Nkaissery apologises to Lang’ata pupils over tear gas assault by police

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery has apologised to pupils of Lang’ata Road Primary School following the Monday chaos in which police lobbed tear gas canisters at them.

At the same time, Maj-Gen (Rtd) Nkaissery ordered the developer of the disputed plot to remove the remaining part of the perimeter wall and clear the debris within 24 hours.

The CS added that the government would fence the school compound and level the playground for the pupils.

He at the same time warned activists to always follow the law whenever they plan to stage demonstrations.

He warned them against taking the law into their own hands.

On Monday, five children and a police officer were injured as violence marred demonstrations to save the school’s playground from an alleged land grabber.

Kenyans criticised the police for using excessive force against the children, a situation that prompted the police to issue a statement announcing the suspension of the officer in charge of the operation.

Save the Children, an organisation that champions the rights of children, also condemned the police for using tear gas and excessive force “on children who were peacefully demonstrating against the alleged grabbing of their playground”.

In a statement signed by the country director, Mr Duncan Harvey, the organisation said: “This is a sad day in the history of Kenya. Schools must be places of safety and refuge; not violence”.