Wajir County moves doctors to permanent terms, effects promotions after talks with KMPDU

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced a breakthrough agreement with Wajir County that promises to improve the welfare of doctors and strengthen healthcare delivery in the region.

Following a meeting on Thursday between the union’s leadership and Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, alongside his deputy Ahmed Muhumed Abdi and the county health team, KMPDU said doctors in Wajir will begin to see immediate changes in their working conditions.

Among the key gains is the promotion of doctors who have stagnated in common cadres, as well as the elevation of four consultants to Grade R.

The county also confirmed that all doctors currently working on contract terms will be moved to permanent and pensionable employment beginning the next financial year.

Other outcomes include the lifting of a ban on releasing doctors for postgraduate studies, the reopening of doctors’ call rooms, and the reinstatement of salaries for previously affected staff.

KMPDU also disclosed that deductions for union dues have been reinstated after doctors signed Form S, while the county is preparing to operationalize the Wajir Level 5 Hospital, a move expected to enhance service delivery for residents.

The doctors’ union Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah, in a statement to newsrooms, described the agreement as “a significant victory” for medical professionals in the region.

“This collaboration not only strengthens the welfare of our doctors but also improves healthcare delivery for the people of Wajir. It is proof that constructive engagement is key to industrial harmony and a supported workforce,” Dr. Atellah said.

He further noted the Council of Governors’ progressive approach to the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2025–2029 negotiations, saying it signaled a brighter future for the medical fraternity across the country.