Eight youths are nursing injuries at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital after they were shot during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests on Tuesday.
The men aged 22 to 27 years were rushed to the hospital following street battles with anti-riot police.
Hospital matron Carol Odero said one of the casualties, aged 23 years, was taken to the theatre for operation, after sustaining head injuries.
“The injury was severe and needed urgent medical attention. We, as well, admitted seven other people with bullet wounds,” she said.
Governor Gladys Wanga condemned the shootings after visiting the victims at the hospital.
She accused the police of using excessive force against the youths who were protesting peacefully in Homa Bay town.
She described police violence as an outdated way of handling Kenyans who have the right to protest peacefully.
“Many of us are shocked with the way police have handled the young people who were protesting peacefully. They were not armed with any weapon and I wonder why they had to shoot at them with live bullets,” Wanga said.
The governor threatened to join the youthful protesters in demonstrations should the government continue to use excessive force against them.
“Any regime that uses force to suppress dissent is considered weak. Just listen to the people, because we’ll also join them if you don’t address the issues amicably,” she said.
In Suba South constituency, three people were hospitalised after being injured during a demonstration.
They included two men who were stabbed with knives and a man who suffered a fracture.
The violence erupted in Sindo town after ODM supporters allied to the party national chairman John Mbadi and those of the area MP Caroli Omondi clashed during the demonstration.
Mbadi’s supporters were criticising Omondi for voting for the bill. On the other hand, Omondi’s supporters were defending him.
This led to confrontation, which culminated in the injuries. Two of the casualties were rushed to Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital while one was taken to Sindo subcounty hospital.