As the citizens of Kenya gear up in anticipation for the long awaited presidential elections in Kenya next year, the crowd is on fever pitch with most of the academic institutions also having their own internal polls.
In the recent past, most of the top leaders in these prestigious institutions have joined the corridors of power through their involvement in presidential campaigns while still in campus. With the likes of James Orengo and Paul Muite to state just a few have been either a student leader or a vocal member of the student body in their time in campus. Most political parties, now coalitions might have attracted their votes in campuses using student leaders to share their manifestos or set their various agendas in campus.
As is the case, we have seen most, if not all the student leaders trying their luck in various positions during political elections. The most recent one being University of Nairobi’s long time student and politician Babu Owino vying for the position of Westlands Member of Parliament. However, I feel that if you are a fan favorite while in campus, the general public is a different ball game. But, with this said it goes to show how most of the students in campus who have an eye on state politics use this channel as a stepping stone to greater political appointments or favors.
Consequently, most of the Universities are having issues during their internal campaigns. For instance two students at Co-operative University died when a bus they had hired during campaigns overturned.
When will our Kenyan students learn that it is never a done deal? Getting into institutional power doesn’t automatically make you the best candidate to secure public office.
