KMPDU asks Parliament to sanction Kiambu officials over prolonged doctors’ strike
KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah urged MPs to summon Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and other county officials over what the union terms persistent violations of employment agreements.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has petitioned the National Assembly’s Committee on Health to probe the ongoing doctors’ strike in Kiambu County, now in its 138th day.
In a letter to the committee chaired by Seme MP James Nyikal, KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah urged Members of Parliament to summon Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and other county officials over what the union terms persistent violations of employment agreements.
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Atellah further asked the committee to invite representatives from KMPDU, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), and other stakeholders to give oral submissions and clarify issues fueling the strike.
Impose sanctions
He called on MPs to “impose sanctions or recommend appropriate disciplinary or legal action against officials found culpable of contraventions,” and to propose reforms that would safeguard continuous delivery of essential healthcare services and ensure adherence to labour laws across counties.
According to the petition, the strike began on May 27, 2025, after the county allegedly breached multiple employment commitments, including a return-to-work formula (RTWF) signed on May 8, 2024.
“The strike followed a 21-day notice issued on May 5, 2025. A ruling by Justice Stephen Radido of the Employment and Labour Relations Court affirmed the legality of the strike,” the petition reads in part.
Atellah cited chronic salary delays, failure to remit union dues, and unimplemented promotions among the main grievances.
“At the time of this petition, the strike has lasted 138 days, making it one of the longest in Kenyan history,” states the document dated October 14, 2025.
Seven conciliation meetings
He noted that seven conciliation meetings had been held under a Ministry of Labour conciliator, alongside multiple court directions issued by Justice Radido and Labour court Principal Judge B. Ong’aya.
Atellah also raised concern over a reported rise in maternal and neonatal deaths during the strike, saying the figures could be verified from health facilities and 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.
He further decried the persistent salary delays, stating that doctors are often paid after the 17th of the following month—contrary to Section 18 of the Employment Act, 2007. The August 2024 salaries, he noted, were delayed for over 30 days.
“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,” said Atellah.
The petition was submitted to Parliament a day after the Council of Governors convened a consultative meeting to address the impasse between the Kiambu County Government and KMPDU.
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