Five pupils injured after police lob teargas into school during demonstrations against Mwangaza

 

meru demos

Five pupils at Meru Primary School fainted on Friday morning after police officers lobbed teargas canisters into the school compound, which is adjacent to Governor Mwangaza’s office, where protesters staged demonstrations.

Protesters in the neighbouring Maua town burnt the Meru County revenue roadblocks, while others took off with water tanks that were reportedly distributed by Governor Mwangaza.

It was a race against time for the pupils at Meru Primary School to conduct first aid and save the lives of five of their fellow learners who fainted after they were teargassed in school.

Supporters of Mwangaza and those against her clashed outside the Meru Governor’s office. Police had to use teargas canisters to disperse them, and the pupils were caught up in the crossfire.

The affected pupils were all taken to an open area within the school premises as the teachers figured out the next move.

Officials from the Kenya Red Cross later came to their rescue.

“There were about four canisters. One landed in a class while the children were there, and another came in at the back and front, but it was accidental,” said the school head teacher Eva Gichuru.

The school management condemned the protesters for storming the school and disrupting learning.

“When they were being teargassed, some jumped into the school, which is bad, so I told the watchman to open the gate so they could leave,” she added.

In Meru town, running battles were witnessed for the better part of the day as supporters from Mwangaza’s faction and those opposed to her clashed in public. Police then fired teargas canisters to disperse them.

“If she does not step down now, she will be forced to. We have given her two years and she has done nothing. She was saved the first time, then cried; we don’t want her,” said a resident, Florence Karambu.

Another resident, George Murimi, added: “There is no development here in Meru. We have seen her distributing cattle and gumboots, which are not helpful.”

Protests also turned chaotic in the neighbouring Maua town, Igembe. The demonstrators burnt the county revenue collection roadblocks before another group descended on the sub-county administrator’s office and made away with water tanks that were reportedly distributed by Governor Mwangaza.

At the same time, Mwangaza’s supporters had divergent views on the current stalemate.

“We respect our courts and the honour they have given us in Meru,” said Meru Chairperson for Persons Living with Disability, Mike Makarina.

Mbeu Ward MCA Muguna Origino added, “A court order has been issued. You can challenge it in court; that office needs respect.”

The High Court halted the impeachment of Governor Mwangaza until the case filed is heard and determined.

By Maryanne Nyambura