Nurses to offer free medical services during Tuesday protests

The Kenya Union of Nurses and Midwives has pledged to offer free medical aid to Kenyans who will take part in Tuesday’s anti-Finance Bill protests.

Kenyans comprising mostly the youth have planned nationwide protests on Tuesday to mount pressure on MPs to shoot down the Finance Bill, 2024.

The nurses’ union said they will stand in solidarity with Kenyans in the fight against what many have termed as overtaxation.

In a statement on Monday, KNUN secretary general Seth Panyako said the free services will be provided across the country to those who may require them.

“We are cognizant of the current ongoing peaceful demonstration by the citizens of this country in respect of the pertinent issues raised in the Finance Bill, 2024,” he said.

“In solidarity and in line with the Constitution of Kenya which mandates every citizen the right to access medical care, we hereby request our members to join other health workers and volunteer to offer first aid services to our citizens in case of casualties during the peaceful demonstration.”

Panyako further added that it is the constitutional mandate of the government to provide security to the Kenyans who will be protesting.

Dubbed ‘Ocuppy Parliament’, Kenyans have vowed to come out and protest against proposed taxes in the Finance Bill, 2024 terming them ‘punitive’.

The nurses appeared to be taking the cue from clinicians in pledging to offer free medical aid to protesters who may get injured during the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.

Speaking in Nairobi on Sunday, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) said they will send emergency teams to various parts of the country where protests will be taking place to offer any care to those in need of medical attention.

KUCO national chairperson Peterson Wachira said this will ensure the injured get help without causing more injury.

Wachira said the union had already sent teams during previous protests but realised the numbers were low.

“We are going to enhance and ensure that in every town we are going to have these protests, we are going to have teams that will be responding in real-time to ensure people can be taken to hospital in a manner that does not cause more injury to them to be able to preserve life,” he said.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Monday issued warnings and demands to Kenyans who are planning to take part in the protests.

The CS said protesters must not interfere with the daily chores of those who will not be demonstrating.

Kindiki clarified that Kenyans have a right to demonstrate but they are limited by the law in exercising that constitutional right.

“They must make sure that the enjoyment of these rights does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others,” he said.

Kindiki said the protesters must remain peaceful and unarmed during the protests and end the civil unrest by sunset or by 6.30pm, whichever comes first.