Shifting Narratives: Antony Manyara’s Campaign for Student Rights
Antony Manyara is a prominent Kenyan student leader and activist known for his significant contributions to youth advocacy and student governance. Born in Tigania East, Meru County, Manyara is the second of three siblings.
His early life was marked by a challenging education journey, attending six different primary schools due to being described as a “rebellious child.” However, he eventually completed his primary education at St. Aloysius Boarding Primary School in Meru around 2010, where he distinguished himself as head boy.
Manyara progressed to Meru School for his secondary education, where he graduated in 2013 with an impressive A-minus grade.
His ambition led him to the University of Nairobi in 2015 to pursue a degree in Architecture. After successfully graduating in 2019, he returned to continue his academic journey by studying law (LLB) at the same university.
Manyara’s leadership abilities became apparent during his time at university. In the 2018/2019 academic year, he was elected as the inaugural Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA), a role that allowed him to spearhead significant initiatives.
Notably, he launched the “Change the Narrative” campaign, which aimed to shift the public perception of University of Nairobi students from being viewed as troublemakers to law-abiding citizens. His commitment to student rights and governance continued as he took on the presidency of the Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO) around 2020.
In a remarkable display of leadership, Manyara was sworn in as President of the East African Students’ Union (EASU) in October 2021, where he represents students from all partner states across East Africa.
His advocacy efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, Heim Weldios University in Abuja, Nigeria, awarded him an Honorary Doctorate (PhD Honoris Causa) in Leadership and Youth Advocacy.
Beyond his titles, Manyara is a passionate advocate for youth inclusion in political processes and reforms in student financing, particularly through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
As KUSO leader, he claims credit for helping to raise the minimum HELB loan amounts accessible to students in various institutions. Manyara’s journey reflects a relentless pursuit of positive change and empowerment for the youth in Kenya and beyond, making him a notable figure in contemporary student activism.
