Kakamega-based Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) on Friday went to polls to elect the 14th Student’s Governing Council amid tight security. Winnie Nyandiga Opiyo carried the day with 3,307 votes for the top position of president, beating her competitor, Pius Angatia, who garnered 2,359 votes.
The incoming President of Masinde Muliro University Students Organisation won in all the 12 polling stations, which had higher number of students voting. The elections supervised by police and private security officers ended peacefully.
According to Kakamega Central Sub-county Police Commander Francis Kooli, goons had been hired to disrupt the elections and thus they deployed more security to counter any chaos. He urged the university to work curbing tribalism in the institution. He said they were working on a report to present to the university administration on reviewing the university constitution.
Ms Opiyo thanked the students and promised to work with her opponents to elevate the status of Masinde Muliro University. On the other hand, Mr Angatia could not be found to concede defeat. Sources have it that he might appeal in court.
The elections were conducted by the Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission conjunction with the Masinde Muliro University Students Organisation Elections Committee to enhance transparency and accountability. In an earlier interview on 103.9 MMUST FM, the institutions radio station, the aspirants were interrogated on the issue of credibility of the elections results and promised to accept the outcome.
Masinde Muliro University becomes the first public university in Kenya to elect a lady student’s President. Catholic University, which is private, has elected a lady before. Most of the university elections in Kenya have experienced post poll chaos and unrest. So many students have been injured, property destroyed and lives lost. (Additional reporting by James Karanja of MMUST.)
