A high-ranking officer in the Kitui County Executive is under fire after the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) demanded his immediate suspension over an alleged physical attack on a senior nurse.
In a fiery demand letter issued by KNUNM Secretary General Seth Panyako, the union accused Mr. Gedion Mbingo James, the Chief Protocol Officer in the Office of the Governor of Kitui, of a “brazen act of workplace violence and gender-based discrimination.”
The alleged assault took place in broad daylight in front of junior healthcare workers, local community members, a school teacher, and young Grade 6 students.
The incident reportedly unfolded on Friday, 18 September 2026, at Vinda Dispensary. Ms. F.M. Kitui County’s Deputy County Nursing Officer and Vertical Transmission Prevention (VTP) Focal Person had arrived earlier that afternoon to oversee preparations for an official Ministry of Health project commissioning.
According to the union, Mr. Mbingo arrived at the venue around 7:00 p.m. in a state of extreme hostility, shouting and verbally harassing staff members over how the event tents had been arranged.
When the nurse stepped in calmly to ask how he wanted the setup adjusted, Mr. Mbingo allegedly unleashed a barrage of misogynistic verbal abuse and physical violence.
I do not take instructions from women,” Mr. Mbingo allegedly shouted, threatening that “he could kill a person” before swinging a blow on F.M. face.
Though she managed to block the first strike, the union states that Mr. Mbingo pursued her and struck her forcefully on the back. Nearby colleagues had to physically restrain him before he could land a second blow.
Following the assault, the nurse suffered physical injuries and severe emotional distress. She sought emergency medical treatment at Kitui County Referral Hospital, where a medical officer completed an official P3 form documenting her injuries.
“At present, I continue to experience pain in my back, and the Incident has left me emotionally and psychologically drained.” she said
In her letter of complaint, she stated that this was not the first time she was experiencing inappropriate and abusive conduct from him. Previously, she claimed, the officer spoke to her in a disrespectful and abusive manner in the presence of other people.
“However, the events of 18th September 2026 went beyond verbal abuse and escalated into a physical assault while I was performing official duties.”
She formally reported the assault to the Kitui Police Station vide (OB No. 72/18/09/2026) and filed an administrative complaint with the Office of the County Secretary on 21 September.
Despite the serious criminal allegations and a clear breach of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya (Leadership and Integrity) as well as the Public Officer Ethics Act, KNUNM claims the Kitui County Government has failed to take any disciplinary or administrative action against Mr. Mbingo.
“An assault on a nurse doing her job is an assault on every nurse in this country,” the union asserted. “In our understanding, it constitutes Gender-Based Violence at the place of work.”
The nurses’ union has issued a strict 21-day deadline for the Kitui County Government to fulfill four major demands: Immediate suspension of Mr. Gedion Mbingo pending a full disciplinary investigation, allow police investigations to run their full course without executive interference.
Third, provide full union legal backup for Ms. Munyithya and lastly issue a written commitment guaranteeing a safe, respectful, and violence-free environment for all healthcare workers in Kitui.
KNUNM cautioned that if the county government fails to act within the given timeframe, the union will deploy all lawful measures including strike action and further legal proceedings to protect its members.
