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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called out the Kenyan Police for lobbying tear gas at school children during Tuesday’s anti-government protests.

This comes after a viral video surfaced on the internet showing children from Mwiyala Primary School in Kakamega county, scampering for safety after police officers lobed teargas canisters in the school compound during running battles between protestors and police.

 “I am deeply concerned about reports of teargas entering Mwiyala primary school grounds and affecting children during today’s protests. Children and schools are not and must never be targets of violence. Every child’s safety should always be prioritized,” wrote Shaheen Nilofer, the UNICEF representative to Kenya on her X handle.

The pupils in uniform could be seen rubbing their eyes, others choking and sneezing while swarming around a tap of water to wash their faces.

Another video also surfaced showing school pupils crying and covering their noses after being tear gassed by police at Makadara Law courts in Nairobi while on their way home. Kenyans took to social media to express their outrage in the aftermath of the disturbing scene.

“We need answers! It is imperative to protect the innocence and well-being of the younger generation. Attacking children is a cowardly act that reveals a deep-seated inability to confront issues directly. Instead of resorting to such low tactics, we should focus on finding solutions and holding accountable those who are truly responsible the safety and security of our children should always be a priority.,” tweeted user @hakunamipaka/noborders. “Why teargas primary school children at Mwiyala Primary School in Kakamega?” joined Mukami wa Embu.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo also demanded that those responsible be held answerable for the episode.

“Children should never be attacked. We need answers!” she spoke on X.

Three weeks ago, a 12-year-old boy Kennedy Onyango was shot eight times during the anti-finance bill protests in Rongai, making children a vulnerable group in the midst of the chaos in the country.

Kenya Pediatric Association (KPA) also demanded that the government ensures that children are given adequate protection during the protests.

“The reports of children in various regions across the country being exposed to violence are alarming,” said KPA national chair Supa Tunje in a statement.

“We appeal to the government and all stakeholders to provide clear instructions to security forces to avoid the use of force especially in areas where children are present,” she stated.

Tunje further appealed to the government to conduct thorough investigations and hold those responsible accountable.

“We appeal to the government to conduct thorough investigations into the incident of violence and hold those responsible for causing harm accountable,” she added.