St John Ambulance has evacuated two casualties of the ongoing protests in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
In a statement on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, St John Ambulance noted that one of the casualties was a pregnant woman who developed breathing problems after inhaling teargas.
According to the First Aid and Health Charity firm, the second casualty had a deep cut on the head. The two have been rushed to the Kenyatta National Hospital for emergency attendance.
“Our Paramedics have evacuated 2 casualties to KNH from the ongoing protests along Moi Avenue. One casualty sustained a deep cut on the head, while the other is a pregnant woman who developed breathing problems due to inhalation of teargas,” the statement read in part.
This is after protests kicked off in various parts of the country. In Nairobi, demonstrators started converging around 11:30 am before it escalated into a running battle with the police from midday.
The security officers were compelled to hurl teargas to disperse the crowds which were assembling at different points within the city.
Protests in other areas
Apart from Nairobi, demonstrations also kicked off in various parts of the country. In Kajiado, Kitengela residents lit bonfires and engaged the police in running battles.
In Machakos County, protesters barricaded the road around the Mlolongo area paralysing transport to and from Nairobi.
A protester was apprehended in Eldoret town while buying a Kenyan flag and a whistle while in other counties such as Baringo, the youth marched to the County headquarters demanding a discourse with Governor Benjamin Cheboi.
Anti-government protesters in Kericho also arrived at Governor Erick Mutai’s administration offices to demand accountability.
Nairobi: Police officers drop teargas canisters at protesters singing the national anthem#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/O3MsuBgFFT
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) July 16, 2024
Police warning
Before the protests commenced, the acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja warned of goons planning to infiltrate the protests.
“The National Police Service notes that there are planned demonstrations today Tuesday, July 16, 2024, organized by young Kenyans, also known as Gen Z, to exercise their fundamental right to peacefully assemble, picket and demonstrate under Article 37 of our Constitution,” Kanja stated.
According to Kanja, organised criminal groups have planned to infiltrate, disrupt and destabilise the peaceful nature of the demonstrations.
“In the recent past, however, we have regrettably witnessed the tragic loss of lives, injuries, violence, criminal conduct and the destruction of property from similar protests, resulting in the collective pain and suffering for families and the disruption of business and normal working operations for thousands of Kenyans,” Kanja added.
“This morning, we received credible intelligence indicating that certain organised criminal groups have planned to infiltrate, disrupt and destabilise the peaceful nature of the demonstrations, which could potentially jeopardise the safety of demonstrators.”