University Students Declare Nationwide Protest Over Rising Abductions

University Students Declare Nationwide Protest Over Rising Abductions.

University students have announced plans to stage nationwide protests starting January 15 to highlight the increasing cases of abductions.

Organized under the Kenya University Students Association (KUSA), the students aim to demand an end to what they described as a crisis of abductions targeting young Kenyans.

KUSA officials, led by Omin Osano, alleged during a press briefing that the majority of the abductees are members of their association.

The officials accused the government of failing to outline effective measures to address the issue, describing the abductions as an extrajudicial action that has reached alarming levels. They emphasized that protests are necessary due to the government’s inaction.

Linking Protests to University Reopening

The planned demonstrations are set to coincide with the reopening of universities for the New Academic Year. KUSA’s leadership expressed their intention to mobilize students, lecturers, and university staff to join the protests.

Osano stated that revolution represents the voice of the unheard and silenced majority. He reiterated the association’s commitment to ensuring their grievances are heard through countrywide demonstrations.

KUSA’s leadership questioned why the government has neither condemned the abductions nor implemented mechanisms to halt the worrying trend. Osano expressed regret over the government’s inaction, which has subjected many families to immense suffering and pain.

The students’ announcement follows the recent resurfacing of five young Kenyan men, including a prominent cartoonist, Gideon “Bull” Kibet, who went missing before Christmas.

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Other abductees who were released include 24-year-old student Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli and Ronny Kiplangat a Junior Secondary School (JSS) teacher.

Reports indicate that the abductions, allegedly targeting government critics, began during nationwide anti-tax protests in June last year and escalated in December with the circulation of AI-generated photos.

Seeking Justice Through International Bodies

On Tuesday, KUSA officials demanded that abduction cases be escalated to the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing Kenya’s obligations under the Rome Statute.

They pointed out that the Kenyan Constitution, particularly Articles 29 and 49, unequivocally outlaws abductions. Osano emphasized that international criminal law also provides provisions for such cases to be tried at the ICC.

Besides addressing abductions, KUSA plans to use the protests to press the government to pay lecturers their delayed salaries.

Osano warned that students would turn out in large numbers to paralyze business activities across the country, underscoring the seriousness of their demands.

University Students Declare Nationwide Protest Over Rising Abductions.

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