Orengo sends Siaya enforcement officer on compulsory leave after goons attacked striking nurses
By Eric Juma, October 2, 2025Siaya County Governor James Orengo has sent the head of enforcement, John Okoth, on a 30-day compulsory leave following his recent order that saw hired goons unleashing terror on striking nurses on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025.
Okoth had resumed the position immediately after Orengo took the oath of office in 2022. Previously, the post was being handled by Fred Wekessa.
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Orengo decided after he apologised in public over the happenings that happened without his knowledge.
“I was not aware of the chaotic scenes at the headquarters. I was busy with my duty of mobilising those coming for the investment conference, only to receive sad news from my jurisdiction,” Orengo said while at a local Radio FM.
“I was equally pained by the actions of some people whom we are working with in my government. I will act from here,” Orengo said.
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In a press release by the Siaya County Secretary Joseph Ogutu, the Orengo-led administration issued a 30-day leave for Mr Okoth as the probe into the incident was launched.
“The Head of the Enforcement Unit and all enforcement officers who were on duty at the county headquarters at the time of the incident have been sent on a 30-day compulsory leave with immediate effect,” read the notice in part.
“The county government of Siaya learned with deep concern of the unfortunate incident that occurred on Tuesday when the nurses working in the county government hospital staged a demonstration near the county offices and were subsequently attacked by unidentified individuals, during which some of our healthcare workers sustained injuries,” said Ogutu.
The county secretary condemned in the strongest terms possible the brutality meted out to the striking nurses.
“Such acts are unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of dialogue and mutual respect that we continue to uphold as a government,” the letter read in part.
“Every professional, including our frontline health workers, has a right to air their grievances peacefully and lawfully without fear of intimidation or attack. We render our apologies to the injured and wish them a quick recovery,” Ogutu added.
He stated that the county government of Siaya has always been and remains open to constructive dialogue with health professionals and all county government staff on matters of welfare and work.
Previous records show a history of successful engagement with our nurses and other cadres, where solutions have been reached amicably and in good faith.
Ogutu said the government is committed towards safeguarding the well-being of its staff, ensuring a conducive working environment, and prioritizing the healthcare needs of its people.
We further called upon the relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to book to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.