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Caroline Chepkoech, a distressed mother from Nakuru County, is facing an uphill battle after her 14-year-old son was grievously injured during anti-government protests.
The tragic incident unfolded when her son, sent on a routine errand to buy an inhaler for Chepkoech's asthma, found himself caught in the crossfire as police clashed with demonstrators.
As a result, he was shot 11 times with rubber bullets, leaving him with severe injuries and upending his life.
The protests in Nakuru County, like in many parts of Kenya, were marked by chaos as citizens expressed their discontent with government policies.
On that fateful day, Chepkoech's son was merely at the wrong place at the wrong time. The police, attempting to control the protests, resorted to firing rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Unfortunately, her son was struck by these bullets – ten in his back and one in his mouth – leading to traumatic injuries.
Despite receiving immediate medical attention, five rubber bullets remain embedded in his body. These lodged bullets continue to cause him immense pain and have resulted in significant complications.
His injuries have prevented him from attending school, effectively halting his education and routine. For Chepkoech, the responsibility of caring for her son’s severe wounds has become an overwhelming daily task.
Chepkoech explained that her son was simply on an errand to buy her an inhaler when he was caught in the melee. The incident has drastically altered their lives.
“When the doctor was treating him, he took a picture. He had ten bullet holes in his back and one in his mouth, making them 11 bullet wounds on his body,” she recounted.
The severity of his injuries has left him bedridden and in constant pain, which Chepkoech describes as heart-wrenching to witness.
The family’s financial situation has added to their troubles. Chepkoech must tend to her son’s wounds every 24 hours, as per the doctor's instructions, a routine that is both physically and emotionally draining.
The cost of ongoing medical care is a significant burden for the family. They are struggling to meet these expenses, even though President William Ruto had assured them of financial support to cover the medical bills. So far, they have yet to receive the promised assistance, adding to their frustration and despair.
Chepkoech’s plea is simple: she needs help to cover her son’s medical expenses. “I would like to ask for help because he is a student, and we are not capable of raising his medical expenses on our own,” she said.
His injuries have not only caused physical suffering but also disrupted his education and future prospects.
Chepkoech is now left to grapple with the fallout of an incident that her son had no part in, except for being an innocent bystander.
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