Frank Okoth, a young protester who was thought to have succumbed to injuries after being shot six times during anti-Finance Bill demonstrations in Nairobi, has bravely shared his harrowing experience with Citizen TV.
Despite initial reports of his death circulating widely on social media, Frank has defied the odds and is now recovering at his home in Land Mawe.
The incident, which occurred during the first week of protests, thrust Frank into the spotlight when videos of him lying injured on the steps of a building in the CBD circulated online. Clad in a red shirt and a black-and-white backpack, Frank was seen gasping for air, his abdomen bearing a visible bullet wound, as fellow protesters desperately sought help.
Speaking from his bedridden state, Frank recounted the events that led to his grievous injuries.
“Before the protests, I had been searching for work without success, so I decided to join the demonstrations,” he explained.
The peaceful march towards Parliament quickly escalated when police deployed tear gas, prompting chaos among the protesters.
“At the front, we were trying to communicate that we came in peace, but it was the officers at the sides who opened fire,” Frank recalled.
The footage captured the moment he was shot and later rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in critical condition.
“I woke up several days later at the hospital, where doctors had performed multiple surgeries to remove the bullets,” Frank recounted. Despite the initial reports of his demise, he reassured his friend who visited him that he was alive and determined to recover.
Since being discharged from KNH, Frank has been confined to his home, where he resides with his grandmother. The financial burden of his medical care weighs heavily on the family, with a hospital bill totaling KSh 45,000 and only KSh 500 raised so far through fundraising efforts.
“My life now revolves around this bed. I can’t move much due to the pain,” Frank lamented, highlighting the ongoing struggle with physical recovery and financial hardship.
Frank’s grandmother, who has been caring for him, expressed her concerns over their precarious financial situation.
“We are trying our best, but the hospital bill is overwhelming,” she shared.
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