City lawyer Soyikaa Lempaa has formally written to the Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration, demanding detailed information regarding the teargas used by police during recent demonstrations.
Lempaa’s letter seeks to uncover the chemical composition of the teargas and the origin of these substances.
In his letter, Lempaa referenced the nationwide protests on June 25, 2024, where Kenyans took to the streets in various urban centers to demonstrate against the now-withdrawn Finance Bill, 2024.
During these protests, police employed teargas and colored water cannons to disperse the crowds.
Lempaa’s inquiry specifically requests the chemical formula of the teargas and the water cannon agents used by the police, along with the countries from which these products were imported.
His letter also raises concerns about the potential health risks associated with the use of teargas, particularly regarding its effects on the reproductive health of the youth who were involved in the protests.
Further, the lawyer questions whether the teargas imported and used by the police has been approved and certified as safe by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
Lempaa also demands transparency regarding the financial expenditure on teargas, asking for the total amount spent in the 2023/24 financial year.
“Kindly note that as a consumer of these chemicals, time is of the essence in providing the information sought in this letter. Please provide the requested information as soon as possible,” Lempaa stated in his letter.
This move by Lempaa highlights growing concerns among Kenyans about the safety and transparency of law enforcement practices during protests, with particular focus on the potential long-term health impacts of the chemicals used in crowd control.
