Senator Karungo presses Wamatangi over Kiambu doctors’ strike, threatens Senate action in 7 days

Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has given Governor Kimani Wamatangi a seven-day deadline to resolve the ongoing doctors’ strike that has crippled health services in the county for nearly two months.

Speaking on Thursday, July 24, Karungo warned that if the governor fails to act within the given timeframe, he will table a motion in the Senate to summon Wamatangi for questioning over what he termed as “gross abdication of duty.”

“For 58 days, patients in Kiambu have suffered while healthcare workers continue to be ignored. The lives of our people must not be held hostage by bureaucratic indifference or political pride,” Karungo said.

The doctors, who have downed their tools since May, cite delayed promotions, inadequate medical cover, and intimidation by county officials for raising workplace concerns.

Karungo condemned the county government for failing to respond to the crisis, saying the strike has not only endangered lives but also threatens to derail revenue collection, which heavily relies on hospital services.

“Even more disturbing is that this is the same county that has loudly boasted about record revenue collection, much of it from hospitals, yet remains unwilling to invest in the very health workers who make that possible,” the Senator added.

The row has continued despite public pleas and pressure from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which has warned of a possible nationwide strike.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said on Monday, July 21, that the union may escalate the matter if the Kiambu and national governments fail to act. He also called on the Ministry of Health to recall medical interns deployed in Kiambu, accusing the county of neglecting their welfare.

“This strike is for the dignity of the doctors and the dignity of the patients. Today marks day 55, and the county government has chosen to remain unreasonable,” said Dr. Atellah.

Union leaders say efforts to engage the county government have been futile, further deepening the standoff.

Karungo maintains that if no action is taken by July 31, he will push the Senate to compel the governor to account for the prolonged health crisis in Kiambu.