Efforts to end the ongoing doctors’ strike in Embu County collapsed once again after the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and the county government failed to agree on the contentious issue of promotions.

The deadlock means the industrial action, now in its 11th day, will continue.

After the meeting in Embu town on Thursday, December 11, 2025, KMPDU Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskella said the union would not call off the strike until all eligible doctors receive formal promotion letters.

He noted that although the county has repeatedly assured them that funds for promotions exist, doctors would only resume work once each deserving medic receives written confirmation.

Miskella argued that it would be futile to return to work on the basis of verbal commitments, adding that similar promises had been made over the past two years without implementation.

“By now, the county and national governments should have known that doctors are not desperate. You either treat us right or forget about us, but you cannot have your cake and eat it. You can’t mistreat doctors and still expect them to serve. No matter how long it takes, whether it is a year, it is very easy to end doctors’ strike just by engaging and listening to them. That’s why we give notices before proceeding on strikes, and doctors can’t get back to work with mere promises,” he said.

He maintained that responsibility for the paralysis of services in Embu hospitals rests with the county government, not the striking doctors.

Embu county’s response

In response, Embu County Secretary Ammy Ruria accused the doctors of acting in bad faith, insisting that the union’s demands cannot be met through post-dated promotion letters.

She explained that issuing such letters would violate human resource procedures and expose the county to audit challenges, since the Public Service Board must first declare vacancies and advertise them before promotions are effected.

Ruria added that while the law allows doctors to strike to push for their grievances, it equally empowers the county, as their employer, to take action when employees fail to work.

Health CECM Jamal Runyenjes also weighed in, linking the strike to internal union politics ahead of KMPDU’s upcoming elections. He disputed the union’s claim that 19 doctors qualify for promotions, saying county records show only 11 are eligible.