The Kenya Dental Association (KDA) has announced that one of their doctors, Dr Austin Omondi, is missing.
The doctor, who has been providing medical aid to the injured during the Reject Finance Bill 2024 protests, is said to have been abducted by unknown people on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
According to preliminary reports, he was abducted while overseeing a blood drive at Sikh Union Club Chandaria on Forest Road.
“The Kenya Dental Association (KDA) is deeply concerned about the whereabouts of Dr Omondi. Dr Omondi has kept to the oath he took of offering care to his fellow countrymen. We will leave no stone unturned in looking for daktari and we urge the authorities to join us and ensure his well-being. We firmly believe in the principles of due process and call for Dr Omondi’s swift release,” KDA stated.
“The KDA stands in solidarity with Dr Omondi’s family and colleagues during this difficult time. We urge the Kenyan authorities to handle this matter with transparency and respect for human rights. The KDA will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as they become available.”
In a statement on Sunday, June 23, 2024, the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) condemned the abduction, demanding an immediate and unconditional release of Dr Omondi.
“KMPDU, representing all Kenyan medical doctors with a membership of 10,000 across both public and private sectors, strongly condemns the abduction of Dr. Austin Omondi (Alias Japrado), allegedly by government agents driving car registration KCU 819H. Dr Omondi was leading a blood donation drive to aid injured protestors at the Sikh Union along Forest Road at the time of his abduction,” KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah stated.
“We unequivocally reject any breach of the Geneva Conventions, which protect medics and aid workers even in code zones. The recent protests do not justify such reprehensible actions. The “Medics for Kenya” initiative, led by young doctors under our Union’s guidance, provides essential first aid to protestors injured by violent police actions.”
Atellah says the union supports the ongoing Finance Bill 2024 protests, which are hitting the second week this Tuesday.
“Despite facing challenges, including unemployment affecting 4,000 doctors and 1,500 interns waiting for their licenses, we stand in solidarity with the protests aimed at making the Kenyan government prioritize its citizens over international financial institutions,” he added.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Dr Austin Omondi. Should he not be safely returned by midnight, we will initiate the closure of all public and private medical services to locate our colleague. We urge the individuals driving police car KCU 819H to return Dr Omondi immediately to continue his life-saving humanitarian work. Medical personnel remain impartial, dedicated to saving lives on all sides of any conflict.”
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