The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has resolved to issue a 21-day strike notice to the Homa Bay County Government following a consultative Kamukunji held with doctors in the county.
The meeting was led by Dr Idan Miskellah, KMPDU Deputy Secretary General, alongside the Nyanza Branch leadership. Doctors from across Homa Bay County came together to openly deliberate on long-standing and worsening challenges that continue to undermine their welfare, morale, and ability to deliver safe patient care.
During the engagement, doctors raised critical concerns, including:
Delayed and denied promotions and re-designations, leading to prolonged career stagnation
Non-remittance of statutory deductions, including union dues, exposing doctors to financial and legal risks
Lack of medical cover, leaving healthcare workers and their families vulnerable
Severe shortage of doctors and continued employment on unfair and insecure terms
Harassment by county officials and political interference in professional matters
Denial of study leave, threatening training and future service capacity
Arbitrary stoppage and illegal withholding of salaries, disrupting livelihoods and service delivery
The Kamukunji unanimously resolved that these grievances are too serious and too urgent to be deferred any further. Doctors affirmed that dialogue without action has yielded no results and that decisive steps are now necessary to compel accountability and reform.
Consequently, KMPDU will issue a 21-day strike notice, requiring the County Government of Homa Bay to urgently address all outstanding issues within the stipulated period. Failure to do so will leave the Union with no option but to escalate the matter in defence of doctors’ rights, dignity, and patient safety.
KMPDU remains committed to constructive engagement, but equally firm that doctors cannot continue working under neglect, intimidation, and unlawful practices. When healthcare workers are respected and supported, healthcare systems function. When they are ignored, the system fails.
Unity works. No doctor is left behind.
