The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has threatened to shut down all public and private medical services across the country if Dr. Austin Omondi, a doctor allegedly abducted by government agents, is not safely returned by midnight.
The union, representing medical doctors in Kenya, issued a stark ultimatum following the reported abduction of Dr. Omondi, who was leading a blood donation drive to aid injured protesters at the Sikh Union along Forest Road. The incident has sparked outrage among medical professionals and civil society, with a social media campaign using the hashtag #FreeJaprado gaining traction nationwide.
Dr. Davji Atellah, General Secretary and CEO of KMPDU, condemned the abduction in the strongest terms. “We unequivocally reject any breach of the Geneva Conventions, which protect medics and aid workers even in conflict zones,” he stated. “The recent protests do not justify such reprehensible actions.”
The union claims that Dr. Omondi was taken by individuals driving a vehicle with registration number KCU 819H, alleged to be a police car. This assertion has raised serious questions about the involvement of law enforcement in the doctor’s disappearance.
The abduction occurs against a backdrop of broader social unrest in Kenya, with protests aimed at pressuring the government to prioritize citizens’ needs over international financial obligations. The ‘Medics for Kenya’ initiative, led by young doctors under KMPDU’s guidance, has been providing first aid to protesters injured during clashes with police.
Dr. Atellah highlighted the challenging conditions faced by medical professionals in Kenya, noting that “4,000 doctors and 1,500 interns are currently waiting for their licenses, facing unemployment.” Despite these difficulties, he emphasized the medical community’s commitment to humanitarian work.
“Medical personnel remain impartial, dedicated to saving lives on all sides of any conflict,” Dr. Atellah added, underscoring the non-partisan nature of their work.
As the deadline approaches, the #FreeJaprado campaign continues to gain momentum on social media platforms, with Kenyans expressing outrage over the arrest of a doctor involved in a national blood donation drive.
The government has yet to respond officially to the KMPDU’s demands, leaving the fate of Dr. Omondi and the potential for a nationwide medical strike hanging in the balance.
