KMPDU puts Ruto on spot over 20,000 healthcare workers’ pledge

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) challenged President William Ruto's administration to provide an update on its promise to hire 20,000 healthcare workers at the inaugural Kenya Health Summit. The union presented an assessment of sector progress and outlined necessary actions during the summit held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. KMPDU Secretary General Davji Bhimji Atellah shared the union's remarks on August 20, 2026.

Since its commitment in the manifesto, the government has converted over 1,500 doctors from contract to permanent and pensionable employment, raising salaries to more than Ksh 300,000. This included doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and more than 300 doctors formerly employed by Nairobi County.

KMPDU also mentioned the payment of postgraduate training fees for over 500 doctors and the settlement of 2024–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement arrears to 5,693 doctors.

Despite these improvements, KMPDU requested clarity on the government's roadmap to meet the 20,000-worker recruitment target, given only one year remains in the current cycle. The union commended the government for advancements in posting medical interns, with doctors, nurses, and clinical officers being deployed without demonstrations, and interns receiving salaries within the first month.

The union also mentioned the receipt of IPPD codes by counties to facilitate payroll adjustments and awaited the Ministry of Health's commitment to clear outstanding 2024/2025 balances by November.