Wamuzi News Ke
Chaos erupted tonight at Kitengela Level 4 Hospital when armed individuals broke into the operating theatre, disrupted an ongoing caesarean section and set fires at the hospital entrance as Saba Saba protests continued to rock the region.
Witnesses reported that the intruders forced their way into the surgery wing in the evening hours, overrunning medical staff and halting the procedure mid-operation. Vandalism followed, with hospital equipment damaged and a blaze lit at the main gate, forcing staff to evacuate critical areas and divert patients amid growing panic.
A Violation of Medical Ethics and Public Safety
The Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS) issued a vehement condemnation of the attack. “This invasion of an operating theatre during a C‑section represents a grave breach of medical ethics, patient rights and fundamental decency,” said Dr Kireki Omanwa, president of KOGS. He stressed that both mother and newborn were placed in “imminent danger” and accused the perpetrators of inflicting trauma on hospital staff.
Breakdown of Health Access Amid Heavy Security Measures
The incident compounds a dire situation in which pregnant women and critically ill patients in Kitengela struggle to access medical services. Roadblocks, curfews, tear gas and intense police restrictions during the Saba Saba demonstrations have compounded already strained healthcare delivery, severely affecting civilian access to care.
Gunshot Fatality Heightens Shock
Adding to the trauma, a 21‑year‑old boda boda rider, identified as Brian Kimutai, was pronounced dead at the same hospital earlier in the day after being shot during protest-related violence. Four others with gunshot injuries were being treated alongside police personnel who suffered injuries as well.
What Lies Ahead: Accountability in a Time of Turmoil
This unprecedented incursion into a medical facility during a life-saving procedure raises urgent questions:
- How could armed actors penetrate a hospital during a surgical operation?
- What role did security forces play in preventing or failing to intervene?
- Will those responsible be held to account for gross violations of medical safety and public trust?
Civil society groups and medical associations are demanding an immediate, transparent inquiry into the hospital siege. They are urging law enforcement and government officials to safeguard hospitals and uphold Article 43(1)(a) of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees access to the highest attainable standard of health.
The Path Forward
- Independent Investigation: A full inquiry must establish who the perpetrators were and why security failed to protect a hospital mid-operation.
- Legal Recourse: Families of the affected woman, newborn, and the late Brian Kimutai may seek legal redress for medical negligence and unconstitutional interference.
- Medical Protocol Review: Hospitals across Kenya must reassess emergency response procedures during civil unrest—including safe zones and evacuation plans.
As night descends on Kitengela, the incident stands as a horrific symbol of the lengths riotous unrest has reached—now endangering lives not only in the streets but within the sanctity of medical wards. The nation watches in horror, demanding accountability and immediate safeguards for health facilities in times of crisis. Stay tuned for full coverage as the story develops.
