The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has launched a renewed push to finalize a comprehensive Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and accelerate intern doctor postings across Kenya’s health system, positioning these as central pillars in its 2026 agenda to stabilize and strengthen the health workforce.
At a recent press briefing in Nairobi, Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah outlined the union’s priorities for the year ahead. The plans build on unprecedented gains in 2025, including the payment of long-standing salary arrears, restoration of full CBA-compliant pay for intern doctors, improved job security for many practitioners, and career progression outcomes secured through sustained negotiations with government and health stakeholders.
From Arrears to Real Reform
The union reported that 5,186 doctors received seven years of salary arrears in 2025, paid in two tranches directly from the National Treasury, a historic achievement that addressed one of the profession’s most persistent grievances.
On the internship front, KMPDU highlighted two major developments:
1,257 interns posted in August 2024 received full CBA-compliant pay, including arrears owed from previous months.
The current cohort of approximately 1,750 interns now earns full CBA salaries from their first month of posting, ending the inconsistent and delayed payment practices that had previously undermined morale and fairness.
These milestones mark a decisive shift in how the health system treats its newest professionals, eliminating long-standing inequity in stipends and reinforcing the principle that fair pay and timely posting are non-negotiable parts of professional dignity and health service delivery.
Broader Gains and Sector Progress
KMPDU also reported significant progress in key areas:
Over 3,100 doctors were promoted across counties, national ministries, and Level 6 hospitals.
Postgraduate training approvals, which had stalled since 2017, were reactivated, with 633 fee approvals secured and 500 already paid to specialist trainees.
More than 1,000 doctors were converted from contract to Permanent and Pensionable (PnP) terms, safeguarding job security and career stability.
At Kenyatta National Hospital, more than 120 doctors previously earning significantly below market standards were transitioned to multi-year contracts with improved pay and gratuity packages.
KMPDU also welcomed reforms to statutory deduction remittances, including Social Health Authority contributions, which will now be released to counties earlier in the month to ensure compliance and avoid service interruptions.
2026 Focus: CBA, Salaries, and Workforce Planning
Looking ahead, the union identified its core priorities for 2026:
Finalizing the long-delayed CBA, which sets the terms and conditions for thousands of doctors across public health institutions.
Basic salary adjustments across counties and ministries, including full arrears owed from July 2025.
Mass employment of 2,000 doctors to address workforce shortages and expand service capacity.
Seamless intern posting cycles with predictable timelines and full CBA adherence.
These pillars reflect KMPDU’s belief that workforce stability, underpinned by fair pay, job security, career progression, and transparent posting – is fundamental to Kenya’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and resilient health systems.
Solidarity, Strategy, and Sustained Action
Dr. Atellah reiterated that the union’s work will continue to be guided by solidarity, negotiation, and principled pressure, ensuring that every agreement translates into real outcomes for members and the patients they serve. The union’s strategy combines collective dialogue with sustained advocacy designed to hold duty bearers accountable while protecting health workers’ dignity and rights.
KMPDU remains steadfast: organized unity delivers measurable gains for doctors, for communities, and for the future of healthcare in Kenya.
