IPOA probes teargas assault against KMPDU official

The Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) is probing the injury of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) official.

Davji Atella, KMPDU National Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, was injured alongside others on Thursday during a protest outside the Ministry of Health's offices in Nairobi.

They were demanding the deployment of the medical interns and payment of their post-graduate fees.

Police fired teargas to disperse the protesters after they declared the protest illegal. This is despite the union confirming that it had notified the Nairobi Regional Command of their intention to hold a peaceful protest.

"As mandated by Section 6(c) of Cap 86 of the Laws of Kenya, the authority monitored the enforcement of public order management by members of the National Police Service and is currently conducting inquiries into the unfortunate injuring of demonstrators," IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori said in a statement.

The doctors had gathered to voice their frustration over the delayed hiring of interns, a longstanding issue that has amplified tensions between healthcare workers and government agencies.

Following the incident, multiple organisations and workers' unions condemned the police, accusing them of using excessive force against the protesters.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said the constitution guarantees every person the right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities.

KNCHR demanded an immediate probe into the incident, dialogue between the Health Ministry and the union and respect for the constitution.

"It is distressing that what should have been a peaceful exercise of the right to assembly turned into a scene of violence and injury. This is deeply concerning and demands urgent attention," KNCHR Chairperson Roseline Odede said.

Central Organisation of Trade Unions demanded an immediate and unconditional apology for the unprovoked attack.

"Additionally, we call for a thorough investigation into this incident and urge that appropriate action be taken against the officer (s) responsible for this reprehensible act."

The International Commission of Jurists has also condemned the brutality, stressing that the right to health is a basic right that they must safeguard and defend.

Kenya County Government Workers Union Secretary General Roba Duba accused the police of police brutality.

"We highly condemn the brutality by the police meted on members of Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), particularly the crude, grim and brutal bodily harm done on Dr. Davji Atellah the Secretary General of KMPDU as they were exercising their constitutional right to assemble, demonstrate and picket," said Duba.

In a statement, he added that it is appalling and inexcusable that the police acted with such force on innocent workers who were not armed but merely exercising their democratic and labour rights.

The Kenyan Association of Muslim Medical Professionals condemned the incident and called for a thorough probe and accountability for those found culpable.

The West African Health Sector Unions expressed solidarity with KMPDU and called for the release of the required funds for the deployment of the medical interns.

On their part, the police said the protestors blocked the entire Ngong road forcing them to intervene and disperse them.