Doctors across the country could down their tools if county governments fail to implement long-awaited salary adjustments and settle pending arrears, with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) saying there is no longer any reason for the delay after all approval processes were completed.
In a circular dated July 21, 2026, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Bhimji Atellah directed doctors in all 47 counties to prepare for possible industrial action if the revised basic salaries and outstanding arrears are not reflected in their July payslips.
The union said the salary adjustments are provided for under the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the Return-to-Work Formula signed on May 8, 2024, and its addendum dated December 19, 2024.
“The Union has pursued every administrative, legal, and intergovernmental avenue to ensure the adjusted basic salaries are reflected in our members’ payslips and that all outstanding arrears are cleared,” read the KMPDU X post in part.
KMPDU outlined the steps it has taken with both the national and county governments to push for implementation of the revised pay structure.
The union said the Council of Governors wrote to the State Department for Public Service on July 4, 2025, requesting a new Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database (IPPD) code for the revised salary structure. It added that the council confirmed funds for salary arrears had been provided and that counties had acknowledged the provisions contained in the CBA.
According to KMPDU, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) later issued guidance on September 19, 2025, approving the revised salary notches prepared by a multi-agency team.
The union also noted that Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale wrote to the Ministry of Public Service on June 29, 2026, seeking urgent coding of the revised salary scales under the HRIS-ke payroll system.
It said Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku confirmed on July 1, 2026, that the HRIS-ke system already has a special salary code capable of processing the revised salaries without any additional system changes.
KMPDU said it later issued a final ultimatum to the Council of Governors on July 6 before a consultative meeting bringing together the Council of Governors, SRC and the Ministry of Public Service was held on July 13 to discuss implementation.
The union maintained that every hurdle standing in the way of implementing the revised salaries has now been removed.
“There is now zero justification for any further delay by any County Government or Ministry department,” the circular states.
KMPDU has directed all Branch Executive Committees and members to review their July 2026 payslips to confirm whether the revised basic salaries have been effected.
It further instructed members to remain ready for further action if county governments fail to implement the new salary structure or provide a clear schedule for clearing the outstanding arrears.
The union said resolutions passed during its Annual Delegates Conference on May 9, 2026, gave it authority to launch nationwide industrial action and begin contempt of court proceedings against accounting officers who fail to comply with the agreed timelines.
“Industrial & Legal Mobilization: KMPDU stands ready to execute nationwide industrial action and initiate contempt of court proceedings against non-compliant Accounting Officers without further notice.”
KMPDU said it has exhausted all available administrative, legal and intergovernmental channels in its push for implementation of the salary adjustments.
“We have engaged in good faith, followed every legal process, and dismantled every roadblock in our way. We will not allow administrative inertia to rob doctors of their dignity and hard-earned rights.”
The union urged doctors to stay alert as it continues to monitor implementation across all counties and await further communication from the National Advisory Council.