Goons Disrupt Doctors’ Strike in Kwale as Police Remain Passive
A peaceful press briefing organized by striking doctors at Msambweni County Referral Hospital in Kwale County was thrown into chaos when a group of unidentified goons violently interrupted the gathering—while police officers stood by and watched.
The doctors, who are members of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), had assembled outside the hospital to share their frustrations over delayed salaries, poor working conditions, and other unaddressed grievances.
But before they could proceed, men on motorcycles, armed with clubs, stormed the area and forced the doctors to scatter for their safety.
The union strongly condemned the attack, calling it an extreme and alarming attempt to intimidate health workers who were simply exercising their constitutional right to protest.
According to the medics, the attackers even locked the hospital gates, preventing them from entering the premises. What shocked them most was the fact that police officers were present but did nothing to stop the chaos.
“We were calmly gathered outside the hospital when the goons appeared and started coming at us aggressively. We hadn’t provoked anyone. In all our years of union work, we’ve never faced this level of hostility,” said one of the KMPDU officials, visibly shaken by the incident.
Another doctor expressed deep disappointment, saying, “It was very disturbing to see a large number of police officers just standing and watching while we were attacked.
We came here to raise genuine issues affecting doctors in Kwale County. What happened here today shows a serious lack of goodwill and concern from the authorities.”
The medics blamed the county government for allowing such violence to take place and for showing disregard towards the doctors and the healthcare needs of the public.
They stated that using violence to silence health professionals sends a dangerous message and shows the level of neglect that doctors in the region face.
“We want to clearly condemn the shameful events that took place today at Msambweni County Referral Hospital. We were chased away by goons. As KMPDU, we have never witnessed such a disgraceful act. This is completely unacceptable,” said another frustrated union member.
The doctors had assembled as part of their ongoing strike that officially began on June 29. Their demands include timely payment of salaries and allowances, promotions that have been long overdue, and approval of study leaves for doctors who wish to further their training and qualifications.
KMPDU Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atellah, had previously warned that unless the county government addressed these critical issues, doctors in Kwale would continue to withdraw their services in protest.
The incident at Msambweni adds to a worrying trend where peaceful protests and legal picketing are being violently disrupted.
Just a week earlier, similar goon attacks disrupted the June 25 commemorative demonstrations, resulting in the destruction of property and financial losses for local business owners.
The use of violence against professionals exercising their rights raises serious questions about the state of freedom and safety for workers in Kenya. As doctors continue to push for better working conditions, the public is left concerned about the future of healthcare services in the region.
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