This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
Student Leaders: Reflections of Our Politicians? ¶
Published on July 12, 2019
Student leaders in Kenya have historically wielded significant power, often mirroring the country's politicians in their pursuit of wealth, influence, and respect. This article explores the complex relationship between student leaders and national political parties, highlighting the implications of clientelism in institutions of higher learning.
Mark Kikenyi, a 20-year-old student at Kenyatta University, shared his thoughts on the matter: 'I feel that most of our national leaders are out to accumulate as much wealth as they can before the end of their tenure. The same is true of student leaders. When campaigning for leadership positions, they promise to work for the students, only to disappear after assuming power.'
Student leaders command a lot of power due to their positions, which makes them constantly courted by national politicians. This has led to a situation where many students aspire to be leaders at their institutions, often motivated by the promise of prime connections, power, pride, or free goodies.
As Susan Nyawira, a 21-year-old student at Multimedia University, noted: 'Student leaders paint an accurate picture of what is happening nationally. For instance, some student leaders do not win the elections fairly, and some of those who win fairly were not voted in on the strength of their policies but rather, by how popular they were or through their connections.'
The relationship between student leaders and national political parties has significant implications for the country's institutions of higher learning. As Alvin Rita, a student at USIU, observed: 'Most of the changes initiated by the student leaders are tailor-made to suit students, but some go out of their way to help others from the neighbouring community to acquire life skills.'
However, the voting process in universities can be flawed, with students often voting for the wrong people for the wrong reasons. As Grace Kinyua, a student at USIU, noted: 'We vote even without looking at their manifestos.'
The article concludes by highlighting the need for student leaders to be of high integrity, loyal to the students who voted them in, and not easily compromised. It also emphasizes the importance of evaluating a candidate's manifesto before making a decision.
