Nairobi County Police arrested more than twenty student leaders drawn from the Movement for Defense and Democracy (MDD), an Azimio-affiliated pressure group, who assembled to plan an anti-government protest on Monday, March 20.
The student leaders had convened at Chester House on Saturday, March 18 for a press briefing when police stormed in and bundled them in three police pickup trucks.
Among the student leaders arrested was MDD Convener Antony Manyara.
The enforcement team sent to Chester House stated that the meeting was unauthorized, adding that the student leaders were adorned in military attire.
Moreover, the MDD convener Antony Manyara called for a press briefing to declare that the Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO) will join in the demonstrations called by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
“With me are student leaders drawn from all parts of the country and we have come here today to give directions to many students who are anxiously waiting for Monday. We expect all students in tertiary institutions to join the protest on Monday.” Manyara said.
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He further urged all students to actively participate in matters of national interest and in championing for a better Kenya.
The MDD convener cited tough economic times, increased cases of suicide by students and the rise of LGBTQ as key concerns.
“We will be in the streets because students have been [denied] HELB loans which facilitate daily living for students. They are skipping meals to survive. The ministries of education and treasury have completely ignored our pleas,” Manyara said.
He further accused the government of meddling in student elections.
Likewise, Manyara claimed that government had done little to resolve the unemployment challenge I the country that has been condemning graduates to “endless tarmacking”.
“The government promised to have a directorate of students to oversee the transition of students into the workplace from universities. This government is doing nothing to ensure students are getting attachments, internships or jobs. It does not care how they will solve joblessness in this country,” he said.
