Medical practitioner, Dr. Austin Omondi, also known as JaPrado, has been released hours after being allegedly kidnapped on Sunday, during a blood donation drive at the Sikh Union on Forest Road, Nairobi.
According to witnesses, Dr. Omondi was participating in a humanitarian event to assist injured anti-Finance Bill 2024 protestors when he was forcibly taken by individuals in a vehicle bearing the registration number KCU 819H.
Speaking on X, Dr. Omondi stated that he was abducted by the Kenya Police on Sunday afternoon.
I was this afternoon abducted by the Kenya Police incummunicado and taken in by the NIS while conducting a blood donation drive at the Sikh Union. Car used was KCU 819H.
My family and legal representatives have been denied access to me.
I appeal for your support in demanding my…— JaPrado. (@Dr_AustinOmondi) June 23, 2024Did you read this?
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) condemned the reported abduction, calling it an act of impunity by the government.
The Body also called for his immediate and unconditional release and threatened to shut down all public and private medical services in order to locate their colleague.
Dr. Omondi's kidnapping has raised serious concerns, particularly given that his work is consistent with the Geneva Conventions, which protect medics and aid workers even in conflict zones.
The KMPDU emphasized that the recent protests do not excuse such acts against medical personnel.
The KMPDU condemns in the strongest terms possible the abduction of one of our member, @Dr_AustinOmondi who was among the mobilizers of #MedicsforKenyans offering free medical aid and blood donation drive to help injured protestors. Join the search for him.#REJECTFİNANCEBİLL pic.twitter.com/ys4d65kMCG
— KMPDU (@kmpdu) June 23, 2024