Contents
Current Leadership
The top national officials steering KMPDU through the 2021–2026 term
Dr. Abidan Mwachi
National Chairperson
Dr. Davji Atellah
Secretary General
Dr. Mercy Nabwire
National Treasurer
Dr. Kahura Mundia
Deputy National Chairperson
Dr. Dennis Miskellah
Deputy Secretary General
Key Achievements
From salary arrears to CBA negotiations — a record of action and results across all fronts
KES 9B
Financial gains secured through
interns posting since 2021
4,000+
Interns posted with full
CBA-compliant pay since 2021
Interns Posted by Year
All interns now receiving full CBA-compliant pay
| Year | Medical | Dental | Pharmacists | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | 458 | 32 | 0 | 490 |
| 2021/22 | 937 | 75 | 433 | 1,445 |
| 2022/23 | 347 | 23 | 285 | 655 |
| 2023/24 | 887 | 57 | 427 | 1,371 |
| 2024/25 | 884 | 72 | 290 | 1,246 |
Basic Salary Arrears
KES 3.5B paid across all 47 counties
- ●Paid in two instalments: KES 1.75B for all 47 counties in December 2024 and KES 1.75B in September 2025, after a strong union push for full implementation of the 2017 CBA.
- ●MoH arrears: Department of Public Health & Professional Standards paid May 2025. Department of Medical Services pending; funds budgeted in 2025/2026 supplementary budget for Q1 payment.
Interns' Posting & Pay
All interns posted with full CBA-compliant pay
- ●Stood united against any attempt to undermine the CBA. Despite threats and intimidation, prepared to defend interns and safeguard the agreement.
- ●Undertook rigorous litigation, sustained negotiations, and organized demonstrations — and prevailed.
Postgraduate Studies & Fees
633 fee approvals secured; 900+ doctors released for PG studies
- ●Postgraduate committee frozen since 2019; backlog covering 2018–2025 addressed.
- ●633 fee approvals secured; 500 registrars' fees already paid; structured payment schedule set for 2026.
Promotions
5,100+ doctors promoted nationwide
- ●5,100+ doctors promoted nationwide (2021–2026) from sustained push through industrial actions.
- ●MoH led with 400 promotions on 6 December 2024.
Medical Insurance
- ●Public Officer Comprehensive Medical Fund covers all seconded doctors.
- ●All counties now have supplementary cover; compliance monitoring ongoing.
Work Done on SHA (2023)
- ●Challenged the Social Health Insurance Act, opposing mandatory unconstitutional 2.75% deductions without guaranteed services.
- ●Negotiated protection of existing medical benefits during NHIF transition.
Statutory Deductions
- ●Salaries released by the 3rd; deductions remitted by the 9th.
- ●Includes SHA.
Doctors Employed Since 2021
~3,500 new doctors employed (2021–2025)
- ●Between 2021–2025, approximately 1,800 doctors were employed through the Council of Governors (CoG) at county levels.
- ●An additional 1,700 doctors were employed through the Ministry of Health (MoH), bringing the total to approximately 3,500 new doctors employed since 2021.
Employment of Additional Doctors
2,000 doctors committed for FY 2025/2026
- ●Government committed to employing 2,000 doctors in FY 2025/2026; implementation ongoing.
CBA Negotiations
- ●2017–2021 CBA fully implemented.
- ●2021–2025 negotiations reached a point where clearance of the previous CBA was required before resumption. This is now on track following recent updates on implementation of SRC 3rd & 4th Remuneration Review Cycles and CBA Basic Salary Adjustments.
KMPDU Strategic Plan
- ●2020–2024 plan delivered.
- ●2025–2029 review underway; member validation scheduled.
NMS Absorption
- ●Over 200 former NMS doctors converted to permanent and pensionable terms as agreed.
Protected Industrial Action
100+ successful strikes; zero victimisation
- ●Over 100 successful strikes; no victimisation; withheld salaries released.
Disciplinary Representations & Appeals
- ●Laikipia: Doctors fired for 40 months reinstated (2022).
- ●Kitui: 19 doctors dismissed in September 2021 for pursuing post-graduate studies reinstated per consent agreement. Arrears withheld and deposited in court released and dispatched to members.
Constitutional Review Exercise
- ●Zero-draft amendment shared.
- ●Deadline extended indefinitely.
International Advocacy
- ●Petitions submitted to ILO, World Bank, IMF, and governments of UK, US, and Germany on healthcare financing and workers' rights.
Democracy & Elections
- ●2026 elections scheduled 1 April – 30 June 2026.
- ●Full compliance with Labour Relations Act, 2007.
Hospitals & Ministry of Health
CBA negotiations, contract conversions, and institutional victories across major facilities
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)
Contracts upgraded from KES 80K to KES 300K+
- ●Doctors on KES 80,000contracts (since 2019) converted to KES 300,000 + gratuity, Permanent & Pensionable terms.
- ●By March 2026, all contracted doctors will be converted to P&P — ending exploitative contracts.
Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital (MTRH)
- ●MTRH CBA signed; all contract doctors converted to Permanent & Pensionable.
- ●Promotion and conversion of doctors to P&P achieved.
KUTRRH
400 doctors converted to P&P
- ●CBA signed.
- ●400 doctors converted to Permanent & Pensionable.
JOOTRH
- ●Recognition agreement signed.
Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital
- ●Ready to sign a recognition agreement.
Ministry of Health (MoH)
First-ever promotions to Job Group T
- ●Over 100 doctors who were not initially receiving the call allowance got a breakthrough in July 2022 after KMPDU intervention — all doctors now receive this allowance.
- ●2017–2024 basic salary arrears will be paid in Q1 as money has been budgeted in supplementary budget 2025/2026.
Strategic Organizing
A systematic, issue-based approach adopted from international partners to build union power at every workplace
Stepwise Organizing Approach
Phase I: Establish contact with doctors at the target workplace.
Phase II: Map the workplace (departments, clinics, and number of doctors per unit).
Phase III: Identify and develop leaders (one per clinic/department).
Phase IV: Form and expand an organising committee from these leaders until representative.
Private Sector Organizing
60 doctors assessed; 8 leaders identified; 17 supporters; ongoing assessments
Parklands: 70% (49/70) support union formation; Kisumu engagement ongoing
Eldoret: 100% (16/16) signed Form S; 88% paid-up; organising in 6 hospitals
Won second court hearing on recognition; 171 estimated doctors; 42 paid-up members
Niche & Diaspora Organizing
26 (100%) signed up; next step: documenting issues for PPB Doctors CBA
4 sign-ups; 7 fully paid; 5 have DU numbers; 10 committed to complete registration
91 campuses; 70 doctors mapped; 34 verbal assessments; organising committee formed
39 out of 55 Congolese doctors signed up; pursuing diplomatic reciprocity
45 doctors mapped across 11 departments; next: structured conversations
Internal Branch Reorganizing
North Eastern Branch
From zero remittance to consistent collection
Garissa: 66 paid-up (of 129); Wajir: 63 paid-up (of 72); Mandera: 15 new sign-ups (of 98). Fully furnished Garissa branch office established.
Coast Branch
5 of 6 counties mapped
Taita Taveta: 52/80; Lamu: 5/61; Mombasa: 209/355; Kilifi: 111/150; Tana River: 20/29; Kwale: 63 (pending mapping).
Central Branch
682 paid-up members
682 paid-up members organised; 75 non-member doctors on fixed terms and contracts mapped.
Nairobi (KUTRRH) Branch
409 doctors mapped
PnP: 53; Contract: 240; Locum: 103; Yet to be ascertained: 13. Paid-up: 193 (47.2%); Non-paid: 207 (50.6%).
Legal Victories & Advocacy
Petitions, court cases, and parliamentary engagements that have shaped the healthcare landscape
The union has fought hundreds of legal battles on behalf of its members, securing landmark victories that have fundamentally shaped Kenya's healthcare landscape. From constitutional petitions to employment disputes, KMPDU has consistently stood its ground in courtrooms across the country — and won cases that set precedents for the rights and welfare of every doctor in the public service.
Highlighted Cases & Petitions
Dr. Sore v Nation Media Group — Union won: judgment delivered in favour; settlement reached.
NMG v Dr. Sore — Union won at trial; case appealed by NMG; appeal pending; appearance entered.
KMPDU vs MoH (SHA) — Union won: judgment delivered 14/7/2025; case appealed; appeal pending.
SHA Appeal — case appealed; Union is 15th Respondent; highlighting March 2026.
SHA Appeal — case appealed; Union is 15th Respondent; pending highlighting March 2026.
KMPDU vs County Govt of Wajir — Union won: judgment delivered 2/7/2024; closed.
KNH vs KMPDU — consent adopted 3/11/2025; closed.
Dr. Michieni Mike vs SRC — Union won: judgment delivered; closed.
Parliamentary & Senate Engagements
Staffing norms petitions — National Assembly.
Internship postings — 2024.
COTU engagements — OSHA & LRA amendments.
Kericho Declaration 2024.
Health services Bills amendments (where submitted).
Health Act 2017 submissions (where applicable).
University Partnerships (Finalists' Dinners)
Finalists' Dinners
| University | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Maseno (MEDSAM) | 31 Jan 2026 | Grand Royal Swiss Hotel |
| University of Nairobi (AMSUN/NUPSA) | Sept 2024; Dec 2023 | — |
| Kenyatta University (KUMSA) | 11 Aug 2023 | Radisson Blu |
| JKUAT (JKUSMA) | 22 Dec 2022 | Westlands Banquet Centre |
| Mount Kenya University (MKUMSA) | 10 Aug 2023 | Ole Sereni |
| Kisii University | 15 Nov 2025 | — |
Institutional Strength
Media visibility, financial management, capacity building, and operational systems
Institutionalisation of Union Operations
- ●Union has created systems and established structures.
- ●Committees established: Legal, Finance, Communication, Discipline, Oversight, Wellness, Ad-hoc, among others.
Resources Mobilised
- ●Organiser salaries funded through grants and sponsorships.
Branch Infrastructure
- ●All branches staffed.
- ●Offices upgraded.
Capacity Building & Training
- ●Dr Kahura Mundia & Dr Steve Ndonga: 6-week labour training, Witwatersrand University.
- ●Dr Malindi & Secretary-General: Global Labour Leadership Initiative, Cornell University, June 2025.
Appointments to Committees
- ●DSG Dr Dennis Miskellah served on a 20-member Presidential Taskforce.
Partnerships & Collaborations
- ●Partnerships with FES, AFL-CIO, FNV, PSI, AIK, OSIEA, GLU, Daktari Wellness Association (DWA), PSK.
Media Visibility
532 press statements & media appearances
- ●Transition from low public profile to sustained national media engagement, public discourse, and intentional visibility.
- ●532 press statements and media appearances (2021–2026) strategically aligned to thematic engagements including: Industrial Action, CBA Governance, Internship Advocacy, Financial Oversight, Workforce Expansion, Career Progression, Macro-Health Policy, Facility Integrity, Devolved Governance, Occupational Safety, Legal & Regulatory, Institutional Strategy, Health Security, and Global Solidarity.
Staffing & Staff Development
- ●Training and internship opportunities offered locally and internationally.
- ●All branches staffed; secretariat undergoes continuous professional training.
Constitutional Events
- ●NEC: from 4 to 10 meetings annually.
- ●NAC: from 2 to average 4 annually.
Membership Engagements
- ●Increased Kamukunjis and meetings, both physical and virtual.
Finances
- ●Branch legal fees offloaded.
- ●Branch allocations regularised — paid by the 15th.
Automation & IT
- ●KMPDU App operational.
- ●Fully functional ERP system implemented.
Strategic Priorities
Looking ahead — the key areas of focus for continued advocacy
Full basic salary adjustments across counties and ministries; arrears from July 2025.
Clearance of all outstanding arrears, including MoH and manual payroll doctors.
Employment of 2,000 doctors per 8 May 2024 RTWF.
Seamless intern posting with zero delays.
Finalisation of 2025–2029 CBA.
10% salary increase pursued, anchored on inflation and income erosion from SHA and housing levies.
Advanced collaboration between MoH, KMPDU, and Parliament for return of training to national government.
Enable counties to hire Medical Officers, Dentists, and Pharmacists to replace officers proceeding for postgraduate training.
Dr. Abidan Mwachi
National Chairperson
Dr. Davji Atellah
Secretary General
Dr. Mercy Nabwire
National Treasurer
Dr. Kahura Mundia
Deputy National Chairperson
Dr. Dennis Miskellah
Deputy Secretary General
In solidarity