A team of doctors at the Kiambu Level 5 Hospital has successfully removed four out of seven rubber bullets lodged on the body of a middle-aged man who was shot by police during Monday’s fuel protests in Ruiru town.
Speaking after his discharge, the victim, Ndia Gichimu, recalled the harrowing experience. Gichimu, a bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) operator, was waiting for passengers at the Rainbow stage when a police vehicle drove past. The next thing he knew, he had collapsed. He was rushed to Ruiru Hospital before being transferred to Kiambu Level 5 for specialized care.
” I saw the vehicle carrying the police officers as i sat waiting for clients to board, what i saw next were people scampering for safety before i found myself at the hospital bed” Gichimu explained
Describing the ordeal as the worst experience of his life, Gichimu noted that while his condition is stable enough for discharge, he is still in severe pain.
” This is one of the worst experiences i would not want anybody to undergo and the officer involved should be given a deterrent sentence so that it could serve as an example to others. I feel so much pain.” he added
He added that he suffered excessive bleeding, which doctors fortunately managed to contain. He called for a thorough investigation into the incident, noting it was a miracle he survived since the outcome could have been fatal had live ammunition been used.
His lawyer, Patrick Kung’u, condemned the shooting, pointing out that his client was not part of the protests but was peacefully going about his daily business when the officer targeted him.
