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Attella is said to have been hit by a teargas canister sustaining deep cuts in the forehead as police dispersed medical interns who were protesting in Nairobi.
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He was leading the procession of the interns who are yet to be posted accompanied by other KMPDU officials.
Image: PCS /FIE
Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has joined the call in condemning the recent attack against protesting doctors in Nairobi that led to the KMPDU general secretary Davji Attella being wounded.
In a statement, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli termed the actions by the police as not only regrettable but also a flagrant violation of the spirit of the Constitution.
Atwoli noted that such actions stand in direct contradiction to the principles enshrined in ILO Conventions 87 and 98, which advocate for the freedom of association, collective bargaining, and protection against anti-union discrimination.
“Furthermore, this incident runs counter to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, specifically Article 23, emphasizing the right to form and join trade unions,” he stated.
COTU, he noted, underscores the importance of respecting workers' rights to assemble peacefully, express their concerns, and engage in lawful demonstrations without fear of undue aggression or harm.
He said the actions of the police undermine the fundamental principles that form the cornerstone of our democratic society.
Atwoli demanded an unconditional and immediate apology from the Ministry of Interior for the attack on the official Attella.
“Additionally, we call for a thorough investigation into this incident and urge that appropriate action be taken against the officer(s) responsible for this reprehensible act,” he added.
Attellah is said to have been hit by a teargas canister sustaining deep cuts in the forehead as police dispersed medical interns who were protesting in Nairobi.
He was leading the procession of the interns who are yet to be posted accompanied by other KMPDU officials.
KMPDU said they had written to the Nairobi area regional police commander to provide security during the procession.
According to the union, 1,215 medical interns are awaiting posting with some having waited for either six months or one year.
This is even as the February deadline agreed upon in a meeting between the Ministry of Health and the doctors’ union nears the end.
"The doctors of Kenya have endured enough! This is the straw that breaks the camel's back," KMPDU said on X.
Hell broke loose when the procession was along Harambee Avenue and headed to the Treasury to present their grievances to the relevant officials.
The procession had started from the KMA centre to the Ministry of Health before they proceeded to the Treasury.