Samuel Kinyanjui, a victim of the 2024 anti-government protest, has spent a year living with the bullet lodged in his leg after being shot during the June 25 demonstrations in Nairobi.
In a candid conversation with a local media station during the first anniversary of the anti-government protests on Wednesday night, June 25, 2025, Kinyanjui disclosed that he was struck in the leg amid the chaos, leaving the bullet embedded and the wound unhealed.
Kinyanjui, who lives in constant pain and uncertainty, administers painkiller injections to himself twice daily, a cost‑saving necessity since he cannot afford surgery.
This self-care routine, born out of financial hardship, underscores the severity of his situation and the lengths he goes to just manage the pain.
“If the bullet is removed, the healing process will start. Currently, I am administering injection painkillers because it is impossible to put the leg on the floor,” Kinyanjui narrated.
“I buy the injection from the pharmacy, and I inject it myself because it is expensive; the doctor charges Ksh 200 per injection, and I cannot afford it. I inject twice a day”
Family
In addition to living with a bullet, Kinyanjui’s personal life has also been upended. He says he has never seen his nine-month-old son, who was born while he was receiving treatment in the hospital.
He explains that he was shot when his wife was seven months pregnant, adding that when she heard he had been shot, she fainted and was taken back to her maternal home, and that he has never seen her since.
“What we have is the strength to keep pushing. For myself, I have a son; he is nine months old. The mother gave birth while I was in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound to my leg,” he disclosed.
“It is so unfortunate. I was shot when she was seven months pregnant. When she heard I was shot, she fainted and was taken back to her maternal home, and until now, I have never seen her again. She gave birth to our son; I have not even seen him.”
Kinyanjui on protest
Despite the personal cost, Kinyanjui remains resolute.
“I have no regrets about protesting because it is my right,” he said.
