Healthcare service delivery in Elgeyo Marakwet County has normalised following the suspension of an industrial action by medical officers after the successful conclusion of structured negotiations between the county government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
The cessation of the strike follows the execution of a formal return to work formula agreed upon Wednesday, effectively resolving a protracted labour dispute that had significantly disrupted the provision of essential and emergency medical services within public health facilities across the county.
Medical practitioners resumed clinical duties this morning, restoring operational capacity in outpatient, inpatient, and specialised care units that had been adversely affected during the strike period.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Monica Rotich, indicated that the county administration had substantively addressed the majority of the grievances presented by the union, particularly those relating to welfare, remuneration frameworks, and working conditions.
“We have addressed most of the issues raised by the union,” stated Rotich.
The negotiations involved senior county leadership, including County Secretary Lazarus Chebii and Chief Officer for Health Jeremiah Chirchir, and were characterised by prolonged consultative sessions aimed at achieving consensus on contentious labour and human resource management issues.
KMPDU North Rift Secretary, Dr. Kamonzi Mulei has confirmed the resolution of the dispute, noting that the parties had reached a mutually acceptable settlement through structured social dialogue mechanisms.
“We’ve reached an amicable solution,” said Dr. Mulei. County authorities have further expressed commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks for labour relations and dispute resolution within the health sector to mitigate the recurrence of similar disruptions in the future.
By Rennish Okong’o
