Patients in Nairobi County are facing an unprecedented crisis, with medical services in public hospitals suspended following the official strike by doctors that began today.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has confirmed that over 300 doctors have gone on strike, withdrawing all services from public health facilities across the county.
This development comes at a time when the clinical officers' strike, which started on February 17, is still ongoing, further compounding the crisis.
Though the doctors on strike are those in County hospitals are on strike including Mbagathi hospital, Mama Lucy and Pumwani, Mama Margaret and all level two, three and four hospitals in Nairobi County, the situation for all those seeking primary care only available in such lower cadre hospitals is dire.
At the same time, Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) and Kenya Association of Private Hospitals have suspended services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) at the beginning of the week due to unpaid NHIF arrears, leaving many patients without access to healthcare.
Dr Davji Atellah, KMPDU’s National Secretary General, confirmed the strike began at on Thursday midnight, with the 300 doctors halting their duties.
He expressed deep frustration over ongoing issues such as illegal salary stoppages, stalled promotions, delayed gratuities, and unpaid confirmation letters, all of which have escalated tensions within the medical community.
As both doctors and clinical officers remain on strike, thousands of patients in Nairobi are left stranded, unable to receive essential care at a time when the country's healthcare system is already grappling with serious challenges.
“Doctors don’t choose to strike but how can we care for patients when we are deliberately incapacitated? For quality healthcare, doctors must be valued, supported, and empowered to serve,” said Dr Atellah.
According to Dr Deogracious Maero, Nairobi County Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union chairman, consultant doctors with Nairobi Country have not been paid their basic salaries for over four years, which has impacted their financial capabilities. Besides, two doctors were dismissed procedurally by the county in January this year.
“The process of their dismissal was initiated in 2024 March after we called off the other strike. They wanted to dismiss all the doctors, and then initiate a return to work formula, but they were stopped. The Nairobi county government says it was a mistake, but they were given dismissal letters, and are out of the payroll. It will take about another three months before they are put back on the payroll again,” he said.
“Doctors who worked on contract for three and a half years under the county have not been paid their gratuity fees. We also have over 200 doctors due for promotion. Last year, when we had a sit down with the county government, they said they would promote doctors that were due by August. That did not happen,” he added.
“Now, if you go to hospitals, there is total withdrawal of all services, including critical ones. The only people at Nairobi public hospitals now are nurses and clinical officer interns. We understand that patients’ lives are at risk, but this needs to be done,” he added.
“The doctors are on strike but all the emergency cases are being handled by locum doctors who are not employed by Nairobi County. We also have arrangements with the specialists who are also available for emergencies on a rotational basis,” Mr Alex Irungu, Mbagathi hospital chief executive officer told the Nation.
“This means that should we get any emergency, for instance, even an accident victim, then we have a specialist who is on standby and will respond on call for those emergencies. All our services are affected because only nurses are working. Clinical officers are also on strike but we have some on roll call,” he said.
He adds: “The most affected areas are inpatient. Because you see, when clinical officers admit now it's the specialists, the medical officers and specialists who come to review,”
Ms Jane Wairimu gave birth on Thursday February 27 and until the time of going to press, she had not been reviewed by any doctor and is due for a discharge.
“In the morning I requested to see a doctor and I was told, the earliest they will be at the hospital is on Monday and that will mean I stay in the hospital for two more days,” she says.
