A group of student leaders, on Thursday, unanimously announced plans to hold nationwide demonstrations in all universities against the high cost of living.

In a meeting with Azimio leaders, including the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga, the student leaders stated that they would proceed with the protests on Friday as planned.

They also noted that the opposition had taken a step back in leading the demonstrations and thus urged the politicians to join them.

‘‘We are inviting you to come and demonstrate with us on Friday,’’ a student leader representative requested at the round table held in Nairobi.

The student leaders also disclosed their intention to stage protests against the existing university funding model, which they openly criticised.

In the model announced by President William Ruto in May 2023 and launched by Education CS Ezekiel Machogu two months later, the government unveiled the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal, which will provide funds directly to students.

University students demanded a review of the model and insisted on the government retaining the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).

Other issues raised were delayed capitation, and insecurity in schools. Among the opposition leaders who supported the plans to hold demonstrations on Friday was Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino.

According to Babu Owino, a significant number of students were yet to join the universities owing to challenges faced by the new funding model, which he termed as unfavourable and discriminatory.

‘Student leaders do not carry the government's cross,'' the Embakasi East MP warned.

''Let the demonstrations be done just outside the gate of all the universities simultaneously, then you repeat the same within a month. You will get the results you need," he added.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also commented on the cost of living, accusing the government of failing to heed his advice.

''We told these people several times, you are in the hole. Don't continue to dig. You saw how the members of parliament fought very hard against the tax bill because hiked taxes do not offer any solution,'' Raila noted.

'The issues that are within our powers we will do," he added but deviated from responding to the planned demonstrations.

It was yet to be clear whether the student leaders had obtained police permits to hold the demonstrations.