KUCO: Makueni Clinical Officers Attack Investigation Demanded

• Clinical officers in Makueni County were attacked on September 8 during a peaceful procession to present grievances, resulting in one officer suffering a humeral shaft fracture and others sustaining soft-tissue injuries.
• The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) alleges the ambush occurred despite prior notification to the County Police Commander and claims known suspects have not been arrested.
• KUCO has called for Dr. Harvey Mulei Mbithi, Chief Officer for Health, HR, and Administration, to step aside or be suspended due to allegations identifying him as an alleged organizer of the attack.
• The union demands immediate arrests, an independent investigation into the incident, and for the Makueni County Government to cover medical costs for the injured officers and guarantee no retaliation against victims or witnesses.
• KUCO emphasizes that the attack on healthcare workers is an assault on constitutional freedoms, the rule of law, and decent labor relations, urging the Makueni Governor to condemn the violence and ensure worker safety.

Peaceful petitioning cannot be answered with violence.

Clinical officers in Makueni County faced a violent assault on September 8 while engaged in a peaceful procession aimed at presenting grievances to the Governor's Office. The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) reported that the officers had initially gathered at Green Park, addressed the media, and then proceeded towards their destination when the attack occurred.

According to KUCO, the procession was ambushed at Junction Mall by what witnesses described as organized assailants. This incident, which the union asserts took place while members were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and petition, resulted in significant injuries. One clinical officer sustained a complete fracture of the humeral shaft, necessitating surgery at Royal Star Hospital, which was reportedly paid for out-of-pocket. Several other officers suffered soft-tissue injuries during the confrontation.

Prior to the event, the Makueni County Police Commander had been formally notified of the planned procession, with a request for security provision. This notification was delivered via G4S courier, documented under Waybill No. G4SWB0644442920863, underscoring the union's proactive measures to ensure a safe and lawful demonstration. The subsequent attack has raised serious questions about the protection of public employees during such assemblies.

In the wake of the assault, KUCO has expressed profound concern over the apparent lack of arrests, despite the matter being reported to the police. The union claims to have information indicating that several suspected attackers and an alleged organizer are known and identifiable, prompting demands for an explanation regarding the failure to promptly preserve evidence, record statements, identify suspects, and make arrests in this Makueni clinical officers assault probe.

Serious allegations have emerged, with KUCO reporting that an alleged organizer has been identified as a county official. These allegations specifically touch upon Dr. Harvey Mulei Mbithi, who serves as the Chief Officer for Health, HR, and Administration. While KUCO explicitly stated it is not declaring Dr. Mbithi guilty, emphasizing that responsibility can only be established through due process and an independent investigation, the union has called for his immediate suspension or to step aside from his position pending the outcome of such an inquiry.

This demand for Dr. Mbithi to step aside is framed by KUCO as a precautionary accountability measure, particularly given what the union describes as previous concerns regarding administrative hostility directed towards clinical officers. The union is also pushing for an investigation into whether the attack was planned, facilitated, or tolerated by individuals either within or outside the county administration, highlighting the need for a thorough KUCO Makueni clinical officers attack investigation.

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers has issued a comprehensive set of demands to both the National Police Service and the Makueni County Government, emphasizing that "Peaceful petitioning cannot be answered with violence." The union views the alleged assault as an attack not only on healthcare workers but also on fundamental constitutional freedoms, the rule of law, and principles of decent labor relations in Kenya. Among its key demands to law enforcement are immediate arrests of suspects, an independent investigation, and accountability for any failure to protect the demonstrators.

KUCO has also called for a written public progress update from authorities within 72 hours, underscoring the urgency of the situation. To the Makueni County Government, the union demands immediate steps to support the affected clinical officers, including the payment or facilitation of verified medical, surgical, and rehabilitation costs incurred by the injured. Furthermore, KUCO seeks a guarantee that no victim, witness, union official, or member will face threats, transfers, disciplinary action, or harassment as a result of the incident or their participation in the investigation.

These demands collectively highlight the critical need for enhanced Kenya healthcare worker safety in Makueni and robust police accountability. The union insists that anyone found to have planned, financed, directed, facilitated, concealed, or obstructed investigations into the attack should face prosecution if criminal responsibility is established, reinforcing the gravity of the KUCO demands police accountability Kenya.

The union has urged the Makueni Governor to personally condemn the alleged violence and implement measures to safeguard county health workers. KUCO stressed the importance of the Governor guaranteeing the safety of clinical officers, ensuring full cooperation with investigators, and preventing any county office from being utilized to intimidate victims or obstruct accountability efforts. This call underscores the leadership's crucial role in upholding the right to peaceful assembly Makueni and protecting its workforce.

KUCO warned that continued silence from the county leadership could exacerbate concerns about what officials knew regarding the incident and what steps were taken to protect the affected workers. The union's stance emphasizes that administrative inaction or alleged complicity in violence against public employees carries significant legal and reputational risks, particularly concerning failures to protect constitutional rights and ensure prompt criminal investigations. The outcome of the KUCO Makueni clinical officers attack investigation will be closely watched as a test of commitment to justice and worker protection.

Lawyers advising public sector entities or unions should be aware of the increased legal and reputational risks associated with administrative inaction or alleged complicity in violence against public employees, particularly concerning failures to protect constitutional rights and ensure prompt criminal investigations.

Source: Original reporting via Capital News