Chief Inspector David Karuri, a police officer who lost both hands after a tear gas canister exploded during the June 2024 protests against the Finance Bill in Nairobi’s CBD, has shared details of the incident. In an exclusive interview with TV47, Karuri explained that he is currently recovering well, undergoing treatment and counseling to adjust to his new circumstances.
He recounted that the accident occurred while attempting to remove the pin from the tear gas canister, which resisted at first. "There was some resistance when removing the pin. Once it finally came off and I was about to throw it, everything went dark. I don’t fully understand what happened because I’ve used this equipment before, including in training. I consider it an unfortunate accident. The news was shocking," Karuri explained.
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He shared that his family and close friends were equally shocked by the incident and visited him in overwhelming numbers at the hospital. Despite the challenges, Karuri expressed confidence that he will adapt and become more independent over time. He expressed deep gratitude to the first responders who helped him get medical attention, noting that he had lost a significant amount of blood.
Karuri also thanked his wife for her unwavering support as he adjusts to his new reality. He was among the officers deployed to manage the protests when the tear gas canister detonated near Kencom, across from International Life House. Another officer, a female colleague, also sustained serious chest injuries during the explosion.
