He was shot 11 times during anti-gov’t demos in Nakuru. Five rubber bullets are still in his body

In Bondeni Estate, one of the informal settlements in Nakuru East lives the family of Caroline Chepkoech.

It’s Sunday morning and Chepkoech is attending to her son who was shot 11 times during the June 27 protests against the Finance Bill, as police fired rubber bullets to disperse protesters.

Chepkoech is taking a keen look at her son's injuries lodged in the back, as ordered by doctors, five days after he was discharged from hospital.

“Hapa tumefika ana maumivu usiku anaanza kuita ghai…namwambia avumilie kwenye mungu amemtoa ni mbali.dawa alikuwa anatumia zimeisha, dressing baada ya siku moja juu hizo dawa ni fresh,” she says.

His was a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, as he was in town to collect an asthma inhaler for his ailing mum when the protests turned violent.

“Niliamka kwenda tao kutafutia mama dawa,kutafuta dawa nikaona gari imekuja wakatutupia teargas nikalala chini wakapata njia ya kunipiga risasi……waliponishoot aliniambia niamke niende nyumbani,” says the 14-year-old.

The events of 27th June have left this family in distress.

The boy now requires Ksh.300 daily to have the wounds dressed and medication to ease the pain, funds that this family does not have.

“Ningeomba kama kuna uwezo asaidiwe kwasababu yeye ni mwanafunzi na hatuna uwezo,” Chepkoech says.

On 27th June, the 14-year-old boy was caught up in the crossfire when police engaged protesters in running battles in Nakuru.

The family is hoping that well-wishers will come through for them as the government pledged support to the families of victims shot during the protests.