The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) is threatening to take doctors’ protests national, as the standoff in Kiambu County stretches into its second month with no solution in sight.
For 55 days now, services at public hospitals in Kiambu have been crippled.
The doctors there say they’re fed up with stalled promotions, poor medical coverage, and what they describe as harsh retaliation for speaking up about work conditions.
On Monday, July 21, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said the union is preparing a massive demonstration in Kiambu town this Thursday. He also hinted at a nationwide strike if the government doesn’t step in.
“This isn’t just a local issue anymore,” Atellah told reporters. “We’re one union. What happens in Kiambu affects all of us.”
Atellah accused the county government of dragging its feet despite several attempts to find common ground. He said the strike is about more than pay or policy it’s about respect.
“Doctors deserve dignity. Patients do too. But Kiambu leadership seems unwilling to budge.”
In a bold move, the union now wants Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to withdraw all 150 medical interns from Kiambu, saying the environment there is no longer safe or productive for learning.
“You can’t expect interns to thrive where basic services are crumbling,” Atellah said. “Pull them out before it gets worse.”
Meanwhile, Kiambu County officials are digging in. Back in May, they started sacking doctors who hadn’t reported to work. County Health Executive Elias Maina said they’re in the middle of a headcount and plan to replace any absentees with new recruits
.
“We’re serious about health,” Maina said then. “We’ve poured billions into this sector. We expect accountability from staff too.”
But with no clear end in sight and the threat of a nationwide strike now on the table it’s Kenya’s already-strained public hospitals that stand to lose the most.
