How survivors of police brutality during protests continue to suffer

Even in their sickbeds, some victims of police brutality during anti-tax protests continue to suffer in the hands of law enforcers. 

Despite the pain, agony and inability to walk after sustaining gunshot wounds during last week’s demonstrations that left more than 30 dead and scores injured, the victims complained of police harassment. 

At Ongata Rongai Sub-County Hospital in Kajiado County, the victims lamented of what they described as police harassment, inflicting psychological torture that they feared would prolong their healing process. 

With his voice firm and fearful, Joseph Ndung’u said he had experienced nightmares after being handcuffed to his hospital bed while under police watch for several days.

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He said police officers attempted to force him to sign a charge sheet accusing him of robbery, even as he struggled to put up with the pain from the fracture on his right leg that took three bullets. 

He said the officers who handcuffed him alongside Denis Munini intimidated and threatened to forcefully take them to the police station to record statements.   

They faced more cruelty from the officers when they were asked for a cash bail of Sh10,000 for allegations of a crime they did not commit. 

“They asked us for Sh10,000 but we refused to offer them while forcing me to sign a charge sheet indicating that I was shot while committing robbery which I did not engage in,” he said. 

“They left on Thursday after I declined to sign the form saying I am indisciplined,” added the 19-year-old. 

His mother Nancy Njoki said her son was not part of the protesters and could not comprehend why the police were pursuing him. 

“On that fateful evening, I had sent him to the market to buy potatoes,” she said. 

Beside him was another victim of police brutality, Munini, nursing three bullet wounds.

Writhing in pain and agony, the 31-year-old only breadwinner to his family shared how the police forced him to sign a charge sheet for an offence he did to take part in.

It baffled him how police who did not even take him to the hospital, could follow him up to forcefully demand he records a statement yet he was not shot at the alleged looted business premise. 

“I have been handcuffed since I came here. I do not know even my mistake,” said the father of two. 

“It was around 4 pm when I was heading home after attending my business of selling doughnuts near Clean Shelf supermarket when chaos ensued.

‘‘I continued with my journey but moments later I heard gunshots behind me. I found myself in the hospital hours later with bullets in my leg,” he said. 

However, the efforts of The Sunday Standard to establish the credibility of the allegations proved futile as the area police boss did not respond to our phone calls and direct messages. 

More devastating to the victims is that hospital bills continue to pile even after the Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said 235 victims of police brutality during the Finance Bill, 2024, protests would be treated at no cost. 

On her X handle, Nakhumicha, on Wednesday said that 58 victims were still admitted in various hospitals including those waiting for theatre.

“Out of the total 294 casualties attended to our referral hospitals, 235 have been treated for various injuries and discharged, and none has been asked for payment,” she posted.