Doctors in Kenya are demanding a 55% [1] salary increase as part of a new collective bargaining agreement.

The request signals a critical tension between medical professionals and the government over long-term compensation and working conditions in Nairobi. If the demands are not met, the healthcare system could face significant disruptions in service delivery.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) is pushing for these terms within the 2025-2029 [2] Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Beyond the base pay increase, the union is seeking the urgent settlement of accumulated arrears, and improvements to insurance coverage.

Union representatives said the push for higher pay follows a prolonged period of stagnation. According to the KMPDU, doctors have not received a salary review since 2017 [3]. This gap has led to calls for comprehensive reforms to address the economic pressures facing medical staff.

The demands were highlighted following a meeting in Nairobi. The union said the current negotiations are essential to ensure the sustainability of the medical workforce and to correct years of underpayment.

While the government has not yet finalized the 2025-2029 [2] agreement, the KMPDU continues to advocate for the 55% [1] raise to align pay with current economic realities. The union also emphasized the need for systemic reforms to improve the overall environment for healthcare providers across the country.

“Doctors have not had a salary review since 2017”

The demand for a substantial salary increase reflects a deepening crisis in Kenya's public health sector, where stagnant wages since 2017 have likely eroded the purchasing power of medical professionals. Because the KMPDU is tying these demands to the 2025-2029 contract cycle, the outcome will determine the stability of the national healthcare workforce for the next four years; failure to reach an agreement could lead to industrial action and a decline in patient care.