Injured Police Inspector David Maina recuperating at Nairobi West Hospital. PHOTO | COURTESY
In Summary:
- Inspector David Maina recounts losing both arms during anti-Finance Bill protests.
- Tourism CS Alfred Mutua condemns protests, blaming civil society groups for inciting violence.
Inspector David Maina, a police officer who lost both arms during the anti-Finance Bill protests on Tuesday, is currently recuperating at Nairobi West Hospital.
Speaking to the media from his hospital bed on Thursday, Maina recounted the horrific incident that occurred in Nairobi’s CBD.
Maina, along with his colleagues, was on duty to maintain order during the ‘Occupy Parliament’ protests when he accidentally detonated a tear gas canister and delayed releasing it, causing it to explode in his hands.
The father of three now faces a drastically changed life as he copes with the loss of both forearms.
“It was a sad day when this happened, as we were trying to ensure calmness in Nairobi. It has changed my life a lot because there are many things I won’t be able to do, and I also don’t know how I will explain this to my kids. They will be very shocked,” Maina shared.
Medics at the hospital have stated that Maina’s injuries are life-changing and that he may require prosthetic arms to regain some semblance of normalcy.
Chief Doctor Prakash Sain confirmed the severity of Maina’s injuries, noting that no surgery or treatment can fully restore the damage.
“He had lost both his hands, the primary treatment has been done, but with the kind of injury he has, there is no surgery or treatment which can heal him now,” Dr. Sain said.
In the same hospital, another officer, Constable Mildred Emoit Elisha, is recovering from chest wounds sustained during the protests.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua and Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei visited the injured officers on Thursday to show solidarity.
CS Mutua condemned the protests, alleging that civil society groups, seeking donor funding, coerced the protesters. He accused these groups of exploiting Generation Z to push their agenda.
“Out of the protests that have happened, two police officers are in hospital and not a single demonstrator was injured. Our police have shown restraint; they have seen these are children being used and have not done anything,” Mutua stated.
“These protesters want violence because that is how they get funding. They want to cause some violence so they can write proposals and get money from abroad. They are broke. I see these activists in clubs, and they have no money.”
Inspector Maina’s story highlights the personal cost of the protests, emphasizing the broader implications of civil unrest and the ongoing debate over the Finance Bill.