Chief Inspector David Karuri lost both hands during the protests against the Finance Bill, 2024, in Nairobi’s CBD in June.
In an exclusive interview with TV47, Karuri shared that he is responding well to treatment and has undergone counseling to adapt to his new reality.
He explained that the incident occurred while he was trying to remove a pin from a teargas canister. “There was some resistance when I was removing the pin. When it finally came off and I was about to throw it, I suddenly saw darkness. I don’t really understand what happened, as I’ve used this equipment before and trained with it. I can only call it an accident. The news was shocking,” he said.
Karuri mentioned that his family and close friends were devastated when they visited him in the hospital. He expressed optimism about adjusting over time and becoming more independent. He also thanked the first responders for their swift action in getting him medical attention, noting that he had lost a lot of blood.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude to his wife for her support in helping him navigate this new phase of life.
Karuri was among the officers tasked with managing the protests when he detonated a teargas canister outside Kencom, across from International Life House. A female officer was also seriously injured in the explosion.
