Nakhumicha: Fundraiser! protest victims were treated for free

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has clarified that Kenyans injured during the anti-Finance Bill protests have been treated for free at government facilities.

The statement has kicked off a storm online after a section of human rights activists mobilised a funds drive on several social media platforms raising almost Ksh30M to cater for the funeral and medical expenses of victims.

The CS said on X that 235 people have been treated for various degrees of injuries and discharged without being asked for payment while 58 others are still admitted.

“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 none has been asked for payment” she said.

58 are still admitted with 1 in ICU, and 3 waiting for theatre. We wish them a quick recovery” she added.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said on Monday that 39 people had been killed and 361 injured.

Unfortunately, two deaths were reported Tuesday after violent protests erupted in major towns.

The unrest has persisted despite President William Ruto’s withdrawal of the proposed tax measures on June 26, which had initially sparked the protests.