Protester feared dead during anti-government protests recovering in hospital

The protester, 20-year-old Kevin Lubega, claims he was injured in the midst of the protests while attempting to blow a whistle to air his grievances with the Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza administration.

"There was a police officer, but I did not see him properly.. he hit me with a tear gas cannister," Lubega told the media from his hospital bed. 

"I feel to the ground and lost consciousness; one side of my face was cracked and blood was gushing out." 

He stated that as he fell, fellow protesters in the midst of the melee rushed to his aid and assisted him in receiving medical attention at a city facility.

"Mavijana wenye walikuja kunisaidia kama nimenguka hapo chini walipigwa na teargas,"

According to Lubega, those who carried him to a medical facility initially thought he had been shot dead. 

" Police also lobbed teargas inside the medical facility we were in, people could not breathe."

Lubega, a father of two, told NTV that he goes to the CBD every day to help private motorists find parking in the congested city for a fee.

He asked for help from well-wishers, stating that in his current state, he is unable to care for his two children or even pay their school fees.

"Nahitaji usaidizi,  vile niko sahii niko na watoto wawili wananitegemea, hata school fees sikuwa nimemaliza kulipa niko na deni huko shule," he added. 

"Hata nyumba sikuwa nimelipa, nilikuwa nimelipa kidogo tu,". 

At least 50 people have been killed in youth-led protests against proposed tax hikes, which began a month ago and have continued even after Kenyan President William Ruto withdrew the legislation and fired nearly all of his cabinet.

Activists say they want Ruto to resign and advocate for systemic changes to combat corruption and poor governance.

"We have credible intelligence that organised criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks including looting," Douglas Kanja Kiricho, the chief of police, said in a statement released late on Wednesday.

"No demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety."

The protests, which have been organised online without the apparent support of opposition political figures, have created the biggest crisis of Ruto's two years in power.

The rallies began peacefully but later turned violent. Some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament on June 25, and the police opened fire.

Ruto's office planned "multi-sectoral" talks for this week to address the protesters' grievances, but by Thursday there was no sign they had begun.