Kenya could face yet another disruption in public health services after the doctors' union issued a 14-day strike notice, accusing the government of going back on a signed agreement that ended a 56-day strike earlier this year.

In a detailed letter sent to senior government officials and the Council of Governors, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) warned that the continued failure to implement agreed-upon terms is unacceptable.

The letter, signed by KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atellah, cites what the union calls blatant neglect by both national and county governments in honouring commitments made under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement and its later amendments.

Among the union’s main concerns is the failure by the national government to release conditional grants to counties, delays in salary adjustments, and non-payment of arrears. These were all part of the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) signed on May 8, 2024, and revised on December 19, 2024.

“The union is concerned that despite explicit agreement on the national government committing to provide conditional grants to the county governments… we do not see any action in this regard,” Dr Atellah wrote.

The KMPDU said their concerns were confirmed after the County Government Additional Allocation Act, 2025, and Supplementary Budget III failed to include the necessary funding to implement the signed agreements.

In addition, the union noted that doctors employed under the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour are still awaiting salary arrears.

The most alarming development, according to KMPDU, is that July 2025 payslips showed no changes in line with the salary adjustments outlined in the December 2024 addendum.

The union described this omission as a serious violation of trust and a breach of contract.

"Take notice that unless the issues herein are resolved within 14 days... the highest decision-making organ of the union will convene to determine the way forward, including but not limited to calling for an industrial action," Dr Atellah warned.

KMPDU has further threatened to file contempt of court proceedings against accounting officers accused of ignoring the legally binding commitments.

If the strike goes ahead, it could cripple public hospitals across the country, including key referral facilities like Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, as well as county hospitals.

The last nationwide doctors’ strike, which ended in early May 2024, severely disrupted health services for nearly two months. The union now says this new dispute risks reversing any progress achieved since then and could deepen the strain between the government and healthcare workers.