Kisii University students face the wrath of a Matiangu- like electoral body

Kisii University students now feel that the Electoral Commission for the 2017 Student Union elections in the institution is working the Matiang’i way.

This is after the electoral body which is chaired by Mr Wilfred Konosi, Dean at the School of Law, shortlisted a few nominated candidates as opposed to students’ expectations.

The students’ expectations were high on the student body’s presidential position which had drawn six contestants who had handed in their nomination papers to the commission. Instead, the memo signed by Mr Konosi indicated that only two of them had qualified after appearing before the vetting committee.

This created sharp reactions on social media from supporters whose candidates had not passed the nomination process, condemning the electoral commission for leaving out important persons to contest for the elections.

“Comrades are unhappy! We must make an enquiry into the method that was used to vett the candidates, for we can neither be intimidated nor cowed,” said Justine Onyonka, a student.

In the previous elections, contestants normally shortlisted for the student union top seat ranged between 4-6, but in this year, things have become different as the number has reduced to two.

Other students claimed the electoral body had made attempts of denying comrades the right of democracy and fair representation.

Despite the controversy arising from unfair nomination of the top student post, faculty level contestants have been nominated with some faculties missing on the list.

“All the cleared candidates will meet the electoral commission to sign the electoral code before beginning official campaigns,” read the memo.

According to the calendar of the semester events released by the office of Dean of Students, the official dates for campaigns begin January 18 to 26 January, while the elections will be held on January 27. The swearing in of the elected secretariat has been slated for January 31.

During the electioneering period, studies are likely to be affected due to the ongoing student campaigns.