As Kenya braces for the Saba Saba protests on Monday, July 7, a major medical standoff is unfolding. Healthcare workers under the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) have announced that they will not offer medical assistance to anyone injured during the demonstrations.
Why Are Doctors Withdrawing from Saba Saba Protests?
The unions say their decision is based on escalating threats to the safety of their members. KUCO Secretary General George Gibore explained that healthcare workers have increasingly become targets during protests, facing violent attacks and theft.
“In the previous week, we got reports of more than seven medical personnel who had their vehicles broken into and their phones stolen,” Gibore said. “We want to state that whenever there would be chaos, we would warn our people because life is much more important.”
The medical unions are urging members to prioritize their safety and not risk exposure to violence. This marks a significant shift in the usual emergency response during national protests, where medics often play a critical role in saving lives.
What Are Local Authorities Saying?
In Nanyuki, business owners are already taking precautions. A meeting with local security officials was held to map out strategies for protecting enterprises. One officer emphasized that destruction of property would not be tolerated.
“If they try to destroy properties, we would take them into custody and have them arraigned in court. We will control the state of security in the region and ensure that there are no more properties that are destroyed in the region,” the officer told TV47.
How Is Public Safety Being Affected?
Tensions remain high across parts of the country. Residents and business owners report growing insecurity, with some businesses closing down after being vandalized and looted in past protests. With medics now pulling out of emergency response during the demonstrations, the risk to public health and safety becomes even more pronounced.
As the Saba Saba protests approach, Kenyans are now not only facing a vacuum in emergency medical care, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile environment.
By Risper Akinyi
