This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
Kenyan Doctor Threatens to Sue Union Officials ¶
On November 15, 2019, a Kenyan doctor, David Kahura Mundia, was removed from a Facebook group managed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) without notice.
According to a letter written by Kahura's lawyer, Jairus Otieno, the doctor was removed from the group without any explanation or notice, violating his right to freedom of expression as enshrined in the union's constitution.
"Siku ya Ijumaa, Novemba 15 wakati mteja wangu alikuwa akichangia kwenye kundi hilo, uliamua bila notisi kukatiza shughuli zake kwenye mtandao huo," Otieno wrote in the letter.
Kahura claims that his removal from the group was a violation of his rights under the union's constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and the right to participate in discussions.
"Hatua yako ni kinyume cha haki za kikatiba za mteja wangu. Kw ahivyo umeingilia haki ya mteja wangu kujieleza kwa mujibu wa katiba katika kipengee cha 36. Pia ulizuia mteja wangu kujieleza na hivyo kukandamiza uhuru wake wa kuzungumza kwa mujibu wa kipengee cha 33," Kahura said in a statement.
He has given the union officials three days to apologize and reinstate him to the group, or he will take legal action.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union has over 6,000 members, mostly doctors.
