The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has condemned the violence meted out to doctors protesting on Thursday.
In a press statement dated March 1, the commission specifically highlighted the injury of Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union(KMPDU) secretary general Dr Davji Atellah in the protests.
"Dr Davji Atellah was gravely injured by a teargas canister, highlighting the excessive and unjustifiable use of force. We dare ask now - How Long Must Excessive Force Target PeacefulProtesters?" read the statement.
The commission expressed concern that the protesting medics were still met by violence despite following the right procedures in informing the authorities of a planned peaceful protest.
"Dr Atellah and fellow medical practitioners were surprisingly met with excessive force, violating their constitutional rights and endangering their lives," KNCHR noted in concern calling for urgent attention.
"It is distressing that what should have been a peaceful exercise of the right to assembly turned into a scene of violence and injury."
Citing Article 37 of the Constitution, the commission demanded that the relevant authorities take accountability for the Thursday incident and investigate the issue.
"Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution guarantees every person the right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities," KNCHR affirmed.
"The right to peaceful assembly serves as a fundamental pillar of democracy. It is a mechanism through which grievances are expressed and solutions sought in a civilized manner and that is exactly what the doctors were doing yesterday."
KNHCR demanded the respect of the protesters' constitutional rights while asking the health ministry to protect public health by addressing KMPDU's concerns.
The medics were protesting the delay in posting medical interns by the Ministry of Health.
According to KMPDU, 1,215 medical interns are awaiting posting with some having waited for either six months or one year.
KNCHR demanded that the Ministry of Health officials immediately engage in dialogue with KMPDU to address the latter’s concerns and avert another potential strike which they say would adversely affect healthcare services across the country.
The commission offered to act as an arbitrator in facilitating the dialogue between the ministry and KMPDU should the two parties decide to go that route.
