14-Year-Old Refugee Miraculously Survives Gunshot to the Head During Kakuma Camp Demonstration

 A 14-year-old refugee, William Atoo, has survived a gunshot wound to the head after a chaotic incident at the Kakuma Refugee Camp on 28 July, sparking relief and gratitude among his family and the refugee community.

According to his cousin, James Lafanga Alusio, the tragedy unfolded when refugees staged a demonstration over alleged food shortages in the camp. The protests, which began peacefully, soon escalated into a confrontation with police officers deployed to maintain order.

“My cousin was not involved in the protest at all. He had moved to stand along the road just watching the demonstrators,” Lafanga said. “After some hours, police arrived and started shooting randomly at the crowd. My cousin was shot in the head. The incident happened around 10 a.m., and initially, we thought he was dead. But by God’s grace, he was still alive and breathing.”

Immediate Medical Response and Transfers

William was rushed for urgent medical care, initially receiving first aid before being referred to the main hospital in the region. After a two-hour wait and stabilization, he was transferred to Lodwar Hospital, where doctors managed his injuries for several hours before referring him to Tophill Hospital, a facility equipped to handle complex neurosurgical cases.

“Since we arrived at Tophill Hospital, the care he has received has been exceptional,” Lafanga explained. “He was immediately operated on for his head injury. When we first arrived, he could not speak because the bullet had affected part of his brain. Now, he can eat, talk, respond when pinched, and even recognize our names. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Florentius Koech and the medical team who saved his life.”

 

The Medical Perspective

According to Tophill Hospital lead surgeon, Dr. Florentius Koech, William sustained a severe gunshot wound during the confrontation between refugees and police.

“The bullet entered the left front side of his skull and exited through the left back side. The trajectory caused extensive fractures and injuries inside the brain because the bullet tumbled as it travelled, destroying brain tissue along its path. The amount of damage was significant, and it was miraculous that he survived,” Dr. Koech said.

Despite the severity of the injury, William has shown remarkable progress under the hospital’s care.

“Amazingly, he is now able to talk and eat. He is still weak on his left side, which is expected given the location of the injury, but he is improving steadily. We anticipate that he will be discharged soon,” Dr. Koech confirmed

A Story of Hope and Gratitude

The family has expressed deep appreciation for the doctors and hospital staff who managed William’s care, especially given the complex nature of his injuries.

“This is a hospital with a difference. They treated my cousin with professionalism and compassion. From the moment we arrived, the doctors acted swiftly, and now he is improving every day. We thank God and we thank Dr. Koech for saving my cousin’s life,” Lafanga said.

The incident has drawn attention to safety concerns within the Kakuma Refugee Camp, particularly during demonstrations or protests. Families and community members are calling for increased measures to ensure the safety of residents and to prevent such tragedies in the future.

“We hope authorities investigate how live bullets came to be fired inside the camp. No one should be injured or killed while exercising their rights peacefully,” Lafanga added.

Looking Forward

William’s recovery continues at Tophill Hospital, where medical staff monitor his progress closely. His family remains hopeful that he will fully regain his abilities and return to normal life, a testament to resilience and the power of skilled medical intervention.

“It was a terrifying experience, but seeing him respond, talk, and recognize us now gives us hope. We believe he will fully recover,” Lafanga said.