University of Eldoret students were yesterday sent home and their campo closed indefinitely. Chaos ensued, as it tends to do, when one faction allegedly against the Vice Chancellor, Professor Teresia Akenga clashed against another faction that has the VC’s back. Add to the mix some riot police and you’ve got a hot mess.
The situation isn’t pretty; several people were injured in the riots including a senator and an MCA for Uasin Gishu. But the ugliest bit, the salt in a wound that is yet to heal are claims that politicians, villagers and students of the local ethnic majority tried to chase away students from other tribes. Accusations leveled against Akenga are nepotism and that old staple, corruption. Some of her detractors claim that the local community should be awarded more positions at UOE but how would that work seeing as it is a national institution? And why not address complaints to the Ministry of Education rather than staging protests?
Now UOE lecturers, like some high school teachers also in the news, fear for their lives and are lamenting how external interference in public education has become the norm. Worse still for the students who only just resumed. The hassle and cost of setting yourself up each semester is no joke. And if these campos keep going on lock down (peeps from University of Kabianga are also home for an unwanted holiday) when are you gonna graduate? This instability grossly diminishes the quality of education; lectures are rushed, coursework glossed over and exams are taken when the preparation is lacking.
UOE represents a something a fork in the road, a chance to evaluate and maybe change our course. Question is, why do students go on strike? Is that the only way to get our voices heard? Are demonstrations the new Kenyan pastime? Even primary school kids do it!
There must be a better way, you guys. Campo is your space to express yourself. Or you could hit us up on social media. See side panel.
Campo 