Healthcare services in Kiambu County were disrupted on Monday, October 13, 2025, as members of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) staged demonstrations to protest worsening conditions in public hospitals.
Led by KMPDU Secretary-General Dr. Davji Atellah, the medics marched through Kiambu town, demanding that Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s administration address persistent issues of delayed pay, staff shortages, and unsafe working environments.
The strike, now in its 138th day, has intensified tensions between county officials and healthcare workers. While the county government maintains that hospitals are running normally, doctors insist that the crisis has crippled essential services.
Unsafe Conditions and Salary Delays
Doctors reported deteriorating safety standards in county hospitals, citing instances of snakes entering facilities in Juja and Ruiru due to unmaintained surroundings.
“We work in unsafe environments where snakes hide in the grass and occasionally slither into our work areas,” one medic said anonymously.
In addition to poor working conditions, the doctors decried delayed salaries and chronic understaffing, saying the county’s failure to meet payroll obligations has left them struggling financially while compromising patient care.
Rising Death Toll and Administrative Denials
The situation has taken a grim turn, with reports alleging that over 136 newborns have died due to the ongoing health crisis — a figure strongly disputed by both the Council of Governors (CoG) and Kiambu County officials.
The industrial action brought parts of Kiambu town to a standstill, with major traffic disruptions and temporary closure of several businesses as protesters filled the streets.
County Response and Ongoing Standoff
Governor Wamatangi has maintained a hardline stance, accusing striking doctors of neglecting their duties.
“We cannot pay people who are not working. We’ve replaced those who chose to stay home,” he said recently.
The Council of Governors has since scheduled an emergency meeting to deliberate on the crisis and facilitate talks with the county’s health leadership. However, doctors remain adamant that without meaningful dialogue and reforms, the strike will continue.
The prolonged standoff has exposed deep cracks in Kenya’s devolved health system, reigniting debate over how counties manage human resources and funding in the healthcare sector.
