Medics for Kenya, a team of health experts that was offering emergency services in the countrywide anti-government protests, have withdrawn their services to protesters with immediate effect.
The team is made of individuals affiliated with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, KMPDU, joined the peaceful protests to administer emergency care to injured protesters.
However, the protests, which began peacefully on June 11, 2024, have escalated into violent anti-government demonstrations marked by excessive police force and infiltration by goons.
“With the change in atmosphere and the deployment of goons, we as Medics For Kenya highly value the lives of our volunteers. Therefore, it is with much regret and pain that we announce MedicsForKenya will withdraw their medical camp services all across the country,” the group said on Tuesday.
According to Dr. Austin Omondi, co-founder of the group, the organisation’s hotlines will remain operational to coordinate services between emergency response providers and hospitals.
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In Nairobi, Medics for Kenya had established medical camps at the Jamia Mosque, All Saints Cathedral, and the Holy Family Basilica to provide emergency care to injured protestors.
On Tuesday, businessowners in Nairobi and Mombasa armed themselves with wooden clubs and metal bars to protect their establishments from looters after chaotic scenes of last week.
In Mombasa, a confrontation at Qaffee Point hotel resulted in the owner firing at demonstrators, injuring two individuals. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported incidents of goons assaulting pedestrians and robbing them along major roads during the protests.
“DCI teams have been deployed to apprehend gang members involved in violent robberies of innocent Kenyans on the streets, taking advantage of the ongoing demonstrations,” the DCI said on Tuesday, pledging to apprehend those responsible for criminal activities.
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