The controversial remarks by the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome against striking doctors calling theim public nuisance has attracted mounting backlash with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) together with a number of lobby groups now threatening to sue.
The organisations have demanded an apology from the IG following his directive to police to deal with the striking medics “firmly and decisively for becoming a public nuisance and posing a threat to public safety and security.
In a Demand letter signed by lawyer Ochiel Dudley, KMPDU, Law Society of Kenya, Katiba Institute, The Institute for Social Accountability, Kenya Human Rights Commission, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), and Africa Centre of Open Governance among others, have vowed to sue the IG for issuing the directive.
KMPDU) Secretary General, Davji Atellah, asserted that medics have a constitutional right to picket while demanding their rights.
Atellah accused the police chief of undermining democracy and promoting authoritarianism by threatening to break up demonstrations by medics who are demanding better pay and the hiring of intern doctors.
He emphasized that such directives condone violence against citizens exercising their fundamental rights.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) also condemned the Inspector General’s remarks, demanding a retraction.
According to the commission, the IG lacks the constitutional authority to limit a strike notice by medics or any other group.
They emphasized that the IG would be held liable for any harm caused by the police to the striking doctors.
The groups argue that the directive by the IG was unconstitutional.
The group further demanded that Koome retract his directive and issue a public apology latest by 6:00 pm Sunday or he will be held personally liable for harm caused by the police to the striking and picketing medics.
Koome had earlier ordered County Police Commanders to “deal firmly and decisively” with doctors and clinical officers engaging in street demonstrations in various parts of the country.
In a statement, Koome lamented that the doctors and clinical officers have become a public nuisance.
The police directive came as the doctor’s strike enters its fifth week, eliciting varied reactions from Kenyans.
“In the interest of national security, therefore, all respective Police Commanders have been instructed to deal with such situations firmly and decisively in accordance with the law.” Koome said.
He noted that the medics have continued to engage in demonstrations without notifying the Police contrary to the Constitutional provisions on the right to picket, petition or demonstrate.
The police boss also warned of plans by non-medics to use the demos to cause terror and havoc to the public.
“We have information that non-medics with 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.” He added.
