The doctors' union, represented by advocate Dudley Ochiel, vowed to commence legal action against IG Japhet Koome. Koome asserted that the protests were disrupting hospital operations and inconveniencing the public. The doctors insisted that he retract his orders by 6 pm on Sunday, April 14, or they would pursue legal recourse in court.
In a press statement, Koome expressed that the striking medics have become a public nuisance with their demonstrations, causing inconvenience to hospitals and the public.
"The National Police Service has observed and received reports of the inconveniences caused by the strike, with medics lying on the streets obstructing highways, public roads, and disrupting the flow of vehicles and people.
The statement highlighted that the medics had become a public nuisance by whistling and playing vuvuzelas during the demonstrations, leading to discomfort for patients in hospitals and the public. Koome instructed all police commanders to handle the situation firmly and decisively, in accordance with the law.
Further, the IG cautioned "all doctors to refrain from infringing on the rights of others while demonstrating and their efforts to disrupt smooth operations of the hospitals will not be tolerated".
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In response to the directive, the doctors, represented by their lawyer Ochiel Dudley, demanded that the IG retract his directive and publicly apologize for it before 6 pm on the same day.
Why are doctors suing IG Koome?
Upon his failure to comply, they informed him of their intent to pursue legal action by filing a court case challenging his instructions.
Advocate Ochiel J Dudley, representing KMPDU, Law Society of Kenya, Katiba Institute, KHRC, and other commissions, has issued a demand for the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to retract his statements, which have been perceived as infringing on Kenyans' rights to participate in peaceful demonstrations.
According to Dudley, Koome has until 6:00 pm today to retract and apologize for the directive issued earlier regarding plans to counter doctors' demonstrations. Additionally, Koome is required to apologize for the violent attack by the police and Dr. Dvavji Atellah on February 27, 2024.
"The medics have become a public nuisance, blowing whistles and vuvuzelas during the demonstrations thus causing discomfort to patients in hospitals and general public," Koome had said while instructing the police to deal with them according to the law.
The advocate's demand follows shortly after Baringo Women Representative Hon. Florence Jematia, aligned with Ruto's camp, called on the president to dismiss the Police boss, citing Koome's alleged incompetence and inability to handle the task effectively.
