We demand varsities return comrades’ freedom

If you are on Twitter, then surely you must know Cyprian Nyakundi. It is hard to not to know him with his viral trends and disciples adding up to 220,000 in number.

He caught my attention some time back when he was expelled from his university somewhere in Meru County, following his adamant assault on the alleged miscreants managing the university.

Kicked out

Thankfully, he got a scholarship to study Political Science in the United States. Lucky guy, that? But he did not leave. He stuck around to fight for the rights of his comrades at the university. Now, that is patriotism if you ask me.

Early this month, students from his university went on a 30-minute rampage against the very same alleged rot Nyakundi was expelled for pointing out. Only that this time, they left five vehicles burnt and a few others in varying states of disrepair.

Well, three students were arrested. The chairperson of the students’ council, the secretary general and one commoner. When you think of it, it sort of reminds you of The Hague proceedings where the President, Deputy President and a radio presenter are facing trials.

But I digress.

Now, let’s just be honest with each other here. Students went on strike and destroyed property worth slightly over 3 million according to the authorities. Was it right? Well, let us not go into the merits of the matter, as it is in court.

For the longest time, University students have been agitating for better healthcare, against sexual harassment by rogue lecturers, insecurity and mishandling of university affairs to say the least.

Whenever someone speaks up, they are expelled or suspended indefinitely. Efforts to dialogue with the university has borne as much fruit as a farmer in Kalahari Desert would. If a student so much as tweets or posts an update on their Facebook walls concerning such injustices, they are expelled.

Come baba, come!

Those throwing stones from the comfort of their glass houses, condemning them for rioting unnecessarily, tell me. What is one left to do?

Even Unye invited Baba for tea; at the very least, he was ready to listen. But most local universities will not listen. Things are fine according to vice chancellors and university managements.

This is the sad state of affairs that we call Kenya Yetu Today. This is what happens when we simply accept and move on. For, if you talk, you are arrested. Put on your thinking caps.