The County Government of Siaya has opened discussions with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to verify facts surrounding reports of an alleged incident involving a doctor.
The county has described the claims as unverified.
In a press statement issued on December 2, the county said a preliminary review by the Department of Health found no evidence suggesting that any county officials, staff from the Office of the Governor, or other county personnel were involved in any assault on the medical officer on the night of November 30.
County Secretary Joseph Ogutu said the incident involved two patients who were rushed to a county health facility with gunshot wounds.
One of the patients later died due to the severity of his injuries, while the second was stabilised and transferred to Siaya County Referral Hospital, where he is reported to be out of danger.
Ogutu added that commotion erupted when relatives and members of the public accompanied the patients, disrupting emergency operations.
He noted that this disruption appeared to contribute to misunderstandings surrounding the incident.
“Immediately after the incident, the Department of Health convened a multi-stakeholder 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 said.
He emphasised that the county remains committed to safeguarding health workers and maintaining a safe environment for service delivery.
Ogutu further noted that ongoing engagements with KMPDU aim to address concerns constructively while ensuring uninterrupted health services for residents.
“We also remain firmly committed to dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders as the appropriate means of resolving concerns in the health sector,” he said.
Earlier in the day, KMPDU suspended medical services in the county following reports of the alleged incident involving a doctor.
The union cited the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety and Health, which obligates employers and governments to ensure workplaces are safe and free from violence, intimidation, and hazards.
KMPDU has called on the Siaya County Government, under Governor James Orengo, to take steps to ensure workplace safety and publicly commit to protecting healthcare workers.
