At least Fifty-three children had been rushed to hospital in Nairobi, after tear gas was thrown into their class by policemen during protests on Wednesday, June 12.
A medical practitioner, Dr Aron Shikuku, from Eagle Nursing Home hospital had told news reporters the children were released after medical treatment.
Shikuku had remarked that they had suffered breathing difficulties and shock.
Recall that there had been demonstrations around the country by the opposition, over the rising cost of living, but they had turned deadly.
Twelve people were confirmed dead by police authorities, with several more sustaining injuries.
The protests had been outlawed, but citizens had taken to the streets anyway, in a show of anger, to protest the rising cost of living and a new finance bill that included tax hikes.
Fuel taxes had also increased and a 1.5% levy was imposed to all employees, as a means to fund new houses.
The Kenyan government had however, stated that the price hikes were fundamental to paying off the country’s debts and to create job opportunities for young people but that law has been suspended by a court citing constitutional concerns.
Raila Odinga, the opposition leader who was defeated by Mr Ruto in the 2022 presidential election, has been urging the government to rescind the increased tax. He had been the one to call for a civil disobedience in the country in June, and had gone on to tag those implementing the finance bill as ‘traitors’.
These recent protests had come a few days after several people were killed during an anti-government demonstration last week Friday, July 7. Human rights groups had on that day blamed the Kenyan police force of using excessive force.
Kenyans have been divided over the protests. The protests have mostly been supported by the citizens bemoaning the high cost of living.
