By James Mutua
The Health Union Caucus has raised alarm over what it describes as a full blown humanitarian crisis in Nairobi and Marsabit County following prolonged healthcare workers’ strikes that have paralyzed services in the two devolved units.
Addressing the press in Nairobi, the caucus, which brings together the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, the Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists, the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives, the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union, the Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers and the Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians, said the strikes have persisted for 65 days in Nairobi County and 115 days in Marsabit County. The unions blamed the respective county governments for failing to honor their obligations to health workers.
The unions said what began as legitimate industrial action to demand basic workers’ rights has now escalated into a healthcare emergency affecting millions of residents.
In Marsabit County, the impact has been described as catastrophic, with an overall 89.5 percent collapse in services across four major referral facilities.
At Marsabit County Referral Hospital, outpatient services have dropped by 94.4 percent, from 9,000 to just 500 patients monthly. Inpatient admissions have fallen by 83.3 percent, from 600 to 100 patients, while theatre cases have reduced by 42.3 percent, sustained only by three nurse anaesthetists. The facility has recorded an overall service reduction of 93.2 percent.
Moyale Sub County Referral Hospital has reported a 92.9 percent reduction in outpatient visits, from 3,500 to 250 patients monthly. Inpatient admissions have dropped by 87.4 percent, and theatre cases have declined by 87.5 percent, now maintained by only one nurse anaesthetist. Overall service delivery at the facility has fallen by 92.6 percent.
At Kalacha Sub County Referral Hospital, outpatient services have declined by 87.5 percent, inpatient admissions by 91 percent, and theatre services have come to a complete halt due to the absence of a clinical officer anaesthetist. The hospital’s overall service reduction stands at 87.9 percent.
Similarly, Laisamis Sub County Referral Hospital has recorded an 85 percent drop in outpatient services and an 81.8 percent decline in theatre cases, with only one nurse anaesthetist available. Overall services at the facility have reduced by 84.3 percent.
The combined effect across the four facilities, according to the caucus, includes more than 15,000 patients turned away from outpatient departments every month, nearly 700 patients denied admission, and 133 surgical procedures not performed monthly.
The unions questioned where expectant mothers, sick children, accident victims and emergency cases are seeking care, terming the situation in Marsabit a humanitarian disaster rather than a mere labor dispute.
Beyond service disruption, the caucus accused both county governments of intimidation and contempt of court.
In Marsabit County, the unions alleged that the county government has defied court orders relating to disciplinary procedures by proceeding with arbitrary actions and victimization of striking workers despite clear judicial directives outlining proper processes and worker protections.
In Nairobi City County, the caucus claimed workers have been threatened with salary stoppages and issued with show cause letters. It further alleged that unknown individuals were sent to break into the office of the Clinical Officer in charge at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in what it described as an act of intimidation.
The Health Union Caucus said it stands in solidarity with its members and condemned what it termed coercive and unlawful tactics by county administrations. The unions demanded immediate compliance with all court orders and warned that the strikes would continue until commitments are honored and intimidation ceases.
They called on the Judiciary to enforce its rulings and hold responsible county officials in contempt of court, and urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate and prosecute those defying judicial authority.
The caucus also appealed to the national government to intervene and declare the situation in Marsabit County a healthcare emergency.
In a further escalation, the unions issued a 72 hour ultimatum to the Senate and the Council of Governors to intervene and ensure the counties meet their legal and moral obligations. Failing that, they warned they would launch a national signature collection drive seeking reversal of the health function from Nairobi and Marsabit counties to the national government under Article 187 of the Constitution.
“If these counties cannot manage the health of their citizens, they must hand back the function to the National Government,” the caucus said.
The unions maintained they remain open to dialogue but insisted they will not compromise on what they termed the fundamental rights and welfare of healthcare workers as patients continue to suffer without access to essential services.
