Blame game on who threw tear gas cannister into Kihumbuini school compound
Two days after the New Kihumbuini Primary School in Kangemi was teargassed during protests against the high cost of living, the school's population is yet to return to normal.
On Friday, 495 children out of the 2,333 who go to school there did not show up for learning.
The effects of the traumatic event were felt for the few who reported to school. Three children had to be taken to hospital after they fainted.
They joined one other student and teacher still receiving medical attention for injuries suffered during the Wednesday chaos.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, spoke during a tour of the school two days after the unfortunate event termed the teargas incident unfortunate.
CS Machogu's statement on who lobbed thebteargas in the classroom seemed to differ with that of locals in the are who state that the teargas cannister was thrown into the room full of learners by police offices in an attempt to disperse protesters.
While urging the security agencies to be wary of how they use their crowd control tools, he also cautioned against what he termed as mischief from members of the public participating in the protests.
“We have information that the teargas canister was not lobbed into the school, but outside...some naughty person decided to pick it and throw it into the school compound,” he said.
The CS said learning in schools will not be disrupted despite the opposition declaring nationwide protests on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, instead he said the government will enhance security for all learners.
The assurance comes as more organisations walked into the debate on the violence meted on the school going children on Wednesday.
The United Nations Children Education Fund (Unicef) in a statement said it is concerned about "the reports of children being exposed to tear gas and other dangers present in large crowds,” terming them alarming.
Unicef appealed to all involved parties to undertake necessary measures to ensure the safety and protection of children.
The children education fund said children should never be exposed to harm, and their fundamental right to education must be safeguarded and upheld.
