Promotions, permanent jobs for doctors in Garissa and Embu after talks with KMPDU

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced major developments affecting doctors in Garissa and Embu counties following separate engagements with the respective county governments, resulting in promotions, employment conversions and a return-to-work agreement.

In Garissa County, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said county officials led by Governor Nathif Jama met union representatives on December 5, 2025, at their offices at Blue Violet Plaza.

During the meeting, the Governor committed to promote all consultants due for advancement from Job Group M to Q by December 17, 2025.

As of December 16, 2025, Dr. Atellah confirmed that promotion letters for the affected doctors were ready for collection at the Garissa Level 5 Hospital.

He noted that five doctors are yet to receive their promotion letters due to the non-submission of graduation certificates, adding that their promotions will be effected once the required documents are provided.

Separately, the KMPDU boss announced the signing of a Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) with the Embu County government following a consultative meeting held on December 15, 2025.

The meeting was led by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and sought to address issues raised in a strike notice issued on November 17, 2025, with the industrial action having commenced on December 1, 2025.

Under the agreement, the county confirmed that fifty-nine doctors have been promoted in line with a Return-to-Work Formula signed in August 2024, with the exception of nineteen consultants. The county undertook to promote the remaining consultants by January 15, 2026, with the changes to be reflected in their January 2026 payslips.

The agreement also provided for the conversion of thirty doctors previously employed on contract terms to permanent and pensionable terms.

In addition, the county committed that all future recruitment of doctors in Embu will be on permanent and pensionable (PnP) terms.

“The county has committed to employ 20 doctors on PnP terms, with 14 to be employed immediately and the remaining 6 to be employed in January 2026,” Dr. Atellah stated.

“The county confirmed that all pending statutory deductions have been fully remitted.”

Dr Atellah said the resolutions reached in Embu were duly recorded in the Return-to-Work Formula and will be adopted in court.

He said the union welcomed the county’s commitment to permanent and pensionable employment for doctors and acknowledged the dialogue demonstrated by the Embu County government.