Medical services in Kiambu County were disrupted on Tuesday as doctors officially commenced a strike, citing persistent neglect and poor working conditions. The industrial action follows the expiry of a 21-day strike notice issued by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) on May 5.
Despite last-minute efforts by the Kiambu County Government to block the strike through a court injunction, the courts declined to issue the requested orders, effectively clearing the way for doctors to proceed with the walkout.
KMPDU National Chairman Dr. Abidan Mwachi said the strike was necessitated by the County’s continued failure to address fundamental welfare issues affecting doctors. Among the grievances cited are lack of access to medical cover, job group stagnation, arbitrary staff transfers, and the general deterioration of doctors’ well-being.
“Doctors in Kiambu offer critical services, yet they are unable to access medical treatment themselves. This has forced many into public fundraising for care and has contributed to a worrying rise in stress-related issues, including alcoholism among healthcare workers in the county,” said Dr. Mwachi.
In adherence to ethical obligations, the union has implemented a Minimum Service Requirement Plan during the strike. Under this plan:
All non-essential services are suspended across the county’s public health facilities.
One doctor per facility will remain on call at casualty and emergency departments, tasked only with stabilizing critical cases before referring patients.
Non-critical patients will be discharged, while those in intensive care units (ICUs) will continue to receive care.
Stabilized patients will be referred to Kiambu Level V or Thika Level V hospitals, and onward outside the county if necessary.
A spot check in several county hospitals revealed that while clinical officers are attending to patients, they are not admitting new ones due to the doctors’ absence.
KMPDU maintains that the strike could have been avoided had the County Government engaged meaningfully and responded to their concerns within the 21-day window. “Instead of initiating genuine dialogue, the County waited until the last day to rush to court,” said the union in a statement.
The union is now calling on the national government, civil society, and Kiambu residents to hold the County leadership accountable for what it terms as “neglect and brinkmanship.”
As the strike enters its first day, the County Government is yet to issue a fresh response. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on all stakeholders to avert a full-scale healthcare crisis in the region.
