KMPDU will negotiate with national and county governments over doctors’ employment terms, aiming to conclude both agreements by December 2026.
Doctors CBA talks with the national government are scheduled to begin on October 26 in Mombasa. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) aims to conclude negotiations by December 2026.
The proposed collective bargaining agreements cover the 2025–2029 cycle and will address doctors’ terms of service. Meanwhile, a separate negotiating track for county-employed doctors is scheduled to open on October 29 and 30.
Doctors CBA talks move into formal negotiations
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki invited KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah to the opening meeting. Her October 13 letter scheduled the national-level discussions for October 26 and 27.
The invitation follows the Ministry of Health’s counter-proposal to the union’s demands, dated August 4, 2026. The ministry has also formed an inter-ministerial committee to negotiate with the union.
Atellah outlined the union’s approach after a joint meeting of its National Advisory Council and National Executive Council on October 16. He said the leadership had chosen structured dialogue over agitation in pursuing new employment agreements.
The National Advisory Council has authorised the negotiating committee to handle both national and county agreements. Atellah also urged doctors to support their representatives as they seek better terms, welfare and a dignified working environment.
County talks to follow a centralised approach
Alongside the national talks, KMPDU has engaged the Council of Governors and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission on county negotiations.
Atellah said the union had secured agreement for centralised talks covering all county governments. This approach aims to coordinate discussions on doctors’ employment terms across the devolved health system.
For those negotiations, KMPDU has nominated a 12-member team led by senior National Executive Council officials. Doctors work under both the national government and the 47 county governments, making coordination important.
Previous disputes shape union preparations
The union said disputes surrounding the 2017–2021 CBA had shaped its preparations for the new negotiations. Those disagreements concerned pay, working conditions and implementation of agreed employment terms.
Reflecting on that experience, Atellah stressed the need for preparedness, solidarity and vigilance during negotiations.
The two negotiating tracks will address employment terms in national and county public health facilities. However, December remains the union’s target for concluding the agreements, rather than a confirmed completion date.
