Madzao Rocha: UoN Student Leader Who Called For Demos To Oppose New Funding Model Goes Missing

• Modzao Rocha has been missing for days after his statement calling for mass action protests against university students to protest exorbitant fees
• University of Nairobi students staged protests on Saturday, demanding the release of their missing leader
• President William Ruto recently met university leaders in the wake of a heated debate about the new university funding model

The unknown whereabouts of the University of Nairobi student leader Modzao Rocha triggered protests by the varsity's scholars and Kenyans online.

Rocha, the president of the University of Nairobi Students Association, and the chairperson of the students' council, went missing after making a declaration against exorbitant fees at UoN and the new funding model for university students.

He had called for demos among the students to protest with the aim of pressuring the university to downwardly review the fees and, by extension, the government to do away with the funding model.

"We have reached a breaking point where we can endure no longer. The time has come for us to rise united and demand change. On September 2, we must come together for a mega demonstration to make our voices heard. The University of Nairobi's accommodation rates must be reduced significantly before September. We refuse to pay exorbitant fees of KSh 42,000 when our living conditions remain deplorable. We demand a maximum fee of KSh 15,000.

Furthermore, we must reject the new funding model imposed upon us. Our education is not a commodity to be exploited for profit. Let us stand firm; let us stand together. Our perseverance has its limits, and that limit has been reached. It is time for action," read his statement addressed to the students.

On Saturday, August 24, UoN students staged protests demanding the release of their colleague.,

They barricaded roads adjoining their institution, lighting bonfires and disrupting traffic flow.

Last week, President William Ruto held a meeting with student leaders from various institutions of higher learning.

The meeting, held on Thursday, August 22, at the State House in Nairobi, comes amid a raging debate on the new funding model.

The new funding model is expected to have heavily influenced the meeting, even as the government instructed vice-chancellors to admit all students without fees.

Student leaders shared moments and their ideas with the head of state with some taking the opportunity to pose alongside him.

On Friday, August 16, Higher Education Principal Secretary (PS) Beatrice Inyangala revealed that the new funding model is grouped into five bands depending on families' income levels.

The PS detailed the scholarship and loan amounts allocated to each band.

She explained that a student's band classification is determined by the family income reported in their scholarship application.

Band one is for families whose monthly income is not beyond KSh 5,995, band two is for those whose income is not beyond KSh 23,670, and band three is for those whose income is not beyond KSh 70,000.

Band four covers families with salaries not exceeding KSh 120,000, while band five covers those whose salaries are beyond KSh 120,000.