David Karuri Maina, a police inspector in Nairobi, recently shared his emotional story after losing both of his hands in a tear gas explosion during protests against Kenya’s Finance Bill 2024.
The tragic accident occurred when Maina, deployed to manage the demonstrations in the city center, was handling a tear gas canister that exploded prematurely.
This left him with irreversible injuries, requiring the use of prosthetic limbs for basic daily activities.
Reflecting on the life-altering event, Maina expressed deep sadness, particularly about how to explain the situation to his children.
As a father of three, he is grappling with the physical and emotional impact of his injuries. Despite the support he has received, including visits from government officials like Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, Maina admitted that the future feels uncertain.
The psychological toll, as well as the profound change in his ability to live a normal life, weighs heavily on him.
The protests, which centered around the public’s opposition to new taxes proposed in the Finance Bill, saw widespread unrest.
While demonstrators remained largely peaceful, the unfortunate incident has highlighted the dangers faced by those on the frontlines of protest management.
Maina’s story has drawn sympathy and raised discussions about the cost of maintaining order during volatile protests.
