Blowing vuvuzelas! Medics have become a public nuisance – IG Koome

Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome now says medics have become a public nuisance through their demonstrations.

Koome highlighted that medics during their demonstrations while blowing whistles and vuvuzelas, cause discomfort to patients in hospitals and the general public.

“The Service has witnessed and received reports of the inconveniences arising from the strike, with medics lying on the streets thus obstructing highways, public roads and disrupting the free flow of vehicles and movement of people,” Koome said.

“The medics have become a public nuisance, blowing whistles and vuvuzelas during the demonstrations thus causing discomfort to patients in hospitals and the general public.”

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.

“This is a move that poses a threat to public safety and security,” he said.

“In the interest of national security, therefore, all respective Police Commanders have been instructed to deal with such situations firmly and decisively in accordance with the law.”

Koome cautioned all doctors to refrain from infringing on the rights of others while demonstrating.

He added that their efforts to disrupt the smooth operations of hospitals will not be tolerated.

“We wish to assure the public that our country is safe and that the National Police Service remains committed to maintaining law and order,” Koome said.

This comes as the doctor's strike enters its 5th week. 

Head of Public Service  Felix Koskei told the doctors on Saturday that the State does not have Sh206,000 to give the intern doctors. 

Koskei said the doctors should take Sh70,000 as the government has no money to pay intern doctors the Sh206,000 monthly salary they are demanding.

He said the country is running under a very tight budget as the economic situation is very dire and this applies to everyone across all sectors.

Koskei said the striking doctors should therefore accept what has been offered to them by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

"The government has got no money, there is no money that we can pay Sh206,000 per intern. Let them earn Sh70,000 and we are urging them that that is what they should take," the head of public service said.