IMLU Statement On The Use Of Tear Gas On Butere Girls Students During Drama Festivals In Nakuru

The Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) strongly condemns the repeated and reckless use of tear gas by the National Police Service, including the most recent incident involving peaceful students from Butere Girls Secondary School walking to their bus after declining to perform at the National Drama Festivals in Nakuru. The police lobbed tear gas at the students, causing distress and exposing them to serious physical and psychological harm. This response was unconstitutional, disproportionate, and a grave violation of the students' rights.

Sadly, this incident is not an isolated case. Over the years, Kenyan police have demonstrated a dangerous pattern of endangering children:

On July 16, 2024, students at Mwiyala Primary School in Kakamega were similarly affected by tear gas deployed near the school, leading to panic and health complications.

On August 30, 2024, five pupils from Meru Primary School collapsed after police officers lobbed tear gas canisters into the school compound.

On May 26, 2023, police in Kawangware fired tear gas to disperse traders, resulting in the collapse of 20 students at a nearby school.

On August 20, 2017, St Peter's Awich Kodingo Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) pupils in Kisumu were exposed to tear gas lobbed into their classroom.

On October 13, 2017, police lobbed tear gas into classrooms at Mount Carmel Academy in Nyalenda, Kisumu, resulting in 20 pupils needing medical attention.

In 2015, Langata Road Primary School students were teargassed while protesting the illegal acquisition of their school's playground.