Doctors across Kenya are preparing to down their tools later this month after the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) confirmed plans for a nationwide strike beginning October 25, 2025.
The union said the decision comes after long-standing frustrations with both national and county governments over what it terms as neglect of the healthcare sector.
It accuses the Council of Governors of ignoring serious issues in county hospitals, including poor working conditions, delayed salaries, and lack of basic medical equipment.
The announcement follows a public outcry triggered by reports that 136 newborns had died in Kiambu County hospitals due to what the union described as negligence and system failure.
According to KMPDU, the deaths expose the deep cracks in Kenya’s devolved health system, where patients and medical workers continue to suffer due to lack of support and accountability.
The matter has reignited debate on whether the devolution of health services has improved or worsened care in public hospitals.In response, the Council of Governors has downplayed the union’s claims, dismissing the reported figures as exaggerated.
The governors maintain that hospitals across counties remain operational and that measures are being taken to address existing challenges.
However, KMPDU has rejected this defence, saying the dismissive attitude from the governors reflects the same neglect that has crippled the health sector.
The union insists that its strike is not just about Kiambu’s tragedy but also about the overall decay in county healthcare facilities.
KMPDU has issued a 19-day notice, giving authorities time to act before doctors withdraw their services.
Among its demands are a public apology from the Council of Governors, an independent investigation into the deaths of the newborns, and urgent reforms to strengthen county hospitals.
The union also wants the government to address the persistent problem of delayed salaries and restore a steady supply of essential medical resources.
Many public hospitals have been operating under difficult conditions, with frequent shortages of drugs, lack of equipment, and an increasing number of patients seeking care in already overstretched facilities.
The strain has forced some patients to turn to private hospitals, where the cost of treatment is beyond the reach of many ordinary families.
If the strike goes on as planned, the country’s health system could face severe disruptions, especially in maternity wards, emergency units, and surgical theatres.
Government officials have urged both sides to pursue dialogue, warning that the strike could endanger lives and deepen the suffering of vulnerable patients.
Despite these appeals, the union says it will only call off the industrial action if there are concrete steps toward resolving the problems it has raised.
With only weeks to the deadline, Kenyans are anxious, fearing another breakdown in public healthcare as doctors and the government face off once again.
