Dr. Austin Omondi, a dedicated Kenyan medical professional and co-founder of Medics for Kenya, popularly known as Ja Prado on social media platform X, is another entry to our Top 100 Kenyans list.
In 2024, the medical practitioner gained popularity for his advocacy and humanitarian efforts in the wake of the June-August Gen Z protests witnessed in the country.
Dr. Omondi mobilised unemployed doctors and healthcare workers to assist victims of police brutality during protests, playing a significant role in providing emergency medical aid during the #RejectFinanceBill2024 demonstrations.
He set up a makeshift aid station at the Jamia Mosque, providing immediate medical assistance to injured protesters. Coordinating with fellow medical professionals, including Dr. Salim Ishmael, he ensured that those affected received timely care for various injuries, all offered free of charge.
Through his efforts, Omondi managed to mobilise 100 medics to set up camp at Jamia Mosque and a further 2,000 in different parts of the country as the protests raged on. In total, they managed to set up 17 stations and ambulances in Nairobi and Kisumu.
The services provided by the medics at Jamia Mosque were similar to those found in a health facility triage, basic assessment and first aid. Patients who needed further medical attention were referred to nearby public health facilities and accompanied by a team of medics in an ambulance.
Unfortunately, Omondi’s humanitarian efforts led to his alleged abduction by Kenyan authorities. The abduction, however, triggered a remarkable show of unity between medical associations who threatened to disrupt healthcare services and demanded his release. The doctor was luckily released hours later but his abduction led to increased calls for better protection of healthcare workers.