Sixty eight students from Kapsabet Girls High School in Nandi County were rushed to hospital on Saturday evening after tear gas deployed by police on a road next to the school drifted into the compound, leaving learners gasping for air and triggering a massive emergency response.
The Nandi County Department of Health and Sanitation confirmed the incident saying the students arrived at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital at approximately 8:00 p.m. on May 16, 2026, presenting with respiratory distress and other symptoms consistent with tear gas exposure.
According to the county government, police had deployed tear gas canisters on the road adjacent to the school as part of an operation to disperse a disorderly group. The gas subsequently penetrated the school compound, exposing students who were on the boarding school premises at the time to its effects.
Emergency services were activated immediately. Ambulances and medical personnel were dispatched to the school and arrived promptly, enabling the swift evacuation of affected students to the referral hospital for assessment and treatment. The majority of the 68 students were treated, observed and discharged back to school after being confirmed stable.
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A small number of students remain under clinical observation. One student with a prior diagnosis of asthma continues to receive oxygen therapy but is reported to be in stable condition and under close monitoring.
Beyond physical treatment, the county said counselling and psychosocial support were provided to all affected students to address the emotional impact of the incident.
“Relevant authorities have been notified and are working to implement measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in proximity to learning institutions,” the statement, signed by Dr. Angeline Chepchirchir, County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation, read.
The county further urged parents and guardians to ensure their children are registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) or hold other appropriate health cover to facilitate access to specialised care when needed.
By Benedict Aoya
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