Kyuso Level IV Hospital in Mwingi North has been closed indefinitely after leaflets were circulated warning non-local workers to leave the area or face unspecified consequences.
In a statement signed on Tuesday, September 3, the County Government of Kitui sent the workers on special leave 'until the situation is resolved by the concerned authorities'.
"Owing to concerns associated with impending unrest and insecurity at the hospital- following threats posed by unknown entities to members of staff working within the hospital- the county Ministry of Health has decided to close the facility indefinitely," part of the hospital statement read.
They further stated that the facility could remain closed until the investigative and law enforcement authorities move to ensure the safety of all employees working therein.
The contracts of all casuals were also terminated on the same day.
This is not the first time serious cases of tribal animosity have been recorded in Mwingi, Kitui county.
In February 2018, similar threats and attacks arose after a crackdown on charcoal trading, a war in some quarters was intepreted interpreted as to be targeting a particular community. Area Governor Charity Ngilu vehemently denied the accusations.
“This is the kind of misinformation and propaganda that criminal cartels use to discredit leaders and institutions that dare to stand up to them,” the governor stated in 2018, concerning an inciteful video clip that was doing rounds.
The threats against non-locals come at a time when Xenophobia is rife in South Africa, with Kenyans residing in the country reportdly beginning to leave for Kenya.
