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Belgut Member of Parliament (MP) Nelson Koech has explained why anti-riot police officers teargassed children’s classrooms during Wednesday’s anti-government protests.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Koech explained that the officers were forced to teargas the classrooms after ‘criminals’ went to hide there.

“Every child of this country should feel comfortable to go to school, what we saw last week were criminals going to hide in the classrooms and in the process children are tear-gassed, that will not be allowed this Wednesday,” he added.

He also weighed in on the upcoming anti-government protests that they have continuously been ‘violent’ and ‘destructive’ contrary to Article 37 of the 2010 constitution and as such they will be treated as domestic terrorism.

“Domestic terrorism is exactly what these people are perpetuating. These are not Maandamanos, these are terrorists and must be dealt with like we are dealing with terrorists, and this is opposition extremism,” Koech stated.

“We shall protect our country, our people, our property and our democracy. What the President and the CS are simply saying is that there have been no peaceful protests as envisaged in Article 37 of our constitution, what we’ve had is domestic terrorism and we will treat it as such this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” he added.

He, at the same time, opined that the planned demonstrations have been leaders-initiated out of selfish interests. He particularly pointed out that Azimio supremo Raila Odinga was fueling the demonstrations for his own selfish gains.

“We cannot allow our country to sink in the protests of Maandamo because of selfish leaders, who told Raila Odinga that this country starts and stops with him? Why is it always about Raila Odinga? What we are witnessing is not a people-initiated demonstration this is a leaders-initiated demonstration.

“Why are there no demonstrations today, why were there no demonstrations yesterday, until Raila Odinga says we are having demonstrations?” he posed.

Koech further stated that the government was keen to ensure that the country is safeguarded ahead of the demonstrations.