- Mr. S.K Kajwang’ is a 4th Year Student at Mount Kenya University (MKU)
- He is currently pursuing BA in Public Administration and Governance
Who is Mr. S.K Kajwang’?
I am the current Mount Kenya University Students Association (MKUSA) President; an elusive moran scaling the mountain of knowledge- MKU– carrying our proud university flag, hiking an untrodden path to leave a trace; the traces that put up a brave face on students to freely harness knowledge in the canopies of this blue institution with one universal dream of standing on the mountain tops- horizon- as we reap from a blue economy… I am a candle that consumes itself to light the trajectories of students.
What inspired you to join campus politics?
In the words of Martin Niemoller, “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak to me”
I came to speak for generations of students depressed by joblessness, saddened by lack of school fees, and tasting the bitter swill of hunger. I came to speak for our proud innovators. That voice was my inspiration.
Do you have any political godfathers?
NO.
So how do you manage?
As Mark Antony once said, “The good that men do lives after them.” Likewise, my indelible legacy has always granted me a public mandate through popular vote. As thus I don’t need “Political Godfathers” in my political career. Political triumph lobbies for occasional disruption of ideas not a clique of godfathers.
What measures have you put in place to support the welfare of comrades?
- MKUSA Account; I have championed the reactivation of MKUSA ACCOUNT for the financial independence of the MKUSA and to receive external donations for students.
- MKUSA Partnerships; We have partnered with corporates to finance and employ the jobless students
- Incalculation of Student Welfare Staff; for transparency and checks and balances we have worked in liaison with the administration in activities pertaining shortlisting of students.
- MKUSA Kitty; We have spearheaded the enactment of MKUSA tuck shop in a bid to extend student welfare services.
Are there work-study programs, bursaries, and scholarships for your students?
Yes.
How do you shortlist the students?
I took oaths before God and students to serve them equitably, without fear or favor. Therefore, in the event of any opportunity, I appoint a neutral panel comprising a student welfare staff for checks and balances, to vet the students so that the most deserving students reap from it.
What challenges do you face in your offices and what recommendations do you have?
Firstly, inadequate funds to finance spellbinding student welfare activities and the recommendation is the enactment of MKUSA KITTY and student subscription from which MKUSA will pool adequate funds for its actions as enshrined in chapter 7 of the MKUSA constitution. Secondly, there is the issue of tribal hatred and the recommendation is to abolish tribal associations which have inured students not to participate in MKUSA activities headed by an MKUSA official of an embattled ethnic group.
What are some of your achievements?
- SK Care Foundation; has donated free food to students
- Elimisha Infinite Initiative; is a bursary scheme that has paid school fees for students
- Infinite Placement Service; my office has taken advantage of the existing MOU between MKU and local industries to provide employment, internship, and attachment opportunities for the students and also sort for more and negotiated for a prescribed number of job opportunities for students where none existed.
- Okoa Afya Initiative; MKUSA has organized bipolar and mental health walks, and blood drives and encouraged NHIF subscriptions among students to cushion them from huge medical bills.
- Inua Comrades Program; MKUSA has organized MKUSA AWARDS to motivate students based on their proficiencies. Apropos, we have negotiated for enabled students in business to advertise their enterprises in the INFINITE MAGAZINE.
At the National level (politically), who is your role model? Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga. Why?
When patriots were let loose by our constitution to fetch back our liberty and democracy, he lent our sovereignty from the corridors of Nyayo torture chambers. When shady ratholes of material apathy threatened to tear our shared prosperity apart, his voice was heard over the mountains across the valleys into the deepest oceans dissuading the economic saboteurs. He harbors rare grains of political morals that youthful leaders have to emulate.
Do you plan to make an entry into National politics?
Having printed an unfolding legacy in the annals of this blue institution I will let lose to the national politics to reclaim its lost glory from the brinks of eternity. I dream of a better country devoid of corruption and tribalism and public resources allocated to social protection programs, free education, developing infrastructure, universal health care, and jobless youths employed by allocation of youth enterprise funds and local industries improved in what is crowned as BUY KENYA and BUILD KENYA.
Your Social Media handles?
Facebook: SK Kajwang
Twitter: @SkKajwang
Instagram: @SK_Kajwang
