The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) confirmed on Thursday that their Secretary General, Davji Atellah, was shot by police while leading medical interns in a protest in Nairobi.
In a statement, the union condemned the incident, expressing outrage at the use of violence against peaceful protesters and hinting at further action to address the government's perceived neglect of doctors' concerns.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the shooting of our SG Davji Atellah by the police this afternoon when he was leading the Medical interns in a peaceful march. The doctors of Kenya have endured enough! This is the straw that breaks the camel's back," the statement read.
Images circulating online depicted Atellah being treated at Nairobi Hospital following the shooting, sparking widespread condemnation and concern among doctors and the public.
The protest was abruptly ended as police dispersed the interns.
In response to the incident, KMPDU's Western Kenya branch called for an urgent crisis meeting to address the situation and plan the union's next steps.