Consensus on campus

When Kenyatta University in Nairobi reopened on 4 February 2008, the staff and students felt they were showing the way not only for other campuses, but also for other sectors of Kenyan society to follow - if they dare!

Cecilia Thiga, an environmental science student from Nyahururu, in Rift Valley province, admits that she had to overcome her fears to come back to campus, knowing the country is still so tense.

"I decided we can come back, live in peace, and go on with our studies," she told IRIN Radio. "You can be talking about other things but actually politics is always going to come out - bu we do it on a friendly basis so there are no conflicts."

Photo: Allan Gichigi/IRIN

Alice Nyambura

Alice Nyambura, also studying environmental science, comes from Kirinyaga in Central province.

"We can set a good example to the other universities," she said. "We are not interested in going to protest."

However, Alice warned that each individual must take responsibility for his or her own actions and not just follow the crowd when politicians try to whip up support.

Dr Gabriel Katana, the academic registrar, said the university had devised an elaborate plan to ensure that peace and a conducive environment for learning prevailed on the campus, which houses some 10,000 students. "We just pray that it will work," he said.

The university authorities consulted widely with students, academic and nonacademic staff, parents, local officials and police, landlords, hostel caretakers, and even with the gangs of casual labourers on site for construction work.

Photo: Allan Gichigi/IRIN

Dr Gabriel Katana

Mechanisms are in place to help students suffering financial difficulties or trauma resulting from the violence and chaos that erupted after Kenya's disputed elections in December 2007.


Professionals have volunteered their time to run special counselling and health services operating out of five tents erected on the campus.

Chairman of the Kenyatta University Student Association (KUSA), Sylvester Kweyu, from Mumias in Western province, said he fully supported the measures being

Photo: Allan Gichigi/IRIN

Eric Masenge

taken. "We have decided to put our partisanship aside," he said. "Since we opened the friendship [among students from different backgrounds] is still maintained, despite the fact that where they come from the clashes are taking place, which are taking ethnic dimensions."

Students are being asked to refrain from provocative language and to shun regional associations. Lecturers are asked to be "moderate and relevant" and not to digress into opinionated political discussion.

Eric Masenge, from Kisii in Nyanza province, is KUSA's mobilizing secretary and in charge of organising entertainment and sports.

He says this can help bring people together.

"When people are tormented, we should make sure people are entertained and have interschool games to make sure people interact so that there can be good coexistence among the students," he said.