Dr Davji Atellah speaking to the press in a past meeting. /KMPDU
Doctors in Trans Nzoia county have issued a seven-day strike notice effective July 1, citing what they described as the county government's failure to fully implement promotions, pay salaries on time, and remit statutory deductions and union dues.
The notice, issued through the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and signed by secretary general Davji Atellah, alleges that the county government has not implemented the Return-to-Work Agreement (RTWA) signed in February.
According to the union, several key provisions of the February 13, 2026, agreement remain unresolved months after it was signed.
Among the outstanding issues, the union said, is the incomplete implementation of promotions.
KMPDU alleged that promotions have not been uniformly effected as agreed, with the backdating of promotions to November 1, 2025, yet to be implemented for all eligible doctors.
The union also alleged that the county government has not completed the conversion of doctors employed on contract terms to permanent and pensionable terms, saying the process remains only partially implemented despite prior commitments.
KMPDU further alleged that the county government has persistently delayed salary payments, arguing that the practice has placed doctors under financial strain while disrupting the delivery of healthcare services.
"Doctors continue to experience chronic delays in salary payment, causing financial hardship and disrupting critical service delivery," Atellah stated in the notice.
Additionally, the union stated that doctors are yet to receive 19 months of Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC)-approved arrears, adding that the county government has not provided a clear payment schedule or framework.
The doctors also raised concerns over what they termed delayed remittance of statutory deductions, including contributions to the Social Health Authority (SHA), alongside other mandatory deductions and union dues, saying the delays contravene statutory requirements.
KMPDU has demanded that the outstanding issues be fully addressed within seven days, failing which all doctors in Trans Nzoia county will withdraw their services and begin an indefinite strike at midnight on July 8, 2026.
The union, however, said it remains available for dialogue in the hope of resolving the dispute without disrupting public healthcare services.
