One shot dead during Kitengela Saba Saba protest
A 21-year-old has been shot dead during the Kitengela Saba Saba protest, with several left nursing gunshot wounds.
Patients at the Kitengela Sub County hospital, where the body was taken, were under siege for hours after protesters stormed the health facility, disrupting access to healthcare while battling with police officers who intended to carry away the body.
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Police officers retreated, seeing the protesters vandalise a section of the county facility. Patients, including those in critical condition, were locked up as doctors, nurses, and medical officers scampered for safety.
Red Cross officials became the only hope of tens of injured protesters and officers who thronged the facility seeking first aid for the protest-related injuries.
Confirming the incident, a senior nurse at the facility said the victim was shot on the chin and was brought to the facility dead.
“We have one casualty who has succumbed from a bullet injury. He had already succumbed when he was brought in by a group of youths. We have four who are admitted with bullet injuries. I cannot ascertain the number of those coming in for treatment over protest-related injuries for now, “she said.
26-year-old Altonel Asava claimed that the deceased is his younger brother.
“We have lost our innocent Brayo. He is a victim of circumstances; it is so painful to us as a family,” said Asava.
Day of chaos
In a chaotic day, a contingent of armed-to-the-teeth uniformed officers engaged youthful protesters in a cat-and-mouse game, and businesses in the populous town remained shut, with transport along the Nairobi-Namanga highway coming to a standstill.
The highway, which has significant economic activity owing to the high number of lorries and trucks that ferry goods from the neighbouring Tanzania through the Namanga one border post, was barricaded with heaps of stones and burning fires, making it impassable.
The protests began as early as 10 am with unrelenting protesters pelting an armoured police vehicle, tens of armed officers, GSU officers and three water canons with stones.
As protesters regrouped along the town feeder roads, several backstreet shops were looted.
Several unmarked speeding vehicles characterised the protests, with a police helicopter hovering around the town.
Onlookers in apartments within the town were not spared as they were lobbed with tear gas canisters.
The protests left the town smoky, with the water cannon painting the town yellow.
Kitengela has time to time, borne the brunt of chaotic anti-government protests that have led to death, injuries, massive destruction and looting.
