Finance Bill protests: Unions demand release of kidnapped doctor Austin Omondi

Doctors' unions have condemned the abduction of Dr. Austin Omondi by people believed to be police officers, amid demonstrations against the Finance Bill, 2024, saying he was only abiding by his oath in assisting protesters.

Thus far, two people—29-year-old Rex Masai and 21-year-old Evans Kiratu—have died, while many have been wounded and hundreds, including activists, have been arrested by the police, with several rights organisations and leaders asking authorities to exercise restraint during confrontations.

Witnesses said that Omondi, known on X (formerly Twitter) as JaPrado, was taken on Sunday along Forest Road while overseeing a blood donation drive at Sikh Union Club Chandaria, part of the help offered to protesters under the 'Medics for Kenya' initiative.

Posts seen by The Eastleigh Voice on Sunday indicate the doctor was targeted for providing medical aid to injured protesters, with social media users alleging efforts to weaken the fresh round of protests set for Tuesday and Thursday.

The police had not issued a statement by press time.

In the line of duty

In a statement on Sunday, the Kenya Dental Association (KDA) called for Omondi's swift release, noting he "has kept to the oath he took of offering care to his fellow countrymen."

"We will leave no stone unturned in looking for daktari and we urge the authorities to join us and ensure his well-being. We firmly believe in the principles of due process and call for Dr. Omondi's swift release."

The KDA affirmed its solidarity with Omondi’s family and colleagues and urged authorities to handle the matter with transparency and respect for human rights.

"The KDA will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as they become available," read the statement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.#freejaprado pic.twitter.com/UWewLLYaKn

— KENYA DENTAL ASSOCIATION (@kenyadental) June 23, 2024

Omondi recently worked with Dr. Salim Ishmael to recruit other doctors to assist injured protesters, an initiative that saw medical professionals and volunteers provide funds, supplies, and services at the Jamia Mosque in Naiobi.

The doctors offered triage services and referred patients to nearby facilities if they needed further assistance, in ambulances and accompanied by medics.

"We started this yesterday and are doing it out of our own pockets and with the support of well-wishers. We just put our numbers out there and urged those with injuries, whether police officers or other Kenyans, to come here. We have at least 100 medics here [Jamia Mosque] and about 2,000 in different parts of the country. We also have 17 stations and ambulances in Nairobi and Kisumu," Omondi said.

"So far, we have attended to more than 20 patients and provided telemedicine support to dozens of others, and it's barely 1 pm," he added, noting that the services were free.

KMPDU issues warning

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) also issued a statement on the matter through its secretary general, Davji Atellah.

"I condemn in the strongest terms possible the abduction of one of our members, Dr. Austin Omondi, by suspected government agents in a car with registration plates KCU 819H. We are reliably informed that he was being held at DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road," he said on Sunday.

An independent check by The Eastleigh Voice found this car registration number did not exist in the database of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

Atellah further revealed that Omondi had received death threats due to his involvement in the 'Medics for Kenya' initiative.

"Last evening, Dr. Austin reported to us that strange people have been calling him and issuing death threats due to his involvement with the 'Medics for Kenya' activities, where young medics have been offering free medical aid and leading a blood donation drive to help injured protesters," he said.

"I know there are people who miss the Nyayo days of terror where citizens were maimed and killed for standing up for their rights, but I have news for them: those days are long gone and anybody who tries to take that path will forcefully be dragged back to the straight and narrow path of political accountability."

He urged the police to stop brutalising and abducting Kenyans, adding that the fight to reject the Finance Bill is for a better country, featuring decent salaries and dignified houses for the police too.

"We demand the immediate release of Austin. Otherwise, we will shut down the DCI and NIS headquarters," he warned.