Mandera clinicians demand security after abductions, threaten exodus

Clinicians have demanded he government provide them 24-hour security in volatile regions, otherwise, they said they would leave unsafe postings. postings.

The announcement followed the abduction of Jackson Kabuu, a clinical officer working at Fino Health Centre in Mandera by suspected al Shabaab militants on Friday.

The Kenya Union of Clinical officer wants the Mandera county government clearly and publicly state exactly what it is doing to rescue the clinician and prevent more kidnappings.

"It is disappointing to continue witnessing serious security incidents despite our calls for enhanced security for essential service providers working in these polarised areas," Kuco secretary genera George Gibore said.

"It has been our expectation that every professional working in these areas should be ensured  24-hour security to guarantee continuity in the essential services delivery without fear," he added.

A police officer who sought anonymity said the militants struck at around 7. 30pm and went straight to the houses where the three medical officers lived.

They then ordered them to board their vehicle before speeding off. They are said to have crossed the border into Somalia.

Initially, they had kidnapped three officers, two locals and a non-local (who is in charge of the Fino health centre), but then dropped the two locals before proceeding with the non-local.

“We want the ministry of Interior and coordination to also publicly tell  us what they are doing to secure essential service providers in these areas because this is their duty. Abduction such is a lapse in security," Wachira said.

The union has warned that failure to address the matter might lead to  an  exodus of healthcare providers.

“Members will start withdrawing from such areas in fear of their lives. There is nobody, no matter how passionate they are, who will deliver services in an area where their lives ere at risk," Wachira said..

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has always reiterated Kenya’s commitment to secure the safe release of Cuban doctors who were abducted by suspected al Shabaab militants in 2019.

Two years since the kidnapping of the surgeon Landy Rodríguez Hernández and the specialist in general medicine Assel Herrera Correa, the whereabouts of the two remains unknown.

The two Cuban doctors were kidnapped IN Mandera town on the border with Somalia while traveling in a convoy to the Mandera hospital protected by armed escorts.

They were intercepted after a shooting in which one member of their police guard died.

(Edited by V. Graham)