Bomet: A clinical officer in Bomet County has been cleared of rape allegations following a thorough investigation by the Clinical Officers Council and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO).
According to Kenya News Agency, independent investigations concluded that the reported incident did not occur, absolving the clinical officer of any wrongdoing.
The allegations, which were prominently covered in the media, accused a clinical officer at Chemaner Health Centre of raping a pregnant woman during a maternity visit, leading to his alleged arrest. However, KUCO General Secretary George Gibore stated that a fact-finding mission by the union and the council revealed that the alleged sexual assault did not happen, and the woman involved denied any assault.
Gibore, speaking at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) during a recognition agreement signing between KUCO and the Level 6A facility, clarified that the clinician had assessed the patient for suspected labor pains, which turned out to be false labor. A routine examination was conducted, and the officer then left the room.
The situation escalated after someone accompanying the patient sounded an alarm, leading the patient’s husband to file a police report without consulting his wife. According to KUCO, a medical examination found no evidence of sexual assault, and the husband has since withdrawn his statement.
Bomet police confirmed that no arrest had been made, and necessary documentation, including a P3 form, was not completed. Gibore emphasized the damage caused by premature media reporting, stating it negatively profiles individuals and institutions.
Initial reports suggested the clinical officer was caught in a compromising position and arrested after a complaint. The story quickly spread across media platforms, sparking public outrage. The union insists the claims were false, and the officer is cleared.
JOOTRH CEO Dr. Joshua Okise also addressed the issue, warning against unverified allegations against healthcare workers, citing a similar incident at JOOTRH involving social media complaints about delayed surgery. The CEO explained the medical reasons behind the delay and criticized inaccurate social media reports that demoralize healthcare staff.
The recognition agreement between KUCO and JOOTRH aims to enhance collaboration between clinical officers and hospital management.
Source: Kenya News Agency
