Complaints have emerged from participants in a recent symposium organized by the Kenyatta University Economics Students' Association (KUESA), with students alleging that promised prizes and internship opportunities have not been honored. Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, speaking at the 7th Students National Economics Symposium at Kenyatta University on March 26, 2025. Students who attended the event now claim unfulfilled promises of cash prizes and internships.
The symposium, held at Kenyatta University, had announced cash prizes of Ksh 50,000, Ksh 30,000, and Ksh 20,000 for the top three teams, alongside internship offers for the winners.
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE) Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, reportedly pledged Ksh 200,000 to be distributed among the three winning teams but students claim that none of them have received this amount. Capital A Investment Bank , a sponsor of the event, was also expected to provide vouchers for winning teams but some groups, including one that secured second place, allege that they have not received anything.
The grievances extend beyond this year’s event, with accusations that such incidents have occurred in previous symposiums.
Some students believe the annual event is being misused for personal gain at the expense of hardworking participants.
Below is a statement from one of the affected students detailing their experience. "Hello Cyprian. My name is Mwangi. I recently attended a symposium organized by KUESA (Kenyatta University Economics Students' Association) at Kenyatta University. The prizes were 50,000, 30,000, and 20,000 for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions, respectively. Additionally, internship opportunities were offered to the top three teams. My team and I, consisting of five members, participated in presenting a project. We managed to secure 2nd place. The guest of honor, the Cabinet Minister for ICT, Mr. Kabogo, donated 200,000 to be equally distributed among the three winning teams. However, none of the teams received this amount. Capital A Investment also provided vouchers for the winning teams, but some groups, including ours, received nothing. Kenyatta University officials host these events annually, yet individuals seem to exploit them for personal gain. The system is filled with corrupt people who take advantage of hardworking students. Please shed light on this issue, Cyprian, so that university students can be aware. This kind of exploitation happens every year."