Teargas Cannister Explodes Inside Police Lorry, Causing Chaos

• A video clip surfaced showing General Service Unit (GSU) officers scrambling into their truck amidst a crowd chasing them during protests
• The video captures a teargas canister detonating inside the truck, causing confusion and distress among the officers and residents
• Residents and bystanders can be heard shouting and expressing concern as officers try to escape, with some reportedly sustaining injuries in the chaos

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

The National Police Service Commission (NPS) has faced its share of troubles during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests witnessed across the country.

The officers struggled to jump to safety, escaping from the choking smoke. Photo: @ibra13283. Source: TikTok

A shot clip has once again put the police service in the spotlight, exposing them to support and ridicule in equal measure.

Why did police scamper for safety

In the short clip, the General Service Unit (GSU) can be seen jumping into their truck as a huge crowd chases them.

A huge smoke suddenly billows from the lorry as it makes a turn off the tarmac road while residents scream.

The supposed publisher of the video continuously shouts that the police had detonated a teargas canister in their truck.

"Woi!...wamejipiga teargas...woi! Wameungua," he shouted as police officers continues to scamper for safety as others lose their feet on landing on the ground.

He suddenly sprints to the scene as he informs others next to him that the police officers had suffered injuries while jumping off the lorry.

The man struggles to lift on of the officers who suffered a bloodied nose while calling on others to help him out.

Senior police officer loses both hands

On Tuesday, June 18, a police officer was admitted to the theatre at Nairobi West Hospital after a near-fatal accident with a teargas canister.

Chief Inspector David Maina, attached to the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), was facing off with protesters in the Nairobi city centre when he blew up his hands with the explosive.

In a report seen by TUKO.co.ke, police said their colleague had detonated a canister but delayed releasing it.

Police Constable Mildred Amoit, who was near the injured officer, sustained a minor injury on her chest.

What did Eldoret man serve police officers?

Separately, a video showed a man walking towards police officers while others kept their distance.

The man was observed carrying a shopping bag containing a bottle of soda and several party cups as he approached a police van.

The courageous man gave the bottle of soda to one policeman and distributed the cups to the other officers.

Onlookers observed him with apparent surprise, but he appeared unfazed as he continued serving the officers.

What else do you need to know about anti-finance bill protests?

• A Kenyan father warmed hearts after he visited the Central Police Station to check on his arrested daughter.
• The apprehended bold women burst into protest songs while in the police cell.
• The demonstrations had a light touch as the arrested protesters took selfies inside the police vehicle.