The University of Nairobi students demonstrated on Saturday, August 24, in protest over the alleged abduction of their student leader Madzao Rocha.
The students blocked Uhuru Highway, leading to the deployment of anti-riot police.
Clashes ensued as the police attempted to clear the road, causing significant traffic disruptions.
In videos seen by The Kenya Times, the students had barricaded the road with bonfires and stones.
Some students could be seen blowing whistles and vuvuzelas, making motorists to stop on the highway.
Reports indicate that unidentified men attempted to apprehend UNSA president earlier on Friday near Hall 9 of the university, but students intervened to oppose the attempt. Madzao later left for home at around 8:00 PM.
News of Madzao missing were first shared by one of his friends identified as Mbaga who stated that Madzao was last seen near Imenti House while in a matatu on his way home at 9:00 PM on Friday, August 23, 2024.
“He messaged me at 9:18 p.m. saying he was in a Matatu heading home. At 9:35 p.m., he phoned me, asking for help as a group of enforcers were bothering him,” Mbaga said.
“The call abruptly ended after 23 seconds before he could name the location. The phone has been off since then. If you have any details on Rocha’s whereabouts, please inform us. Thank you.”
Students Council Want Madzao Rocha Released
UNSA Secretary General, Ramesh Saxena said that they reported the matter to Central Police Station, where they were asked to wait for 24 hours.
He claimed that the abduction happened at a time when the UNSA Council had taken a hard stance against the New Funding Model.
“We urge all Student Leaders to stand in solidarity and call all students to action, till Rocha Madzao is found,” Ramesh said.
Also Read: UoN Students Announce Mega Demonstrations
“An injury to one Comrade is an injury to all Comrades, and no one shall know peace till the President is back with us.”
On his part, UNSA Council of Governors Chair, Oketch Solomon, warned that if Madzao Rocha is not released, a demonstration was to take place at 12:00 PM.
He urged everyone to prepare by bringing whistles to amplify their voices, carrying water bottles to stay hydrated, and wearing sports shoes for comfort and mobility.
“If Rocha is not released by the specified time, we will escalate our actions where we will halt business operations, making it clear that it will not be business as usual,” he said.
“We will mobilize larger protests in key departments, creating significant disruptions and initiate a media campaign to expose this injustice to the broader public.”
Oketch further stated that they will pressure stakeholders and partners to withdraw support from those responsible for Rocha’s abduction.
Also Read: Margret Hutchinson: Profile of New UoN VC Installed After Stephen Kiama’s Suspension
UoN Planned Demonstrations
The reports of Madzao’s alleged abduction came shortly after he announced a mega demonstration set for September 2, 2024, lamenting the neglect of students’ needs.
In his announcement, Madzao said that students had reached a breaking point and that they could no longer endure learning in a non-conducive environment.
“I write to you with a heavy heart, burdened by the persistent neglect of our needs. We have reached a breaking point, where we can endure no longer. The time has come for us to rise united and demand change,” Madzao stated.
“The time has come for us to rise united and demand change. On 2nd September 2024, we must come together for a mega demonstration to make our voices hear.”
According to the letter, the students have been struggling with high accommodation rates and are demanding a reduction.
The student president specifically called for the accommodation fees to be lowered from Ksh42,000 to Ksh15,000.
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