A police officer in Nairobi lost his hands while attempting to throw a teargas canister at protestors demonstrating in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) against the Finance Bill 2024/25.
This incident was captured on video and shared on the YouTube channel of Swift Media Ke News, highlighting the chaotic and dangerous nature of the ongoing protests.
The video shows the aftermath of the accident, with parts of the officer’s hands blown off and scattered on the ground.
Journalists from Swift Media Ke News, who were on the scene, expressed shock and sympathy for the injured officer, who accidentally hit his hands with the teargas thrower, causing a devastating explosion.
In the video, another police officer is seen carrying a part of the hand that was severed in the blast.
This disturbing incident has ignited a flurry of reactions online. Netizens have expressed a mixture of horror and empathy towards the injured officer.
One notable comment came from a netizen identified as Erika Litunda, who lamented the tragic circumstances and criticized the police for their role in disrupting peaceful demonstrations.
Litunda’s comment highlights the frustration of many Kenyans: “This is very bad. Do the police know that they are being paid with taxpayer money? They are the people creating problems in peaceful demonstrations.
If we strike and can’t go to work or do any business, where will they get money? We are tired.
Police, kill us all then remain with these greedy leaders. You are human beings before God.”
The accident has also sparked discussions about the tactics employed by law enforcement during protests and the risks they face in their line of duty.
While the police are tasked with maintaining order, incidents like this underscore the need for careful handling of crowd control equipment to avoid such catastrophic outcomes.
The injured officer’s condition remains critical, and the police service is expected to provide more updates on his status.
Meanwhile, demonstrations in Nairobi continue, with police officers trying to manage the crowds and prevent further escalations.
The Finance Bill 2024/25, which has sparked widespread protests, remains a contentious issue, reflecting broader discontent with the government’s fiscal policies.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in public demonstrations and the potential for violence and injury.
As Kenyans continue to voice their grievances, the need for a peaceful and constructive dialogue between the government, law enforcement, and protestors becomes ever more pressing.
The tragic accident involving the police officer has added a new layer of urgency to calls for better protest management strategies and greater accountability from all parties involved.
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