Condones Violence- KMPDU Boss Slams IG Koome's Directive To Police Over Striking Doctors
It all began with a statement from the police boss who revealed that the National Police Service (NPS) witnessed and received reports of the inconveniences arising from the strike
Marvin Chege 
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacist and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary-General, Davji Atellah on Sunday, April 14 told off Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome who earlier complained about the ongoing doctors' strike and issued a directive to police commanders as a result.
It all began with a statement from the police boss who revealed that the National Police Service (NPS) witnessed and received reports of the inconveniences arising from the strike, with medics lying on the streets thus obstructing highways and public roads and disrupting the free flow of vehicles and movement of people.
Koome noted that the medics have become "a public nuisance, blowing whistles and vuvuzelas during the demonstrations thus causing discomfort to patients in hospitals and the general public."
KMPDU SG Davji Atellah during protests in Nairobi on Thursday, February 29, 2024. /KMPDU
"Contrary to the Constitutional provisions on the right to picket, petition or demonstrate, the medics continue to engage in demonstrations without notifying the Police. Yet, we have information that non-medics with the intention to cause havoc and terror to the public intend to join the ongoing processions, a move that poses a threat to public safety and security," stated Koome in part.
The IG, in the interest of national security, therefore instructed all respective Police Commanders to deal with such situations firmly and decisively per the law.
"We wish to caution all doctors to refrain from infringing on the rights of others while demonstrating, and that their efforts to disrupt smooth operations of hospitals will not be tolerated," he cautioned.
Taking to X, however, Atellah responded by alleging that the IG was undermining the constitutional rights of citizens to assemble, demonstrate and present petitions, as enshrined in Article 37 of our Constitution, terming his statement as "an affront to our democratic values."
"The statement by the National Police Service, threatening doctors and clinical officers on strike, not only disregards their legitimate grievances but also sets a dangerous precedent of authoritarianism.
"KMPDU meticulously follows proper channels to ensure peaceful demonstrations, yet we are met with threats of force and intimidation. This directive essentially condones violence against Kenyan citizens exercising their fundamental rights," he wrote.
He therefore called for a harsh disapproval of Koome's remarks, noting that the nation cannot afford to lose track of the gains made in upholding democratic principles.
Atellah's sentiments were backed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission and other groups which have since threatened to take legal action against Koome over his remarks.
"We, along with other CSOs, have set a deadline of 6 PM EAT today for Inspector-General of Police, Japhet Koome, to retract his statement cancelling medics' right to strike and protest. We demand an apology for the violent attacks against KMPDU's Davji Atela. Failure to comply will result in legal action against him, not the Service. Koome, the choice is yours
"We have seen your press statement today in which you claim to cancel the medics' right to strike and to picket peacefully and unarmed. We must clarify, sir, that you confer neither tight," the groups said in a statement.
Apart from offering an apology and retraction of his statement, the pressure groups want an apology following the attack on Atellah by police forces on February 27, 2024.
'If you disregard our demand by the specified time, we will initiate court proceedings against you. Based on the doctrine of command responsibility, we will seek orders holding you personally liable for harm caused by the police to the striking and picketing medics.
Doctors during a past strike outside Afya House in Nairobi, Kenya. /FILE
"We will also seek damages against you for the attack on Atela. We trust that you understand the gravity of the situation," the statement concluded.
The nationwide strike, led by KMPDU, entered its fourth week while that called by the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) is its third week.
Negotiations between the government and the enraged doctors have hit a dead end as doctors want full compliance with the 2017 Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA).
