Siaya County’s healthcare system was thrown into chaos Tuesday after both the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) and the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) announced the immediate suspension of all medical and nursing services, citing a shocking assault on healthcare workers at Bondo Sub-County Hospital.
Yet in a dramatic twist of irony, the very same facility at the center of the crisis was earlier being showcased by county officials as a flagship success story.
Earlier in the day, Bondo Sub-County Administrator Vincent Kanyangoda, accompanied by Medical Superintendent Dr. Ogoti and Sub-County Medical Officer of Health Dr. Otieno Anyango, toured and inspected the newly opened New Born Unit (NBU) at Bondo Sub-County Hospital.
Kanyangoda praised the unit—established through locally generated resources and authorized by Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo, SC—as a major stride in neonatal care.
“The New Born Unit is only second to the Siaya County Hospital’s and ensures the survival of babies born with complications,” he noted.
The NBU, opened just last Thursday, has already cared for 15 babies despite a full capacity of 50. While celebrating the milestone, the team acknowledged significant shortages in physical infrastructure and staff, appealing to well-wishers for support in equipment and capacity building.
But even as county officials highlighted progress, a storm was brewing beneath the surface—one that would erupt only hours later into the most disruptive healthcare shutdown Siaya has seen in years.
By afternoon, the mood had shifted dramatically.
In two strongly worded letters, KMPDU and KNUN accused county officials—some allegedly linked to the Governor’s office—of participating in or enabling the violent assault of healthcare workers on November 30th.
KMPDU Nyanza Branch Secretary Dr. Aggrey Orwenyo Nyabuti delivered the county leadership a blistering ultimatum:
“Effective immediately, we hereby suspend ALL medical services offered by our doctors in Siaya County.”
The union condemned the attack on a young doctor, describing it as barbaric, morally reprehensible, and a clear breach of both Kenyan and international labor laws.
Dr. Orwenyo demanded that Governor Orengo:
“Reign in his ministers, personal assistants, and local leaders.”
Guarantee adherence to workplace safety standards.
Publicly commit to ending intimidation and assault of healthcare staff.
“KMPDU stands firm: we will not accept workplace violence to rear its ugly head in Kenya.”
The Kenya National Union of Nurses – Siaya Branch echoed the alarm, declaring that nurses would not resume duties at Bondo Sub-County Hospital until the county:
1. Initiates an immediate and impartial investigation.
2. Publicly condemns the attack.
3. Warns political operatives to stop interfering with medical work.
4. Provides compensation and support to affected staff.
KNUN detailed how staff were physically attacked, a doctor was forcibly frog-marched, and workers were allegedly threatened with termination.
“Political interests must NEVER interfere with the work of civil servants,” the union stressed.
In a sharp parting shot, they added:
“Anyone who believes they are powerful enough to assault healthcare workers should personally step in and offer medical services to the people of Bondo.”
The contrasting events paint a picture of a county health system experiencing both progress and turmoil—celebrating new facilities even as its medical workforce flees unsafe working conditions.
With both doctors and nurses off duty, the newborn unit and other hospital services now risk severe disruption unless the county urgently defuses the crisis.
The fate of Siaya’s patients—including the 15 newborns already relying on the new NBU—now hangs on how swiftly and decisively Governor Orengo’s administration responds.
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