NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenyatta University Teaching, Research, and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) was thrown into disarray as medics and support staff staged a walkout to protest poor working conditions.
The industrial action left hundreds of patients stranded without care, underscoring tensions brewing within one of Kenya’s medical facilities.
At the heart of the unrest are grievances that workers say have gone unaddressed for too long.
Spearheaded by representatives of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), the workers highlighted issues ranging from excessive working hours to unresolved allegations of sexual harassment.
“We can no longer endure these conditions,” said Dr. Vincent Oyiengo of KMPDU during the protest.
Workers also demanded the waiver of medical bills for staff in critical care departments and the payment of outstanding allowances, including uniform and radiation exposure stipends for radiology personnel.
Adding fuel to the fire, the hospital’s leadership is facing upheaval. Workers decried the recent suspension of Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Dagane, who was placed on compulsory leave by the board over alleged mismanagement of funds.
His replacement, Dr. Isaac Kamau, has been appointed in an acting capacity—a decision the protesting staff want reversed.
“We demand the immediate reinstatement of Mr. Dagane,” said Justin Kinoti of KNUN, echoing the sentiments of many demonstrators.
The workers have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the hospital’s management to meet their demands or face an indefinite service shutdown.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and the Hospital Board, chaired by Professor Olive Mugenda, are under pressure to mediate the crisis swiftly.
This standoff has highlighted deeper systemic issues in Kenya’s healthcare sector, emphasizing the need for reforms that prioritize both patient care and staff welfare.
