Misery as protest victims struggle for medical care

The chaotic anti-government protests recently witnessed in Kitengela, Kajiado county have left a cloud of anguish and misery for victims maimed by bullets and now left struggling to access medical care they cannot afford.

Dennis Kamau Kinyanjui, 27, who is currently hospitalised at the Machakos referral hospital escaped death by a whisker after being shot in the stomach.

Although he admits taking part in the protests, he regrets the pain, struggle and mental torture he has subjected his jobless father Peter Kinyanjui to.

“I work as a casual labourer in Kitengela. The high cost of living that is becoming unbearable by the day pushed me to participate in the protests. It was just a peaceful protest before it turned ugly and I found myself paying a prize.

“I found myself bleeding profusely, before I lost consciousness, only to wake up at the Kitengela Sub county hospital having undergone an emergency surgery to remove a bullet lodged in my stomach. The emotional torture and desperation my father is undergoing because of my state is regrettable,” narrated Kamau.

He recalled his journey from Kitengela in Machakos bound matatu on Friday to seek further medication after being discharged from the Kitengela facility.

Protesters and police

Kinyanjui learnt that his son had been shot after three days of trying to reach him on phone in vain.
Gerald Omwando, 34 a father of three and a resident of Korompoi fears losing his family which he can no longer fend for after being shot on the left arm.

“I was riding on a motorbike during the cat and mouse games between protesters and police. The turn of events which left me shot remains a mystery. I do not know at what point that happened and who took me to hospital. My greatest challenge remains affording medical care,” narrated Omwando.

Aaron Kitavi is still hospitalised at the Kitengela Sub County hospital and his nightmare now is how to start walking on crutches after undergoing an operation to remove the bullet lodged in his leg.

A tearful Stephen Irungu who has injuries in his chest and arm could only utter a few words owing to the pain, his only wish being that his family come to his rescue and help him access advanced medical services and nurse him.