University students arrested in Nairobi ahead of Monday protests

Police arrest University students who were addressing the press at Chester House on March 18, 2023. [Mike Kihaki]

Some 50 university students were arrested by police at a city hotel after holding a press conference in support for Monday protests.

The learners were handcuffed and bundled to waiting police vehicles and taken to the Central Police Station.

Police say the learners were engaged in illegal gathering after failing to notify the security agents of their meeting.

The students had declared support for the upcoming countrywide demonstration called by the Azimio La Umoja leaders to push for lowering of high cost of living among other issues.

Led by the national President of Kenya University Students Association Anthony Manyara, the students had also raised concerns over issues affecting them in the institutions of higher learning.

Among the issues raised are inability to access Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds which have made their life unbearable in the university.

''As comrades, we no longer enjoy the luxury of higher education because of the failure by the government to disburse funds to us. We cannot afford even a single meal a day as students,'' Manyara said.

The leaders say they are tired of being tossed around by the government and HELB forcing many learners to drop out of school for lack of fees.

The leaders called upon students from all universities to join the rest of the country in picketing on Monday saying this will be an avenue to raise the issues affecting them.

''This is the reason why we are joining the Movement for Defence of Democracy. We call on students to be active participants in all matters of national interest,'' Manyara said.

He noted that the stagnation of funding and recent rise in the university fees will force many learners from poor families to drop out.

''The ever rising cost of secondary school fees, attempts to triple university fees and the confusion brought about with the CBC system is enough proof that the present administration has no clear agenda for our education,'' Manyara said.

Manyara further accused universities administrations for interfering with the running of students' affairs by deciding who to be voted in office.

''Majority of our universities tend to poke their noses in the elections so that those who will spearhead the administration's agendas are voted in office. This one must come to an end,'' he added.

In addition, the students castigated the government for allowing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI) saying it will increase immorality amongst youth if allowed to operate.

Manyara said this goes against the African traditional culture, bringing hordes of insanity in the society.

''We cannot allow the government to give way to illegal laws allowing the same gender to marry each other as we sit back and watch. The mixed signals by the government on LGBTQI that has allowed its infiltration in learning institutions and risking our future,'' he said.

Last week, the Supreme Court upheld the high court decision that the law does not actually criminalise homosexuality or homosexuality relationships.