The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) members in Meru County have gone on strike after the end of a 21-day strike notice.
The medical practitioners withdrew their services to protest the failure by the county government to implement a return-to-work agreement signed on 12th May 2026.
Led by KMPDU Upper Eastern Secretary Timothy Muriuki, the medics said the executive has failed to address various concerns presented to them.
He said the major concerns presented by the union before the executive include staff shortage, exposing doctors to long work hours, stagnation, lack of training, disparities in salaries, and lack of promotions.
Dr. Muriuki noted that union members have suffered unfair labor practices for long, and it’s time the employers standardized terms of employment.
The health workers said they had no study leave, and they were forced to work for long hours.
“Some of the members were employed on contract; we demand that they be employed on a permanent and pensionable basis because they are carrying on similar duties just as their colleagues,” he said.
Dr. Muriuki pointed out that since the county government has failed to honor the return-to-work formula, they have advised their members to remain home until the issues at hand are resolved.
“We advise our patients to seek medical attention in neighboring counties and private hospitals,” he said, adding, “Doctors have been working over ten hours due to staff shortage; we now demand that doctors on contract be employed on a permanent basis.”
The members also revealed that there are a lot of disparities in terms of salaries between doctors employed by the County Public Service Board and those employed by the Hospital Boards, yet they are performing similar duties.
The medics protested reallocation of funds meant to address their issues in the 2025-2026 budget.
They called on the county assembly members to intervene and address their concerns to ensure smooth learning of health facilities.
by Muguongo Judy
