Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has taken action following public outrage over an incident where police officers reportedly fired tear gas at students during the National Drama Festivals in Nakuru County.
The IG has now issued a directive for a thorough investigation into the matter, giving the Internal Affairs Unit of the National Police Service (NPS) 21 days to submit a detailed report.
In an official statement released on Thursday, April 10, and signed by Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, IG Kanja instructed the Internal Affairs Unit to urgently look into the alleged misconduct by officers during the event.
He emphasized that the police must remain accountable, and that such incidents would not be ignored.
Nyaga also confirmed that the matter was being investigated not only internally but also by external oversight bodies, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and other independent agencies.
This, he noted, was part of a broader commitment to ensuring justice and upholding transparency in law enforcement operations.
The police spokesperson further explained that the police had been deployed to the festival venue as a security measure.
He clarified that the National Police Service has a responsibility to prevent crime, protect citizens, and maintain law and order in line with the constitution and human rights standards.
According to Nyaga, officers were not sent there to cause harm, but rather to ensure the festival ran smoothly.
He revealed that prior to the event, the police had received credible intelligence suggesting that there were individuals planning to cause disruptions. As a result, the security team created contingency plans to prevent any threats and maintain order.
“On Thursday, April 10, 2025, we received reliable intelligence that some individuals were planning to interfere with the event.
As a responsible security agency, we acted swiftly and set up detailed security measures to prevent any chaos,” Nyaga said in the statement.
“However, there have been serious allegations that some officers on duty may have acted improperly. The Inspector General has now tasked the Internal Affairs Unit with investigating these claims and delivering a report within 21 days,” he added.
The statement came just a day after disturbing reports and videos emerged online, showing a crowd—mainly students—being dispersed with tear gas.
The commotion appeared to involve students from Butere Girls High School, who were part of the festival. Footage showed the students running for safety and boarding their school bus in panic.
The incident caused widespread concern among Kenyans, including leaders from the political arena, many of whom condemned the handling of the situation by the authorities.
Critics expressed disappointment with the Ministry of Interior, accusing it of negligence and failing to protect students who had travelled to participate in a peaceful artistic event.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka strongly criticised the police action. He expressed his disappointment that such force was used near school children and praised the Butere Girls students for standing firm in their decision not to perform their play, titled “Echoes of War.”
“How does this government justify throwing tear gas at innocent school girls from Butere who simply refused to go on stage and perform Echoes of War during the National Drama Festival?” Kalonzo asked, showing solidarity with the students and calling the act an unnecessary show of force.
The incident has since sparked a national debate on how security agencies handle students and peaceful public events, with many calling for accountability and reforms to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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