Atellah outlines priorities as KMPDU settles down for fresh mandate

KMPDU officials led by secretary general Davji Atellah during a past press conference. /KMPDU/X

The doctors' union leadership has set out its priority agenda following the renewal of its mandate in the April 2 elections where all top officials were retained for a fresh five-year tenure.

In a statement on Thursday following the gazettement of the team, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) secretary general Davji Atellah said the leadership would now focus on enforcing agreements, clearing outstanding arrears and accelerating reforms affecting doctors’ welfare across the country.

In the statement titled “A Renewed Mandate for Doctors’ Representation: The Road to 2031,” Atellah said he was humbled and honoured by the trust doctors demonstrated in reelecting him and his team.

He added that the outcome reflected a collective mandate from members.

Atellah said the legal recognition had now fully empowered the leadership to execute its mandate.

“To every doctor who engaged in the election process - whether through your nominations, by registering your vote, or attending our meetings - your faith is the fuel that drives this union,” he said.

He thanked the medics and extended appreciation to all candidates who participated in the elections, saying their involvement reinforced internal democracy within the union.

“I extend my sincere congratulations to all candidates who stood for election. It is through your vibrant participation and contestation that our internal democracy remains alive,” he said, adding that the union would continue engaging all members in building a stronger organisation.

The union boss said the leadership was now “ready to serve the membership with renewed zeal,” warning that the team would “hit the ground running” on key priority areas affecting doctors.

"We are here to disrupt the status quo until every doctor is accorded their due," he declared.

Among the immediate priorities is the settlement of all outstanding arrears, with the union demanding payment of pending dues across the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, and Ministry of Defence.

The union also wants full implementation of basic salary adjustments in line with existing agreements, as well as urgent settlement of county-level arrears for the 2024 to 2025 period.

On staffing and workforce planning, Atellah said the union will push for seamless posting of 2026 interns and increased recruitment of doctors to address shortages in the health sector.

He said they will also be calling for immediate implementation of all pending promotions, stating that “merit must be met with movement.”

The union will further be demanding total compliance with return-to-work agreements and a lasting solution to medical insurance challenges affecting doctors.

Attention will also be directed to the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which the union says will be a key focus this financial year, particularly its negotiation, signing, and implementation.

Atellah said the new term will be defined by stronger engagement with members, noting that doctors had called for a more responsive and communicative union.

"We heard you clearly: you want a union that listens as much as it leads. We will be in the trenches with you, ensuring the flow of information is constant, transparent, and multi directional,” he said.

He added that unity within the profession remains central to the union’s agenda, stating: “Individually we are a whisper, but together we are a roar.”