Save the Children condemns the use of tear gas and excessive force on children who were peacefully demonstrating against the alleged grabbing of their playground. Pupils from Langata Road Primary School who today took part in a peaceful protest were lobbed by tear gas.

 

Save the Children’s Country Director Duncan Harvey says, “This is a sad day in the history of Kenya. The fact that innocent children who were claiming their right to an education (as guaranteed by article 28 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and article 43 and 58 of the Constitution of Kenya), and their right to play (as guaranteed by article 31 of the Convention on the rights of the child) in this inhumane manner is unacceptable. Schools must be places of safety and refuge; not violence. Children should be protected from all forms of violence. Children should be allowed to claim and enjoy their rights as enshrined in the international legal instruments that the country has ratified and the Constitution of Kenya.”

 

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organization for children and works in more than 120 countries around the world. Save the Children has been in Kenya since pre-independence to date. Save the Children’s programming has changed over the years from paying school fees for orphans at Starehe Boys’ Centre in the early 60s to innovative programming in remote parts of Kenya. Save the Children works mostly in the North and North Eastern parts of Kenya, Western Kenya and in the Coast, through partners.