Paralyzed and Forgotten: Victims of Police Brutality in Kenyan Protests.
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Between June and August, anti-government protests left over 600 people injured, suffering from bullet wounds, fractures, burns, soft tissue injuries, and tear gas inhalation effects.
While some Victims of Police Brutality remain hospitalized, others recover at home, bearing lasting scars. The protests resulted in at least 60 deaths and 26 disappearances, devastating many lives.
Victims of Police Brutality
Brian Mwangi: A Life Paralyzed
In Ruiru, Kiambu County, Esther Wangui scrolls through pictures of her nephew, Brian Mwangi, who has been at Kenyatta National Hospital for four months.
An orphan, Brian was shot during the August 8 protests in Karatina, Nyeri County, and is now bedridden, half of his body paralyzed due to a bullet lodged near his spinal cord.
Wangui recounts the immense pain Brian endures as doctors focus on treating his bedsores, which hinder necessary surgery. The family struggles with a hospital bill of 600,000 shillings, unable to cover the costs.
“The young man has not walked yet, the bullet has not been removed, and he cannot turn because he is paralyzed. He is in a lot of pain because even when the implants were found, they could not be used due to the bedsores,” Wangui explained, expressing her anguish over her nephew’s condition.
Daily life has become a constant battle for the family. Wangui describes how she spends 350 shillings daily on transport to visit Brian, who cannot feed himself or perform basic tasks.
At just 29 years old, Brian’s life now revolves around being turned in bed, a far cry from his active life before the protests.
Wangui appeals to the government for assistance, emphasizing that Brian’s injuries resulted from police actions. She also calls for help from well-wishers, highlighting the family’s plight as Brian, who has no parents, faces this ordeal alone.
Daniel Mageka: Struggling to Heal
In Botori village, Kisii County, Daniel Mageka watches a church service on TV, his movement restricted by injuries sustained during the June 25 protests in Kisii.
He recalls being hit by a tear gas canister, which caused a knee fracture and burns. Mageka participated in the demonstrations against the high cost of living and the proposed Finance Bill, which he says compelled many to take to the streets.
Mageka’s injuries drastically altered his life. He was among over 30 people admitted to Kisii Referral Hospital, and now requires physiotherapy to regain full mobility.
However, he cannot afford the necessary treatment or crutches, resorting instead to using a wooden stick for support. Mageka laments missing out on Christmas celebrations due to financial constraints caused by his injuries.
“The doctors told me I need to go for physiotherapy at the hospital, but the costs are a challenge for me to afford. I couldn’t buy crutches, so I’ve been using a stick to walk. While others are celebrating Christmas, we have nothing because of the protests,” Mageka lamented.
Despite these hardships, Mageka finds solace in the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, attributing this outcome to the protests.
His mother, Josephine Moraa, shares her gratitude that her son survived, contrasting his situation with the 26 individuals documented as missing by the KNCHR.
Moraa reflects on the struggles her family now faces, with Mageka unable to work and his child out of school.
Hope for Justice and Recovery
For Mwangi and Mageka, the ultimate hope lies in receiving proper medical care and resuming their normal lives.
The Victims of Police Brutality urge the government to ensure justice is served and call on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to expedite investigations into police excesses during the protests.
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Their stories are a sobering reminder of the human cost of political unrest and the urgent need for accountability.
Paralyzed and Forgotten: Victims of Police Brutality in Kenyan Protests.
