UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI STUDENT ELECTIONS

Another season for campus elections, a season to elect the leaders of the Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU).Daggers have been drawn and a lot is at stake especially if election this time round shall reflect the politics in the national arena. Already there is a lot of political interference with Senior Politicians financing and even arming candidates and their supporters in preparation for the nominations on the 8th of May 2010 and the elections on 14th May. There have also been claims that the administration is rooting for the Election of David Osiany who to many has seemed to be administrative friendly. His opponent Bob Ogolla a business student epitomises freshness and a new style of leadership and claims Osiany’s stand on non utilisation of money meant for students shall only serve as a bigger pool for himself when he vacates office ion case he wins a second term. Students from the School of Business, The Parklands School of Law, Main Campus, Chiromo and Kikuyu campuses are clearly behind Bob Ogolla.




The candidate vying for Campus Representative Parklands Campus James Oyuke has reserved his comment on the hotly contested polls. Executive officials from Parklands Campus have always been instrumental in the running of SONU affairs. A number of Senior executive officials have always been from parklands Campus, the Faculty of Law and James is keen to ensure that the Lawyers retain their privileged position amongst their peers.



The winners of this election stand to control a budget of more than 30 million Kenya Shillings which is quite a sum to be controlled by a student below 25 years of age. The Kenya Law Student Society has expressed issue with the administration for charging students money on behalf of SONU and such monies always ends up being misappropriated by the lot at the Executive. Speaking in an interview Dennis Ademba, a KLSS Executive member and a candidate for Chairman’s post KLSS enumerated plans to have decentralisation of all funds collected by a faculty to that faculty with only a fraction being released to the SONU executive. According to Mr.Ademba it is either that or the students withhold paying money to SONU as students feel their interests are not well represented by the current crop of student Leaders in the University. Quite a number of student leaders concur with the whole notion as the University clearly seems to be facilitating a fraud and claims are that SONU should be completely autonomous.



The current crop of political, religious and business leaders have been students at the University and their Leadership was such that they developed into responsible citizens. Mr.Ademba says that this is a way of preservation of the status quo by politicians, academicians and business leaders by ensuring students stagnate and he is urging fellow comrades to wise up and vote for Leadership. “For example why Cant SONU having a budget of tens of millions have a students SACCO or facilitate student innovations rather than jostling to organise short term events we know as jackpots. This indeed are some of the ways we can create jobs”, he quips!



“Kenyans shall again focus their attention on the Polls at our premiere institution of higher learning before they embark on a national referendum. We should set a clear example, an honest and patriotic example and root for common interests and not partisan or ethnic based interests.” says the Prospective Law Student President as we wrap up.



By Independent-Edgar Mwaura

THE INAUGURAL KLSS PEER RECOGNITION AWARDS

The KLSS peer recognition awards beginning in 2010 are where Parklands Law students honor the achievements of their faculty members. These are to be given out yearly at the annual KLSS cultural week, the awards recognize individuals or teams whose contributions to the Parklands community are novel or innovative; start new traditions or improve existing ones and expand opportunities; or are significantly beyond the usual call of being a student at the University of Nairobi.

THE ANNUAL KLSS CULTURAL WEEK

The Kenya Law Students Society is in the process of organising the Biggest Annual Event in the Law Student Fraternity.The KLSS culturaal week brings together the biggest names in the Legal profession,government agencies,celebrities and University students at Large to celebrate Culture.The Theme for this year is "LAW AND CULTURE FOR PROSPERITY".Feel free to showcase your best at the week long event to be held at University of Nairobi,Faculty of Law,Parklands Campus from 24th to 29th of May 2010.Contact the Liaison Secretary at klss.legal@gmail.com for more information on Participation.

You can also get in touch with the following by sending them an inboix at their Facebook profiles;

• Chege Gichuru-Chairman
• Gilbert Omware-Vice-Chairman
• Lawi Obonyo-Secretary General
• Brenda Dorah-Treasurer
• Dennis Ademba-Liaison Secretary
• Sian Rapei-Module 1 rep
• Muchina Waweru-Module 2 rep
• Caroline Maina-Organising Secretary
• Trish Gichane-Miss Parklands 2009/2010

Currently recruiting students to serve in the following commitees.

• Finance Commitee
• Beauty Peagant Commitee
• Elders' Nite and Concerts Commitee
• Environmental,Legal Aid and Mooting commitees.

Regards,
Dennis Ademba
Vice Chairman.