Win for KMPDU leadership as court dismisses election petition

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has declared an end to the legal challenges surrounding its April 2026 elections after the Employment and Labour Relations Court struck out a petition contesting the outcome.

In a statement issued on Thursday, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said the court's decision had removed any legal uncertainty surrounding the union's leadership, paving the way for the officials elected during the April 2 polls to focus on advancing members' welfare.

According to Dr. Atellah, the court, presided over by Justice Monica Mbaru, upheld the union's preliminary objection and dismissed the petition challenging the elections.

"The rule of law and the democratic will of our membership have prevailed," Dr. Atellah said.

He added that the court found the petition to be "statute-barred, legally unsustainable, and fatally defective."

"With costs awarded to the Respondents, let me be unequivocal: there is now no case, no pending litigation, and no legal barrier challenging our elections," Dr. Atellah stated.

"Our National Executive Committee and branch officials stand fully authenticated, secure, and legally undisputed, ready for action and to serve undeterred."

The union boss described the ruling as a victory for all KMPDU members and called for unity following the conclusion of the dispute.

"To those who held different views during the election cycle, I extend my hand in unconditional brotherhood. The election is behind us, and the court has cleared the path ahead," he said.

"Our adversaries are not within our ranks; our true battles are against the systemic failures that threaten our profession every day."

With the legal battle now settled, Dr. Atellah said the union's focus would shift to the implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), payment of salary arrears, deployment of medical interns, settlement of pending postgraduate school fees and improvement of doctors' working conditions.

He said KMPDU would also intensify efforts to secure the implementation of return-to-work agreements and pursue negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA.

"We must complete this process and secure the 55 per cent salary increase we currently demand," Dr. Atellah said.

The KMPDU Secretary General further revealed that the union had already issued formal notices to the government regarding Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database (IPPD) adjustments, payment of pending salary arrears and the commencement of negotiations for the next CBA.

"The chapter of action begins now. You did not elect us to sit in courtrooms; you elected us to deliver. The period of transition and hesitation is over," he stated.