We as student leaders from Strathmore,
USIU-Africa, Daystar and Riara universities are saddened by the alleged reports
of police brutality on innocent University of Nairobi students on September
28th, 2017. Our universities ought to be safe havens and conducive environments
for students to learn and define their future. Any action by anyone or any
authority that threatens this sanctity should be vehemently opposed.
We appreciate the day-to-day efforts and
sacrifices made by our police in maintaining law and order and defending the
citizens of this great country. We want to be very clear that we are not
anti-police but we are strongly anti-police brutality. Every citizen, inclusive
of students, has a constitutional right to peacefully demonstrate and the use
of force on unarmed students violates their constitutional rights. The future
of students and young people in this country, lies greatly in the promise that
their constitutional rights shall always be protected and that the state will
always act in their best interests. We as students cannot be trained and taught
on how to live in a democracy if we are not getting the opportunity to live in
one today. We therefore urge the government to live up to that promise by
investigating the allegations and acting accordingly.
We also appeal to our fellow students not
to be vessels for politicians and instead, to be true patriots with Kenya’s
best interests at heart. To respect each other’s political views and each
other’s political rights. There’s no perfect time for we as students and young
people to stand up for what is right, and that isn’t standing beside our
politicians and being used at their own pleasure, but it’s standing up for a
better country and our own betterment.
Lastly, in the words of Martin Luther King
Jr, hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. Kenya is our home and if
anything happens to it, it affects us directly. Let’s stand in solidarity for a
better country, united by our differences, guided by the principles and values
in our national anthem and inspired by the future generations of our country.
We wish quick recovery to the injured
students.
God Bless Kenya.
Ndegwa Alex,
Student President, Strathmore University.
On behalf of the following Student
Presidents, Mr. Chad (USIU-Africa), Mr.
Aloys (Daystar University), Ms. Grace
(Riara University).
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