Medical Unions threaten to withdraw services from Kitengela Hospital

Katewinslet Oyato

There has been tension surrounding the recent Saba Saba protests with medical unions in Kenya announcing the threat to withdrawal healthcare personnel from Kitengela Sub-County Hospital .

The move comes after a shocking incident in which armed individuals stormed the hospital, disrupted critical medical procedures, and vandalized essential infrastructure.

On Monday Kitengela Hospital became the epicenter of unrest when a group of individuals posing as protesters broke into the facility.

Among the most disturbing reports was the disruption of a caesarean section mid-surgery, forcing medical staff to suspend the procedure and seek safety. The attackers reportedly assaulted staff, destroyed medical equipment, and even set fire to parts of the hospital compound.

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) and the Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO) issued a joint statement condemning the attack and declaring a nationwide withdrawal of unionized health workers from facilities in violence-prone areas. 

They demanded for immediate government guarantee for the safety of health workers, arrest and prosecution of perpetrators,full restoration and repair of Kitengela Hospital,a formal apology from local authorities and security agencies and also a joint crisis meeting within 72 hours with relevant ministries and agencies.

“If these demands are not met, we shall withdraw health workers from affected areas without prior notice”.

Medical associations including the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS) and the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) have also condemned the incident, calling it a gross violation of medical sanctity and a threat to patient safety. The Kenya Progressive Nurses Association (KPNA) signaled potential wider industrial action if attacks on healthcare providers. 

While investigations are reportedly underway, the County Government of Kajiado has urged security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible.

The Department of Medical Services confirmed that no staff or patients were physically harmed but acknowledged the psychological toll and operational disruption caused by the attack.

This incident has sparked a national conversation about the safety of frontline health workers during civil unrest. As Kenya grapples with the aftermath of the Saba Saba protests, the fate of healthcare services in affected regions hangs in the balance.