The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has defended nurses at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) amid growing public criticism over service delivery, saying frontline healthcare workers should not be blamed for challenges beyond their control.
In a statement, the union acknowledged concerns raised by patients and their families over services at the Kisumu-based referral hospital but cautioned against what it described as the indiscriminate condemnation of nurses.
KNUNM said many challenges affecting healthcare delivery stem from systemic issues, including staff shortages, inadequate resources, congestion, and heavy workloads, which require urgent intervention by the relevant authorities.
The union warned against online harassment and public trolling directed at nursing professionals, arguing that nurses continue to work under demanding conditions while providing essential healthcare services.
“Shortages of staff, inadequate resources, congestion, heavy workloads and other institutional challenges require urgent attention from the relevant authorities rather than the indiscriminate condemnation of frontline healthcare workers,” the statement said.
Union Balances Defence of Nurses and Patients’ Rights
While defending its members, KNUNM said patients have a right to quality healthcare, dignity, timely attention and respectful treatment whenever they seek medical services.
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The union acknowledged that individual healthcare workers may fail to meet expected standards of professionalism and conduct.
It stated that the union should address any proven cases of misconduct fairly through established institutional and professional accountability mechanisms.
According to KNUNM, protecting nurses and safeguarding patients should go hand in hand, noting that the two objectives are not mutually exclusive.
The union called on JOOTRH management and other relevant authorities to address service delivery gaps, improve working conditions for healthcare workers and ensure legitimate public complaints receive prompt attention.
It also appealed to the public to avoid generalising isolated incidents and to refrain from personal attacks against nurses.
At the same time, KNUNM urged nursing professionals to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, empathy, accountability and respect in all interactions with patients.
Stakeholders to Probe JOOTRH Concerns
The union said it would work with key stakeholders to investigate the concerns raised and identify operational and systemic challenges affecting service delivery at the hospital.
Among the institutions expected to participate in the process are the Nursing Council of Kenya, the Ministry of Health, the Kisumu County Government and the JOOTRH Board of Management.
KNUNM said the engagement would focus on developing practical, sustainable solutions to improve patient care, strengthen the working environment for nurses, and restore public confidence in healthcare institutions.
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The union maintained that meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery can only be achieved through constructive engagement, mutual respect and collective responsibility among all stakeholders.
“Our position is clear: patients deserve quality care, nurses deserve dignity and a safe working environment, and healthcare institutions must be held accountable for the systems they are responsible for providing,” the statement said.
The remarks come as public debate over service delivery at JOOTRH continues, placing renewed focus on the challenges facing both patients and healthcare workers in Kenya’s public health facilities.
Growing public anger over services at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) was triggered by social media posts alleging negligence, poor patient treatment, staff misconduct, and lengthy discharge delays.
Some families claimed they lost relatives while seeking treatment at the facility, sparking widespread criticism online.
The complaints prompted the hospital to launch internal investigations, while the Ministry of Health also stepped in and dispatched Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga to assess the situation.
He acknowledged concerns circulating on social media and warned staff that the government was closely monitoring public feedback about the facility.
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