Shaheen Nilofer, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Kenya, has condemned the tear gas attack on Kenyan school children that occurred on July 16.
Speaking on X, Nilofer expressed deep concern over reports of tear gas affecting students at Mwiyala Primary School during protests. She emphasized 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 reminded stakeholders of UNICEF’s fundamental principle: the safety of all children during conflicts should be prioritized. “Every child’s safety should always be prioritized. #NotATarget,” she added.
On July 16, amid the #OccupyEverywhere protests that swept the country, police in Kakamega threw tear gas canisters into Mwiyala Primary School, causing panic among the children, who were seen sneezing and crying as they fled.
The incident was widely condemned by Kenyans, including LSK Boss Faith Odhiambo, who demanded answers.
“Children should never be attacked. We need answers,” she stated.
The Kakamega incident was not isolated. School children near Milimani Law Courts were also tear-gassed, and police officers were accused of tear-gassing patients inside a hospital in Nairobi’s CBD. Videos circulated showing doctors and patients scattering as the toxic smoke filled the waiting area.
In Nakuru, tensions rose after police officers were captured on CCTV entering a church and searching for protestors who had sought refuge there. Some protestors were beaten within the church grounds, while others were forcibly marched out.
