Why campus students call each other ‘Comrade’

The Interim chairman of SONU, Francis Kajwang addresses students during a meeting as Prof Gichanga listens. 1992 Photo: Courtesy

Back in the day when the University of Nairobi bragged of a brigade of firebrand student leaders, it was not uncommon for them to chart the national discourse in ways that made the ruling classes to listen.

When their calls went unheard, ‘Comrade Power’ came into force, manifesting itself in organised riots starring Stone Age methods, such as throwing ‘missiles’ (read stones). Never mind, the bulk of the riots were meted out on motorists in the Central Business District, where there are no quarries, but stones were in plenty via comrade power.