Kiambu: Doctors Begin Strike After Talks with County Fail, Court Gives Green Light

• Healthcare services in Kiambu county were thrown into disarray on Tuesday, May 27, after doctors went on strike following years of unmet demands
• The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) cited stalled promotions, victimisation of whistleblowers, and lack of health insurance as key grievances that led to the strike
• A last-minute court bid by the county government to stop the strike failed, prompting the union to implement a minimum service plan to sustain emergency care during the industrial action

TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

After years of simmering frustration, crisis finally erupted in Kiambu county on Tuesday, May 27.

Doctors went on strike over long-standing employment disputes, bringing services in public hospitals to a standstill.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), led by national chairman Abi Mwachi and other senior officials, accused the county government of failing to promote doctors, some of whom have been waiting up to a decade.

The union also decried alleged punitive transfers and retaliatory actions against doctors who raise concerns about poor working conditions, including the lack of medical supplies and the absence of health insurance.

The strike follows the lapse of a 21-day notice the union had issued to the county administration, demanding action on the grievances.

"Doctors in Kiambu county have officially downed their tools today following the County Government’s sustained failure to engage meaningfully with the union after the issuance of a strike notice on May 5," a statement by KMPDU national chairman Mwachi read.

Despite the window for dialogue, no substantial engagement took place.

Did court allow Kiambu doctors to strike?

In a last-ditch attempt, the county government sought a court injunction on the final day of the notice period to halt the strike, but the court did not grant it, paving the way for the doctors to proceed legally with the industrial action.

"We wish to clarify that the court declined to issue any such orders, effectively giving doctors the legal green light to proceed with the industrial action," Mwachi added.

To avert a complete breakdown in essential health services, KMPDU has activated its minimum service requirement plan.

Under this arrangement, all non-emergency services are suspended, and only one doctor is assigned per facility to handle emergencies.

Stabilised patients are being referred to Kiambu Level V and Thika Level V hospitals for further care.

The union squarely blamed the county leadership for the crisis, insisting that the strike could have been avoided through timely, honest dialogue.

Even as the industrial action continues, KMPDU said doctors remain open to returning to work if the county demonstrates a genuine willingness to engage in constructive negotiations.

Why must Japhet Koome compensate Davji Atellah?

In a related development, former Inspector general of police Japhet Koome lost a court battle to overturn a ruling that held him personally responsible for police brutality against striking doctors in February 2024.

The High Court dismissed his claim of being unfairly condemned without proper notice.

Justice Roselyne Aburili upheld the earlier judgment, ordering Koome to personally compensate KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah, who suffered serious head injuries after being teargassed during a peaceful protest.

The court cited Koome’s command responsibility in the unlawful crackdown. He is now required to comply with the ruling and pay general damages for the rights violations committed under his leadership.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke