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Pumwani nurses to get police guard over twins saga


Police have been directed to guard nurses’ quarters at Pumwani Maternity Hospital after the care givers complained of threats following the lost twins saga.

A court on Thursday issued the order, albeit on a temporary basis, after the nurses’ union filed an application.

The Kenya National Union of Nurses (Knun) had told the court that its members working at the hospital were living in fear due to public anger sparked by claims that a couple’s babies were swapped with dead ones at the institution.

“I hereby direct that security be provided to the nurses at their place of residence,” said Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Hellen Wasilwa.

PLANNED ATTACKS

The police officers will be guarding the gate to the nurses’ houses to prevent anyone who may be planning to attack them.

Mr Dedan Kimathi and his wife, Ms Jacinta Wanjiku, claimed that their twin babies were swapped on January 6 by nurses at the hospital.

On Thursday, Mr Alexander Jaoko, the lawyer for Knun, said the public had believed the allegations.

As a result, he told the court, people were outraged by the “false accusations” that were also published by media.

STORM HOSPITAL

 

On April 7, between 20 and 30 young men stormed the hospital at 2.30am accusing the nurses of stealing, calling them murderers and threatening to rape and physically assault them, he said.

“In the ensuing fracas, a nurse got injured while running for safety.”

The nurses sought help from the Pumwani Police Post but did not get any, he said.

They then stopped working as they feared for their lives, the lawyer told the judge. Lady Justice Wasilwa certified the application urgent and scheduled a hearing on May 5.