KMPDU, Council of Governors sign return to work formula on October 24, 2025/SCREENGRABDoctors in Kiambu county have called off their five-month strike after reaching an agreement with the county government and the Council of Governors, bringing to an end one of the longest medical standoffs in recent months.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) confirmed on Friday that doctors are expected to resume work by Monday, 8am, following the signing of a return-to-work formula.
Among those present during the signing ceremony were Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, his Mombasa counterpart Abdulswamad Nassir, and KMPDU secretary general Davji Atellah.
The deal was reached after a series of mediation efforts led by the Council of Governors, which helped bridge the gap between the county government and the doctors’ union.
“We have been on strike for over 150 days,” said Doctor Atellah during the event.
“We have had a total of 18 different meetings to bring this matter to an end. Today, we have signed a return-to-work formula that provides clear timelines on the pending promotions, salary delays and remittances.”
According to the SG, the agreement commits the county to implement pending promotions within six weeks, ensure that salaries and statutory deductions are paid on time, and strengthen the county’s health financing systems to avoid future disputes.
Atellah added that the county government had given firm assurances that by the 9th of every month, all statutory remittances — including those to the Social Health Authority (SHA) — will have been cleared.
“We have also received commitments on addressing salary delays, and we thank the county government for showing goodwill,” he said.
On staffing, Atellah commended Governor Wamatangi’s administration for hiring more doctors during the strike period to sustain essential services, while urging the county to employ even more medical personnel to meet growing patient demand.
Governor Wamatangi, on his part, welcomed the end of the strike, terming the resolution a victory for both the doctors and residents of Kiambu.
He expressed gratitude to KMPDU and the Council of Governors for their role in facilitating the agreement.
“Our doctors are our friends and part of my workforce of about 7,000 employees in Kiambu County. I want us to work in unity, recognising that they are here to serve our people,” Wamatangi said.
He further dismissed reports that children or infants had died due to the doctors’ strike, terming them misleading and damaging.
The governor also used the occasion to highlight his administration’s achievements in the health sector, including the commissioning of new hospitals and the continued expansion of healthcare infrastructure across the county.
The conclusion of the strike marks a significant milestone for Kiambu’s health sector, which had been under strain since the industrial action began.
With the new agreement in place, both the county government and KMPDU expressed optimism that future grievances will be resolved through dialogue.
