Bondo Sub-County Hospital./FILENurses in Siaya have joined doctors in withdrawing their services at Bondo Sub-County Hospital, escalating a crisis triggered by what unions describe as a brutal attack on healthcare workers.
However, 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.
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.
On Tuesday, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) suspended all medical services in Siaya County following what it describes as the alleged assault of a young doctor.
According to a letter from KMPDU Nyanza Branch Secretary Dr. Aggrey Orwenyo Nyabuti dated December 2, 2025, the incident is said to have occurred on the night of November 30, when the doctor was reportedly attacked while providing emergency medical services to a patient.
The union alleged that the attack involved “county government leadership, a chief, and staff from the governor’s office.” The claims have not been independently verified.
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 demanded that the Siaya County Government, under the leadership of Governor James Orengo, take action to guarantee workplace safety and publicly commit to protecting healthcare workers from intimidation and assault.
Now, in a statement dated December 2, 2025, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Siaya Branch, announced the temporary suspension of all nursing services, condemning the assault on medical staff on the night of November 30.
The letter, signed by Siaya Branch Secretary Kennedy Hamisi, stated that the attack was allegedly carried out by individuals associated with the county administration.
According to the union, healthcare workers were physically attacked, and a medical doctor was forcibly frog-marched while responding to an emergency case.
The perpetrators allegedly went as far as threatening to terminate the doctor’s employment, an action KNUN termed unlawful, abusive, and a direct violation of workers’ rights. The union expressed alarm over what it described as a growing trend of intimidation and violence targeting healthcare workers in Siaya.
It noted that such actions undermine the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 2007, which guarantees workplace safety and protection for all employees.
KNUN issued four demands to the Governor of Siaya County to Initiate an immediate and impartial investigation and take legal action against those responsible.
Publicly condemn the attack on health workers and caution individuals linked to his office to respect healthcare professionals and stop political interference.
They also want the governor to provide consolation, support, and compensation to the affected staff. The union said its members will not resume duties at Bondo Sub-County Hospital until these demands are met.
Additionally, KNUN took a swipe at the alleged perpetrators, advising any “well-connected individuals” who feel powerful enough to intimidate medics to personally step in and provide services to Bondo residents during the service suspension.
The letter, signed by Siaya Branch Secretary Kennedy Hamisi, was copied to key county officials, including the Chief Officer for Health and the CEO of the County Public Service Board.
More to follow as both the doctors' and nurses' unions are set to brief the media today.
