The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has directed all Kiambu County interns to collect their redeployment letters from the Ministry of Health starting today, September 29, 2025.
The move follows a four-month-long doctors’ strike in Kiambu, with the union stressing that the sanctity of medical internships must not be compromised by prolonged county disputes.
In a statement issued on September 28, 2025, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah confirmed that the Ministry of Health had finalized redeployment letters for all interns previously posted to Kiambu.
“Interns currently in Kiambu County are required to collect the redeployment letters from the MoH effective tomorrow, September 29, 2025, from 9:00 a.m.,” he said.
He warned the interns of being considered to have absconded their duty if they fail to collect the letters.
“Failure to collect the redeployment letter and move will be deemed abscondment of internship duty by the MoH,” Atellah warned.
The decision stems from an earlier directive by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who, in a letter dated August 26, 2025, notified Kiambu Governor Dr. Kimani Wamatangi of the Ministry’s intention to recall the interns if the strike persisted.
According to the Ministry, a total of 697 interns were posted to public health facilities in the county. This included 138 medical officer interns, 48 pharmacist interns, 5 dentist interns, 297 nursing interns, 134 diploma clinical officer interns, and 75 degree clinical officer interns.
“The prolonged delay has caused considerable concern among the affected interns, particularly given that their counterparts deployed to other counties have already commenced training,” he noted.
He cautioned that unless the strike was resolved by September 15, the Ministry would have no choice but to recall all 697 interns for redistribution to other stations.
“This measure is necessary to safeguard the interns’ training, ensure timely progression of their programme, and maintain alignment with their peers nationally,” the CS explained.
With no resolution to the county’s doctors’ strike, KMPDU said redeployment is now unavoidable to protect the professional growth of the interns and maintain continuity in medical service delivery elsewhere in the country.
“As the strike in Kiambu is now in its fourth month with no end in sight, there is an urgent need to protect the sanctity of the internship and it should not be affected by prolonged county strikes,” Atellah noted.