Kiambu and Kakamega counties have resorted to threatening striking doctors with summary dismissal unless they return to work immediately, even as patients continue to suffer.
A circular from the Kiambu County government signed by County Secretary John Maingi gives an ultimatum to the over 300 striking doctors.
In Kakamega, the county has since advertised the doctors’ positions, terming them vacant. The doctors have been on strike for the last four weeks, while those in Kiambu and Marsabit joined them on Tuesday.
The doctors are striking over grievances such as delayed salaries, arbitrary transfers and punishing work schedules.
Doctors, nurses and medical interns protest outside Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on April 9, 2024.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
“Any healthcare worker who participates in the strike will attract intentional and conclusive disciplinary action that will include summary dismissal from service,” the Kiambu County circular warns, terming the industrial action illegal and saying it “puts the lives of Kiambu citizens in danger”.
The hardline stance comes despite ongoing mediation efforts by the Ministry of Labour, which has scheduled negotiations for tomorrow and had requested the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to suspend the strike.
Universal Health Coverage medics protest along Harambe Avenue Nairobi on May 27, 2025 to demand better terms of employment.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
However, the union dismissed these last-minute intervention attempts, arguing they had endured “several correspondences and consultative meetings” while the county management had “refused to constructively engage” with their concerns.
County officials characterise the strike as “unwarranted, premature, and illegal” and “negates the ongoing effort to settle their grievances”.
The circular’s threatening language signals the county’s intention to break the strike through intimidation rather than addressing the issues that drove doctors to withdraw their services.
“We wish to inform all citizens that steps have been taken to ensure healthcare services in Kiambu County continue uninterrupted,” the circular states, though the reality on the ground is different—hospitals are struggling with skeleton staff and overwhelmed emergency services.
Universal Health coverage (UHC) medics protesting on Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi on May 20,2025.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Kiambu County Health Executive Elias Maina said that they issued a demand letter to the union, telling the doctors that they could only participate in a strike if the dispute remained unresolved after conciliation. Since the conciliation is yet to happen, then “there is no dispute whatsoever, but a list of grievances to be addressed”, and that the strike is “not protected under the law”.
“We are in the process of recruiting other cadres. As we speak, interviews are ongoing and people have been shortlisted to add more doctors, nurses, laboratory, pharmaceutical technologists, and other cadres,” Dr Maina said.
He added that the county has initiated disciplinary action against striking doctors and is committed to following through once it receives the names of the concerned doctors.
“We are recruiting other staff to replace those who have decided to keep away because we can't gamble, and we can't risk the lives of our patients,” he said.
UHC medics kick off their night vigil outside Afya House
In Kakamega, nurses have been left with no choice but to refer patients to private hospitals. Unable to afford private treatment, some patients are turning to traditional medicine.
“I came to Kakamega hoping to find treatment for my son, but there are no doctors. I’ll try herbal remedies from the village. I believe he’ll recover,” she said.
Ms Beatrice Nabwire, who suffered a broken limb, was referred from Navakholo Sub-County Hospital to the Kakamega County General Hospital (KCGH) for X-ray services.
“There was no radiologist. The nurse told me to go to a private hospital, but I don’t have the money. I’ll just go home and wait until I can afford treatment,” she said.
Police lob tear gas to disperse Universal Health Coverage medics protesting in Nairobi
Mr Kassim Nabwera, a cancer patient, travelled from Lugari to KCGH in search of specialised care and medication.
“The nurses couldn’t help because I needed a doctor. I’m worried, no one knows when this strike will end,” he said.
Dr Teddy Aura, the KMPDU liaison officer in Kakamega, accused Governor Fernandes Barasa of ignoring their concerns.
“We issued a notice, but the governor has refused to meet with us. Since 2012, only five new doctors have been hired, even as many others leave. How will we ever meet the minimum threshold of 419 doctors needed in Kakamega?” he asked.
Dr Aura added that most doctors in the county have remained in the same job group for over a decade despite advancing their qualifications.
“Until the county engages us in meaningful dialogue and takes decisive action, we will remain on strike,” he affirmed.
Dr James Maina, the KMPDU Central Branch Chairperson, said that they will not be intimidated by the dismissal threats and that the deployment of the new doctors is a welcome move, since acute doctor shortage was one of their grievances.
“We had been informed that 39 doctors had been interviewed, and I believe all of them have been given contracts. They should tell us where these doctors have been and why doctors have been getting stressed and dying of burnout,” he said.
