A scene of turmoil unfolded on Friday morning at Ndurarua Primary School in Kawangware, Dagoretti North, as police officers shot in the air and launched tear gas canisters at vendors who were protesting against the destruction of their makeshift kiosks.
The reverberations of this incident caused a commotion within the school's premises, leading pupils and teachers alike to hurriedly seek safety.
Disturbingly, it has been reported that at least two tear gas canisters exploded within the school compound, resulting in approximately 35 students losing consciousness.
In response to the gravity of the situation, the affected pupils were promptly transported to Mediheal, Riruta, Eagle, and Melchizedek hospitals, where they are currently undergoing recovery.
Sources indicate that three of the pupils are now reliant on oxygen support, with one receiving treatment at Melchizedek Hospital, while the remaining two are under the care of Eagle Hospital in Kawangware.
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John Njuguna, Chair of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at the school, conveyed that the institution immediately reached out to parents, urging them to come and collect their children following the distressing incident.
Njuguna also acknowledged the school's initial attempt to restrict parents from accessing the school grounds, which proved futile due to the overwhelming number of concerned parents.
Regrettably, amidst the chaos, one of the protesters was shot and injured.
Demonstrators argue that they had not been served with any eviction notices, as Sospeter Muchiri, a resident, claimed.
"They had not served us with any notices; police just started attacking people and one of us was shot and injured as a result," he said.
Furthermore, the demonstrators accused the police of indiscriminately targeting residents in the area.
“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?” he posed.