Doctors receive Sh3.5bn in long-awaited salary arrears
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah addresses journalists during a press conference in Nairobi on April 26, 2025.
Doctors across the country have finally received the final instalment of salary arrears totalling Sh3.5 billion, completing payment of dues dating back to 2017 and averting a planned nationwide strike.
The payment represents the second and final instalment of the Sh3.75 billion owed to healthcare workers under the 2017-2024 agreements.
Dr Davji Atellah, Secretary-General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU), confirmed that most doctors had already received the overdue payments and "are smiling to the bank."
"Today marks a historic victory for doctors and the labour movement in Kenya. After seven years of relentless pursuit, the second and final batch of the 2017–2024 basic salary arrears has been released, and members have begun receiving them in their various banks," he said.
The government owed doctors Sh3.75 billion in total. The first batch, representing 50 per cent of the amount due, was paid in December last year. Starting yesterday, doctors across the country received the remaining portion, with some receiving Sh500,000 and others getting Sh1 million.
According to Dr Atellah, the arrears were originally supposed to be paid over five years. "Last year, we went to State House, and President William Ruto said they would pay within two financial years. Having paid in December and now, the government has paid within a year."
Nation reached out to several doctors who confirmed receiving their arrears.
In a letter dated September 9, and addressed to Dr Atellah, Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni from the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards confirmed that the second and final payment had been "processed, approved, and released."
The payment comes after doctors issued an ultimatum demanding settlement of the arrears. Early last month, the union threatened to shut down medical services nationwide, accusing the government of failing to implement the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Return-to-Work Formula executed mid-last year and formally signed on December 19, 2024.
Beyond the salary arrears, other issues have been addressed. Dr Atellah confirmed that interns have been paid Sh208,000 as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and postgraduate fees have been settled for approximately 633 doctors.
"We acknowledge the support of our Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, and PS Mary Muthoni, whose leadership has been instrumental in implementing the 2024 Return-to-Work Formula. The CS has embraced dialogue and a forthright attitude in implementing agreements," he said.
However, he noted that battles remain to secure 2024–2025 arrears and "ensure that every doctor's pay slip reflects the rightful new salary rates and employment of 2,000 doctors."
He also challenged the 47 governors to uphold their agreements on doctor welfare and employment terms.
"They should promote all deserving doctors and provide functional medical cover. This will ensure industrial harmony, a prerequisite for successful Universal Health Coverage implementation."
