Student leadership in Kenya has evolved over the years from the times when student leaders were the backbone and pinnacle of key government decisions to a time when they only served internal affairs of universities, to a time when their impact was so little as they were only administration extensions acting as mere Prefects.
Student leaders have come and gone with most of them especially from University of Nairobi plunging into National politics and holding key government positions,just to mention a few ; James Orengo, Kabando Wa Kabando,PLO Lumumba . University of Nairobi student council; SONU has over the years been seen to be the strongest student union since it enjoys independence, for this reason therefore it has also gone beyond its mandate not only to serve students of Nairobi University but others as well.
This union however has not just rode on a bed of roses, there came a time when it went timid, this was when it elected weaker leaders in the council not to also mention times when it stood banned before being reinstated for a number of reasons. It is therefore in the winds of this tidings, that then came this son from Western region of Kenya, Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino.
Babu Owino has seen his fair share of ups and downs being at the helm of the union leadership for three seasons, cutting out his clothe on the design of history. I acknowledge that Babu has done a lot for the comrade fraternity of this country. He has fought relentlessly for the welfare of the comrades both in UON and beyond as the chairperson of the larger body; KUSO. Kenya Universities Student Organization. His track record to all who neither closed their eyes nor closed their palms has been seen, felt and written in ink.
Lately, there has been student unrest in the county’s premier university immediately after the SONU elections where once again Babu was declared Winner. Mike Jacobs, an aspirant who was vying against Babu for the chairmanship accused him of rigging himself in and therefore led the students to the streets in protest. A protest that led to the eventual shut down of the institution and suspension of many students including Mike Jacobs.
After a couple of Days, the students are back and Babu Owino remains the chair with no solid action taken with basis of the claims of Mike Jacobs. Later, Babu Owino is arrested for claims of beating up Mike Jacobs, later goal posts shift and its Babu out and Jacobs in. Before one says Eureka, the students are back on the streets, this time with another reason, that the university must allow them cook in their hostels. In my opinion, under normal circumstance, I doubt this matter would stir such kind of enormous reaction. Someone just feels they have had an overdose of Babu Owino and this might end up affecting the stability of the institution.
My take would be, Since Babu has his track record written in ink,, he can only make it bolder by taking the big diamond Step and making the enormous golden decision, just that one decision that is very hard to make, or even attempt to, yet the BEST, this should be for the sake of retaining his history that he has built over the years in white and building his future in white.
A time comes when a man has to swallow his prowess if not for his own sake, then for the sake of a light at the end of the tunnel.
Mundalo M Advice.