Medical student shot and wounded by gunman in Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya: A medical student working at the Kenyatta National Hospital was shot and seriously wounded in an attempted robbery near Strathmore, Nairobi.

Police said the male victim, who is a student at the University of Nairobi, was Sunday walking to KNH through a railway line in Matumbatu area, when he was confronted by a gunman who demanded cash and other valuables.

This prompted a confrontation before he was shot in the abdomen and injured, Nairobi police boss Japheth Koome said.

Koome said the area is usually unsafe and dangerous even during day time.

The gunman escaped on foot soon after the incident without stealing anything from the victim.

 Police say they are yet to identify the gunman.

The doctors’ union secretary general Ouma Oluga protested the shooting saying it is the latest in a month.

“We have had three such shooting incidents affecting doctors heading to work or leaving. We want our security to be guaranteed as we struggle to ensure patients are well,” said Oluga.

He said the student was operated on and a bullet, which ruptured the kidney, removed.

Oluga added that their members were at risk as are attacked as they walk to work.

He cited Tuesday incident in which a doctor was also shot and wounded in Kiambu as she went to work.

Dr Mary Wambui was shot in the thigh after a taxi she was using stalled on the way.

Oluga said Dr Wambui was rushing to hospital to attend to a patient at about 2 am when the incident happened.

“She was responding to an emergency when she was attacked by thugs. Sunday’s attack was the third in a row,” said Oluga.

Police say they have enhanced operations to address the menace.