Medical professionals express disapproval over the intrusion of Kitengela Hospital, urging authorities to ensure their safety during any forthcoming demonstrations.
On July 7, 2025, during the Saba Saba demonstrations, Kitengela Sub-County Hospital was forcibly invaded by violent demonstrators, causing a grave breach of medical ethics, patient rights, and human decency.
The invasion took place while a Caesarean section was underway, causing panic, trauma for medical personnel, and endangering the lives of both patients and staff. The hospital staff was impeded from performing their duties, and no information about the current status of the mother and child was provided.
Footage online shows a rowdy group, some wielding clubs, moving through the hospital compound, vandalizing hospital property such as the theatre and hospital gates. A fire was seen blazing within the hospital's premises.
Authorities have begun reviewing CCTV footage and social media videos in an effort to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, though no official statement has yet been released by the Ministry of Health or local government. Security forces arrived after most assailants had fled.
The Kenyan National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS), and Kenya Medical Association (KMA) have condemned the attack, calling it "barbaric," a "grave breach of medical ethics," and a violation of patient rights and human decency. They have demanded swift arrests and prosecution of those responsible. Medical unions have threatened to withdraw services nationwide if the government does not guarantee the safety of health workers and patients during protests.
The incident has sparked national outrage, with calls for hospitals to be legally declared protected zones during civil unrest to safeguard patient safety and uphold medical ethics. The invasion severely disrupted patient care, notably jeopardizing a mother and child undergoing surgery, and traumatized healthcare workers, undermining their ability to perform critical duties.
Dr. Kireki Omanwa, President of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS), described the incident as a blatant violation of a sacred healing space. He called upon both the Government of Kenya and the National Police Service to ensure that hospitals remain protected zones, even during times of civil unrest.
The society is urging the government and the police to guarantee the protection of hospitals and health workers during any civil unrest. The renewed call for hospital protection has no prior context provided, and no information about a game or an island farm was relevant to the hospital invasion or the renewed call for hospital protection.
In summary, the Kitengela Hospital invasion is being actively investigated through evidence review, with strong condemnation from medical bodies. The event highlights profound violations of medical ethics and patient safety, raising serious concerns about protection of health facilities in times of political unrest and prompting demands for systemic changes to prevent such crises in the future.
- The politics of civil unrest seems to have overshadowed health and wellness, as the violent invasion of Kitengela Sub-County Hospital has brought to light the gravity of breaching medical ethics and patient rights during general news events like the Saba Saba demonstrations.
- Amid the chaos and destruction caused by the crime-and-justice incidents at the hospital, there are concerns about the impact of such actions on health-and-wellness facilities, specifically medical-conditions treatment and operations like the Caesarean section that was underway during the invasion.
- The business of providing quality health services has come under threat due to the unfortunate incident at Kitengela Hospital, as medical unions have decided to vacate services nationwide if the government fails to ensure the safety of health workers and patients during protests.
- The broader scientific community has taken notice of the incident, and discussions are ongoing about establishing legal protected zones for hospitals during times of political unrest, a crucial measure to safeguard patient safety, uphold medical ethics, and foster a conducive environment for health-and-wellness services to thrive.
