This archive report was first published on 5 September 2019.
On September 3, 2019, the hospital's medical superintendent, Dr. Daniel Misiani, wrote a letter to the county's health officials, citing concerns over impending unrest and insecurity at the hospital due to threats from unknown entities to staff members.
The letter, which was copied to the director and chief officer in charge of health and sanitation in Kitui County government, as well as the sub-county administrator for Mwingi North, stated that the county employees and those supported by implementing partners had been released on 'special leave' and would only resume duty upon further communication.
Additionally, contracts for the current subordinate staff (casuals) were terminated with immediate effect. The decision was taken after anonymous letters were dropped at the facility, warning casual workers from other sub-counties to vacate the hospital immediately.
The letters, which were typed and unsigned, read: 'Notice: All casuals from other sub-counties to vacate Kyuso hospital immediately. Wale wote mlioletwa hapa kwetu hospitalini na governor muondoke kabla siku tatu la sivyo mtatambua sisi ni kina nani (Those who were brought in our hospital by the Governor should leave within three days or face consequences)'.
However, the Kyuso OCPD, Charles Machinji, stated that nobody had formally reported the threats to the police, and he learned about the leaflets from social media. He added that security officers were on high alert to deal with any cases of lawlessness.
The closure of the facility has taken a political angle, with Kyuso MCA, Stephen Musili Makau, blaming the county government for playing politics with the lives of area residents. Makau termed the move as a diversionary tactic after he publicly questioned Governor Charity Ngilu on the manner in which a huge number of casual workers had been employed at the hospital from outside the region.
