Dr. Davji Atellah, the Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), has announced his intention to contest for the Lang'ata parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election. Atellah, who has been a vocal advocate for doctors' welfare, says his experience in representing medical practitioners has prepared him to serve the residents of Lang'ata. He made the announcement during a meeting with over 1,000 young people in Lang'ata.
Atellah's decision to venture into politics is not new, as he has been involved in several confrontations with the government over doctors' pay, salary arrears, promotions, internships, and career progression. In February 2024, he was injured during a doctors' protest in Nairobi, where he led medical interns in demonstrations over delayed internship postings. Atellah was struck by a tear gas canister and suffered a head injury.
The KMPDU leader has framed his political bid as an extension of his work at the doctors' union. He says he is not coming to Lang'ata to be another politician, but with the same courage, energy, and determination that he has carried into every fight for doctors. Atellah's campaign will focus on education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and protection of informal-sector workspaces.
Education is one of the areas Atellah has placed at the center of his campaign, including changes to how bursaries are distributed in the constituency. He has pledged to ensure that every child in Lang'ata has access to education, and has outlined a proposed approach to bursary distribution. Atellah has also promised to pursue opportunities for young people and address challenges facing informal-sector workers.
Atellah's entry into politics comes as Lang'ata heads towards an open parliamentary contest after incumbent MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, announced that he will not defend the seat in 2027. Jalang'o has instead declared his intention to contest the Nairobi Senate seat. Atellah has not disclosed the political party whose ticket he will seek or indicated which political formation he will join ahead of the election.
Atellah's re-election as KMPDU secretary general in April 2026, when he secured a fresh five-year mandate after emerging unopposed, has also set the stage for his political bid. KMPDU has identified enforcement of existing collective bargaining agreements, payment of outstanding salary arrears, and the welfare of medical practitioners among the priorities for his new term.
Atellah's campaign is expected to be closely watched, given his experience as a doctors' advocate and his commitment to serving the residents of Lang'ata. His bid for the Lang'ata seat will likely be influenced by his years of experience in representing doctors and his new role as a politician.
Key points
- Dr. Davji Atellah, KMPDU Secretary General, has declared his bid for the Lang'ata parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election, citing his experience as a doctors' advocate.
- Atellah's campaign will focus on education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and protection of informal-sector workspaces.
- Atellah's entry into politics comes after his re-election as KMPDU secretary general in April 2026.
