Panyako together with Joseph Wanyoike and Evans Mwendwa denied creating disturbance in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace at the Kenyatta National Hospital/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 30 – The Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako and two others have been charged with creating disturbance and taking part in unlawful assembly.
The trio pleaded not guilty before chief magistrate Francis Andayi and were released on a personal bond of Sh50,000 each.
Panyako together with Joseph Wanyoike and Evans Mwendwa denied creating disturbance in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
The Magistrate further criticised the prosecution for charging them saying for such on offense, one does not have to be arraigned in court.
Panyako was arrested Monday morning at the institution where he was set to address members following a disagreement over union registration.
According to him, the strike was a result of a dispute by the hospital management, which does not want the nurses to join the union, because they are already members of another union.
Through a statement, the Hospital’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thomas Mutie however stated that the medics need to comply with the law regarding recognition of the trade union.
He said that the Hospital shall not give in to calls, instigations or incitement of its employees to take part in illegal meetings with the sole purpose of advancing courses that disrupts essential services as offered by the Hospital.
He stated that while the institution recognizes the rights of every employee to freedom of association such activities must be carried out within the confines of the law.
About The Author
