Doctors in Kakamega Threaten Strike as Health Crisis Brews
A looming health crisis is set to grip Kakamega County after doctors issued a 14-day strike notice, demanding urgent government intervention over persistent grievances. If unresolved, the medics will officially down their tools on April 18, 2025.
Unheeded Complaints, Mounting Frustration
In a letter dated April 4, 2025, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) addressed their demands to County Secretary Lawrence Omuhaka, accusing the county government of ignoring critical healthcare issues.
“This matter was referred to the Ministry of Labour, and further arbitration at the Kakamega Labour Office did not yield a resolution,” said KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, noting that a Certificate of Unresolved Dispute had already been issued.
Doctors cite a litany of problems, including unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, lack of medical supplies, and insufficient staffing in public hospitals. The union said their decision to strike was unanimous, signaling a potential paralysis in health services across the county.
National Discontent: NCIC Under Fire
Meanwhile, a separate storm is brewing at the national level. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is facing criticism for allegedly failing to crack down on hate speech and promote peaceful coexistence.
Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo accused the commission of inaction, stating, “You summon the people you are investigating, and then the matter ends there. You need to pull up your socks.” Lawmakers have warned of possible budget cuts if the commission does not justify its expenditures.
Established after the 2007 post-election violence that claimed over 1,600 lives, the NCIC was tasked with promoting national unity and advising the government on cohesion issues. However, its performance is now under scrutiny.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma went further, calling for the commission to be disbanded entirely: “NCIC is an agency that we should remove from the statute books because it is not doing anything useful.”
Civil Society Pushes Back Against New NCIC Powers
The National Cohesion and Integration Bill 2023, which seeks to enhance the commission’s authority—including prosecutorial powers—has faced strong opposition from civil society groups. The Kenya National Civil Society Centre (KNCSC) has warned that the Bill would severely shrink civic space and hamper grassroots peace-building missions.
“Civil organisations would have to go through the NCIC for peace-building work, which would hinder rather than help national harmony,” said the KNCSC in a statement urging the Senate to reject the proposal.
With discontent rising both in healthcare and governance circles, Kenya finds itself at a crossroads, balancing the need for reform with the urgency of delivering public services.
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Doctors in Kakamega Threaten Strike as Health Crisis Brews