Tough times for patients as county fail to strike deal with doctors

Deserted Kakamega county referral hospital where Doctors strike affected the operations on April 1, 2024. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard] Patients in Kakamega County will continue to suffer after the county government failed to reach a deal with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to end the ongoing strike. On Monday, the planned meeting between KMPDU officials and top county officials in a bid to avert the ongoing strike and have a return-to-work formula failed to materialise as the two groups failed to meet. However, the county government, through CECM for Public Service and County Administration, Dr Bonface Okoth, wrote to the striking medics through an internal memo dated May 16, 2025, requesting doctors to return to work with immediate effect or face disciplinary action. "This memo serves to address the concerns raised by doctors currently on strike and to inform you of all the progress made in resolving the matters brought forward; the promotion and employment lists for doctors have been finalised and submitted to the County Public Service Board, scheduled for advertisement next week. The county has made all required payments towards the comprehensive health cover, and all obligations are fully up to date," read the memo in part. The devolved unit had also directed the striking workers to report to work without fail. The letter was copied to Governor Fernandes Barasa, CECM for Health Services, and Chief Officer for Medical Services. Yesterday, the doctors through KMPDU National Chairman Dr Abidan Mwachi maintained that they will not heed to county's directive, terming it illegal and unprocedural. "Kindly note that our members shall not take heed to your internal memo that illegally and without due procedure misguides them to report to work on May 19, 2025, or any other day thereafter until our demands are implemented and in full. Any adverse actions you take will be your responsibility, and we will not hesitate to take appropriate measures against you," they said. On Friday last week, the Kakamega County government called a crisis meeting with doctors on Monday to end the ongoing strike and have a return-to-work formula. The meeting initiated by top county officials, led by Kakamega Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr David Alila, casts a glimmer of hope for resolving the impasse that has paralysed key services in nearly all public health facilities across the county. The doctors under the KMPDU who are on full employment terms started their strike barely a month ago and were joined by those on short-term contracts on 3rd May 2025. Speaking during the International Nurses' Week at Kakamega General Hospital, Dr Alilah maintained that he is optimistic that they will resolve the issue. "We have been in consultations with the KMPDU and doctors themselves, we have a meeting on Monday, and I know that we are going to reach a consensus, so that they can come back to work," said Alilah. Alilah said the absence of the County Public Service Board, CPSB, in office had greatly affected the implementation of the medic's welfare. The devolved unit is also rushing against time to avert a looming strike by nurses who are also protesting unmet demands. Patients are calling on the county government to move with speed and intervene in the ongoing strike, which has greatly paralysed health services across the country. Most public health centres, including Kakamega General Hospital, operate with minimal activity, as critical services were halted due to the absence of doctors. Peter Ajevi, a local who two weeks ago brought his brother for a scheduled appointment, expressed frustration at being unable to see a doctor. "I had no choice but to return home and find another way to get him treatment because he's in pain. We urge the county government to step in and meet the doctors' demands so our people can continue receiving quality healthcare," said Ajevi.

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