Kenya: Police tear-gas school kids in demo over playground

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- A Kenyan human rights activist says police tear-gassed schoolchildren demonstrating against the removal of their school's playground, which was allegedly grabbed by a powerful politician.

Boniface Mwangi said Monday that the students from Langata Road Primary School were in the front line of people pulling down a wall erected around the playground which has been acquired by a private developer said to be a powerful politician. Primary school children in Kenya are usually between six and 13 years of age.

Police spokesman Masoud Mwinyi was not available for comment. Elijah Mwangi, who was in charge of the police officers at the school, said he was following orders.