KMPDU Gives Counties Fresh Ultimatum on Doctors’ Pay or Face Nationwide Strike

A photo of Davji Bhimji Atellah, CEO KMPDU. Photo / File

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued county governments with a fresh ultimatum to implement doctors’ adjusted basic salaries, warning that failure to comply could trigger a nationwide strike.

In a notice dated July 20, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah directed doctors across all 47 counties to verify their July 2026 payslips, saying the union would immediately escalate the matter if the agreed salary adjustments are not reflected.

“I write to update you on our basic salary adjustments as anchored in the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) of 8th May 2024 (adopted as a Court Order), and its Addendum dated 19th December 2024,” read part of the statement.

KMPDU Demands Immediate Implementation of Doctors’ CBA Salary Increments

According to the union, the Council of Governors acknowledged the CBA provisions and confirmed that funds had been made available for salary arrears.

KMPDU further noted that the SRC had already approved the revised salary notches, while the Ministry of Public Service confirmed that the HRIS-ke payroll system contains a special salary code required to process the payments.

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

It also cited a recent multi-agency consultative meeting involving the Council of Governors, SRC and the Ministry of Public Service aimed at coordinating implementation across all counties.

As a result , the union instructed Branch Executive Committees and doctors in every county to review their July 2026 salaries and confirm whether the revised basic salary rates have been implemented.

Additionally , KMPDU said members should check whether their county governments have issued a clear timetable for settling outstanding salary arrears as the verification exercise will help determine whether counties have complied with the agreed terms of the CBA.

Union Threatens Legal Action and Nationwide Strike

The doctors’ union further warned that counties failing to implement the salary adjustments risk nationwide industrial action and contempt of court proceedings.

Also Read: KMPDU Takes Position on Kenya Medical Association Elections

KMPDU said the deadlines issued by its Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) in May have already expired, adding that it would no longer tolerate administrative delays.

“Should any County Government fail to reflect the adjusted basic salary rates or issue a clear schedule for disbursing outstanding arrears, we will act immediately,” the union stated.

It added that it has exhausted every available legal and administrative channel to secure implementation of the agreement and insisted that doctors should not continue to be denied their negotiated salaries.

Meanwhile , the union urged members to remain united and await further communication from the National Advisory Council (NAC) as it monitors compliance across all 47 counties.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates.