We never evacuated MPs during protests – St John Ambulance

St John Ambulance has denied social media claims that its ambulances were used to evacuate besieged MPs after protesters overran security and stormed into Parliament buildings.

In a statement on Wednesday, the emergency medical service provider said the presence of its ambulance at Bunge Tower was part of its emergency response mandate during a time of crisis.

“As an emergency response organisation, we are bound to respond to all emergency calls impartially. Our ambulance was called to respond to one casualty incident at Bunge Tower in addition to several other incidents responded to during the protests across the city,” the organisation said.

Several people were injured some with bullets believed to be from the police as anti-riot security officers fought to push back protesters who breached the security barrier and stormed into Parliament.

The county health ministry confirmed on Wednesday that 12 lives were lost in total; six bodies were taken to the city mortuary and the other six to Mama Lucy Hospital mortuary.

Nairobi Health CEC Suzanne Silantoi said at least 51 people were treated at county hospitals and discharged.

“However, there are three people still admitted at Mbagathi Hospital and seven at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital,” she said.

She said some of the discharged had soft tissue injuries; those still admitted, she said, are responding positively to treatment.

St John Ambulance said it evacuated a total of 17 persons who were injured during the deadly protests.

It said two in critical condition were rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital while the rest to Nairobi West and Mbagathi hospitals.

The organisations said 43 were treated on-site at various first aid points around the city while 29 others were attended to at a temporary clinic set up at the St John Ambulance headquarters next to Bunge Towers.

Speculation was rife on social media that the ambulances that entered Parliament precincts were evacuating stranded MPs.

Red Cross, which was also accused of evacuating MPs, issued a statement denying the allegations and warned that such rumours pose a danger to its staff who may be targeted for attacks by a public outraged by MPs’ move to pass the Finance Bill, 2024.

"Our vehicles have been attacked. Staff and volunteers were injured. We have no contact or role in transporting persons other than the injured. The rumours must stop," Red Cross said.

St John Ambulance reiterated the same concerns and advised the public against the speculation.

“We urge the public to consider the safety of emergency service providers and give way to the ambulances to reach affected casualties and get to the hospital in good time.”