Nurses Warn of Nationwide Boycott If Security During Protests Is Not Assured

The National Nurses Association of Kenya has warned that their members will stay away from work during protests if their safety is not guaranteed.

This follows the attack on nurses at the Kitengela Sub-County Hospital during Saba Saba Day demonstrations on Monday.

The association wants the government to put in place measures to secure healthcare workers and facilities.

“We are giving our final warning. If our nurses continue to be attacked, assaulted, or placed in danger while trying to deliver essential services, we will ask them to stay at home. If the government fails to act, we will down our tools,” said Collins Ajwang, NNAK national chairman.

He said the Kitengela attack not only endangered the lives of healthcare providers but also disrupted critical medical services.

Ajwang asked the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale to urgently deploy security around hospitals during protests and ensure safe movement of nurses to and from their stations.

“We were told by the authorities to report to work and we did. But our nurses were left vulnerable. We feel betrayed. If this happens again, we will not be silent. We are instructing our members to not report to duty if their security is not assured,” he said.

The association expressed deep frustration over repeated incidents of nurses being attacked, ambulances being stoned and hospitals being vandalised during political unrest.

“Enough is enough. Nurses are not sacrificial lambs. We are not going to die in the line of duty simply because someone failed to act,” Ajwang said.

He said the government must now show seriousness in protecting frontline workers.

He warned that unless immediate action is taken, NNAK will officially issue a countrywide work boycott during future demonstrations.

Citing the constitution and international humanitarian laws, Ajwang said access to health care and safety of those who provide it is a fundamental right.

“We are not just employees — we are human beings with families. The same goons who attack our hospitals are the ones who later seek care from us. This hypocrisy must stop,” he said.

The health workers demanded that the Ministry of Health and the National Police Service guarantee round-the-clock protection for healthcare workers.

They also demanded that emergency and routine services be shielded from disruption and the state holds perpetrators of violence against health workers accountable.

“Going forward, our position is clear: no safety, no service. We will not allow our members to be used as punching bags or sitting targets. If their security is not guaranteed, they must not report to work,” Ajwang said.