Pupils injured as police disperse protesters over school land grab

Nairobi, Kenya: Police Monday lobbed tear gas canisters at a group of pupils of Langata Road Primary and activists who were protesting the grabbing of the school’s playground.

Three children were injured and chocked in the melee as they joined the protesters to pull down a perimeter wall that had been built on the land. The children had reported to school to find the field fenced.

The perimeter wall was brought down before the children started to play on the field. Many of the children were carrying twigs and placards condemning the grabbing.

After the wall was brought down, police chased Kibra MP Ken Okoth with other activists for a short while before giving up as the children broke in songs. The drama affected traffic flow on the busy Langata Road.

More police officers later arrived at the school with dogs and tried to chase away the children in vain. Officials said at least three children were hurt in the chaos that broke out.

No arrest was made then even as chaos reigned. Langata OCPD Elijah Mwangi had difficult time controlling the crowd as it surged affecting traffic on the busy road.

“We are here to enforce orders,” he shouted as the crowd termed the orders illegal.

The move was widely condemned online. Many readers online said such actions happen in banana republics.