Meru Doctors Call Off Planned Strike After County Signs Deal With KMPDU

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Doctors in Meru County have called off a planned strike that was set to begin on March 6 after the county government reached an agreement with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU)

The announcement was made on Wednesday evening by KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, who confirmed that the Meru County Government had agreed to address the key issues raised by the doctors

According to the union, the agreement covers four major concerns: promotion of doctors, recruitment of additional medical staff, approval of study leave, and the transition of contract doctors to permanent and pensionable terms

Dr. Atellah said the county has committed to promoting doctors who are due for advancement this month. A total of 24 doctors will immediately be promoted to Job Groups N and R, while another 65 doctors are expected to receive their promotion letters by April 1, 2026

The county has also agreed to approve study leave for 50 percent of doctors who had applied, allowing them to pursue further training

In addition, the government will hire 25 more doctors by May 2026 to help address staffing shortages in the county’s health facilities

Another group of 25 doctors currently working under contract will have their employment terms reviewed and converted to permanent and pensionable positions by September 2026

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The commitments were formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties

Meru Deputy Governor Linda Gakii Kiome assured the union that the county government would fully implement the agreement

“We are going to ensure that we adhere to what we have agreed in the MoU,” she said

The deal brings relief to residents who had feared disruptions in healthcare services if the strike had proceeded