On Thursday, there were sporadic incidents between police and stone-throwing protesters in Nairobi, Kenya, despite the fact that the majority of people mainly disregarded an opposition demand to intensify anti-government demonstrations.
Raila Odinga, a seasoned opposition leader, called for three days of protests this week, which resulted in six fatalities, scores of injuries, and increased demand on neighbourhood hospitals.
At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu, administrator Alex Ochieng said: “Total, we had 18 patients yesterday. One had a severe cut from Kondele, another had an ear damage from a tear gas canister, and the other sixteen were bullet wounds.
“Three were in critical condition and they were taken to theatre. One died while being attended to at the theatre. So far we have taken five to the theatre for operations and six are still on the line for theatre. “
Since March, 20 people have died in the demonstrations, called by Odinga, who says President William Ruto’s government is illegitimate and responsible for a cost-of-living crisis
Some of the injured say they were caught up in the protests by accident.
Erick Otieno is a resident of Kisumu and says he was beaten by police.
“I was passing at Kondele flyover and met with the police officers beating and throwing tear gas at people,” he explained.
“But I was not demonstrating. I was just passing to go back to my house in Nyamasaria and they just started beating me, they beat my eye and another hit the back of my head using the back of his G3 gun and they wanted to break my hands, my teeth and my other working knee.”
The police response to the demonstrations has sparked outrage from rights groups, with Amnesty condemning the use of excessive force.
The protests have increased pressure on a population already struggling with galloping inflation.
