By Ashley Repp
News Desk Reporter, Africa
Nairobi, Kenya –
Many in Kenya, including the president, have recently condemned the violent actions police took against protesters, most of whom were primary school children between the ages of six and fourteen. On Monday, January 19th, school children from the Lang’ata schools began to protest the ‘grabbing’ of their playground. The students returned to school following a two week long teachers’ strike, to find that their playground had been sealed off by a large wall. Whether the students were incited to revolt against the wall by activists, or whether they came to the conclusion that the taking of their playground without warning was wrong on their own, is currently unclear.
The students began rioting; throwing rocks at the wall, pushing against it to knock it down, and coming towards police with sticks. In response to the behavior of the children, the police guarding the wall unleashed tear gas on crowd, apparently in response to a command from a senior police member. Videos of the scene show children scream, coughing, and in visible pain. Some of the children were taken to the hospital for treatment following the incident.
President Kenyatta has condemned that violent behavior of the police forces that unleashed the tear gas, particularly as it was used on a crowd of children contesting the taking of their playground. The president made it clear that violence against children is unacceptable. He also touched on the issue of the playground being taken and sealed off on the first place. While it is currently unclear, many residents and activists of the area speculate that the land was ‘grabbed,’ or taken illegally. Residents and activists also point to local politicians, asserting that it is clear that the land was taken for some political reason, and the transfer of the land did not follow existing laws that would legitimize the transfer. It appears that the playground will now be used as land for a hotel. The president announced that the taking of the playground, and the police show of brutality is unacceptable and sets a unsavory example for the Kenyan youth. The episode also reflects poorly on the nation of Kenya.
For more information, please visit:
BBC News- Police tear gas Kenya school children in playground row– 19 Jan, 2015
Washington Post- Kenya: Police tear-gas school kids in demo over playground– 19 Jan, 2015
Deutsche Welle- Kenyan President vows action over police tear gassing of children– 21 Jan, 2015
