KMPDU shifts to dialogue in push for 2025-2029 doctors’ CBA

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has resolved to transition from agitation to structured dialogue in a renewed push to secure a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering the 2025–2029 period, setting December 2026 as the target for concluding negotiations.

In a communique to members dated October 25, 2026, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said the union’s leadership had agreed to pursue negotiations following a joint meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) and National Executive Council (NEC) held on October 16.

“Following the joint National Advisory Council and National Executive Council meeting held on 16th October 2026, the leadership resolved to officially transition from agitation to structured dialogue to secure the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with negotiations to commence immediately,” Dr. Atellah stated.

The union said its negotiating committee had been mandated to handle both the Ministry of Health and county government CBAs, with a target of having the agreement finalised by the end of the year.

“The negotiation committee was officially empowered to negotiate both the MoH and Counties CBAs, with a clear, uncompromising target to have the 2025–2029 CBA finalized by December 2026,” the communique read.

The move follows the Ministry of Health’s establishment of an Inter-Ministerial CBA Negotiation Committee to engage KMPDU on the proposed agreement.

In a letter dated October 13, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni invited the union to an inaugural negotiation meeting scheduled for October 26 and 27 in Mombasa.

The PS noted that the ministry had constituted a committee to undertake the negotiations, formally inviting KMPDU to the inaugural meeting.

The ministry’s engagement follows the submission of KMPDU’s comprehensive CBA proposal and the subsequent counter-proposal from the government, paving the way for negotiations on the terms of service for doctors employed in national government institutions.

On the county government front, KMPDU said the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) had granted its request for centralised negotiations covering all county governments.

In a letter dated September 17, 2026, addressed to CoG Chief Executive Officer Mary Mwiti, Dr. Atellah formally nominated 12 union officials to represent doctors in the county-level negotiations.

“Pursuant to your request, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) hereby nominates the following twelve (12) officials to represent the Union team,” Dr. Atellah stated in the letter.

The nominated officials are Dr. Mercy Nabwire, Dr. Dennis Miskellah, Dr. Kahura Mundia, Dr. Renoh Omoro, Dr. James Githinji, Dr. Joseph Makomere, Dr. Stephen Walunywa, Dr. William Waturu, Dr. Ismail Aiyabei, Dr. Aweis Ismail, Dr. Doris Kananu and Dr. Steve Onyango.

According to the union’s October 25 communique, county-level negotiations are scheduled to begin on October 29 and 30, 2026, as KMPDU seeks to secure uniform terms through a centralised process rather than negotiating separately with individual county governments.

The union said the current approach was informed by lessons from the 2017–2021 CBA cycle, which it described as a period marked by difficult negotiations, sacrifices and sustained agitation for better working conditions.

“We remember all too well the heavy battles we fought during the 2017–2021 CBA cycle, the sacrifices, the resilience, and the unwavering solidarity it took to demand respect for our profession and better conditions for healthcare delivery,” Dr. Atellah said.

He urged members to remain united behind the negotiating teams as the union pursues better terms of service and improved working conditions for medical professionals.

“This is our moment to secure better terms of service, protect our welfare, and guarantee a dignified working environment that reflects the true value of medical professionals in Kenya,” the communique stated.

KMPDU said it was entering the negotiations prepared to engage both levels of government, with the outcome expected to determine the terms and conditions of service for doctors covered by the 2025–2029 agreement.