Students Trials and Tribulations in a Turbulent Political Ocean: The Transformation of SONU as a Social Movement over the years.

Awuor Ponge Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR), Kenya; and Institute of Education (IoE), University of London.

At the Confucius Institute, University of Nairobi 23 November 2012

Outline
Background and study justification. 2. The origins and organisation of SONU as a social movement. 3. What makes SONU a Social Movement. 4. SONU Strategic partnerships and alliance formations. 5. Features of campus and national politics: The monotonous parallels. 6. Students and political engagement at the national level. 7. Student government. 8. The students welfare at the university. 9. Conclusions. 10. Recommendations.
1.
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Background and Study Justification

A movement is not the same as a national organisation with a manifesto, elected leadership and a website although these are desirable A movement is not the same as an agreed common political platform although this is desirable The reality of social movements in Kenya - democratization events touching on students lives. Draw parallels between the social movements at the Universities and the national level Student activism in Kenya informed by a democratic agenda and the desire to create democratic spaces within and outside the university. The Government of the day always wants to check on the leaders who are elected in the universities. Available literature shows that little studies have been conducted on student organisations as social movements in Kenyan Universities.

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The Origins and Organisation of SONU as a Social Movement SONU The Movement Organisation and Election Procedures Structure of student leadership at the University of Nairobi Social Background of Student Leadership Performance of Student Leaders What are the causes of students protests?

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What makes SONU a Social Movement Focused on specific political or social issues. Continued fight for democratic space. Focused on changing one or more elements of the social, political and economic system. Motivated and sustained by aspirations that derive from shared identities. They act as a collective, as a social class. Single-issue movement: Actualisation of students aspirations.

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SONU Strategic Partnerships and Alliance formations

1. University Administration 2. Civil Society Organizations - Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) - Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya - Ford Foundation - The Youth Agenda - The Citizens Against Violence (CAVi) - Heinrich Bll Stiftung (HBS) - Citizens Coalition for Constitutional Culture (4Cs) - The African Research and Resource Forum (ARRF) 3. Political Parties 4. Foreign Missions 5. Donor Organisations 6. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

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Partnerships and Alliance - Formations, Sustenance and Expiry

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

SONU that approaches the organisations to see if in their programmes they have any that is in line with SONU objectives. Organisations approach the university through the Dean of Students Office to find out how they can work with the students. Alliances and partnerships work through common understanding and signing of MoUs. The alliances and partnerships are sustained through goodwill on the part of both partners. Alliances do expire at the termination of the agreement period as contained in the MoUs. Expiry of SONU as a social movement, has not been anticipated in any of the legal documents. However, there are occasions when SONU has had to be disbanded and their activities suspended.

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Features of Campus and National Politics: The Monotonous Parallels

Voter bribery/Corruption Violence Ignorance and voter apathy Rigging and allegations of rigging Ethnicity and tribal alliances
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Students and Political Engagement at the National level

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

The 1970s The Era of Rejuvenated Nationalism and a moribund Vice-Chancellor The 1980s The Era of Divide-and-Rule and the Government Iron-fist The 1990s The Era of Multiparty Politics and Other Democratic Reforms The 2000s The Era of Mass Expulsions and Compromised Student Leadership Post-Conflict Kenya - The New dynamics Transformation into Political Agency Taming the Firebrands: Has it ever worked?

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Student Government
SONU has a Parliament - Complete with Cabinet Secretaries. The SONU government is made up of the Executive and the Congress. SONU has over 120 elected Congresspersons and has provisions for nominated Congresspersons. Students Parliament is dissolved at least one month before the elections and all the officials vacate office. The SONU Executive automatically transforms itself into the Student Electoral Commissioners.

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Student Governance Structure

SONU [Represents all students interests in all the campuses]

Welfare and Regionbased organisations [e.g. WOSWA, MSAUN, Kakamega University Students Association]

Sector or Activity-based groups [Environmental clubs, Scouting, Counseling etc]

Faculty-based or College-based [NUPOSSA, KLSS, ESA, LSA, KUSA, ONUSS]

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Transformation of Social Movements 1 - It acts as the breeding ground for future politicians and in the event that it transforms itself into a political entity, there would be a void. - SONU hasnt transformed into a political party because of interests from the State.
If SONU were to transform into a political party, it would be a very powerful one as it will be a united voice of all the students. KENASU, KUSO etc.
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Transformation of Social Movements 2 - If SONU were to transform into a political party, it would re-shape the metropolitan politics of Nairobi. - Many of the NGOs are headed by former firebrand student activists and leaders. - Firebrands at the centre of national politics. - Change of tact/name but retain identity - NUSU, NUSO, SONU.
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The Students Welfare at the University

Students welfare is managed by the Students Welfare Authority, which is headed by the Director. Student representation at different levels in SWA. At the SWA Board meetings, theyre represented by the SONU Secretary in-charge of Accommodation, Catering and Health. Disciplinary cases at the residential level are reported to and dealt with by the Halls Disciplinary Committee. Appeals against decisions made by this Committee are directed to the Senate Disciplinary Committee.
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Conclusions
Student leadership comes with the opportunities to learn new skills. Varsity level politics is a good launching pad into national politics. Little is noted today on student involvement in intellectual contributions to national debates and policy direction unlike the past. Student bodies are showing signs of being suffocated by the long hands of state and other special interests.
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Recommendations 1
Desirable Leadership Qualities for Student Leaders:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Connections with the political elite. Opposition relocated into the universities. Shun ethnic-based organizations. Driven into leadership positions by the inspiration of past leaders. 5. Money has suddenly become an overriding issue in student leadership today - Avoid commercialisation of leadership.
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Recommendations 2
Desirable Leadership Qualities for Student Leaders:

6. Gender ascriptions and active sensitivity to gender issues. 7. Student vigilance is critical to create informed basis for desirable leadership amongst students. 8. Need for accountability to the electorate Need for value-based leadership and principles. 9. Agenda-based leadership as opposed to personal aggrandisement. 10.Innovation and the technological revolution.
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Thank you for your attention!!!

Questions and Answer Session For further information, get in touch with: Awuor Ponge
pongeweb@yahoo.co.uk ; awuorponge@gmail.com

Tel. Mobile: +254 721 962 660

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