He said the delays had affected all county employees, not just doctors.

On medical insurance, Hongo added that the county was in the process of transitioning to the Social Health Authority under which doctors will be included in a comprehensive medical cover.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The looming doctors’ strike in Kisumu highlights deep cracks in the county’s health system. Salary delays of two months and unequal medical insurance coverage not only demoralise frontline workers but also threaten to paralyse service delivery. The union’s hard stance underscores mounting frustration with perceived neglect, especially as senior officials enjoy better benefits. If unresolved, the strike could severely disrupt healthcare for thousands of residents who rely on public hospitals. While the county promises to settle salaries and transition to the Social Health Authority, the crisis reflects a larger issue of poor labour relations and fragile healthcare governance.