Wamuzi News Ke
Student leaders from Kenyan universities have issued a strong warning to the government, announcing plans for nationwide protests over the rising cases of abductions and delayed salaries for university lecturers.
Speaking at a press briefing organized by the Kenya University Students Association (KUSA), the leaders criticized the government for failing to address the escalating kidnappings, which they claim predominantly target young people, many of whom are university students.
KUSA President Teddy Omin Osano declared that the protests would begin on January 15, coinciding with the reopening of universities.
“Revolution is the voice of those silenced and oppressed. Once students, lecturers, and university staff return, we will launch nationwide demonstrations,” Osano said, emphasizing the urgency of their grievances.
The student leaders expressed outrage over the government’s inaction, noting the devastating impact the abductions have had on families. They also raised the possibility of escalating the issue to the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing provisions in both Kenyan and international law that recognize abductions as serious offenses.
“The Kenyan Constitution under Articles 29 and 49 explicitly prohibits abductions. International Criminal Law also provides mechanisms for such cases to be heard at the ICC,” Osano added.
In addition to addressing the abduction crisis, the students plan to pressure the government to resolve outstanding salary arrears owed to university staff, which they claim has disrupted academic operations across the country.
KUSA urged students nationwide to join the protests, aiming to disrupt business activities to ensure their demands are heard.
The planned demonstrations follow a failed protest attempt on January 6, which was thwarted by police intervention in Nairobi’s central business district. Nairobi Regional Police Chief Adamson Bungei had stated that no official notification of the protests had been received, dismissing the organizers as “keyboard warriors.”
Coincidentally, on the same day, five individuals who had been reported missing, including Gideon Kibet, Bernard Kavuli, Peter Muteti, Billy Mwangi, and Ronny Kiplangat, were released at different locations.
