During the NASA protests of 2017, one thing that became synonymous with the mass action was the teargas that met protestors in the streets.
At the time, led by ODM Leader Raila Odinga, the opposition was agitating for reforms in the electoral body.
In the protests was Saboti MP Caleb Amisi who had won his seat weeks prior. The first time MP was caught in the crosshairs of the protests when he was pictured choking after police threw a teargas canister in his vehicle.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the legislator re-lived the moment that became one of the most notable of the protests.
"It was like death. Teargas is used to disperse people in a field so you can imagine having a cannister exploding in an enclosed space like a car," he stated.
Amisi stated that he had participated in a number of protests, so his vehicle had been marked by the security forces, "they were out to get me," he alleged.
He recalled that a canister was thrown into the car through the rear window which overwhelmed both he and the driver.
"The driver lost consciousness while his foot was on the accelerator, we would have crashed into a building," the MP stated, noting that it was by chance that his other foot was also on the brake pedal.
At some point, he also lost consciousness and it was only when a reporter on the ground moved to open the door for him that he was able to get help.
"A report with Reuters who was taking photos is the one who opened the door and I fell out, the teargas was choking me," he added.
The photographer with Reuters, Baz Ratner, who was covering the protests explained in a previous interview that he had just stopped ahead of the opposition convoy on his motorcycle when tear gas canisters were fired.
"I stopped on the side of the road and put on my gas mask when I noticed one of the cars was engulfed in smoke. It was moving forward slowly, while I ran towards it as I took a few photos," he stated at the time.
The MP and the driver were taken to hospital by bystanders where they received medical assistance.
Amisi had not been sworn in as MP at the time and his wife advised him to avoid participating in more protests lest he lose his life before serving the people who elected him.
"Some things are worth fighting for and I do not regret taking part in the protests because it was a cause I believed in and we got results from it," he stated.
He added that the protests led to the handshake deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga that was an agreement to cooperate.
On the other hand, the inhalation of the teargas led to some long-term health complications.
"Till today, I still visit the hospital because of chest and lung problems from the teargas," he stated.
