The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has welcomed a series of commitments made by the government following high-level talks with the Ministry of Health aimed at resolving long-standing concerns affecting doctors across the country.
The resolutions were reached during a consultative meeting chaired by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, with discussions focusing on salary adjustments, collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), employment, internships and medical insurance.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah described the meeting as a significant step towards addressing issues that have remained unresolved for years, while maintaining that the union will closely monitor implementation of the agreed actions.
Salary adjustments and arrears
Among the key resolutions, the Ministry of Health committed to working with the Ministry of Public Service to facilitate the immediate activation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database (IPPD) code to pave the way for implementation of basic salary adjustments contained in the existing CBA.
The government also pledged to include salary arrears for the 2024/2025 financial year in the September Supplementary Budget, with payments expected to be completed by December 2026.
In addition, outstanding salary arrears owed to Ministry of Health doctors dating back to 2017 will be addressed, with the ministry expected to provide a progress update by August 2.
SHA contributions and medical cover
The meeting also resolved to extend the deadline for remitting Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions from the 9th to the 25th day of every month.
The change is intended to prevent interruptions to healthcare workers’ medical cover caused by delays in remitting statutory deductions.
Fresh CBA negotiations
The Ministry of Health further committed to begin negotiations for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement, with government negotiators expected to present a counter-proposal next week.
The discussions are expected to guide improvements in doctors’ remuneration and working conditions over the next four years.
Employment and internship commitments
According to KMPDU, the government reaffirmed its commitment to recruit 2,000 doctors and promised to release a comprehensive report detailing the current employment status of doctors next week.
The ministry also pledged to ensure the uninterrupted annual deployment of medical interns under the terms provided in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Mathari Hospital and KU referral hospital
During the meeting, the government committed to appointing a substantive Chief Executive Officer at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital within three weeks. The appointment is expected to pave the way for the absorption of seven pharmacists whose recruitment has been pending.
The Medical Services Principal Secretary also undertook to intervene in resolving outstanding CBA issues affecting staff at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, with a progress report expected within one month.
Union to monitor implementation
While welcoming the government’s commitments, Dr. Atellah said KMPDU would remain vigilant to ensure every promise is fulfilled within the agreed timelines.
“These commitments represent important progress, but our responsibility now is to ensure implementation. We will closely monitor every timeline to ensure that today’s resolutions translate into tangible outcomes for doctors across the country,” he said.
He added that the union remains committed to safeguarding the welfare, dignity and professional rights of doctors while continuing to engage the government on outstanding issues.
