Saba Saba: Embu Level 5 Hospital Ambulance Attacked, Vandalised by Protesters
- During the Saba Saba protests in Embu, demonstrators stoned and vandalised a Level 5 Hospital ambulance, sparking nationwide outrage
- Emergency responders were left shaken, with safety advocates warning of the adverse effects of such attacks
- With the vehicle's body and windscreen shattered, the ambulance was grounded and discontinued from responding to emergencies
- Many have condemned the incident as an attack on humanity, given that ambulances exist to save lives
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Embu – Chaos rocked Embu town during the Saba Saba protests as a critical emergency ambulance from Embu Level 5 Hospital was stoned and vandalised by protesters.
Source: Facebook
The irresponsible act sparked nationwide outrage on social media from health and safety stakeholders.
How goons attacked Embu ambulance
Road safety lobby group Sikika Road Safety issued a scathing statement condemning the attack, terming it a direct assault on humanity.
Details indicate that the incident occurred late Monday afternoon amid running battles between demonstrators and police.
Photos show the wrecked fuselage and visible damage to the ambulance, which had been responding to emergencies triggered by the ongoing protests.
Apart from the body, the windscreen was also shattered, making it impossible for the driver to see the road.
"We condemn this act in the strongest terms possible. It is a dark evening for the emergency fraternity in the country," the statement read in part.
Why is attacking ambulances wrong?
Sikika Road Safety added that attacking an emergency vehicle and its crew is beyond protest as it equates to an attack on life itself.
The emergency teams had been on the ground helping victims, treating the wounded, and transporting them to hospitals.
The group further warned that continued aggression toward emergency responders may force medical teams to withdraw from chaotic scenes, even when lives are at stake.
“If these attacks continue, we may see a situation where emergency response is delayed or withdrawn altogether, with potentially fatal consequences," Sikika cautioned.
The attack came at a time when public hospitals were already stretched thin handling casualties from the nationwide Saba Saba protests.
Embu Level 5 Hospital confirmed the damaged ambulance is now temporarily out of service, putting additional strain on emergency operations in the region.
Source: Facebook
Kitengela Sub-County Hospital invaded
In an almost similar incident, Kitengela Sub-County Hospital was invaded by violent protesters during the Saba Saba demonstrations.
The group reportedly went from room to room, barking orders at doctors and nurses, intimidating patients, and vandalising critical medical equipment.
Among the most heartbreaking details was the destruction of oxygen machines, a lifeline for many patients battling respiratory conditions.
There was a karma moment during the attack when one of the attackers was injured and was forced to return to the same facility seeking treatment.
C-section delivery interrupted by goons
It also emerged that at the time of the attack, there was an ongoing Caesarian Section delivery which was interrupted.
In the wake of the two scary incidents, health workers across the country are calling for better protection for frontline emergency responders.
Medical unions have also urged law enforcement to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
