Six people hospitalized in Homa Bay after protests

Abdi Rashid, a victim of gunshot injuries seated in a hospital bed at Homa Bay County Referral Hospital on July 20, 2023.Six people have been hospitalised after sustaining suspected gunshot wounds during anti-government demonstrations in Homa Bay town [James Omoro, Standard]

Six people have been hospitalised after sustaining suspected gunshot wounds during anti-government demonstrations in Homa Bay town.

The four men and two women are suspected to have been injured in different parts of the town.

They were rushed to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital for treatment.

The hospital CEO Peter Ogola said two men had something lodged into their bodies and that they will identify them after an X-ray examination. The other four had injuries on their legs.

However, Dr Ogola said did not confirm whether the lodged foreign bodies were bullets or not.

"We have received six people with injuries affecting their legs. Two men have foreign objects lodged in their bodies," Dr Ogola said.

Abdi Rushid, a resident of Shuari Yako estate sustained an injury on his groin. He is one of the suspected gunshot victims.

Rashid said he sustained the injuries when was repairing a door in his house. This happened when the protestors ran towards him.

"I was helping a carpenter in repairing my door but I suddenly felt sharp pain on my upper thigh. When I removed my trouser, I saw blood oozing from the wound. The pain continued worsening until I was brought to the hospital," Rashid said.

Dr Ogola said the other two men and two women could be discharged the soon due to the stability of their conditions.

"The two men with foreign objects lodged in their bodies will be taken to the theatre. The other four can be discharged today because they are stable," Ogola said on Thursday.

The injured persons were taken to the hospital by the Kenya Red Cross officers.

Meanwhile, businesses were paralysed in the town as police were engaged in a cut and mouse game with the protestors.

The protestors hurled stones at police while police responded with tear gas.