One of the youths protesting in the Nairobi central business district has been rushed to the hospital after a teargas canister blew in his hand.

The canister blew when the unidentified protester picked it up after anti-riot police fired it.

He intended to throw it back to the direction of anti-riot police officers.

Other protesters helped wrap his hand with a red cloth before he was put on a motorcycle and rushed to the hospital.

The police have been engaged in running battles with protesters in the CBD since morning.

The demonstrations, now on their fifth day, have seen major roads into Nairobi blocked by protesters and police.

On the first day of the protests, a teargas canister explosion accidentally happened after a senior police officer failed to release a detonated canister, costing him two hands.

A female officer sustained serious chest injuries. They were both rushed to Nairobi West Hospital where Maina was taken for an operation.

Police explained the canister in question is different from the one that police have been using in past protests.

Chief Inspector David Maina was among the officers deployed to contain the protesters when he detonated a teargas canister outside Kencom opposite International Life House.