Doctors to down tools, wear red armbands in solidarity with hospitalized KMPDU boss Davji Atellah

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has urged all doctors to assemble in Nairobi next week and wear a red armband as a gesture of solidarity with Secretary General Davji Atellah who is currently hospitalized after an alleged shooting by police during protests on Thursday.

KMPDU National Chairman Dr. Abi Mwachi, in a statement to newsrooms after the incident, condemned the action by police as he announced looming countrywide mass action and the closure of all hospitals.

He directed union members to down their tools and converge at Ufungamano House in Nairobi next week at a date to be communicated to chart the way forward on their grievances.

Dr. Mwachi underscored that the move would be instrumental in compelling the government to address the issues raised by the medics and show solidarity with Dr. Atellah who is recuperating at the Nairobi Hospital.

“In solidarity with our Secretary General, we call upon all doctors to assemble at Ufungmaano House in Nairobi next week on a date that will be communicated after our National Advisory Council deliberations to raise our unified voices against totalitarianism and violence,” stated the KMPDU Chairman.

“What this means expressly is that we expect a nationwide industrial action and closure of all hospitals – public and private. Furthermore, we urge doctors across the continent to show their support by wearing a red armband in a symbolic statement of solidarity from Monday.”

While terming the shooting as a malicious action aimed at ending Dr. Atellah’s life, Dr. Mwachi called for a probe to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.

“This egregious act of violence is not only an attack on our Secretary General but an affront to all doctors across the country. KMPDU denounces this act of aggression and calls for an immediate and thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators and their collaborators to justice,” he stated.

“We demand the swift seizure and arrest of those responsible for this heinous act, including the owner of the weapon used, without delay. Our organization strongly condemns any form of intimidation or violence used to suppress the freedom of expression and dissent.”

The doctors’ union Chair consequently expressed KMPDU’s commitment to push for the release of funds allocated for the deployment of interns as well as payment of post-graduate fees among other issues that led to the Thursday protests.

He also sustained the union’s stance on the housing levy and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) proposals claiming they only “seem to serve as avenues for embezzlement with no tangible benefits to the people of Kenya.”

Dr. Mwachi’s remarks were reiterated by KMPDU Deputy Secretary General Dr. Dennis Miskellah who claimed that the union SG was initially threatened by a senior officer attached to the Capitol Hill Police Station.

Dr. Miskellah called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch a probe into the incident, further stating that “we'll continue with picketing until ours rights are served.”