Maandamano: Emergency Service Providers Plead With Protesters To Support Rescue Operations During Demos

• Amnesty International Kenya has put the Kenyan Police force on the spot for killing protesters during the anti-government demonstrates
• Raila Odinga started by visiting those who were admitted at Mama Lucy, Mbagathi, and the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)
• A section of residents from Kisumu and Kisii counties also took to the streets to light candles and sing the national anthem
• St. John Ambulance maintains that it adheres to the law by ensuring that its charity ambulance services are available to everyone

Nairobi – On Wednesday, July 26, Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga visited victims of the anti-government demonstrations in the hospital.

During this day that had been set aside by the opposition for vigils across the country, Raila started by visiting those who were admitted at Mama Lucy, Mbagathi, and the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

The former prime minister was in the company of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna, among other leaders.

A section of residents from Kisumu and Kisii counties also took to the streets to light candles and sing the national anthem in solidarity with families who lost their loved ones during the anti-government protests that started in March 2023.

Amnesty International Kenya condemns killing of protesters

Already, Amnesty International Kenya has put the Kenyan Police force on the spot for killing protesters during the protests called by Azimio la Umoja's One Kenya Coalition Party.

In a hard-hitting statement on Thursday, July 20, the rights lobby group demanded that individual police officers and their commanders be prosecuted for the use of excessive force.

"We demand urgent investigations and prosecution of police officers and their commanders for excessive use of force by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Director of Public Prosecutions,” their statement read.

The lobby group condemned the continued use of unlawful force against demonstrators by the police, which has led to their deaths.

They disclosed 30 deaths attributed to police brutality since the opposition demos started in March this year.

"Since the March 2023 protests, Amnesty has noted at least 30 cases of police killings of protesters.

Number of Azimio protesters killed by police

They include March 20 and March 27 (12 killings), the Saba Saba protests (12 killings), and July 19 (six killings).

“The deaths have been attributed to suffocation from tear gas and lethal shootings,” the statement read.

Against this backdrop, St. John Ambulance is calling on protesters to maintain peace and respect emergency vehicles on their paths during demonstrations to avert such incidents.

According to the paramedics, emergency response vehicles have in the past been met in the melee of chaos, confusion, and running battles between the police and protesters while on duty, saving lives.

St. Johns says that such scenes are not only impeding a casualty’s right to emergency care but also placing the lives of innocent paramedics in danger of harm.

TUKO.co.ke understands that Kenyan law dictates that every person has the right to emergency treatment.

This includes pre-hospital care, stabilising a casualty at the earliest possible time, and referral to a hospital that can save that life.

Boost to Kenya's emergency services

St. John Ambulance maintains that it adheres to this ACT by ensuring that its charity ambulance services are available to everyone, regardless of political affiliation, at the time of need.

“St. John Ambulance, the nation’s leading First Aid service provider in Kenya, is keen to see at least one fully trained first aider in every home. This translates to having one first responder in every group of five (5) people,” the organisation said in a statement.

Fred Majiwa, the head of Emergency Services at St. John Ambulance told TUKO.co.ke that emergency vehicles in most cases shy away from protests because there is a risk of exposing ambulances, for instance, and their crew to unforeseen melee, attack, damage, and personnel hurt.

Majiwa said the organisation sees future maandamano as having protesters who are fully aware of their surroundings, taking safety precautions at every step of their profession, and ready to move swiftly to offer emergency care to anyone who might need first aid.

He added that the company operating the ambulance that will be seen at public protests might also be assumed to be supporting, aiding, or siding with the protester's agenda.

“This risk leaves peaceful protestors at risk of a lack of emergency care at the time of need during those demonstrations,” Majiwa added.

First Aid and Basic Emergency care training

To avoid the risk of losing lives during protests, St. John Ambulance urges members of the public and media personnel covering protests and public unrest scenes to take up First Aid and Basic Emergency care training.

“Protests can be peaceful, fun, and eventually successful. Protests can also turn ugly, bloody, and regrettable. Whether a protest is a legal or unlawful assembly, things can turn wrong very quickly. This is why emergency care is inevitable,” Majiwa explained.

Majiwa further urged protesters to respect, protect and give way to any emergency service vehicle and crew on their path and desist from any actions that would damage the unit or take hostage this life-saving ICU on wheels.

Meanwhile, Raila has convened an interdenominational prayer service to honour those killed in the anti-government protests.

In a statement, the opposition coalition said the requiem mass will take place on Friday, July 28, at De Paul Grounds in Karen.

The ODM leader said the mass will be used to pray for justice, healing, and a conducive future for the country.