Health CS questions motive behind 20 million raised for injured Finance Bill 2024 protestors
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has questioned the motive behind Kenyans raising funds for those injured during anti-Finance Bill, 2024 protests.
In a statement on Wednesday, Nakhumicha said that over 235 Kenyans injured during the protests were treated for various injuries for free and discharged.
She said this is out of a total of 294 casualties.
The CS said 58 others remain admitted in various hospitals, while one is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
She added that three others await surgery.
“My attention has been drawn to efforts by some individuals to raise funds from the public to pay hospital bills for persons injured during the demonstrations.
Out of the total 294 casualties attended to in our Referral Hospitals, 235 have been treated for various degrees of injuries and discharged and non has been asked for payment. 58 are still admitted with 1 in ICU, and 3 waiting for theatre. We wish them a quick recovery,” Nakhumicha said.
Her remarks come even as a section of Kenyans continue to raise funds for those injured during the demonstrations.
The funds, which were raised through an M-Changa were upwards of Sh20 million as of Friday, last week.
The funds would also be sent to the families of those who unfortunately lost their lives as a result of the protests.
The protests that started peacefully on June 18, 2024, turned violent in the subsequent ones after goons allegedly infiltrated it.
Looting, damage to properties and deaths have been reported as a result.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) places the number of deaths from the protests across the country at 39 and the injuries at 361.
The Commission said the data was recorded from June 18 to July 1, 2024.
KNCHR said the deceased victims are from Nairobi (17), Nakuru (3) Laikipia (1), Narok (1), Kajiado (3), Uasin Gishu (4) Kakamega (1) Kisumu (2), Kisii (1), Mombasa (3), Siaya (1), Kiambu (1) and Nandi (1).
Odede said there were 32 cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances and 627 instances of arrests of protestors.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has launched investigations into various incidents that have occurred in parts of the country, during the protests against the Finance Bill, 2024.
IPOA said this follows a rigorous monitoring exercise on how the police conducted themselves while undertaking public order management during the protests.