Learning at the Coast Girls High School in Mombasa County on Wednesday, June 19, was disrupted after a police officer reportedly fired a tear gas canister inside the school.
The learners were seen rushing up and down as smoke engulfed the school compound. The canister was lobbed as police dealt with protestors opposing the Finance Bill 2024.
Additionally, some of the students are said to have sustained some injuries however the school is yet to issue a statement on the incident.
In videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, one individual inside the school was heard questioning why the officers would fire the canister inside the school in the middle of the day.
"The students are hurt, why would they fire a tear gas at the school?" another posed.
Furthermore, some students were heard in the back group crying for help and appeared to be in distress most likely due to the effects of the tear gas.
Others also fainted and were being carried out to the school compound for medical attention.
As the videos and photos of the students running for help go viral online, a section of Kenyans has condemned the police for inflicting pain on innocent students while in school.
Police officers have been asked to respect the right of protestors to picket as outlined in the Constitution. The law enforcement officers were also advised against hurting or harassing any innocent Kenyan.
This comes despite the Mombasa Central Police Station OCS Peter Mugambi declaring that the protests were illegal and denied signing a formal application filed by Mombasa residents to participate in the demonstrations.
"I am declaring that there should be no protests. Let us be peaceful. If you want protests, write a letter to my office," he added.
Demonstrations opposing the bill began on Tuesday after Kenyans launched the Occupy Parliament and held protests across the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
In yesterday's protests over 200 Kenyans were arrested while others were injured including a police officer.
