Edwin Sifuna Questions Japhet Koome's Ability To Hold Public Office

• Inspector General of Police (IG) Japhet Koome directed police officers to deal with doctors lying on the road blocking ambulances and the public
• He defended his directive saying that the striking KMPDU medics were becoming a nuisance as they infringed on the rights of road users
• Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna took issues with Koome's orders which he noted were inconsistent with the bill of rights
• Sifuna said the IG and Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha lack an understanding it is a right for the people to take industrial actions

Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna has raised concerns about the credibility of the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to hold public office after he vowed to deal with striking KMPDU medics.

Why is Koome unfit for office?

Speaking during a Senate session on Wednesday, April 18, Sifuna alleged Koome does not have an understanding of the bill of rights, which gives Kenyans the freedom of assembly.

"I have serious doubt of his capacity to hold office. He does not seem to understand the bill of rights, that people have a right to freely assemble, he has no idea of what his office requires of him," Sifuna said.

Sifuna condemned the order by the IG of police to deal with the striking doctors, who said have been demonstrating peacefully on the streets for a month.

IG Koome directives

On Monday April 14, Koome released a statement on the doctors' strike, he stated that the doctors had become a public nuisance through whistles and vuvuzelas, which he said was disrupting patients and the public.

He directed police officers to deal with the striking doctors, as they were infringing on the rights of others, which Sifuna said was uncalled for from the IG.

Koome defends himself

Speaking during an interview on KTN News on Wednesday, April 17, Koome dismissed claims of ordering the doctors to stop striking.

He said the police were directed to remove the doctors lying on the roads blocking ambulances and the pubic, which is infringing on the rights of others.

"In my statement there's no here I talked about stopping the picketing, that is a right of every Kenyan. But when you are breaking the law, I will act,'' Koome said.

Babu Owino files motion to remove Nakhumicha

Embakasi MP Babu Owino filed a motion in parliament to remove Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha over incompetency, for failing to resolve the doctors' strike.

In a notice of motion to clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge dated Wednesday, March 4, Babu accused Nakhumicha of being incompetent.

The outspoken lawmaker further accused the embattled CS of violating Articles 26(1) and 43(1)(a) of the Constitution.

More know about Kenyan doctors' strike

• Kenya African National Union (KANU) political affairs secretary Fred Okango accused President William Ruto's government of incompetence
• Raila Odinga warned that the ongoing strike by doctors could soon degenerate into a crisis
• Siaya governor James Orengo said he would stand by doctors in their quest for better remuneration
• The doctors vowed to continue with the strike despite the government's offer of KSh 2.4 billion to pay medical interns

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.