STUDENTS LEADERSHIP IN MOI UNIVERSITY

By Dennis Rugiri

A student leader is one who exercises authority over a group of students in Moi University. This may be an elected student’s leader, a student religious leader, a captain of the institution’s games or sports team and a class representative, whether elected or appointed. A student leader is seen as a tertiary institution leader serving a given leadership position at Moi university who liaises with the University administration which is the entire system of university management headed by the Vice-Chancellor and also the Dean of students which is the office of the university charged with the responsibility of students welfare

Ethnicity has been e defining factor in Kenyan politics and society. It has not escaped Moi University as the students politics are dominated by Ethnicity. The process of electioneering is usually the stepping stone for student’s politicians to political positions in Campus and National politics in the long run. The methods used to solve conflicts in Moi University are seen as a learning stage for the student leader to solve problems at the National level in their respective political career.

Conflict resolution mechanisms are therefore integrated together with the culture of the university. The significance of ethnic associations, read as regional associations is examined in the light of political mobilization at the campus political level with the broader picture of the national interest in mind. The bond between student leaders and the university administration is shown and the role of student leaders in conflict resolution at the university level is demonstrated.

Here in the campus, student’s politics are greatly affected by ethnic influence. During student’s leaders’ elections, many form ethnic alliances especially to scoop the most influential positions. The hotly contested seats in this regard are the position of the chairman, secretary general, finance director and the academics director. In the District Associations registered at the university, collaborations are struck between different districts coming with it the force of the ethnic groups

Student’s politics in Campus ought to be regulated by the University rules and regulations governing the conduct of students. Formation of clubs and societies should be approved by the Chief Academic Officer after meeting the minimum requirements. These include the advancement of the functions and the objectives of the University. These clubs and societies, students practice their politics through the leadership. In many cases, these clubs and societies should provide a stepping for student union leadership

From the foregoing, politics is a game of intrigues, that the smart will have their way while the principled have their say. Campus politics is shrouded in similar intrigues, where coalitions are made and abandoned soon after elections