The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has strongly condemned the harassment and threats directed at striking doctors in Kwale County. 

This follows a Tuesday, July 1, 2025, incident where tension flared up at the Msambweni County Referral and Teaching Hospital when a group of alleged hired goons and locals stormed the venue where doctors had scheduled a media briefing. 

The medics, who were peacefully preparing to address journalists, were forcefully dispersed by the rowdy youths, cutting short the planned press briefing. 

The doctors, who are part of a nationwide industrial action, had gathered to highlight their grievances, including delayed salaries, lack of promotions, study leave, poor working conditions, and failure by the county and national governments to remit statutory deductions necessary for medical insurance and pension schemes. 

KMPDU Coast Region Chairman Dr Niko Gichana, who narrowly escaped the chaos, condemned the act, terming the incident a blatant attempt to intimidate healthcare workers demanding their rights. 

The doctor accused local political interests of attempting to silence the voices of healthcare professionals through intimidation and violence. 

Mobilised to attack 

“It is unfortunate and unacceptable that people can be mobilised to attack doctors who are only asking for what they are legally and morally entitled to. We will not be cowed. Our fight is just,” said Dr Gichana. 

Dr Gichana lamented that the incident had left many doctors fearing for their lives, saying they no longer feel safe. 

He decried the ease with which individuals can be mobilised to attack medical professionals who are advocating not just for better pay, but for the improvement of public health services. 

“It is extremely disheartening that instead of being supported, doctors are now being targeted for simply demanding better healthcare for the very communities they serve,” he said. 

He further noted that among the union’s key demands is the urgent recruitment of more specialists, particularly in critical care units such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU), where understaffing continues to put patients at risk.  

Gichana said the union is also pushing for the acquisition of adequate and modern medical equipment to ensure quality service delivery. 

Dr Gichana maintained that the doctors remain peaceful and have no intention of engaging in confrontations.  

He said that the strike is not an act of rebellion, but a legal and professional call for justice and respect.