CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Isaac Nyangeri, Kenya, February 1999
THEME = EDUCATION
In Kenya, rioting in educational institutions
is dishearteningly rampant
On 8 March 1998, students from Kenyatta University went on the rampage after they had heard that some senior university officials were involved in a racket, whereby the institution's documents were on sale. On 23 March 1998, University of Nairobi students rioted to show their opposition to the introduction of part-time, privately sponsored degree courses in the College of Health Sciences. The university was then closed. The same day, their counterparts from Kenyatta University held violent demonstrations in protest. On 26 March 1998, Moi University students went on strike after trouble started between them and security guards on duty at the main gate. The security guards were accused of harassing students, especially female students, whenever they returned to the campus late.
Such violent demonstrations are not limited to university students. Secondary school students have taken the cue. Striking students of Mumbuni Mixed High School in Machakos District destroyed the school's administration block using a petrol bomb. The students complained of high-handedness by the school's authorities and alleged that the teaching staff were having affairs with school- girls.
Such strikes sometimes turn pretty sour. In the above incident, two students suffered broken limbs as they fled from the police. And they well remember that Egerton University student, Festus Okon'go, had been shot dead by police on 17 December 1996.
The University of Nairobi students argue that they had marched along the streets after failing to get a «convincing explanation» from the vice-chancellor, Professor Francis Gichaga.
Indeed, one sociology lecturer, Dr.Casper Odegi-Awuondo, says that when people refuse to sit and talk, the only thing left is confrontation. «It's not a choice but a last resort». Going by the current spate of student demonstrations, which are seldom peaceful, students in the country must have reached the end of their tether.
Another sociology lecturer, Dr.Robinson Ocharo, explains that «the spate of strikes we see today can be explained by the law of discontinuity of progress. The law states that if you've nothing to lose, or are not pre-occupied, you opt for any radical action». The law of discontinuity is, therefore, telling us that there are things which are wrong with education in the country.
Students have a great deal to lose from riots. Their studies suffer, because precious time is wasted; or they risk expulsion from their institution; or they might be injured. In the case of university students, when the courses are interrupted, what should be a four-year course could drag on for another year or even more. As a result, more money has to be spent on education and any contribution a student could be making towards the country's well- being, is delayed.
It's clear that the Education Review Commission appointed by President Moi and headed by Dr.Davy Koech still has much to achieve.
END
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