The University of Nairobi Student Council has outlined a series of concerns they want President William Ruto to address. In a statement signed by council president Rocha Madzao on Friday, the students emphasized the need for discussions on various issues impacting the country, which they believe require decisive action to ensure sustainable development and improve the quality of life for Kenyans.
“We request an urgent conversation/dialogue with the President, as he promised to discuss the issues and the way forward. This can be done online or in a physical meeting,” the student leaders said.
On Wednesday, President Ruto acknowledged the youth’s firm expression through recent mass demonstrations. “Accordingly, as I committed on Sunday, I propose an engagement with young people of our nation to listen to their issues and agree with them on their priority areas of concern,” he stated while announcing his decision not to sign the Finance Bill.
At the top of the students’ agenda is the demand for accountability for all the lives lost and injuries inflicted on youths who were peacefully demonstrating against the 2024 Finance Bill. They want the perpetrators brought to justice.
Next, the students are concerned with corruption and accountability. They are calling for Ruto’s administration to audit the hiring processes conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and to strengthen institutions tasked with fighting corruption by ensuring they are well-funded, independent, and free from political interference.
Additionally, the student representatives want the President to reduce Executive expenditure by thoroughly reviewing its budget to identify areas for cuts without compromising essential functions. They have called for the establishment of a clear framework for holding departments accountable for their spending, ensuring regular audits, and public reporting.
Education funding is another significant concern. The students are urging increased funding for the entire education sector, prioritizing teacher training, infrastructure development, and the provision of learning materials to improve the quality of education. They also emphasized the need for the government to prioritize the rehabilitation of infrastructure in various universities across the country.
The young leaders further want the government to audit the Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to enhance transparency. They also propose leveraging technology to enhance public participation, specifically targeting youth, to ensure their voices are effectively heard in decision-making processes. This approach involves utilizing digital platforms such as mobile apps, websites, and social media channels dedicated to soliciting youth opinions on relevant issues.
On the economic front, the student leaders offered their opinion on managing Kenya’s debt burden. They called on the Ministry of Finance and the National Treasury to explore the primary factors contributing to Kenya’s escalating debt, including fiscal policies, external economic factors, and domestic governance issues. They advised that the details of public debts, including how they were acquired, used, and the repayment dates, be published to enhance public trust.
