Teargas Canister Explodes in Protester’s Hand During Nairobi Demonstrations

A peaceful protest in Nairobi took a tragic turn yesterday when a teargas canister exploded in the hand of a protester June 25, causing severe injury and shock among demonstrators and bystanders. 

PHOTO | DAILY POST

The incident was captured on video and is now spreading widely on social media. It shows a young man trying to throw or move the canister away from the crowd before it detonates. Eyewitnesses say the blast severely injured the protester's arm and hand. Immediate screams for medical help followed as chaos erupted. 

Witnesses Blame Reckless Policing 

The canister is believed to have been fired at close range by anti-riot police during a dispersal operation along Moi Avenue. Witnesses claim the officers had already started throwing teargas into a peaceful group when the protester picked up the still-active device. 

“We were singing the national anthem when the police just started firing gas. That boy was trying to protect others when it exploded on him,” said one demonstrator. 

Emergency Response and Condition 

Red Cross and St. John Ambulance teams on the scene rushed the injured protester to a nearby hospital. As of the latest update, he is reported to be in stable but serious condition, having sustained deep tissue injuries and possible nerve damage.  

Medical staff who treated the protester confirmed that the injuries matched those from a close-range blast. This raises questions about the methods used by police to control protests. 

Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability 

Human rights groups and civic activists have condemned the incident as a clear case of excessive force and negligence. 

“Firing live teargas into crowds without warning is reckless, inhumane, and unlawful,” said a statement from Amnesty International Kenya. 

Social media has filled with messages under hashtags like #JusticeForTheInjured and #StopPoliceBrutality, with many calling for an urgent investigation into police conduct during the demonstration. 

What the Law Says 

Under Kenya’s Public Order Act and international human rights guidelines, law enforcement must use proportionate and non-lethal methods during crowd control. The use of teargas should be controlled and justified, especially when protesters are nonviolent. 

Legal observers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have reportedly started an investigation into the incident. 

What was meant to be a peaceful expression of civil rights has turned into a scene of blood and fear. The explosion of a teargas canister in a protester’s hand adds to the growing list of disturbing injuries during the recent wave of demonstrations. 

As public anger rises, one thing remains clear: the call for justice is louder than ever—and the nation is watching.