By Eddah Waithaka
Doctors in Kiambu County have now been on strike for 55 days, demanding better working conditions, unpaid salaries, and the implementation of a court-ordered return-to-work agreement.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has vowed to continue the strike until the county government addresses their grievances.
Doctors Demand Justice Amid County Leadership Crisis
Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah, Secretary General of KMPDU, condemned the county leadership for neglecting healthcare workers while facing corruption allegations.
“We stand with the residents of Kiambu, who are suffering due to the county’s failure to resolve this crisis,” he said.
The ongoing strike arises from several urgent and unresolved issues, including unpaid promotions tied to last year’s court-backed agreement, non-functional medical insurance that prevents doctors from accessing necessary healthcare, delayed salaries compelling medics to sell personal belongings to make ends meet, and arbitrary transfers imposed on doctors who voice concerns about shortages of drugs and equipment.
Court Backs Strike as County Defies Orders
A recent court ruling affirmed the legality of the strike, with the judge ordering negotiations to proceed while doctors remain off duty.
“The county has violated court orders, and those responsible should face criminal charges,” Dr. Atellah stated.
Patients at Risk as Hospitals Crumble
The union also highlighted the broader healthcare crisis, citing a recent incident at Kenyatta National Hospital where a criminal exploited staffing shortages to attack a patient.
“This isn’t just about Kiambu—Level 5 and 6 hospitals nationwide lack enough doctors and nurses, leading to preventable deaths,” Atellah said.
Nationwide Solidarity and Upcoming Protests
The KMPDU announced a major demonstration in Kiambu on Thursday to pressure the county into action.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the union plans to withdraw all 150 medical interns from Kiambu and relocate them to functional facilities, convene a national emergency council to tackle systemic failures, and escalate to “international action” if their demands go unmet.
“We aren’t fighting for doctors alone, we’re fighting for patients who face empty wards and neglected care,” Atellah declared.
“If Kiambu won’t listen, the entire country will stand against them.”
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