Chief Inspector David Maina, who lost both arms in a teargas explosion during the deadly anti-Finance Bill protests has spoken from his hospital bed at Nairobi West Hospital.
The incident occurred while Maina and fellow officers were on duty in Nairobi’s CBD to maintain order during the ‘Occupy Parliament’ protests. Mishandling a tear gas canister led to its premature explosion, causing severe injuries to his arms.
“It’s a sad day that this happened as we were keeping calm in Nairobi. This one has changed my life a lot because there are so many things that I won’t be able to do. I also don’t know what I will tell my kids about this; I know they will be very shocked,” The father of three expressed.
Why Inspector Maina’s Hands are Unsalvageable
Dr. Prakash Sain, the chief doctor at Nairobi West Hospital, explained the severity of Maina’s injuries and that neither treatment nor corrective surgery could save them
“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 stated.
Inspector Maina will now have to rely on prosthetics.
Maina, who had been the primary provider for his family through his police service, now faces an uncertain future.
“There are many things I won’t be able to do anymore. It’s a huge adjustment for me,” he told Citizen TV.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua and Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei visited Maina and Constable Mildred Emoit Elisha, who also suffered injuries.
CS Mutua has blamed the Finance Bill demonstrators for Officer Maina’s loss of both forearms.
The teargas incident has not only left scarred Officer Maina physically, but also emotionally.
By Vivian K.