University of Nairobi students protest alleged abduction of their leader, block Uhuru Highway

Students from the University of Nairobi took to the streets on Saturday in protest, blocking Uhuru Highway in response to the alleged abduction of their student leader, Rocha Madzao, the President of the University of Nairobi Student Association (UNSA).

The demonstration led to clashes with anti-riot police deployed to clear the road, causing significant traffic disruptions.

Videos circulating on social media showed students barricading the highway with bonfires and stones. The students used whistles and vuvuzelas to stop motorists.

The incident leading to the protest began on Friday when unidentified men allegedly tried to apprehend Madzao near Hall 9 of the university. Although students intervened, Madzao later left for home.

He was last seen around 9 pm near Imenti House while in a matatu. His last communication was a distress call to his friend, Mbaga, at 9:35 pm. In the call, Madzao mentioned being harassed by enforcers. The call abruptly ended after 23 seconds, and his phone has been off since.

UNSA Secretary General, Ramesh Saxena, confirmed that the matter was reported to the Central Police Station. However, the students were asked to wait 24 hours before further action could be taken. Saxena emphasised that the abduction occurred when the UNSA Council had taken a firm stance against the government's new education funding model.

He called for solidarity among student leaders until Madzao was found, stating, "An injury to one comrade is an injury to all comrades, and no one shall know peace till the President is back with us."

UNSA Chairman Rocha Madzao missing since Friday. (Handout)

The UNSA Council of Governors Chair, Oketch Solomon, issued a warning that if Madzao was not released by noon the following day, they would escalate their actions.

This escalation, he said, would involve halting business operations and organising larger protests in key departments, alongside a media campaign to expose the injustice to the broader public.

He advised participants to prepare for the demonstration by bringing whistles, carrying water bottles, and wearing sports shoes for comfort.

"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."

Madzao's disappearance followed shortly after he issued a one-week ultimatum to the government, demanding the scrapping of the new funding model. He had threatened a large-scale demonstration on September 2, 2024, if the demands were not met.

In a letter addressed to the students, Madzao expressed his deep frustration with the persistent neglect of students' needs.

He highlighted the struggle with high accommodation fees and demanded a reduction from Sh42,000 to Sh15,000. He called on students and citizens of goodwill to join the protest, stating, "The time has come for us to rise united and demand change."

The situation was further complicated by reports of a secret meeting between university student leaders and government officials at State House Nairobi.

According to the reports, each attendee allegedly received a Sh25,000 'facilitation' fee. However, this was denied by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed who stated the meeting was part of ongoing discussions about the new funding model.