Union asks probe on official's death

Kisumu county nurses march on Oginga Odinga street on July 29,2019 during a procession after one of their union leaders, Ferdinand Ondieki working at Dago dispensary was abducted and murdered. [Standard]

The Kenya National Union of nurses (KNUN) has threatened to ask its members to down tools if police fail to find killers of its official.

Yesterday, medical practitioners in the county staged protests to demand justice for their slain colleague, Ferdinand Ongeri.

Kisumu's Secretary General of the union Maurice Opetu said that the nurses will camp at the Jaramogi Teaching and Referral hospital until all their questions are answered.

“Nurses and health workers cannot stand being beaten or killed by the same people they serve,” he said adding that nurses lived in fear and could no longer work with ease.

Ongeri, 40, disappeared last Wednesday and his body was found dumped at Kimondi Forest in Nandi County on Saturday.

His colleagues described him as a professional dedicated to serving the people.

The county executive for health Judy Atiang’ assured the nurses that the killers of their colleague would be brought to book.

“When a staff dies under such circumstances it’s extremely traumatizing,” noted Atiang’ asking the nurses to remain calm and patient as investigators tracked the killer(s).

Director health, Dr Dickens Onyango confirmed that on the day of his death, Ongeri was at the county offices negotiating nurses' terms, promotions, resignations and confirmations.

“It is sad that a healthcare provider should lose life in such a situation,” said Onyango.

Assistant county commissioner John Cheruiyot asked those with information that could help unravel the killing to inform security officers. He said he was in contact with his Nandi counterarts.