Aasai

The Employment and Labor Relations Court has prevented the Kiambu County government from hiring new medical experts until the ongoing industrial dispute with doctors is resolved. In provisional orders issued on August 14, 2025, Judge Njagi Marete barred the county and its "employees, employees and agents from short lists, and or recruited or nominated candidates for the Medical Professional Working Group I CPSB 04 position pending a hearing and determination of this application."

 A further judge directed the county to "get involved in industrial matters and follow these purported unfair labor laws if it fully agrees and sits down and discusses these evil acts with the intention of restoring order at work." The court gave 14 county days to respond to the request and scheduled an inter-party hearing for August 28, 2025 by Kenyan Medical Doctors. 

The Dentists Union (KMPDU) after the county government announced 78 consultant positions in Job Group Q on August 8, 2025. "These strikes were forced by serious abuses, including a lack of promotions, delayed wages, and doctors being overworked, underpaid, and denied leave, medical insurance, and remittances," said KDUJs Secretary General. He mentioned the recruitment program as “show of hostility” and “a rude and malicious attitude towards doctors who are working now,” adding that the party will fight the conflict “in courtrooms, newsrooms, board rooms, and on the street.” 

This comes even after KMPDU officials on Wednesday met with Kiambu County Legislators, led by the Majority Leader in the National Assembly, to discuss what they described as a "completely collapsing" health system At the closed-door meeting, the union presented what it called a "perfect picture" - hospitals without essential medicines, overworked staff, and neglected facilities - and expressed deep frustration with the Kiambu County government. "We made clear: immediate intervention is not voluntary, it is a matter of life and death," Dr. Atellah said in a statement, adding that the strike, which is now the 79th day, has not been called lightly.

 Dr. Atellah accused the county administration of ignoring court orders, disregarding the Collective Agreement (CBA), and "gambling with the lives of Kiambu residents." The boss of KMPDU announced that the union will start next week to protest to fulfill its demands. "Our strike is not only about salaries or promotions, it is about the right of every resident of Kiambu to get quality health services, at the right time and with respect ... We will not return to work until every single issue is addressed and ends abuses and threats to health care workers," he said. According to the union, industrial action is not only for the well-being of doctors but for "the future of health care in Kiambu and across Kenya."