Siaya County health workers suspended their services on December 2, 2025, after an alleged assault on a colleague by county officials and an area chief.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Nyanza branch declared that all its members working in the county were to suspend their services.

In a press statement released by KMPDU stated that on November 30th, the county staff and area chief attacked the young doctor around 10:00 pm while attending to emergency patients.

According to the Branch Secretary Aggrey Nyabuti, the doctor’s offense was providing emergency services to a patient rather than the one preferred by the county official.

“This barbaric act is not only morally reprehensible but also a direct violation of international labour standards,” Nyabuti said.

Unions Ask ILO For Intervention

KMPDU cited the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety and Health that directs employers and governments to ensure workplaces are safe.

Nyabuti further warned that the Union will not entertain violent acts against healthcare workers and called out Governor James Orengo to intervene.

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Union Sends Message to Siaya Governor

The Union has urged Governor Orengo and his officials to implement safety guidelines at workplaces and declare publicly to protect healthcare workers from intimidation and assault.

Branch Chairman Steve Ndonga also noted that doctors in Siaya have repeatedly lodged complaints of verbal abuse and intimidation during consultations, with several cases of threats and beatings documented in local hospitals, particularly in emergency wards.

“We won’t bury our heads in the sand. Our members have encountered harassment, intimidation, and in some cases, physical assault by patients or relatives while discharging their duties,” Ndonga said.

He added that some of these acts were reportedly perpetrated by government leaders.

What the Union of Nurses Said

The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Siaya branch condemned the incident, with Branch Secretary Kennedy Hamisi confirming that the doctor was forcibly frog-marched while the staff were physically assaulted.

Additionally, he said perpetrators went further to threaten termination of employment, an act he termed unlawful and abusive.

“In light of this incident and until the above demands are addressed, our members will not resume duties at the Bondo Sub-County Hospital,” Hamisi stated.

Also Read: Kiambu Hospital Suspends Surgery Services Effective Immediately

What the County Secretary Said

In response to these allegations, the County Secretary, Ogutu, said after investigations by the Department of Health, no evidence was found that the county officials, the area chief, were involved in any assault on November 30th.

“Immediately after the incident, the Department of Health convened a multistakeholder meeting with hospital leadership and staff who were on duty. A formal investigation is ongoing, and the county has assured that its findings will be made public once concluded,” Ogutu explained.

He said the County remains committed to safeguarding health workers and maintaining a conducive environment for service delivery.

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Siaya Governor James Orengo at past event. PHOTO/NA