Silverio Omari
Shaheen Nilofer, the UNICEF Representative in Kenya, has expressed her concerns regarding the tear gas attack on Kenyan school children on July 16. Speaking on X, Nilofer condemned the incident at Mwiyala Primary School, emphasizing that children and school grounds should never be targets of violence.
“I am deeply concerned about reports of tear gas entering Mwiyala Primary School grounds and affecting school children during today’s protests. #Children and #schools are not, and must never be, targets of violence,” she wrote. Nilofer also reminded stakeholders of UNICEF’s core principle: ensuring the safety of all children during conflicts. “Every child’s safety should always be prioritized. #NotATarget,” she added.
During the #OccupyEverywhere protests on July 16, police in Kakamega launched tear gas canisters into Mwiyala Primary School, causing panic among the children who fled, sneezing and crying.
This incident was met with widespread condemnation. LSK Boss Faith Odhiambo also voiced her outrage, stating, “Children should never be attacked. We need answers.”
The Kakamega incident was not isolated. School children near Milimani Law Courts were similarly caught in the crossfire and tear-gassed. Additionally, police officers were accused of tear-gassing patients in a hospital in Nairobi’s CBD. Videos circulating online show doctors and patients fleeing as the toxic smoke filled the waiting area.
In Nakuru, tensions escalated when police officers were caught on CCTV entering a church to search for protesters seeking refuge. Some protesters were beaten within the church precincts and others were forcibly removed.
Dj Vnyash
