Kenya’s health unions have raised deep concern over the rising wave of violence targeting health workers during recent protests, calling for urgent national introspection and a serious conversation on mental health.
Speaking during a joint press briefing in Nairobi, Peterson Washira, the National Chair of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, emphasized the growing threats faced by frontline workers.
“As health sector leaders, we are here to call for an honest reflection,” said Washira. “We’ve witnessed our members roughed up by goons and police during protests in places like Kwale, Vihiga, Kakamega, and Nairobi. The violence must stop.”
He further stressed that the country is overlooking the deeper issue at play the mental health crisis affecting both the youth and health workers.
“We feel the real conversation is being missed. It’s not just about the protests; it’s about the mental strain Kenyans are facing. Our members are traumatized, and many police officers are not well either,” he said.
Washira urged the government to prioritize workers’ welfare and engage in genuine dialogue. “Without sobriety, we don’t know where this is headed,” he warned.
Dr. Davji Atellah, Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), echoed the sentiments, calling the current state of affairs a crisis.
“As a victim of police brutality myself, I spent three weeks in hospital,” he revealed. “Hospitals are overwhelmed after every protest. We’ve seen avoidable injuries, even cases of sexual violence. This must not be normalized.”
Dr. Atellah called for police restraint, an end to “goonism,” and a return to peaceful demonstrations. He also praised Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha for taking steps in the right direction, particularly on intern postings.
“For the first time, over 6,000 interns have been posted without demonstrations,” he said. “The salaries are intact, even adjusted for inflation. That’s progress.”
However, he noted that the system is still overstretched. “We need 100,000 health workers to meet WHO standards. This means the journey is far from over.”
Pius Nyakundi, Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers, reiterated the constitutional right to protest peacefully.
“Article 37 protects every Kenyan’s right to assemble. Yet, we are seeing organized violence led by goons and political actors. Innocent Kenyans are being attacked,” he said.
He joined his colleagues in commending the Ministry of Health but urged faster action. “We now have a budget for UHC workers. The government must fast-track the headcount process and harmonize salaries.”
The health unions also called for consensus on the Quality of Care and Patient Safety Bill, urging the Ministry of Health to involve all stakeholders.
“We are not opposing the bill,” said Washira. “We just want it developed through dialogue so that health workers can fully support it.”
The leaders concluded by reminding the public and the government that peaceful engagement is the only path forward.
“Demonstrations are legal. Violence is not,” said Dr. Atellah. “We must protect our health workers, our youth, and the dignity of all Kenyans.”
