Doctors have refuted claims by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki of intimidating and threatening violence against health workers who are not participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.
On Tuesday April 9, Kindiki directed law enforcement agencies to protect the non-striking health workers against the striking doctors stating that some of the striking health workers intimidating them.
“Law enforcement agencies are directed to ensure strict maintenance of law and order to protect the general public and the health workers who have chosen to obey the court order by providing services pending the resolution of the labour dispute,” Kindiki said.
According to the CS, the demonstrating doctors had repeatedly threatened to disrupt service delivery in health institutions to interfere with daily activities the work of non-striking health workers and public order in general.
The Cs had earlier termed the ongoing strike as illegal saying that the participants were in direct defiance of a court order that had ordered them to cease the strike.
“Gatherings, protests or whatever other action(s) in pursuit of grievances outside the law and in breach of court directives constitutional order undermines the Country and are, therefore, not permissible,” Kindiki stated.
In response to the unlawful demonstrations called by health care providers in the country, security agencies have been directed to use all the lawful means and resources available to prevent any disruption of services and protect wananchi and practitioners who have resumed their… pic.twitter.com/ycnFg2fFj4
— Ministry of Interior | Kenya (@InteriorKE) April 9, 2024
The doctors, in their response, termed the directive as propaganda aimed to justify the use of force on the protesting medics and warned the government against any attempt to disperse them.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah said the doctors have always held peaceful protests and warned of any move by the government to disperse them.
“We only engage in peaceful protests. Any excuse that we have attacked those who are working is cheap propaganda aimed at justifying the use of brute force against peaceful and harmless doctors. How do we attack people who are working from home? The National Police Service has duly been notified of the same and any act of violence against any of our members will be met with immediate shutdown of all health facilities,” Miskellah said.