One protester has suffered severe injuries after a tear gas canister exploded on his hands during the Wednesday, June 25, protests in Nairobi CBD.
In clips seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the young man was seen being rushed to an awaiting motorcycle to be taken to hospital, as his left hand bled profusely.
Assisting him was another Kenyan holding a cloth against his hand to control the bleeding.
Reportedly, the victim had picked the teargas canister and attempted to throw it back at police officers, as has become a common practice during protests.
This comes moments after the Medics for Kenya founder, Dr Austin Omondi, warned the protesting Kenyans against engaging in the exercise that has come to be popularly known as "returning officers".
Taking to social media on Wednesday, June 25, Omondi warned that this dangerous activity could lead to serious bodily harm, particularly to the hands.
According to the doctor, the canisters may explode in one’s hand, and the consequences could be as severe as requiring amputation.
"Do not handle tear gas canisters by trying to throw them back at police. They will only explode in your hands, leading to possible amputation. Be peaceful and unarmed even as you exercise your constitutional rights," he stated.
During last year's June protests, one such canister also exploded in the hands of a police officer as he attempted to deploy it, resulting in the loss of both hands through amputation.
The explosion occurred because the officer detonated the tear gas canister but delayed its deployment, causing it to explode in his hands.
This common practice of returning canisters backfired during last year’s protests, as several Kenyans were captured on camera throwing the canisters back at police officers and were hailed as heroes.
Despite its name, tear gas is not actually a gas but a fine aerosol of solid particles, most commonly dispersed through a pyrotechnic explosion within a canister or grenade.
Combined, these agents irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, causing immediate discomfort and temporary incapacitation.
However, when used incorrectly, they can injure the person throwing them or the intended target. The charge used to disperse the chemical irritants can, in rare cases, malfunction and explode with greater force than intended, causing burns or other injuries.
If a tear gas canister or projectile explodes directly in someone’s hand, it can cause severe burns, lacerations, and other injuries from the explosion and shrapnel. It can also result in chemical burns on the skin if there is prolonged or concentrated contact.
