KMPDU issues 21-day strike notice to 17 counties over doctors’ pay

The union warned that doctors working in the affected counties would down their tools on November 25, 2026, if the respective county governments fail to adjust their payslips before the expiry of the notice.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 4, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said the affected counties had failed to implement salary adjustments despite a directive issued by the Council of Governors (CoG) in July 2026.

The directive, contained in a letter dated July 22, 2026, required all county governments to effect the adjustments in doctors' August 2026 payslips.

KMPDU said the failure to implement the changes amounted to a violation of the Return-to-Work Formula signed on May 8, 2024, a corresponding court order issued on the same date, and an addendum signed on December 19, 2024.

According to the union, 30 of Kenya's 47 counties have already implemented the salary adjustments, leaving 17 yet to comply.

The union further claimed that the national government had released funds to the respective counties through the 2025/2026 equitable share allocation to facilitate the adjustments.

KMPDU accused the affected county governments of administrative inaction, saying it had granted them an additional three months to comply, but subsequent follow-up letters sent in October had gone unanswered.

"The union has demonstrated extreme leniency, granting an extended grace period for the last three months. However, follow-ups, including subsequent reminder letters sent to them in October 2026, have been completely ignored," stated Dr. Atellah.

The affected counties are Murang'a, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Lamu, Taita-Taveta, Tana River, Machakos, Makueni, Laikipia, Narok, Kajiado, Embu, Isiolo, Meru and Vihiga.

The union maintained that the implementation of the salary adjustments was not subject to further negotiations, insisting that county governments should honour the existing agreements.

"KMPDU reiterates that this matter requires no form of negotiation whatsoever; what is demanded is the immediate, full, and unconditional implementation of the agreed basic salary adjustments," Dr. Atellah added.