Protest victims kicked out of hospital

Denis Kinya (32) and Jared Omwado (37) survived bullet injuries during Kitengela's Maandamano protests but were denied proper treatment at the hospital. [Peterson Githaiga,Standard]

Three middle-aged men who were shot and injured by the police during the anti-government protests in Kitengela, Kajiado County, are crying foul after allegedly being kicked out of a sub-county hospital without being treated.

Three out of four bullet injury victims were unceremoniously discharged from the hospital in a dramatic incident that left tongues wagging on Thursday evening.

It is reported that the trio were forcefully discharged without any medication last evening, despite writhing in pain.

The victims claim the hospital management urgently asked them to leave after instructing them to change out of their hospital uniforms and seek treatment elsewhere.

One of the victims, Mr. Stephen Irungu, who was in critical condition with a bullet injury to his chest and hand, was pushed out of the facility in a wheelchair before being rescued by passersby. His fate and whereabouts remain unknown.

While narrating their ordeal, the victims called on well-wishers to help them receive treatment.

The duo, who have suffered a broken hand and a stomach bullet, and work casual jobs, have now been left to fate since they cannot afford medical care.

They claim to be victims of circumstances as they had not participated in the demonstrations.

The other victim, Mr. Aron Kitavi, currently admitted at the facility, claims to have been neglected.

He is an orphan seeking help to be transferred to Machakos Level Five Hospital.

The hospital management has not responded to the allegations, but a reliable source revealed that the trio were chased out after one of them was accused of smoking a cigarette, and they refused to name him.

Two people have since succumbed to bullet injuries allegedly inflicted during the chaotic demos witnessed in the populous town last week.

On Wednesday, the four lamented to the media about the poor medical care in the hospital since they were admitted.