Hospital staff warnings of strike action following violent assault at Kitengela healthcare facility
In the midst of the Saba Saba protests, a distressing incident unfolded at Kitengela Sub-County Hospital in Kajiado County. Goons disrupted critical services, terrorized medics and patients, and forcefully entered a theatre during a Caesarean Section procedure, endangering the lives of the mother, her newborn baby, and the surgical team.
The National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) Chairman, Collins Otieno Ajwang, has condemned this attack as an assault on the lives and dignity of health workers. He views it not only as a threat to the provision of essential healthcare services but particularly during times of crisis. Ajwang emphasizes that nurses form the backbone of the healthcare system and play a pivotal role in sustaining essential health services.
This attack is a continuation of Ajwang's earlier warning about the potential consequences of inaction. He has warned that unless urgent measures are taken to protect nurses, they will be forced to withdraw their services. Ajwang's call for immediate protective measures is based on legal instruments that protect healthcare workers during times of unrest or conflict, including the Health Act 2017, the Police Service Act 2011, and international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.
In response to the attack, Ajwang has made a passionate appeal to the Health Cabinet Secretary and the Inspector General of Police for immediate government intervention. He has urged the implementation of protective measures to ensure uninterrupted patient care and emergency services during demonstrations.
While the search results do not provide specific updates or actions taken by the Kenyan government regarding the safety and protection of nurses and healthcare facilities following the attack on Kitengela Sub-County Hospital, there are ongoing developments and initiatives in the healthcare sector that aim to improve safety and regulation.
One such initiative is the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill 2025, which aims to raise standards in healthcare by imposing strict quality standards, severe penalties for negligence, and establishing a central authority for licensing and accreditation. Another is the partnership between The Nairobi Hospital and the International SOS team, which aims to strengthen partnerships for improved healthcare outcomes.
However, more needs to be done to ensure the safety and protection of health workers and healthcare facilities during times of unrest or conflict. The NNAK's call for immediate action serves as a reminder of the critical role healthcare workers play in society and the need to protect them.
- In light of the chaotic events at Kitengela Sub-County Hospital, the politics of workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness have taken center stage, drawing attention to the safety and security of healthcare providers.
- The recent incident has been categorized as more than just a crime and justice matter, but a violation of mental-health and general-news significance, as it showcases the fragility of health services amidst unrest and conflicts.
- As comparison to the ongoing war-and-conflicts in other parts of the world, the disruption of care at the hospital painfully underscores the vulnerability of health facilities even in times of domestic protests.
- As the Saba Saba protests continue to unfold, the disturbance at the hospital stands as a crucial test case for the implementation of existing legal instruments such as the Health Act 2017, the Police Service Act 2011, and international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.
- Meanwhile in the world of epaper and digital media, discussions on the role of the Kenyan government in ensuring the safety of nurses and healthcare facilities have become prevalent, as the public demands answers, accountability, and action.
- Amidst the clamor for concrete steps towards resolution, the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill 2025 and the partnership between The Nairobi Hospital and the International SOS team provide glimmers of hope, pointing towards a brighter future where healthcare providers can operate in a safe, secure, and stable environment.
