KMPDU warns 27 counties over failure to implement doctors’ salary deal

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has threatened to issue a strike notice on November 1, 2026, if 27 county governments fail to implement agreed salary adjustments for doctors.

In a letter dated October 19, 2026, addressed to Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson Muthomi Njuki, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said an internal audit showed that only 20 counties had implemented the salary adjustments by the end of September.

The union said the affected counties had failed to comply with a July 22, 2026, CoG circular directing county governments to adjust doctors’ basic salaries in line with the agreed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rates, beginning with the August 2026 payroll.

Dr. Atellah maintained that the matter did not require further negotiations, insisting that the remaining counties should implement the salary adjustments immediately.

“During the KMPDU National Advisory Council (NAC) meeting held on October 16, 2026, the Council resolved and directed the Union to issue an official strike notice on November 1, 2026, without any further reference or communication to your office if full compliance is not achieved,” Dr. Atellah stated in the letter.

The union listed the affected counties as Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kwale, Lamu, Taita-Taveta, Tana River, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Baringo, Samburu, Kisumu, Bomet, Laikipia, Narok, Kajiado, Embu, Isiolo, Marsabit, Meru, Kakamega and Vihiga.

The warning places county governments under pressure to implement the agreed salary changes before the union issues the formal strike notice.

KMPDU has directed the Council of Governors to ensure full compliance with the July circular, signalling that it will not engage in further communication with the council before taking the next step if the outstanding adjustments remain unimplemented.