Public hospitals and clinics in Nairobi are expected to resume operations from Monday after doctors agreed to temporarily call off a six-week strike following a court directive.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Nairobi branch says all doctors under the county government have been instructed to report back to work at 8 a.m. on Monday, February 2.
The decision follows a ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court ordering the suspension of the industrial action that had crippled public health services across the capital.
The strike, which began in mid-December, was sparked by unresolved labour disputes between doctors and the Nairobi City County Government. These include delayed promotions, unpaid salary arrears, lack of comprehensive medical insurance, unpaid gratuity for former NMS staff, and failure to implement the 2025 return-to-work agreement.
KMPDU has clarified that the return to work is only for 30 days and does not signal the end of the dispute.
KMPDU Nairobi Branch Secretary Malindi Chao says doctors are complying with the court order but remain frustrated by what he described as prolonged inaction by the county administration.
We are law-abiding professionals and, in respect of the court’s direction, we are returning to serve the residents of Nairobi. But the 45 days of inaction by the county administration have left our members frustrated,” Chao said.
“If the county does not use this period to address the health insurance gaps and promotion arrears, we will have no option but to resume the strike once the notice expires,” he said.
He warned that the union will issue a fresh strike notice if the outstanding issues are not resolved within the 30-day window.
The union has called on the county government to engage in meaningful talks to prevent another shutdown of public health services.
