Hospitals in Kenyan capital, nearby town vandalised during protests
Tensions have been running high in the East African nation since the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month brought people back onto the streets, a year after anti-government protesters stormed parliament.
In the first incident in the town of Kitengela, 34km south of Nairobi, more than 100 unidentified attackers armed with clubs forced their way into a hospital to demand treatment for their colleagues, a nurse said.
"We had patients even in the emergency and consultation room. Some had been sent to the lab. We closed the maternity with a door grille because they wanted to go in," Lilian Nyakhurenya told Reuters.
"The maternity was full and it is always full. We were many in the shift and we ran away, and some of us had to wear the patient's uniforms."
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His apology recognized that internal conflicts - stemming from Zambia's unresolved political tensions - had spilled over into the regional sphere, disrupting diplomatic decorum and potentially harming Zambia's reputation as a model for peaceful political transitions. This situation highlights the urgent need for African nations to establis hprotocols that balance state responsibilities with the sensitivities of grieving families, particularly in cases involving prominent national figures whose legacies elicit mixed public reactions. Family's pain and public grief In the aftermath of his passing, the Lungu family has been engulfed in grief, exacerbated by public attention, legal challenges, and political unrest. They have faced intense media scrutiny, public discussions, and legal orders that have repeatedly interrupted their mourning. Most poignantly, reports have surfaced indicating that some family members have encountered travel bans and pressure from various political figures. 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Ubuntu and pathways to healing The African concept of Ubuntu, often translated as 'I am because we are,' provides a vital framework for how such national moments can be approached with compassion, dignity, and unity. Ubuntu calls for empathy, shared humanity, and communal responsibility - values that are indispensable in moments of grief and division. As such, African societies must prioritize empathy over politics when national figures pass. Grieving families deserve support and space to mourn. This principle applies regardless of one's political alignment or opinions of the deceased's legacy. More so, the death or burial of a leader should not inflame tensions. Elders, traditional leaders, and mediators must facilitate respectful dialogue between state officials and families to avoid conflict and ensure dignity for all parties. This is important in balancing state honour with family customs. Most importantly, I am of the view that African Union and SADC should consider formal protocols for cross-border funerals of former leaders to prevent similar disputes and ensure that such events foster unity rather than discord.
