🚨 Shaken Healthcare Sector: Kenya Hit by Successive Doctor Strikes

1. Nationwide Strike in Early 2024: A Healthcare System Disrupted

In March–May 2024, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU)—representing over 7,000 doctors—led a 56‑day national strike. The doctors demanded payment of long‑overdue salary increments, placement of intern doctors, and improvements in medical insurance. Public hospitals operated on skeleton staff, focusing solely on emergency cases, leaving routine services suspended  .

2. Human Toll: Overwork, Burnout & Mental Health Crisis

The fallout was severe for interns and junior doctors: delayed salaries stretched over months, pushing many into 36‑hour shifts without rest, with some tragically losing their lives due to exhaustion or mental distress  . One chilling Reddit post noted:

“Medical interns … sometimes working for up to 36hrs without rest … and some have died due to exhaustion.” 

3. Return‑to‑Work Agreements & Partial Wins

The strike ended in May 2024, following a landmark Return‑to‑Work Formula and revised Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Promises included:

• Payment of salary arrears.

• Inter-intern salary set at KSh 206,000/month plus arrears.

• Hiring and placement of over 1,000 interns by July 2025  .

Despite initial progress, doctors soon expressed frustration over unfulfilled commitments, prompting threats of renewed industrial action in early 2025  .

4. 2025 Strikes in Counties: Eldoret, Nairobi, Kwale & National Ripple Effects

• February 2025: Eldoret doctors at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital initiated a 7‑day strike over delayed promotions and unpaid benefits. A CBA settlement led to immediate resolution by Feb 11  .

• Feb–Apr 2025: Nairobi doctors walked out for 39 days, winning restoration of dismissed staff, promotion letters, salary harmonization, and arrears settlements by July 2025  .

• June–July 2025: Kwale County doctors struck from June 29 to July 8, halting critical services. A Return‑to‑Work deal restored promotions, training pathways, and reinstated systems  .

5. Violence & Anxiety: Security Threats to Healthcare Workers

On July 4, 2025, KMPDU and allied unions issued a joint statement condemning the violent suppression of medical assemblies—particularly in Kwale—and warned that such disruptions risked undermining emergency care and public confidence  .

6. Government Response: Progress with Caveats

• Health CS Aden Duale, speaking in May 2025, assured full implementation of CBAs, pledged placement for 1,035 interns, and called for broad adoption of Universal Health Coverage via the TaifaCare scheme  .

• Counties vary in performance: while Nairobi and Kwale fulfilled agreements, others lag, prompting ongoing scrutiny from union leadership.

📊 Impact Summary & Current Outlook

Concern	Status as of July 2025
Intern placement	~1,035 interns slated for July 2025 rotations ()
Salary arrears & CBA	Partial fulfillment; major points still pending
Working conditions	Persistent overwork and burnout risk remain
Security environment	Rising hostility toward healthcare workers
Service delivery	Emergency care prioritized; routine/hospital services fluctuating with strikes

 

🔍 On-the-Ground Perspectives

Reddit voices brought candid insights:

“Medical interns … some have died due to exhaustion … this country’s disdain for its working class pisses me off.” 

“The strike early this year revealed tensions … unpaid 5‑year arrears … understaffed, underfunded facilities…” 

These echoes emphasize human trauma—salary delays, exhaustion, mental health crises—underpinning the national conversation.

🛠 Moving Forward: What’s Needed

1. Concrete CBA implementation—timely promotions, arrears clearance, intern placement.

2. Address burnout—enforce work-hour limits, mentorship, and well-being.

3. Enhanced labor relations—secure dialogue channels between unions and governments.

4. Protect worker safety—ensure freedom to organize without fear of intimidation.

5. Expand accountability—routine monitoring of agreements at national and county levels.

✅ Conclusion

Kenya’s healthcare system has endured repeated strikes since early 2024, driven by systemic failures in compensation, staffing, and working conditions. Although many agreements have been struck, uneven fulfillment and continuing industrial unrest — compounded by safety concerns — threaten public trust and service continuity. For stability and effective Universal Health Coverage, Kenya must shift from reactive strikes to proactive, sustained investment in its health workforce and infrastructure.