Security agencies have arrested Dr Austin Omondi who mobilised other medics to provide any emergency medical attention during the three-day Anti-Finance Bill protests in the Kenya’s Capital, Nairobi.
According to the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) and the Kenya Dentists Association (KDA) Dr Omondi famously known as Japrado was mobilising for blood donation to help victims of police brutality during the protests before he was arrested.
In a statement, Kenya Dentists Association demanded an immediate and unconditional release of Dr Omondi so that he carries own with his oath of saving lives.
Dr Omondi was on Sunday afternoon mobilising for blood donation at the Sikh Union Club within Nairobi before he was nabbed by men who drove off in a KCU-819H registered vehicle.
KDA asked the DCI to investigate and unleash the whereabouts of the health specialist.
Same sentiments have been shared by the Kenya Medical Pharmacists and Doctors Union (KMPDU) who called for an immediate release of Dr Omondi.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atella said there is totally nothing wrong for a doctor who took oath to save lives and in fact security agencies should give enough protection to doctors serving the public under whatever circumstances.
“We demand an immediate and unconditionally release of our young doctor Austin Omondi. He has dedicated himself to serve the public and at no point has he undertaken any illegal assignment,” said an agitated Atella.
Dr Omondi had raised fears that some people have been calling and threatening to kill him if he doesn’t stop treating people injured during the three-day days protests.
The doctor had been coordinating the management of injuries during the protests in Nairobi, mobilising the Young Doctors Network, Kenya Medical Association, nurses, Clinical Officers and other medical cadres to be on standby at the Jamia Mosque and more efforts were going on to initiate such medical camp at the All Saints Cathedral.
The boldhearted medic had mobilised upto 20 standby ambulances within Nairobi to attend to any eventualities during the protests.
The social media space was on Sunday filled with the push for the release of the Medic.
The youth and other Kenyans including health practitioners demanded the release of Dr Omondi.
This is even as the Kenya Medical Association, The Kenya Dentist Union, Law Society of Kenya, Amnesty International, Kenya Defenders Coalition among other human rights groups condemned the arbitrary arrest of Kenyans protesting against the Finance Bill, 2024.
The Gen Z countrywide protests against the Finance Bill, 2024 and high cost of living are set to continue on Monday throughout Tuesday when the Finance Bill will be tabled in parliament for the third and final reading. If it sails through it will be assented by the president to become law and be fully executed, despite the outrage.
