University students ready for national conclave

Student leaders from different Universities addressing the media at the University of Nairobi in support of intergenerational conclave as proposed by ODM leader Raila Odinga recently. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

Student leaders drawn from various universities have supported calls for talks as they pushed for compensation for families that have lost their loved ones in the anti-government protests.

The student leaders, who thanked the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the proposal, want the talks to start from ward level, sub-county, county then national level with all tribes represented.

"We are here today convened to share our grievances and support the forthcoming intergenerational conclave dialogue. We have witnessed several looting and deaths of our youth, and as the student leaders, we are today assembling and convening here to show our utmost support for the Intergenerational Conclave," said Joel Aloo, chairperson of Intergenerational Conclave.

He added: "We are urging you to start from the grassroots level, from our wards. We also have students from around the world. Then we proceed to the sub-count level, county and lastly national level."

They spoke on Tuesday during a media briefing at the University of Nairobi's American Wing.

Aaron Odiambo said they fully support Raila's proposal to involve youths in dialogue. "I can say is if we are ready for dialogue, whatever we are going to talk about in that intergenerational talk. Let it have actions and not actions of the politicians," he said.

Peace Love Issa, current Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Student Council President, said he fully supports the call for dialogue.

"We, as the youth of this country, are tired of dying, losing our loved ones. We are saying no more to protests. We are ready to talk, sit down and share our ideas. We are skilled enough, have the knowledge and the capacity to contribute positively towards national building," said Issa.

According to Aloo, some of the issues they are looking forward to discussing and which the student leaders have raised, are on Higher Education Loans Board(HELB), youth unemployment, being involved in decision making and also want accountability and inclusive governance.

"We need to be engaged in what the government is doing in the form of procurement of tenders and many other things," he added.