Sunday, April 14, 2024 –Doctors have clapped back at Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome over his remarks on the ongoing medics’ strike.
The medics now want IG Koome to make an official public apology, within 24 hours, following his remarks today on the strike.
Koome described doctors as people who are nolonger required on the streets because they will be dealt with by the police.
the police boss promised to spearhead a campaign that will see any striking doctor repulsed back to work from tomorrow.
The IG made a distressing warning to doctors over the strike which he said is obstructive – crippling the smooth flow of people and motor vehicles – terming it unlawful and unwarranted.
These remarks have since triggered a counter statement from the Kenya Medical Union KMDPU lawyers led by Advocate Ochiel Dudley who have demanded an immediate public apology or take the police boss to court.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union KMPDU, Law Society of Kenya LSK, Katiba Institute KI, Kenya Human Rights Commission KHRC, among other CSO’s want Koome to honor the demand by 6PM Sunday, April 14.
Advocate Dudley said that a notice was given to Koome and that the doctors are practising their right to picket as provided by law.
“In your retraction, you must also apologise for the violent attack by police on Dr Davji Atela on 27 February 2024,” partly read the statement.
Koome was, therefore, warned that court proceedings would be initiated if he failed to honor the demand already on his desk.
The IG’s comments also solicited a response from KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah who said that the threats undermine the doctors’ rights to demonstrate.