Parents accuse Kenya Navy of detaining, injuring pupil over land row

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Trenches dug to erect a wall at the school premises. PHOTO: WELDON KEMBOI.

Mombasa, KENYA: Parents of Mweza primary school  on  Wednesday demonstrated in Mtongwe, Likoni sub-county, Mombasa after their pupil was allegedly injured and detained by the Kenya Navy officers.

The 16-year-old pupil who will be joining class eight, was allegedly attacked by slaps and kicks by more than seven officers who were putting a perimeter wall in their compound.

The pupil, according to parents was among other pupils and parents protesting over alleged land grabbing by the navy officers.

They said he was detained for three hours before he was released.

Mweza primary school chairman Gunga Baya a told reporters at the school compound that the pupil sustained light injuries and asked the police to take action against the said officers.

“The child is traumatized, the officers were pointing guns to the pupil, how can such officers do that,” he asked.

He said the officers from Navy are putting a perimeter wall in their school compound and are worried they will lose school playground, latrines a secondary school and part of classes.

“We are going to lose a half of the land, we are asking relevant authorities to cheap in and save the school from grabbing,” Gunga said.

“The school has been there since 1990, I have been the chairman of the school for the last 7years and I have not witnessed any wrangles over the land,” he added Mr. Gunga.

He said they have approached local authorities and they have assured us the construction of the perimeter wall will not continue until the matter is solved.

School headteachers Monica Mumbo confirmed his pupil had some light injuries and he needed treatment.

“We are disturbed by what happened to us, the land was donated by the local community, now the Navy wants to take it, they are putting the perimeter wall where will our children study,” she paused.

Over 630 pupils study in the school.

“We went to the ministry of lands and we found that the land is owned by three peoples, but navy does not exist,” she added.

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