Countdown begins: Homa Bay doctors set February 2 strike deadline
KMPDU Secretary General, Dr Davji Atellah, at a past event. He says doctors in Homa Bay will down their tools if the county fails to honour its statutory and contractual obligations within three weeks.
What you need to know:
- Among the grievances is stagnation in career progression due to the county's failure to promote and re-designate doctors with pending cases.
- The doctors also cite financial irregularities, including the county's failure to remit outstanding statutory deductions such as insurance premiums, loan repayments, and union dues—placing workers at risk of financial ruin.
Homa Bay County residents face a possible health crisis following a looming strike by health workers over unfair labour practices.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a 21-day strike notice to the Homa Bay County government.
KMPDU Secretary General, Dr Davji Atellah, says doctors in the county will down their tools if the county fails to honour its statutory and contractual obligations within three weeks.
"Despite our numerous attempts to seek amicable resolutions through engagements and follow-ups, the county leadership has demonstrated blatant disregard for the Employment Act, the Labour Relations Act, the Doctors' 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the revised scheme of service," said Dr Atellah.
Among the grievances is stagnation in career progression due to the county's failure to promote and re-designate doctors with pending cases.
The doctors also cite financial irregularities, including the county's failure to remit outstanding statutory deductions such as insurance premiums, loan repayments, and union dues—placing workers at risk of financial ruin.
"The county government has also breached its welfare obligations by leaving medics without comprehensive medical insurance cover, leaving them vulnerable," Dr Atellah added.
The union has further faulted the county for accumulating unpaid salaries and allowances, including the December 2025 allowance. It also accuses the county of illegally tampering with employees' payroll through irregular removal of members and withholding their accrued dues.
"The county has failed to convert and confirm contractual and probationary doctors to permanent and pensionable terms," said Dr Atellah. "It has also failed to recruit more medical officers, pharmacists, and dentists, leading to acute shortages that compromise both doctors' welfare and patient safety."
The union now wants the county to address all grievances within 21 days to avert the strike. Failure to do so will see health workers across the county withdraw their services at midnight on February 2, 2025.
"The union remains open to genuine and time-bound negotiations. However, we will no longer accept verbal promises without tangible implementation," said Dr Atellah.
