Council of Governors intervenes as KMPDU plans major protest over ongoing health crisis in Kiambu County

The Council of Governors (CoG) has called an urgent meeting to address the escalating health crisis in Kiambu County, even as doctors plan a mass protest over stalled talks with the county government.

In a letter addressed to the Kiambu County Executive Committee Member for Health, CoG announced that the meeting would take place at its Delta Corner offices in Nairobi from 9:00 a.m., with the goal of finding a solution to the impasse that has paralyzed healthcare services for over four months.

The council said it had reviewed correspondence between the Ministry of Health and the Kiambu County Government regarding the delayed commencement of medical internships for the 2025/2026 cohort — an issue it said has worsened the county’s health situation.

At the same time, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced a major demonstration set for Monday marking the 138th day of the doctors’ strike to protest what it terms “hostile and unsafe” working conditions for medical staff.

According to a notice to media houses, the protest will begin with a press briefing at Kiambu Level V Hospital at 9:30 a.m., followed by a march to the County Assembly and later to Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s Office.

“Kiambu has become a hostile county. The crisis shows in supervised deaths, illegal medical fees, media suppression, and persecution of health workers,” KMPDU said in a statement released on Sunday.

The union has repeatedly accused Governor Wamatangi’s administration of failing to resolve the prolonged standoff, which has left thousands of residents struggling to access medical care.

KMPDU further claims that the county has ignored a return-to-work agreement signed last year and neglected the plight of suffering residents affected by the crisis.

With doctors vowing to continue their industrial action until their grievances are addressed, all eyes are now on the CoG meeting to determine whether the deadlock can finally be broken and health services restored in Kiambu County.