Doctors in Embu County have issued a 14-day strike notice, warning that they will down their tools from December 1 if the county government fails to address long-standing labour grievances.
In a letter dated November 17 and addressed to Embu County Secretary Amy Ruria, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) accused the county administration of failing to engage constructively on issues affecting doctors, despite numerous correspondences, consultative meetings, and formal memoranda.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said the county had acted in total contravention of the Constitution, the Public Service Commission Human Resource Policy, and the Labour Relations Act by ignoring legitimate concerns raised by medical staff.
He added that the county had also failed to honour a binding agreement signed on January 17, 2024, following a Bipartisan Committee negotiation between the two parties.
“The continued disregard of this agreement constitutes a breach of good faith and undermines the principles of social dialogue and industrial harmony,” the union stated.
Among the unresolved issues are delayed promotions, a persistent shortage of doctors in the county, non-remittance of statutory deductions, and the county’s continued reliance on locum doctors rather than filling permanent positions.
KMPDU warned that unless the Embu County Government resolves these matters within 14 days, all doctors working in the county “shall withdraw their services effective 1st December, 2025 at 23:59hrs.”
The union argues that failure to remit statutory deductions puts doctors at financial and legal risk, while staff shortages have stretched healthcare workers thin, undermining service delivery in county hospitals.
It further says that delayed promotions have demoralised doctors, many of whom have worked for years without career progression.
The notice seen by Radio Generation been copied to key national and county officials, including the Cabinet Secretaries for Health and Labour, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General, the Governor of Embu, and the County Public Service Board.
If effected, the strike could significantly disrupt healthcare services across Embu County, particularly in public hospitals that rely heavily on unionised doctors.
The Embu County Government has yet to issue a formal response to the notice.
