Kisii university students promote chastity to mark Valentine's Day

Kisii University students on Sunday held a march in Kisii Town in support of purity and chastity while singing gospel songs and waving banners in a peaceful demonstration.

The university's Christian Union patron Ms Florence Auni said the march was held to promote chastity as a moral alternative to the Valentine's Day fete.

"We decided to hold the march in the wake of pressure on young people occasioned by Valentine's Day celebrations," she said.

"While we don't condemn Valentine's Day celebrations, we wish to remind Kenyans that chastity is possible for single young people and even in marriage," she added.

The counselling psychologist said that the march was held to create awareness on true love in relationships as based on purity and morality.

"We would like to cultivate purity, chastity and morality in our young people," she said.

University Assistant Dean of Students Francis Kerongo said that universities have been associated with immorality and irresponsible behavior among other vices which paint a negative picture on the institutions.

"Many view the universities as dens of immorality. Today's event is a clear statement by students that they are determined to remain pure and abstain from sex till marriage," Fr Kerongo said.

He told the Daily Nation that the event was a culmination of a week long period of reflection and prayer in the institution.

Mr Jack Mungai, a Business Management student at the university who is also the institution's Christian Union chairman, said that the peaceful march was aimed at encouraging youths to remain chaste.

The theme of the walk was "Flee Immorality" based on 1st Corinthians 6: 18 of the Bible.

Ms Joy-Ann Njau, 21, a third year law student, said that chastity before marriage was possible, saying she was a committed Christian practising it.

"I am 21 years and still a virgin," she said.

Mr Derrick Awir, a second year a computer science student who attended the march, said that he believed in keeping himself pure in line with Christian teachings.

Ms Naomi Shume, 21, a Nutrition degree student, said that she took part to reaffirm her belief in the Christian doctrine.

Security officers led by Kisii Police Traffic Commandant, Chief Inspector Inspector Francis Kithinji, escorted the students during the peaceful event.