Six people on Thursday sustained serious injuries during the protest against the Finance Bill in Kisumu.
Three of the victims are admitted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) while two are at Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH)
Two of the victims, females aged 34 and 23 sustained gunshot and teargas canister wounds on the left leg and right side of the abdomen respectively.
They were reportedly not part of the protesters but got injured while at a food joint at Kisumu bus park where they work as police engage protesters in running battles.
Charles Omogo, Emergency First Responder at the Emergency Unit at JOOTHR, said three casualties were rushed to the facility with various injuries.
He said a bodaboda rider was also admitted to JOOTRH after he sustained a fracture on his left leg.
The rider was on his normal business as the police were chasing away protesters forcing to speed off and fall, breaking his leg.
Kisumu Central OCPD Peter Mulai was among those injured. He sustained a slight injury on his hand after being hit with a stone as protesters engaged police in running battles.
“I am slightly injured on my hand,” Mulai said.
He, however, said that they have not received reports made at the station of those injured during the protest.
At Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH), two people including a shoe shiner were rushed for treatment after they were hit with teargas canisters.
The two, both male sustained injuries while on their usual businesses at Jubilee Market next to Kisumu Bus Park.
The cobbler cum shoe shiner sustained serious injuries on his right hand.
Kisumu Human Rights activist Audi Ogada said about 10 people have been reported injured during the protest.
He said they took two victims to KCRH with serious injuries.
"We are suspecting other injuries which we are still following up into the estates and hospitals to establish the exact number,” Ogada said.
The protest which started peacefully later turned chaotic after protesters engaged police in running battles.
Earlier in the morning, hundreds of protesters congregated at Kondele before they flocked into the Kisumu streets calling for rejection of the bill.
They termed the bill punitive. At the Kisumu Boys roundabout, the protesters lit bonfires. The protest saw many shops closed in fear of destruction or looting while some were operating as usual.
Police were strategically deployed to protect shops such as supermarkets and other business premises within Kisumu's CBD.
