The Ministry of Health has ordered the redeployment of nearly 700 medical interns from Kiambu County as the doctors’ strike in the county stretches into its fourth month.
In a notice released n September 28, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) said the Ministry has prepared redeployment letters, effective September 29, for interns who had been stationed in Kiambu.
“All interns currently in Kiambu County are therefore required to collect the redeployment letters from the MoH effective tomorrow, September 29, 2025, from 9:00 a.m.,” KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah said in the statement.
“Failure to collect the redeployment letter and move will be deemed abscondment of your internship duty by the MoH.”
The move follows an earlier communication by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale dated August 26, warning that the ministry would withdraw the interns if the county’s industrial dispute remained unresolved by mid-September.
Placement of Interns to Kiambu County
According to the letter, 697 healthcare interns, including 138 medical officers, 48 pharmacists, five dentists, 297 nurses, 134 diploma-level clinical officers and 75 degree-level clinical officers were deployed to Kiambu in July but have not been able to start their mandatory 12-month internship.
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The ministry said the prolonged delay has created disparities, as interns in other counties have already begun their training.
“This measure is necessary to safeguard the interns’ training, ensure timely progression of their programme, and maintain alignment with their peers nationally,” Duale wrote.
The interns’ transfer comes amid growing concerns over strained healthcare services in Kiambu, where patients have faced limited access to care since the strike began.
KMPDU defended the redeployment as necessary to protect the sanctity of the internship and prevent careers from being derailed by county-level disputes.
“As the strike in Kiambu is now in its fourth month with no end in sight, there is an urgent need to protect the sanctity of the internship and it should not be affected prolonged county strikes.”
Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s administration has yet to announce a resolution to the impasse, which has paralyzed public health facilities in the county since May.
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Doctors Strike in Kiambu
Doctors’ strike in Kiambu County has stretched past three months, leaving public hospitals barely functional and forcing thousands of residents to go without critical care.
The standoff has become a major source of anger among locals, with many patients, especially the poor and elderly unable to afford treatment in private facilities.
The striking doctors cite months of unpaid salaries, deteriorating working conditions, and the county government’s failure to implement a Collective Bargaining Agreement signed with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
Despite mounting pressure, medics have remained adamant that they will not return to work until their demands are met.
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