We are not corrupt — University students

University students in Kenya are unhappy with a recent report that seems to paint young men (and women) as corrupt and money-hungry.

The Kenyan Youth Survey Report conducted by Aga Khan University showed that 50 per cent of the youth believe it does not matter how one makes money as long as one does not end up in jail.

“There is no doubt. We have a huge reservoir of corrupt or corruptible youth in this country,” said Alex Awiti, Director of the East African Institute, a part of Aga Khan University, who commissioned the survey.

A bulk of the youth are in some institutions of higher learning or just walking out of one. And in campuses, where you would expect learned and refined minds, is it any different? Campus Vibe spoke to a few students. At Moi University, Jim India, a political science student, feels the survey failed to capture the real picture.

“The survey does not tell us about the few who are doing things right. Some of us have made a resolve to lead our lives with integrity,” said India.

John Brian is the Chairman of the students’ union at Daystar University. He said that: “It’s not true that we do not have hope for the future. We do, and it is unfair to summarise our hopes in a survey”.

Elzie Chebet, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology’s (JKUAT) student’s vice chair said the report should not be linked to campus students, because the comrades were people of integrity.

“I don’t know who was featured in that report,” she said.