University students in Kenya have declared a fresh wave of countrywide protests set to begin on January 15, in response to the rising cases of abductions targeting youth, particularly their members. The protests, organized by the Kenya University Students Association (KUSA), will coincide with the reopening of universities for the New Academic Year.
KUSA officials, led by National Chairman Omin Osano, expressed their deep concern over the increasing instances of abductions, claiming that many of the victims are students. They accused the government of failing to take concrete actions to end these extrajudicial abductions, which they say have reached alarming levels.
“We are calling for protests because the government has failed to act on the increasing instances of abductions targeting Kenyan youth, the majority of whom belong to KUSA,” Osano said. He described the government’s silence on the issue as a failure to protect the rights of its citizens, especially students who have been vocal in demanding accountability from the government.
The protests come on the heels of recent developments, including the release of five young Kenyan men, including popular cartoonist Gideon “Bull” Kibet, who had been missing since just before the Christmas holidays. These men, along with others who were abducted, were allegedly targeted for their opposition to the government and their involvement in protests against rising taxes.
KUSA’s leadership has also expressed frustration over the government’s inaction in addressing the abductions. They emphasized that such violations are against both Kenyan law and international law, citing the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which under Articles 29 and 49, declares abductions unlawful. The students are calling for the cases to be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation and prosecution, based on Kenya’s commitment to the Rome Statute.
In addition to protesting the abductions, KUSA officials announced that the protests will also address the delayed salaries of university lecturers, which they say have compounded the frustrations of students and staff alike. Osano stated that the protests will be widespread, involving students in demonstrations that aim to paralyze business activities across the country.
The planned protests signal mounting tensions in the country, as students demand justice and greater accountability from their government.
