Babu Owino visits cop who lost arms after teargas explosion

Babu paid them a visit at the Nairobi West Hospital, where they are currently recuperating.

The officers, Chief Inspector David Maina and another identified as Corporal Moraa were among the officers deployed to contain the protesters.

In a statement, the legislator thanked the medical team attending to the officers at Nairobi West Hospital, wishing them a speedy recovery.

"While CI Maina suffered terrible injuries, we are happy with the good work that the doctors and nurses of the Nairobi West Hospital are doing to ensure he recovers," he said.

The Embakasi East MP further said that it was unfortunate that anyone should suffer injuries when Kenyans are exercising their democratic rights.

He urged police officers not to allow themselves to be used to suppress the freedom of Kenyans.

"To our police brothers and sisters, these young people are fighting for you as well; do not accept to be used to stifle freedom in our beloved Kenya. This country belongs to all of us and we have no other so we must get it right."

The teargas canister explosion accidentally happened after the senior police officer failed to release a detonated canister, leading to an explosion that cost him his two hands.

Police Constable Mildred Amoit, who was near him during the incident, sustained minor injuries on the chest and was admitted to the same hospital where she is receiving treatment.

The 'Occupy Parliament' protests had been convened to compel Members of Parliament to shoot down the Finance Bill 2024.

As if bowing to pressure, President William Ruto on Tuesday withdrew some of the unpopular proposals in the Bill.

After a six-hour deliberations at State House, the President allowed the amendments that included shelving of VAT on bread, taxes on motor vehicles, and imported diapers and sanitary towels.

The proposed tax on mobile money transfers and bank transactions that would have seen the excise duty transactions hiked to 20 per cent from 15 per cent was also scrapped.

The protest organizers have gone ahead to plan more protests across the country starting with Mombasa on June 19 and then in Eldoret, Laikipia and more towns.