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MARCH 8, 2018  

Today, Meru University Student leader Evans Njoroge is being laid to rest in his family home in Longonot. Sadly, this student will not graduate this year with the rest of his students. 

“The killing of student leader Evans Njoroge last Tuesday February 27 was a great tragedy for his family, the student movement and the country as a whole,” says Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irũngũ Houghton. 

Under Article 37 of the Kenyan constitution, every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities. The killing of Evans Njoroge violates that right. At the time of his killing, Evans Njoroge and members of the Meru University Students Association were protesting levels of inefficiency and fee hikes in the costs of studies.  

Amnesty acknowledges the leadership shown by Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Amina Mohamed in publicly apologizing to the family and fellow students and terminating the service of the Vice Chancellor Japheth Magambo as demanded by the student movement. 

“The Kenyan police must ensure that all those linked to the killings are investigated and prosecuted, all evidence properly preserved and witnesses protected to ensure the credibility of the investigations. Only a swift arrest and prosecution of those who killed Evans Njoroge will reassure Kenyans that justice will be done.” says Irũngũ Houghton 

We also call on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to finalise their independent, impartial and effective investigation into allegations of police brutality and the extrajudicial execution of Njoroge.  

Amnesty International expresses our solidarity with the family and Evans Njoroge’s colleagues. No word or action can take away the pain or replace the loss but we promise to stand with all who are committed to ensuring justice is served to do so. 

For more information please call Amnesty International Kenya press office in Nairobi on +254 723424802, or email [email protected] 

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