Thugs Unleashed On Nurses
he Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has accused Siaya County Governor James Orengo of sending thugs after striking nurses, leading to serious injuries for more than 20 health workers.
During a press conference on Wednesday, the Union’s leadership strongly condemned what they described as an “illegal, unconstitutional, and brutal approach” to managing the ongoing nurses’ strike, which has now stretched into its 19th day.
“A very disturbing and becoming illegal and unconstitutional and brutal way of dealing with the nurses on strike, where the current government of Siaya unleashed goons who beat up the nurses and some sustained fractures,” union officials stated.
The incident took place on Tuesday, September 30, when medics were outside the Siaya county offices. They were denied entry and then attacked by armed individuals.
Among those injured was a female nurse who ended up with a broken hand and is now being treated with plaster of Paris. Others also received medical care for various injuries.
Why Kenya Police Has Sent Warning to Striking Doctors
KNUNM Siaya branch secretary Kennedy Hamisi revealed that the attackers also stole several mobile phones from the nurses during the violent confrontation.
In a scathing statement, the union directly called out Governor Orengo, a veteran human rights lawyer known for decades of fighting for Kenyan rights.
“We want to tell you governor for Siaya that you must desist from using an orthodox method, brutal and unconstitutional and barbaric method of resolving the issues that affect the nurses of Siaya current government,” the union declared.
“I am so ashamed of you, Governor James Orengo. You do not represent the person we Kenyans have known over years. Money has entered in your head and now you think that you are so big to respect the rights of Kenyans because nurses are Kenyans and they have the rights to go on strike as provided for in the constitution of Kenya article 41.”
The union has made it clear that nurses have a constitutional right to strike as outlined in Article 41, and they can also hold demonstrations under Article 37. They warned that any use of force would not stop them from exercising these rights.
The strike has been fueled by several unresolved issues, such as the failure to remit statutory deductions like bank loans, SACCO shares, insurance, pensions, and union dues.
Additionally, there are significant concerns regarding the delayed integration of Universal Health Coverage staff, the lack of implementation of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission circular aimed at boosting civil servants’ salaries, and the unfulfilled return-to-work agreement from 2017.
“We have persistent salary delays. Siaya is one of the counties where salaries delay up to four months, three months. Members have been reduced, workers have been reduced to beggars and this cannot be left,” union representatives stated.
The union also highlighted an acute shortage of nurses in the county, which has compromised service delivery.
Warning of escalation, KNUNM threatened to expand the strike regionally and potentially nationwide if the issues remain unresolved and violence continues.
“If you continue using brutal force, we will not be cowed. We will instead go ahead and call for a regional strike and if he shall not resolve, we shall escalate the industrial action to be nationalized because what is one of us is all of us,” the union declared.
The union noted that other county governments have already implemented plans to address nurses’ grievances, criticizing Siaya for lagging behind while resorting to violence instead of dialogue.
Thugs Unleashed On Nurses
