Japhet Koome Threatens To Deal With Doctors Lying On Streets: "I Will Remove Them"

• Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has said he will not allow striking doctors to infringe on the rights of other citizens in the country
• He, however, added that he has no intention of denying people their right to hold peaceful demonstrations and picketing
• Koome issued a statement asking police commanders of every county in the country to deal with striking doctors in accordance with the law

Police Inspector General (IG) Japhet Koome has issued an ultimatum to striking doctors who will be caught causing disruption of normal activities by lying on highways.

Speaking to KTN on April 17, the IG said that he would not sit back and watch doctors infringe on the rights of other citizens in the country.

"There's a patient who is in an ambulance who is being moved from point A to point B, then doctors are lying on the streets... If there's that kind of a situation, I will remove them. The officers will remove them," he said.

He added that patients being moved to other hospitals via ambulance also have rights.

Japhet Koome on directive to arrest striking doctors

Speaking during the same interview, the IG denied allegations that he was planning to stop doctors from striking.

He said that he can't stop people from exercising their right to expression.

" There is nowhere I spoke about stopping picketing. That's the right of every Kenyan but when you are breaking the law, when you are inconveniencing the public, then I must come in," Koome said.

This follows Koome's directive to police commanders, ordering them to stop the ongoing doctors' strike.

Through a press statement released on April 14, the police boss complained that the striking doctors are causing commotion in the country, thus causing disturbance to sick patients in hospitals.

Koome further asked police commanders in all counties in the country to deal with the matter in accordance with the law.

"The medics have become a public nuisance by whistling and playing vuvuzelas during the demonstrations, causing discomfort to patients in hospitals and the public," the statement read in part.

Japhet Koome faces lawsuit

Koome, faced backlash for his comments on doctors' strike.

Responding to the directive, the doctors, through their lawyer, Ochiel Dudley, demanded that the IG retract his directive and apologise publicly before 6pm on Sunday, April 14.

After failing to comply, they notified him of their intention to take legal action by filing a court case challenging his instructions.

Ochiel, speaking to TUKO.co.ke, confirmed that they would initiate legal proceedings against Koome.

What else you need to know about doctors' strike

• Opposition leader Raila Odinga asked President William Ruto to deal with the doctors strike before it degenerates into a crisis.
• Siaya governor James Orengo said he would stand by doctors in their quest for better remuneration.
• President William Ruto said there is no money to pay doctors, orders them to accept what they are being offered.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke