KPMDU petitions MPs to initiate inquiry into doctors’ strike in Kiambu

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has petitioned National Assembly’s Committee on Health to initiate an inquiry into doctors’ strike in Kiambu County.

KMPDU national secretary-general Dr Davji Atellah, in a letter to the James Nyikal-led committee, further wants MPs to summon Kiambu Kimani Wamatangi and other relevant county officials over the matter.

He urged the committee to invite KMPDU, Kenya National Union of Nurses and Kenya Union of Clinical Officer and other pertinent stakeholders to give oral submissions and clarify outstanding issues.

Atellah prayed that the committee imposes sanctions or recommends appropriate disciplinary or legal action against officials found culpable of contraventions and recommend legislative or administrative reforms to protect continuity of essential healthcare services and ensure adherence to employment and labour obligations across counties.

He noted that the ongoing doctors’ strike in Kiambu County, which began on May 27, 2025, was precipitated by the County Government’s sustained breach of multiple employment commitments, notably the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) signed on May 8, 2024.

“The strike followed a 21-day notice issued on 5 May 2025. A ruling by Justice Stephen Radido of the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC), affirmed the legality of the strike,” the petition reads in part.

He said violations include chronic salary delays, failure to remit union dues, and failure to implement promotions as committed.

“At the time of this petition, the strike has lasted 138 days, making it one of the longest in Kenyan history,” said the petition, which is dated October 14, 2025.

Atellah noted that There have been seven conciliation meetings overseen by a Ministry of Labour conciliator, and multiple court directions from Justice Radido and ELRC Principal Judge Justice B. Ong’aya.

He further said there have been increased cases of maternal mortalities and neonatal mortalities reported, figures he said can be confirmed from the hospital and through even the Ministry of Health.

“Separate petitions have been taken to the County Assembly of Kiambu and the Governor that are yet to be acted on,” he added.

Atellah said salary disbursements over the past year have been consistently late, often paid after the 17th of the following month, and in August 2024, delays exceeded 30 days, contrary to Section 18 of the Employment Act, 2007, which mandates timely payment.

“Social Health Insurance (SHI) premiums are required to be remitted by the 9th of each month under Section 27(6) of the SHI Act. However, due to delayed salaries, remittances occur after the 17th, routinely denying doctors access to healthcare services,” he stated.

The union presented the petition to the committee just a day after the Council of Governors (CoG) called a consultative meeting to discuss the ongoing standoff between the Kiambu County Government and KMPDU.