A bitter little local dispute over a school playground in the Kenyan capital Nairobi has seen pictures of uniformed schoolchildren being teargassed by police go nationwide, and now internationally.

Several pupils and a police officer were injured at Langa’ta road primary school after pupils and some teachers and parents protested against what they claim is an illegal land grab by a developer who wants to build a car park. Surrounding streets were filled with crying children fleeing the violence.

The government says the police will be investigated for an inappropriate use of force, and at least two officials have gone on record promising the land will be returned.

Eventually a hastily-built dividing wall was torn down by hand and pupils reclaimed the land and started a football match.