Meru: Pupils Faint As Police Lob Teargas Into School Compound During Anti-Mwangaza Protests

• Several pupils from Meru Primary School collapsed after police officers lobbed tear gas into the school compound during anti-Governor Kawira Mwangaza protests
• Tear gas affected both teachers and students, with some pupils fainting as they struggled to breathe amidst the smoke, forcing parents to pick up their children
• Headteacher Eva Gichuru expressed concern, explaining that the tear gas was not intentionally aimed at the school but entered when protesters jumped over the fence
• The tear gas canisters landed in various parts of the school, including a classroom and the field, as Meru residents continued protesting against Mwangaza

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Meru - Several pupils from Meru Primary School are reported to have collapsed following a horrifying incident.

Police officers reportedly lobbed teargas canisters into the school compound as they engaged anti-Governor Kawira Mwangaza protesters.

Parents have been forced to pick up their children from school due to uncertainty as the riots intensify in the town.

The school was filled with smoke with the sounds of children coughing as they struggled to breathe amidst the thick choking smoke.

Headteacher Eva Gichuru expressed concern, stating the tear gas had affected both teachers and students.

"The tear gas has affected both teachers and students, with some learners fainting. These protests are impacting our school, even though we are not involved," said the school headteacher.

A pupil was captured explaining to a teacher that he had respiratory complications while another pupil could be seen collapsing behind him.

How did teargas get into Meru school?

Gichuru claimed to have called the authorities, who confirmed to her that it was not intentional.

The administrator explained that some of the protesters jumped over the school fence as they engaged in running battles with the police.

"When they were thrown over the fence, some of them jumped into the school, which was bad. But I told the watchmen to let them out because if they stayed, things would get worse," she added

She revealed that one canister was thrown in class while another broke windows, and two were found on the field.

Meru residents have been protesting against Mwangaza, asking that she leave office following her recent impeachment.

How senators voted to impeach Mwangaza

This development follows the Senate's confirmation of the impeachment of Mwangaza on Wednesday, August 21, a decision initially made by the MCAs.

The MCAs accused Mwangaza of abuse of office, gross misconduct, and violations of the constitution and other laws.

The Senate concluded its deliberations, with most leaders finding Mwangaza guilty on all counts.

The process was not without controversy, as some senators criticized Speaker Amason Kingi for not allowing enough time for voting, particularly for those attending the sessions virtually.

However, the High Court temporarily suspended Mwangaza's impeachment after she challenged the Senate plenary's decision late Tuesday, August 20, to uphold her removal from office.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.