Government issues warning against demonstrations by school children
The Ministry of Education has warned parents against mobilizing their children to participate in public demonstration saying that it is in fact illegal.
The regional coordinator of education for Nairobi Mr John Ololtuaa condemned the Tuesday morning incident, which saw pupils of St Anne’s Primary School blocked a section of Jogoo Road in protest after their three schoolmates were hit by an Embassava Sacco matatu on Tuesday and sustained injuries.
Mr Ololtuaa blamed parents of the children for taking it upon themselves to engage their children in demonstrating on the road.
“Luckily, the parent who was hit by the vehicle did not die but only sustained injuries. However, on Wednesday morning parents decided not to take their children to school but team up with them in a protest,” says Mr Olotuaa.
He said the parents were adamant in their demands for the erection of bumps on that section of the busy road.
However, he said the Ministry of Education together with the school’s headmaster and teachers were finally able to calm down the parents and pupils, who later stopped their protests and returned the children to school.
The incident captured the attention of the online community which questioned why pupils in school uniforms were allowed to demonstrate on the road.
Future activists from St. Annes Primary have blocked Jogoo Road totally pic.twitter.com/dHkixqq4om
— Obege Nick (@nick_obege) June 14, 2017
Who cursed Kenya??? ? ? ? if children can paralyze services in one of the busiest roads in Kenya, Jogoo Road, what can adults do? pic.twitter.com/USxgc9ShOj
— #TheeSocialPreneur (@MmarcusKe) June 14, 2017
Kenya is about to become a demonstrating nation starting with these kids at Jogoo Road. pic.twitter.com/EJmb4ritut
— Zidane Gimiga (@zidane_gimiga) June 14, 2017
Kenya is about to become a demonstrating nation starting with these kids at Jogoo Road. pic.twitter.com/EJmb4ritut
— Zidane Gimiga (@zidane_gimiga) June 14, 2017
Increasing safety concerns over children being involved in public protests. What are the best interests of the… https://t.co/l8I0Okf7qu
— Maryana Munyendo?? (@MaryanaMunyendo) June 14, 2017
