Dons warn politicians against using youth to cause violence
By Alvin.Mwangi, March 17, 2022University dons have challenged the youth to promote peace and unity ahead of the August General Election.
Vice-chancellors from various universities who spoke yesterday during a forum to discuss students involvement in the coming elections urged the youth to shun politicians who are out to use them for their selfish gains and instead engage in activities that will empower them.
“We are telling our students to be on the lookout and study all the politicians who approach them. As chancellors, we are concerned that there are some leaders who are out to use our learners and once they have achieved what they want, they leave them to continue suffering in poverty,” said Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor Prof Paul Wainaina (pictured).
Prof Wainaina said they had drafted proposals which they will present to presidential candidates to ensure students are fully involved in the elections.
Fulfill dreams
The vice chancellors are proposing that two students from every university be nominated to participate in peace building and the electoral process. The two will also serve as voter educators in their learning institutions.
“We want our students to be on the negotiating table. While at the table, they will be in a position to present their demands,” said Wainaina.
The Vice-Chancellor said it was shameful for politicians to hire young people to cause violence and heckle other leaders instead of helping them to achieve something meaningful in life.
The vice-chancellors also proposed a national youth peace convention where young people will express their views. The convention would be held under the auspices of the Universities and Colleges Students Peace Association of Kenya (UCPAK), the said.
They also called for the use of social media to spread the message of peace.
“Social media is the new thing in Kenya and as we all know it can be used to spit venom that can destroy this country. We want them to use their social media handles to spread peace,” said the Vice-Chancellor of Jaramogi Oginnga Odinga University Prof Stephen Agong.