Case of student murdered during protest to be mentioned in December

 

The case involving the murder of university student leader, Evans Njoroge, will be mentioned on December 15, 2022, before Meru Law Court.

Police shot Njoroge dead on February 27, 2018, when he protested outside Meru University of Science and Technology.

Judge Edward Muriithi is hearing the case in which police officer Leaky Maina has been charged with murder. He had denied the offense.

Missing Voices member, Amnesty International-Kenya, documented the fatal shooting.

“Njoroge had taken part in a demonstration outside Meru University, peacefully protesting a tuition fee hike,” the organization’s report noted.

Njoroge had seen the right to education getting violated when the university made education unattainable by increasing tuition fees. He wanted a Sh8,500 reduction in fees and an improvement of the university infrastructure. He couldn’t sit back and watch the university undo the gains. So, he decided to fight the injustice, but brutal police cut his quest short.

Police arrested Njoroge and forced him to kneel, witnesses said, before placing a pistol to the back of his head and pulling the trigger. His execution occurred in a private compound.

Njoroge’s killing fueled widespread protest in Meru and anger across Kenya.

“Evans wanted change to happen, but for others. He was a courageous, selfless young man who stood up against threats and tried to push for justice,” Njoroge’s sister, Miriam, said.