• His remarks come a few days after he said that the medics have become a public nuisance through their demonstrations.
• The organisations want Koome held accountable for any harm inflicted by police officers under his command on protesting doctors.
Image: NPS/X
Inspector General Japhet Koome has insisted that he will not allow the doctors' strike to continue if it disrupts the country's progress.
Speaking on Wednesday night, Koome said other Kenyans want to work and continue building the country.
The IG insisted that he would not allow incidences where the striking doctors are blowing vuvuzelas and whistles around hospitals, knowing there were patients inside.
He also urged the doctors to avoid disrupting traffic on streets and highways as they protest.
"I have no knowledge of labour issues, that is not my business. My business is to ensure property and life are protected and there's law and order. Let's not go blowing these vuvuzelas and whistles next to hospitals; there are sick people in hospitals, and we are not going to allow that," Koome said.
"Let us stop lying on the streets, let's stop lying on the highways. Let's stop obstructing traffic. People in other offices want to work, don't disrupt the progress of this country. That is my humble request as the IG but remember there is forced discipline and self-discipline."
His remarks come a few days after he said that the medics have become a public nuisance through their demonstrations.
He said the police are privy to information that non-medics are now planning to join the demos to cause terror and havoc to the public at large.
Koome also issued a directive to the police to deal with the striking medics "firmly and decisively in accordance with the law".
The remarks saw rights groups move to sue the IG.
The civil society organisations, including KHRC, took issue with the directive and gave Koome an ultimatum to retract it latest Sunday 6 pm, failing which they would sue him in his personal capacity.
The organisations want Koome held accountable for any harm inflicted by police officers under his command on protesting doctors.
They argue that Koome's directive endangers the rights and lives of medics by potentially motivating police officers to use force to enforce his order.
They also want all police officers restrained from enforcing Koome’s "illegal orders".
The group said any resultant court order would directly target Koome and not the National Police Service (NPS).
The groups behind the lawsuit comprise the KHRC, Katiba Institute, ICJ Kenya, and Transparency International Kenya. Others are TISA, AFRICOG, Siasa Place, Tribless Youth and MUHURI.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), KMPDU, and Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) have been listed as interested parties.