Davji Atellah, the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General has announced that the union has sued the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome.
While speaking to the press on Monday, April 15, the Secretary-General noted that this was after the IG's remarks and threats issued on Sunday.
Atellah emphasised that no threats, victimization or intimidation would make the doctors call off their strike. He stated that the union and the government should meet to come up with a working agreement.
"As KMPDU and other societies, we have already proceeded to court against the defamatory statement that was released yesterday. As a union we will serve the IG," he stated.
The medic remarked that the IG can not contravene the Constitution and issue threats rather than offer an amicable solution.
Atellah reiterated that KMPDU and other unions were ready to meet with the stakeholders to come up with a solution and end the strike which has left hospitals unattended and patients lacking critical care.
Additionally, Atellah noted that it was counterproductive to bring in foreign doctors who end up failing the set test. He also gave the example of Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH) which had recruited foreign doctors to fill in the gap.
"The hospital decided to import doctors and consultants, today in an interview by KMPDC all except one failed the test. This means that the services the doctors are offering in different hospitals, they have mastered the craft over time they can't be replaced by picking anyone from the streets," he added.
He urged the government to stop putting the lives of patients at risk by failing to meet their demands. Atellah reiterated that negotiations were the only way to end the ongoing strike.
Meanwhile, IG Koome on Sunday lamented that the striking doctors were becoming a nuisance by blowing whistles and vuvuzelas in the streets.
He also complained that those doctors lying on roads and pavements were disrupting traffic. Koome therefore called upon all Police Commanders to deal with this disturbance firmly across the nation.
Koome further cautioned medics to avoid contravening the Constitution by failing to inform police of their demonstration plans. The KMPDU SG however dismissed this position.
Kenyans condemned the remarks from the IG including the KMPDU chairperson Abidan Mwachi who highlighted how Koome was aggravating the situation in Kenya.
Mwachi also sought the attention of President William Ruto to resolve the matter at the time when the Head of State was condemning the attacks on Israel by Iran.
"The intended attack presents a real threat to the purported whole nation negations and contravenes the charter by International Labour Organisation (ILO) and should be condemned by all peace-loving Kenyans," he stated.
