Pupils of Mirugi Kariuki Primary in Nakuru put their lives in danger to protest against alleged grabbing of their institution’s land.
The enraged children were caught on tape barricading a road near their learning institution with twigs and huge logs as some sat on the pathway blocking motorists.
In the clip, the learners are heard chanting “Shule yetu’ (Our school) while one of them explains that there was a ‘person wanting to steal their land’.
Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi, who posted the recording online, claimed that the pupils went on a rampage alone.
“They took to the streets alone, without any adult supervision. It’s a big shame that the government has refused to protect school land from grabbers but it’s also heartwarming to see school kids protesting against land grabbers. If the government, teachers and parents won’t protect school land, the children will do it themselves,” Mwangi stated.
In January 2015, pupils of Lang’ata Road Primary School in Nairobi took to the streets to claim their playing ground that had been occupied by a wealthy investor.
During the riots, pupils were heavily teargassed by police officers who tried to stop their course, sparking public outrage.
Following the protest, the Nairobi County Government handed the school a title deed and demarcated the land with a perimeter wall.