Healthcare professionals have strongly opposed the assertions made by Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome that the ongoing demonstrations by striking healthcare workers are causing public disturbances.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) dismissed claims that the protests are disrupting public highways and roads, thereby affecting the flow of traffic and pedestrian movement, citing a lack of evidence to support such allegations.
Despite these claims, KUCO intends to proceed with planned demonstrations on Tuesday to advocate for the fulfillment of their demands. “The suggestion that the use of whistles and vuvuzelas during protests constitutes a public nuisance, causing discomfort to patients and disrupting hospital operations, is unfounded,” stated KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore.
Gibore further criticized the Inspector General’s remarks, labeling them as groundless and fabricated with the aim of misleading the public. He emphasized that the demonstrations conducted by healthcare workers have been peaceful and without any reported incidents of obstruction or disruption.
Furthermore, Gibore highlighted similarities between Koome’s statements and those made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki the previous week, suggesting an attempt to suppress lawful demonstrations without providing legal justification.
According to Gibore, neither individuals, patients, nor hospitals have filed complaints regarding the demonstrations, calling on the Inspector General to focus on maintaining law and order and apprehending perpetrators rather than casting doubt on the motives of striking healthcare workers and the public.
In response to Koome’s characterization of medics as a public nuisance, Gibore urged a shift in focus towards preserving public order and addressing criminal activity, rather than targeting healthcare workers exercising their right to protest.
