Health crisis looms in Kakamega as doctors issue 14-day strike notice

Doctors working in Kakamega County have issued a 14-day strike notice, threatening to down their tools from April 18, 2025, if the county government fails to address a litany of grievances they say have gone unheeded for months.

In a strongly-worded letter dated April 4, 2025, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) informed County Secretary Lawrence Omuhaka that their members have unanimously resolved to withdraw labour over what they describe as “persistent injustices perpetrated by the Kakamega County Government.”

“This matter was referred to the Ministry of Labour, and further arbitration at the Kakamega Labour Office did not yield a resolution,” the union Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said in the letter, citing a Certificate of Unresolved Dispute issued earlier this year.

Among the top issues driving the medics to the brink are the failure by the county to promote doctors who have fulfilled all conditions, the lack of a comprehensive health insurance cover, and the acute shortage of medical personnel.

“Doctors continue to work without a comprehensive medical cover, jeopardizing their well-being,” Dr. Aellah notes, underscoring the irony of healthcare workers lacking access to the very service they provide.

Additionally, the union criticized the county for dragging its feet on hiring more doctors, even as health services are strained by staffing shortfalls.

“The severe staff shortage has compromised healthcare service delivery, yet the county has failed to recruit additional personnel,” the KMPDU boss added.

Dr. Atellah went on to warn that unless the county takes swift action, the strike will commence on April 18 at 11:59 PM, “indefinitely.”

Still, the union insists it is not closing the door on dialogue. “We remain open to dialogue to avert the impending industrial action. Kindly treat this matter with the urgency it deserves,” Dr. Atellah urged.