Health workers in Lamu hold demos to protest against being linked to al-Shabaab. They want an apology from the security department. [Photo/barakafm.org]
Health workers in Lamu on Monday held peaceful demonstrations after the security officials claimed that health facilities in the Coast region were aiding al-Shabaab militants.Led by the county health workers chairperson Ahmed Farid, the health workers said the allegations that a section of medical staff is assisting al-Shabaab militants is not true.Mr Farid said investigations need to be done on such allegations before accusing the health workers of being involved in such illegal activities.He said the allegations are meant to ruin the image of the health workers and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the allegations by the security department.The health workers who termed the claims as malicious demanded an apology from the security officers.“We demand that the investigating agents do thorough investigations on such allegations before accusing anyone. You can’t just throw a blanket accusation and say health workers are aiding al Shabaab,” said Farid.“We have a very clear conscience and our only focus is on the health of the people of Lamu. It’s unfair to drag us into such,” he added, as quoted by Baraka FM.The health workers including doctors, clinical officers, nurses and lab technicians from various hospitals, dispensaries and health centers across Lamu matched to the Lamu County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo’s office where they presented a petition.Lamu Clinical Officers Union Secretary Iddi Yusa said the security department needs to issue an apology.He said health facilities in the region are faced with a drug shortage, therefore, it’s impossible for them to be supplying drugs to the terror groups. “The drugs supplied to Lamu hospitals come directly from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). Any drugs coming in or out of any facility go through a certain process which makes it impossible for anyone to attempt anything,” said Yusa.“We don’t even have enough drugs at our facilities, where therefore would we get whatever they claim we give to the enemy? We are not working or aiding al-Shabaab and as such, we demand an apology,” he added.Last week, Linda Boni security operation director Joseph Kanyiri said they have launched investigations into claims that health facilities in Lamu, Garissa and Tana River are assisting al-Shabaab militants.Mr Kanyiri said they suspect the health facilities are secretly giving out medical supplies and also treating al-Shabaab militants.