Students of the Technical University of Mombasa, supported by their student leaders, have threatened to stage protests if the government fails to address the escalating cases of youth abductions.
Speaking on Saturday, January 4, the students issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the release of all abducted young people and vowed to take to the streets on Monday if no action is taken.
“We would like to stand in solidarity with our comrades who are lost because an injury to one comrade is an injury to us all,” said Mohammed Talib, a student at the institution.
He added, “We demand the release of our comrades unconditionally, and we are giving the government an ultimatum of 24 hours or on Monday, we shall be on the streets to demonstrate for the release of our comrades.”
Joseph Oloo, President of the Technical University of Mombasa Students Association, criticized the government for allowing such incidents to occur in a democratic nation.
“We are giving the government up to Sunday evening, failure to which on Monday we shall be in the streets demanding for the release of these people,” he declared.
The students condemned the abductions, highlighting the distress faced by families searching for their missing loved ones.
They insisted that the government must put an end to the disappearances and hold accountable those responsible.
“Kenya is being governed by a constitution that we were granted in 2010, and it clearly states that any detention without reasonable act is termed an abduction and false disappearance,” noted Justus Ogoso, a student leader at the university.
The rise in abductions has sparked outrage across the country, with recent victims including young social media users who had posted controversial remarks about President William Ruto and his government.
Individuals such as Billy Mwangi, Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Rony Kiplang’at, and Gideon Kibet alias Kibet Bull are among the missing.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported 82 abduction cases since June 2024, with 13 occurring in the last three months alone.
This alarming trend has prompted criticism from various quarters, including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), whose president, Faith Odhiambo, demanded the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police if the crisis remains unresolved.
Despite denials from Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja regarding police involvement, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the matter.
IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan expressed grave concern over the rising cases, urging swift action to restore public confidence.
As pressure mounts on the government, the Technical University of Mombasa students have vowed to stand firm in solidarity with the abducted individuals and their families until justice is served.
