Nairobi Medics Strike Over Delayed Salaries And Stalled Promotions
Health Updated: 14 January 2026 13:51 EAT
Doctors take to streets over unpaid salaries
Doctors and other healthcare workers in Nairobi County public hospitals have vowed to continue their strike action over delayed salaries and stalled promotions. The strike began on 19 December 2025, citing chronic nonpayment and unfulfilled agreements with county officials.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) is leading the strike, accusing the Nairobi County Government of ignoring their grievances and failing to implement previously agreed terms.
Medics say unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and stalled confirmations into permanent positions are among the main issues driving industrial action. They also highlight failures to remit statutory deductions and unpaid gratuities.
The union issued a strike notice in early January 2026, warning the county government that failure to address their concerns would lead to prolonged industrial action.
Hospital operations have been disrupted, with outpatient and non-emergency services scaled down. Patients have reported long queues and delayed treatments in several major facilities.
The strike affects both doctors and clinical officers, many of whom previously worked under Nairobi Metropolitan Services. Staff say unresolved issues have been ongoing for years.
KMPDU has rejected offers by the county to resume work without full implementation of salary payments and promotion agreements. The union insists that all pending payments must be cleared.
The industrial action reflects a wider pattern of healthcare worker protests across Kenya, where unions frequently demand adherence to return-to-work agreements, salary arrears, and career progression commitments.
Healthcare delivery in Nairobi is expected to remain constrained until the county government engages fully with the union and resolves outstanding issues.
Union leaders have called on the county to prioritize the welfare of healthcare workers to prevent further disruption in public hospitals and safeguard patient care.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD