The Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO) has condemned what they called a brutal and futile act on members and other health personnel at Kitengela Health Centre during the Monday, June 7 Saba Saba protests.
According to KNUMLO, the violent incident which saw workers disrupted in their duties was not just an attack on individuals but an affront to humanity and the core values that define the nation. In a statement, the union described the attack as “barbaric and senseless”, emphasising that health workers serve the country with dedication, compassion, and professionalism, even in the most difficult conditions.
“To be met with violence, intimidation, and destruction while doing their noble duty is beyond unacceptable. It is a national disgrace,” the statement read.
The incident, which left several medics shaken and hospital property destroyed, has prompted KNUMLO to issue a list of urgent demands to the government. The union is now calling for:
- The immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack,
- Guaranteed protection for all frontline health workers across Kenya,
- Reinforced security in health facilities, especially those located in high-risk areas, and
- The immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack.
“If we do not protect those who protect us, what future are we building?” the union asked, underscoring the importance of ensuring hospitals remain sanctuaries of healing, not battlegrounds of fear.
KNUMLO also warned that silence or inaction from those in authority would amount to complicity. The union has urged the government to act decisively and restore faith in the safety of healthcare spaces, with the message to the public being clear: “Health workers are not your enemies; they are your lifeline. Treat them with the dignity, protection, and respect they deserve.”
The union closed its statement with a firm call to action directed at national leaders to act with immediate effect, ensure safety and justice or risk losing the very people it depends on to heal the nation.
The Kitengela attack is the latest in a string of incidents highlighting the growing risks faced by healthcare professionals in Kenya, with Kenyans now watching closely to see whether the matter will get the response with urgency and seriousness it deserves.
