The Employment and Labour Relations Court has issued temporary orders halting Kiambu County's plans to fire and replace striking doctors amid an ongoing health crisis. Lady Justice Hellen Wasilwa barred the county from proceeding with recruitment until a petition is heard. The move follows complaints of unlawful hiring processes violating labour laws.
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kenya granted a temporary reprieve to Kiambu County doctors facing dismissal. Lady Justice Hellen Wasilwa issued conservatory orders preventing the Kiambu Chief Officer for Health and the County Public Service Board from advancing a contentious recruitment drive. The court's ruling stated: “The application is certified urgent and allowed in terms of prayers B and C of the Notice of Motion. This application should be served upon the respondents and be heard inter partes on October 28, 2025.”
The petition was filed by a county doctor who argued that the county's actions to sack workers and hire replacements were unfair, unjust, and in breach of labour laws. The doctor approached the court after the county began recruiting new specialist doctors before the advertised application deadline of October 15, 2025. Upon submitting her application on that date, she was told that candidates had already been shortlisted and interviewed. Verification on the county's website confirmed interviews occurred prior to the closing, which the petitioner called opaque and unlawful.
This dispute stems from earlier tensions. On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, County Executive Committee Member for Health, Elias Maina, announced actions against doctors who had downed tools the previous day. “We have started taking action against doctors who failed to report to work,” Maina said. “A headcount is ongoing to establish those who absconded from duty, and they will be replaced immediately with equally qualified professionals.” The county had advertised various health department positions, urging applications by October 15.
The court has directed all parties to be served, with a full hearing scheduled for October 28, 2025, to decide on a permanent halt to the process. This follows a similar August 2025 ruling that barred recruitment for 78 consultant positions in Job Group Q, following a petition by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), pending resolution of an industrial dispute.