Dozens killed, hundreds injured in day of mayhem

At least 23 people were gunned down by police and over 300 others were injured during Tuesday’s protests against the Finance Bill 2024.

The Police Reform Working Group-Kenya (PRWG) yesterday said besides the deaths, over 50 people have been arrested and 22 others abducted by the security agents.

The deaths were reported in Nairobi, Nakuru, Kakamega and Isiolo counties among other counties.

According to the Nairobi City County Government, a total of 12 bodies were taken to their mortuaries, with six at the City Funeral Home and six at Mama Lucy Hospital mortuary.

Six of the bodies were taken to the City Mortuary by police officers from Kamukunji police station while one was from Central Police Station.

Three other bodies are at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) with officials saying one died upon arrival while two others succumbed while undergoing treatment. At the Kenya University Teaching and Referral Hospital, another three bodies are reported to have been taken there.

 Out of the 184 victims taken to KNH, 47 of them had gunshot wounds, while 87 were admitted in the General Ward. A total of 64 patients, including the 47 with gunshot wounds were taken to theatre while 18 others were admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), according to officials. Eleven of the patients admitted in the ICU were stabilized and taken back to the general ward. Six others were discharged, according to KNH.

The Nairobi Health CEC Suzanne Silantoi yesterday said they received 12 bodies, six each at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital mortuary and City Mortuary, respectively, adding that at least 51 other people were treated at County hospitals and discharged.

Three other patients who were injured are still admitted at Mbagathi Hospital while seven others at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.

“The 12 were received yesterday by the respective mortuary attendants in the respective facilities. 6 at Mama Lucy and 6 at City Mortuary,” the Health County Executive confirmed.

Nairobi county, together with other stakeholders, had set up two camps at Holy Family Basilica and Jamia Mall, where the injured were given first aid and, if necessary, rushed to various county hospitals.

“We are also calling on those who are able to donate blood at any of the county’s blood satellites: Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and Pumwani Maternity,” she said.

In Nakuru, two people were shot dead and at least 18 others sustained injuries including bullet injuries during the protests at Nakuru State House.

Dr Timothy Nderitu, a resident Anaesthetic at Mercy Mission Hospital said that the facility received six people with injuries.

“Three had bullet injuries while others had injuries sustained during a stampede. We treated and discharged two, referred two others to Nakuru Level Five Hospital and operated on two,” said Dr Nderitu.

The two operated on at the private facility had bullet injuries one in the chest and the other in the pelvic region.

“We managed to remove the bullet lodged in the pelvic region. However, the patient with a bullet lodged in the chest requires a follow up surgery to remove it,” said Nderitu.

At the Nakuru Level Five Hospital there are 12 patients nursing gunshot wounds. One of them was in the ICU while three had been admitted in the surgical ward after successful operations.

The PRWG yesterday dismissed President William Ruto’s reference to the protests as treasonous acts and warned that the shootings, killings and abductions constitute crimes against humanity, making the president, yet again, a candidate for the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Responsibility for these killings lies squarely with Ruto, even though he was not present on the street. He cannot escape accountability. Adamson Bungei, the Nairobi police commander, is equally liable,” PRWG.

PRWG defended the invasion of Parliament by the protestors noting that under Article 1 of Kenya’s Constitution, all sovereign power belongs to the people, and Parliament is Kenyans’ property.

“Anyone can access and occupy it because Kenyans hold the power. Police, at no point, are allowed to blast people’s heads, killing them inhumanely because they have occupied their rightful house,” they said.

According to the PRWG, the massacre that happened in Githurai, Kiambu county was instigated by an inciteful and insensitive address President William Ruto gave on Tuesday night at State House.

“Ruto spoke at 9 pm and threatened Kenyans, and the massacre started at 10 pm. The killings were further exacerbated by the deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF),” they added.

 Kiambu county commander Michael Muchiri said over 6,000 people engaged police in running battles during the protests that were initially peaceful but later became violent.

“The group lit bonfires on the road. The police officers tried to negotiate with them to leave but they refused and started pelting officers with stones and overpowered them,” the commander said.

They completely burnt the Githurai Mwiki station vehicle and also damaged two other vehicles belonging to Mwihoko and Githurai police stations, respectively.

Police also said they attempted to overrun Githurai Mwiki police station but they were repulsed. The Kiambu command did not report any deaths or injuries on the part of the members of the public but said a total of 20 officers including a Superintendent of Police, a Chief Inspector, two Inspectors and 16 Constables were injured.