Kenya Police Chief Criticized for Remarks Regarding Striking Doctors
A coalition of civil and human rights organizations in Kenya is calling for an apology from the country’s police chief following his declaration of intent to take action against striking health workers. The demand stems from Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome’s remarks in response to ongoing strikes by public hospital doctors and clinical officers.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has been on strike for over a month, citing various grievances such as salary arrears and delays in the government’s deployment of medical interns. Clinical officers, who share similar responsibilities with doctors but possess lower qualifications, have also joined the strike.
In his statement on Sunday, Inspector General Koome characterized the striking health workers as “a public nuisance” for obstructing roads and creating disruptions during demonstrations, which he claimed inconvenienced patients and the general public. He further warned of potential infiltration by non-medical individuals seeking to exacerbate the situation, posing a threat to public safety.
Responding to Koome’s remarks, the KMPDU and eight civil and human rights groups have demanded that he retract his statements and issue an apology. Failure to do so may result in legal action against him. Additionally, they have vowed to hold Koome personally accountable for any harm inflicted on protesting health workers during pickets and demonstrations.
The demand for an apology underscores the concerns raised by civil and human rights groups regarding the treatment of striking health workers and the broader issue of labor rights in Kenya. As tensions escalate between the government and the medical community, calls for dialogue and respect for workers’ rights remain paramount in resolving the impasse and ensuring the delivery of essential healthcare services to the public.
