Meru County has promoted 512 healthcare workers in an effort to enhance service delivery and prevent further industrial action by medical staff.
The promotion initiative was announced by Governor Isaac Mutuma on Wednesday, June 3, one day after Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) members in the county began an industrial action.
Mutuma stated that the county’s Public Service Board has approved 728 promotions in the health sector, comprising 133 specialty promotions and 83 internal promotions.
“In the office of the CEO for the Public Service Board, we are holding promotional letters for 512 officers across the board. We have elevated 133 for specialty promotions. We have also elevated 83 officers under internal promotions. The total is 728,” he said.
The governor characterized the promotions as a crucial measure in motivating healthcare workers and improving service delivery throughout the county.
The medical professionals had ceased services after a 21-day strike notice expired, citing the county government’s failure to implement a return-to-work formula signed on May 12.
The striking health workers, led by KMPDU Upper Eastern Secretary Timothy Muriuki, demanded action on longstanding issues, including delayed promotions, salary disparities, staff shortages, lack of study leave, and the employment of contracted staff on permanent and pensionable terms.
The county’s prompt action to avert the strike follows a 2025 initiative that resulted in 630 healthcare workers being promoted.
Meanwhile, doctors in other counties also initiated strikes on June 2 following the expiration of the 21-day notice.
In Isiolo, they ceased work, accusing the county government of persistent salary delays of up to three months, with April and May payments still outstanding and March salaries only recently paid.
In Kwale, medical officers represented by the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) have also gone on strike, demanding promotions that they claim have been unaddressed by the county government for 19 months.
Kwale County Health Services Executive Francis Gwama stated that the main challenge in meeting the demands is insufficient funding, noting that the arrears will be settled after allocations are disbursed in the upcoming financial year.