KMPDU issues strike threat over intern doctors’ pay row
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a strike threat to the Ministry of Health over a standoff involving the salary of intern doctors.
In a statement on Thursday, February 20, 2025, KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah lamented that the Ministry of Health was rescinding its earlier negotiations on the salaries of intern doctors.
“Barely two months after signing an agreement securing full intern postings and salaries as per the 2017 CBA, the Ministry of Health is now attempting to reverse these gains by imposing an outrageous salary cut from Ksh206,000 to Ksh70,000,” Atellah stated.
“We, therefore, issue an ultimatum to the Ministry: By 18th March 2025, all interns must be posted and paid in full as per the existing CBA, Failure to comply will result in nationwide strikes, protests, and the withdrawal of medical services.”
Ready for the streets
The union indicated that the doctors would not tire in their quest for better pay, noting that they are ready to hit the streets should the Ministry proceed with the salary adjustments.
“It does not matter how many times we must resist injustice, take to the streets, or go on strike-we will always be ready to fight for what is right. As individuals, we may experience fatigue, but as a united medical fraternity, we will never fire, and we will never surrender. This government must be stopped from its endless cycles of betrayal,” the statement read.
“The choice is now theirs: Honour the agreement or face the full force of a determined and unwavering union. Our rights are not up for negotiation.”
Averted strike
A doctors’ strike which had been scheduled for December 2024 was called off after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki signed an agreement with the medics and the council of governors.
“We welcome the selfless decision of the doctors to call off the intended industrial action and their willingness to continue engagement with the National and County Governments in the spirit of collaboration, consensus building, and good faith,” Kindiki said after calling off the impending strike.
In the deal, intern doctors were promised a monthly salary of Ksh206,000. The deal would also see the highest-paid medical consultant earn up to Ksh814,000.
“In today’s agreement, the intern doctors can actually check their pay slips to see the confirmations that they will be getting their full salaries,” Atellah said on December 19, 2025.
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