Students from the University of Nairobi are demanding an immediate apology from Rachel Shebesh for allegedly insulting them on national television.
The students are accusing the former nominated MP, who is vying for the Nairobi County Women representative seat on a TNA ticket, of calling them prostitutes.
The students have given Shebesh 16 hours to apologise or face their wrath.
They also want Ms Shebesh to write a two-page apology letter to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi.
Led by officials of the Students’ Organisation ofNairobi University (SONU), Organisation of Kenya Independent Students Union (KISU) and the Women Students’ Welfare Authority (WOSWA), the students are threatening to go to court to block Ms Shebesh from contesting the women representative seat.
“We were greatly saddened and severely shocked by the irresponsible statements uttered by Ms Shebesh on a television interview on Sunday February 24, 2013. The Dishonourable member remarked, loudly that “ Nairobi's red-light districts are littered by prostitutes studying at the University of Nairobi” said Dorothy Kemunto.
She added, “The above statement is untrue and incoherent with the virtues and principles of the UoN Student community. All our students are honest, hardworking, responsible, religious and committed to the values of education and religion.”
Fredrick Ndege and Ouma Kodhek, the chairmen of KISU and SONU respectively, said they would mobilise Nairobi residents to vote against Ms Shebesh if she fails to apologise.
“We also demand clarification from TNA party about its official position regarding the allegation. Failure to which we shall assume Shebesh’s position is TNA’s position,” said Mr Ndege.
He added, “We look forward to a prompt response to our demands, failure to which we shall take matters personally and the consequences will be better imagined than experienced.”
When contacted for comment, Ms Shebesh said she had been misquoted. "The media misquoted me. The whole story has been taken out of context. I will issue a statement later," Ms Shebesh said.
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