Campus elections: Nothing is off limits; even the kitchen sink will be thrown at you

Campus elections: Nothing is off limits; even the kitchen sink will be thrown at you

Ideally, campus politics are supposed to be fertile ground for future politicians to hone their skills in order to practice later in national politics. But going by the recent student campaigns the university polls are anything but a training ground for political leadership. MUSYOKA NGUI investigates the dirty tricks used by aspirants to clinch coveted seats in campus.

Fake Polls

Some comrades are hired to spread populist opinion on who is believed to be the most famous candidate. The statistics do not reveal sources neither do they show the target population which acted as respondents. What’s more, there are no details on the distribution patterns on the campus demographics say, the popularity of candidates among their peers, course mates, faculty and communities.

The drafters of the dodgy numbers serve only to advance propaganda- which may work if it is told over and over again.

Samuel Ombati posted this on CUC (Chuka University) Live: Chairman: Bonnie Kiunga 56%, Kenyatta 34%, Akoko 8%, (the) Rest 2%. On the Secretary General docket he wrote: Ruffor Munene 48.1%, Keffar Mugambi 35.9%, Rest 16%. Treasurer: Alex Omanga 62.12%, David Ontiti 0.2%. He added: “other posts we are still analyzing”.

Ombati claims to have obtained his figures from Facebook posts on CUC Live. However, few comrades will say they were interviewed by Ombati. There are still other pollsters in the internet throwing around “poll results” to keep their preferred candidates relevant. The community is large enough to attract campaign teams given that the current membership stood at 17244 as at mid January while the uploaded photos numbered 3737 and total uploaded files were 23. The elections for Chuka University student body are slated for Saturday January 31^st.

 Celebrity Endorsements

Well known comrades are used to drum up support for aspirants in the hope that the celebrities’ followers will turn out to be voters.  Salome C Muchiri, an ardent supporter of Robinson Kenyatta Elmargo  and Alex Omanga for Chairman and Treasurer respectively drew parallels on CUC Live which left tags wagging. Hear her,” BABU OWINO &NDEGE SIRKAL TO CAMPAIGN FOR KENYATTA AND OMANGA. The joyous Ndege Sirkal has promised to give Chuka University a taste of Nairobi University student politics.

Salome’s post drew condemnation from supporters of opposing candidates.

Kendi Tinar Meeme laughed: Hahahahaha! Eti Babu! Enos Muthomi Njeru dismissed the post as an insulting comparison between UoN and Chuka University. He wrote: Hii ni Chuka si UoN. Bonnie for Chair. Jay Max added: We don’t need anyone’s help to vote....aende UoN apa ni Chuka.

Yule Corporate Amigoh blasted Team Kenyatta as liars by stating that he(Amigoh)  knew Babu Owino well and the latter “cant kam to support ua foolish camp...”

Babu Owino served two terms as SONU Chairman at UoN and is regarded by many comrades as influential, wealthy and able to lead-despite the fact that his term was characterised by rampant strikes of student body.

Censorship

There have been claims that the admins of the student online platform censor dissenting views. Yule Corporate Amigo complained that the admin deletes post: ata ukitoa hii post admin venye umezoea kutoa,,,ushaisoma pia ww&u know how Akoko is a good leader.

The damaging allegations by Amigo did not augur well fair competition given that the new constitution guarantees media rights in Chapters 34(1): “Freedom and independence of electronic, print and all types of media is guaranteed”. These include right to free expression, freedom of the media. But the rights have limitations which prohibits hate speech.

Members also allege that they are blocked by admins for holding less than acceptable opinions.

Anonymous Posts

Controversial users operate under the veil of anonymity. While this prevents them from reprisals of the comrades and candidates who do not support their ideologies, it gives the faceless users an advantage to bash genuinely identified users who stick to decorum and fair play.

Big spenders

The contestants with deep pockets mount oiled campaigns reminiscent of real general elections that are held in the country after every five years.  This disadvantages candidates who may have the leadership qualities but do not have resources to vie for the seats on offer.  Ann Wanjau, a final year Communication and Media student at Chuka University who participated in vetting the 2013/14 CUSA (Chuka University Students’ Association) election contestants says that the candidates who vie for lucrative seats like Chairman and Secretary General impress their supporters by hiring trucks and fitting them with loud speakers in order to attract voter attention hoping that eventually they will be voted in.

“They showcase big and expensive campaigns like using large and coloured posters and trucks fitted with loud speakers”, says Ann.

Characteristic of this description, former CUSA Chairman Boniface Mutinda assembled expensive campaign team complete with hired vehicles.  Another contestant X Mutembei also had a convoy of vehicles and aggressive campaign secretariat. Both went ahead to clinch the respective posts they vied for.

An impeccable source who declined to be named said that tribalism plays a key role in the student elections. The populous tribes, he alleged, connive to present a Chairman and a running mate cobbled from another equally sizeable community in order to use their numbers to win elections. Ethnic politics is sensitive issue in a country nearly brought to its knees during the 2007/8 post election violence.

Who’s the fairest?

Beautiful and handsome contestants stand better chances to be elected into the governing council under ceteris paribas (holding other factors constant). George Kobia, a blogger and a fourth year Communication and Media student in Chuka University claims that university students are lured by looks and superficial attributes and not substance in the brain or values. He adds that getting the most beautiful ladies as running mates and cheer leaders will work wonders for hitherto faceless contestants.

“Campus guys do listen to ladies a lot as part of pleasing them mainly for the sake of appeal and taking in mind that most campus guys are usually in for a short term fling when it comes to relationships. So I think getting the support of the best ladies counts  as well as handsome and popular guys help especially when campaigning in ladies hostels”, said Kobia.

Kobia also added that freshers are the swing constituency and the easiest prey to devour politically. That combined with buying cheap liquor such as spirits and diluting with water propels the candidate to the polls with a head start.

Unrealistic Manifestos

He also argued that fake promises and sugar-coated manifestos attract gullible blocs of voters. These manifestos are jotted in full colour and are well illustrated and touch on matters directly affecting the students. Candidates for Director of Student Welfare and Director for Academic seats are known for unrealistic promises and lies. The most misused campaign items are lowering of hostel prices, availing of fast internet connection and quality library services.

However, not all candidates let down their supporters. Geraldine Ndila served as the Organizing Secretary for CUSA in the last academic year. She credits herself as the leader who brought Mseto East Africa Campus Tour caravan from Nairobi led by Citizen TV’s Willy M Tuva. The event was graced by artists like Avril, Big Pin and producer Refigah.

Jaford Mbihi was also a popular CUSA Chairman who demystified the high seat by being social with other students and advising them on entrepreneurship given he is a relatively successful young businessman.

The university has employed affirmative action on the CUSA membership by citing that the post of Organising Secretary should be reserved for ladies. Additionally, the candidates vying for chairmanship are required to pick a person of opposite gender as their running mate.  And to keep candidates on course with their key mission in university, no one can vie for any CUSA seat if they don’t have at least 60% mean grade on their transcripts.

To their credit, Chuka University comrades hold peaceful elections and are tolerenat of dissenting ideas.

Article 32(1): Every person has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.