BY PETER KOMBE
The Coast Region Students Association (COASTA) has raised serious allegations against politicians, accusing them of funding student politics in universities and colleges across Kenya. In an interview with The News Booth in Mombasa on Tuesday, COASTA Secretary General Edwin Shamir expressed concern over the substantial financial resources being used by students vying for elective positions in higher education institutions. Shamir estimates that presidential aspirants in these institutions spend well over Ksh 1.2 million on their campaigns, a figure he finds alarming.
"Where do they get all this money from? It is true this money comes from politicians. This is because they want to exercise their political influence over the elected student leaders," Shamir explained. He suggested that political elites are keen to exert control over campus leaders, including presidents and cabinet secretaries, to serve their own interests. Shamir further noted that many students running for top positions in universities and colleges harbor ambitions to join the national political arena, making them susceptible to external influence.
Shamir urged students to conduct their campaigns within their means, free from the sway of the political class. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity and independence of student leadership by avoiding undue political influence.
Adding to the discussion, Agneta Ingutia, a Congress Lady at Kenyatta University, highlighted the unique challenges faced by female candidates in campus politics. She pointed out that women who are elected often find themselves marginalized in decision-making processes. "Those of us who are elected become powerless. It is true that national politicians fund aspirants during campus campaigns," Ingutia said, underscoring the need for a more inclusive and equitable political environment within universities.
A student from a technical college in Mombasa County, who spoke on condition of anonymity, echoed the call for student leaders to operate within their budgets. However, the student refuted claims of receiving political funding, stating, "I get my campaign money from parents and my own sources of income. My budget is about Ksh 35,000."
These revelations have sparked a broader debate about the role of external influences in student politics and the need for reforms to ensure that campus elections remain a fair and level playing field. As the conversation continues, the focus remains on safeguarding the autonomy and integrity of student leadership across the nation's institutions of higher learning.
