Inspector-General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja has revealed the number of police officers injured during the June-July Gen Z protests.
In a statement on Thursday, November 14, the police boss alleged that at least 495 law enforcement officers were injured during the demos opposing the 2024 Finance Bill.
Kanja also mentioned that while 345 civilians were injured during the protests, 42 civilian fatalities and 69 cases of damage to Government vehicles were also recorded.
"Following the public demonstrations that were witnessed in the country from June 18 to July 2024 against the proposed Finance Bill 2024, our country suffered massive losses ranging from death to destruction of property and livelihoods. NPS recorded 495 injuries to police officers, 347 injuries to civilians, 42 civilian fatalities, and 69 cases of serious damage to Government vehicles," the statement read.
Read More
Kanja also addressed reported cases of missing people in the wake of the month-long demos, sharing data of those found alive and those found dead.
"In addition, there were 57 reported cases of missing persons, of which 22 were found alive, 6 were found dead while 29 are still unaccounted for, and serious efforts by police are underway to trace them. During the protests, NPS made 1552 arrests countrywide," the statement further read.
Among the officers injured during the protests include Chief Inspector David Maina, a member of Kenya's Rapid Deployment Unit, who lost both hands.
Maina lost his hands due to a tear gas canister explosion during the protests on June 18, 2024.
The incident occurred when Maina attempted to remove the safety pin from a stun grenade, which detonated unexpectedly.
Speaking in his hospital bed, Maina said he was emotionally affected, noting that he faced challenges in explaining his condition to his children.
“It was a sad day that this happened as we were keeping calm in Nairobi. This one has changed my life a lot because there are so many things that I will not be able to do as I was doing. I don't know what I will tell my kids about this, I know they will be very shocked,” he said.
