Kevin Luvega, a Kenyan injured during protests gave his account of his experience during the Tuesday, July 16 demonstrations in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
Luvega, a 20-year-old, was shot by police officers who were manning the streets as protestors continued to voice their displeasure with the current government.
The victim revealed that after he was shot, he could barely hear while he lay on the ground due to the immense pain. As he was bleeding, officers continued to shoot live bullets and lob teargas canisters at protesters.
"People were making some noise and I joined in but some officers were firing at us and I felt like one side was impaired," he revealed.
According to the victim, when other protestors attempted to help him get to the hospital, the officers would lob teargas canisters in their direction impairing their vision.
He lamented that this made the situation worse since he was already writhing in pain.
When the other protestors, finally managed to get him to the hospital, Luvega revealed that there were other critically injured protestors at the health facility who had to be treated first. This was despite the fact that he was already nursing a bullet wound.
While waiting at the hospital, the victim narrated that some officers still lobbed teargas inside the medical facility making things even worse for both doctors and patients.
"They threw two teargas canisters inside the hospital, women were running inside before they got assistance," Luvega disclosed.
He finally received the necessary treatment and was discharged, now recuperating at home.
One of his eyes remains closed, covered by a bandage, but he has not disclosed whether he lost eyesight in the affected eye.
The victim appealed for help from well-wishers adding that he could not fend for himself and his family in his current condition.
"I help people park in the CBD and I can't do that in this condition. I am appealing for help since I have children who are in school and I am also paying some debt from my school and my wife has no job," he stated.
During the Tuesday protests, Luvega was caught on CCTV near some shops running away before a bullet hit him after which he fell to the ground. Some protestors came to his aid while others rushed past him.
