KMPDU Puts Simba Arati on the Spot Over Delayed Salaries and Unpaid Benefits for Kisii Doctors

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has directed doctors in Kisii County to withdraw their labour over delayed salary payments and unpaid employment benefits.

In a notice dated July 15, 2026, the Union said the withdrawal of services would take effect from 11.59 p.m. on Tuesday and remain in force until all accumulated salaries and related dues are settled in full.

“Please be aware that beginning tonight at 11.59 p.m., all doctors will be unable to work until all accumulated and pending pay and by-products have been settled in full,” read part of the notice.

According to the KMPDU, the industrial action follows an earlier letter dated June 22, 2026, in which it notified the Kisii County Government of planned industrial escalations if delays in paying doctors persisted.

Doctors in Kisii Stop Working as KMPDU Escalates Pay Dispute

The Union added that the notice clearly warned that a 14-day strike process would commence if doctors were not paid by the beginning of the following month.

“We refer to our letter (Ref.no: KMPDU/NB/56/26) dated 22nd June 2026 regarding our industrial escalations due to persistent salary and by-product settlement delays. That received letter served as unequivocal and substantial warning that a fourteen (14) day strike notice will begin on the first Day of the following month if the previous month’s dues are not paid,” KMPDU stated.

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However, despite the warning, KMPDU maintained that salary delays continued, prompting the implementation of the final stage of its industrial action.

As a result, the union stated that it had adopted a phased approach to the industrial action.

Under the plan, doctors were to begin a go-slow if salaries remained unpaid beyond the fifth day of the succeeding month.

However, if payments were still outstanding after the 10th day, members would scale back their activities and provide only emergency medical services.

Meanwhile, the final phase required doctors to completely withdraw their labour if salary delays extended beyond the 15th day of the month.

Full Withdrawal of Services

This development comes days after a high-level consultative meeting between the KMPDU Nyanza Branch leadership and the Kisii County Government on July 8, 2026, chaired by Deputy Governor Elijah Obebo.

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During the meeting, the county government committed to addressing recurring salary delays, promotions, and the redesignation of consultants and specialist doctors.

However, KMPDU maintained that its previously issued escalation notice would remain in force, warning that members would begin a go-slow after the 5th of the month, offer only emergency services after the 10th, and fully withdraw their labour after the 15th if salaries and benefits remained unpaid.

The talks were aimed at resolving the longstanding labour dispute and preventing disruptions to healthcare services, but the union has now proceeded with the final phase of its industrial action, citing unresolved salary arrears.

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A photo of the KMPDU statement on the strike of doctors in Kisii. Photo/ KMPDU