Globally, governments struggle with providing quality, affordable healthcare to achieve Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC). The World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that motivation and retention of healthcare personnel, including doctors, is essential for achieving UHC. Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) the largest referral hospital in Kenya offers specialised services but experiences shortages of various specialists and attributes this to high turnover due to the hospital's unattractive service model and poor working conditions in light of the lengthy training periods to acquire the necessary skills to provide such specialized healthcare. Therefore, there is a need to establish how to make the most of this rare resource, including how to work on the retention of doctors. This study is anchored on Herzberg's Two Factor Theory which argues that individuals are interested at two different areas of motivation. The study was based on Adam’s equity theory and Hezberg’s two-factor theory. An explorative qualitative study was conducted. In-depth interview was conducted among 24 doctors. Qualitative data was thematically analysed. The results showed that financial incentives affected their performance hence motivated them to stay. Financial incentives played a role on the decision to quit employment and recommended on the need to employ the contract doctors on permanent and pensionable terms. Career advancement opportunities were available for doctors employed on permanent and pensionable terms but not for medical officers on contractual terms of employment. This was a demotivating factor for the medical officers, increasing their turnover rates. Further, findings revealed that a good working condition at KNH a good working conditions at KNH was considered as one with good leadership, well structured shifts, availability of consumables, good equipment, positive culture and a good system. The working conditions had a huge effect on the motivation of doctors, retention and service delivery. All these conditions would enhance their retention in the hospital.