Kenyan president apologises after police crackdown at playground

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday expressed regret after police fired teargas at pupils protesting the sale of their playground to a property developer.

"I am disappointed at what happened at the Langata Road Primary School," the presidential office quoted Kenyatta as saying about the incident, which took place in Nairobi on Monday.

Kenyatta blamed officials of the ministry that deals with land disputes for failing to act when the issue arose in December. "We will begin to take action against government officials who failed in their mandate," he said.

Police spokesman Masuud Mwinyi admitted to the use of excessive force during the operation, but maintained that it had been necessary to protect the lives of children.

"The priority of the police during the operation was to safeguard the wellbeing of the children," Mwinyi told dpa.

The police commander in charge of the operation was fired on Tuesday. Police Chief Samuel Arachi said investigations into the incident were ongoing.