One person shot, 35 pupils tear gassed as police battle protesters in Kawangware

A commotion was witnessed at Ndurarua Primary School in Kawangware, Dagoretti North on Friday morning after police officers fired in the air and lobbed tear gas canisters at vendors protesting the destruction of their make-shift kiosks.

At least two tear gas canisters reportedly went off within the school’s compound causing a commotion within the institution as pupils and teachers alike scampered for safety.

Approximately 35 students reportedly lost consciousness following the incident. 

According to the school’s PTA Chair John Njuguna, the affected pupils were rushed to Mediheal, Riruta, Eagle and Melchizedek hospitals where they are currently recuperating.

Three of the pupils, sources say, are on oxygen support; one is at Melchizedek while the remaining two are at Eagle Hospital in Kawangware. 

Njuguna added that the school reached out to parents to come and collect their children after the incident further noting that the institution attempted to initially bar parents from accessing the school grounds but were overwhelmed by their large numbers. 

One of the protesters was also shot and injured during the fracas with the demonstrators claiming that they had not been issued with eviction notices. 

“They had not served us with any notices; police just started attacking people and one of us was shot and injured as a result,” Sospeter Muchiri, a resident, told Citizen Digital.

They also accused the police of indiscriminately attacking area residents. 

“We want to know what law allows for the demolition of property and harassing common mwananchi who work hard every day to make ends meet?” Muchiri posed.