Kenyatta University is at
it again. It is not the first time nor will it be the last time we are engaged
in it but it has formed part of the university calendar to elect “NEW” crop of students’
leaders after every academic year. Leaders we hope will bring the real change
in every aspect of comrades’ well-being in this fast growing institution. There
are very significant areas that students often need immediate help, areas that
play a colossal role in the life of any student. The key areas are the
accommodation and the issues touching on fees. Accommodation still remains a
major problem and a thorn in the flesh to the administration even though it is
not just an issue in Kenyatta University but it is an issue cutting across all
institutions of higher learning. It's for this reason that KUSA officials can
do very little to improve the current situation as it stands but they can
stretch their muscles to ensure that the available off campus accommodation are
affordable for students and make frequent visits to some of these hostels to
show solidarity. The same officials are also expected to come up with programs
to ensure enough money is raised to sponsor needy students. That’s what we call comradeship
However, this academic
year’s election has come at a very delicate time when the country is barely a
year from the general election that nearly divided us along ethnic lines. A
period less than a year is not enough for a complete healing of a Nation that
is still grappling with ethnicity. The chaos that erupted a few weeks after the
election was a clear sign of denial from a clique of students who let emotions
took a better part of them and nearly brought the institution to shame. Of interest is the reluctance by the
institution to speed up the healing
process and reconcile students into the spirit of comradeship, a move that
ought to have been fronted by our own leaders from KUSA.
Having said that, the
society expects much from us and will never tolerate any mischief or mediocrity
when it comes to the leaders we elect into office. Let us be a role model for
this institution by electing leaders that are vibrant, responsible and students
focus. Politics is only good and healthy when it is not based on ethnicity and
political affiliations. Money should not be a reason we rally behind a
candidate, rather we should distinguish honest and true leaders from cash cows
that think money can buy everything. In short, we are too expensive to be playing
politics of money. 

To the KUSA aspirants, manifestos
are not just modalities to be used to entice students, rather they are what
makes you unique and give you an upper hand to be trusted with power. To that
effect, have manifestos that you’re genuinely capable of accomplishing. Have
you ever wondered why KUSA leaders feature less in the politics of this
country? Well, it is because we have formed a culture of decorating our manifestos
and deceiving students into believing everything we have listed as part of our manifestos
only to get into power and accomplish nothing but our selfish agendas of
robbing the institution of its cash into meetings that never materialize into
anything concrete to boost students’ welfare's.
Be a leader of integrity,
of impeccable character, stand by your words and fulfill your manifestos to
students. The students, lecturers, administration and the world will recognize
and reward you in the long run. This is the only chance where leadership is
nurtured.
Reagan Nyadimo
reagannyadimo@yahoo.com
Kenyatta University
reagannyadimo@yahoo.com
Kenyatta University
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