Doctors in Nairobi call off 39-day strike after deal with county gov't

Doctors in Nairobi County have ended their 39-day strike after reaching a deal with the Governor Johnson Sakaja-led administration on Tuesday.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharamcists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah announced that the strike was suspended after all their demands were met by the county government.

Dr. Atellah noted that, among their 9 demands included the reinstatement of all dismissed doctors, issuance of permanent and pensionable confirmation letters for 369 doctors, as well as the payment of salaries for doctors at the Mama Lucy Kenya Hospital who have not received their dues since 2021 in May payslips.

Other demands were; gratuity for doctors who were attached to the now defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), promotions of 72 doctors to job group S, 80 others to job group Q, and another 78 to job group.

The KMPDU boss further noted that they also had demands that specifically touched on the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), such as the reinstatement of doctors, salary harmonization, and that 26 consultants be promoted by May 2025.

“We celebrate today, and we continue the struggle tomorrow, for better working conditions, fair pay, and respect for our profession,” Dr. Atellah stated after the meeting chaired by Governor Sakaja that resolved to call off the strike.