The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) is calling on the government to fully implement its previous commitment to raise doctors' salaries and ensure payslips reflect the updated basic pay.
In a statement on Thursday, September 11, KMPDU National Chairperson Abidan Mwachi emphasized that the administration must release the 2024–2025 salary arrears as agreed in last year’s return-to-work pact between the Ministry of Health and the union.
The push for updated remuneration follows the government’s move to clear doctors’ salary arrears going back to 2017 under the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed eight years ago.
Mwachi said the union is now focused on ensuring every doctor’s payslip matches the revised basic salary rates.
"With the same clarity of purpose, we now focus on full payment of the 2024–2025 arrears and ensuring every payslip reflects the new basic salary rates," Mwachi stated. He confirmed that the second batch of arrears is being processed and asked health workers to verify their bank accounts.
"Brothers and sisters, it has been seven long years, countless nights marked by tear gas and petitions, sackcloth and ashes, threats and intimidation, protests and prayers," Mwachi said.
"You stayed the course. Your Union delivered. Funds are being processed from today. Please check your bank accounts and share confirmations, as is our tradition."
According to the union, the sustained campaign for release of funds demonstrates that intentional and strategic leadership can deliver results.
The announcement comes almost a year after President William Ruto promised to clear all doctors’ arrears, totaling Ksh3.5 billion and dating back to 2017, over a two-year period.
A circular issued in July last year instructed that the arrears be paid in two phases, with the first batch to be disbursed immediately.
"The settlement of the basic salary arrears by doctors employed by the county governments should be concluded within two years, with effect from July 1, 2024," the circular read.
It also recognized the union’s proposals in the return-to-work agreement signed on May 8, 2024, including the call for a review of doctors’ pay to reflect updated rates.
