We should keep tribal politics and hatred out of universities

Anti-riot policemen arrest a University of Nairobi student during protests demanding release of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, on September 28, 2017. The toxic national politics finding its way into higher learning institutions is deadly. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Granted, learners at universities are at an age where they feel more entitled than any other age group.
  • Managers tend to listen more to grievances when negotiations are done in a friendly environment.

It has never been in doubt that the politics that plays out at the national level has a direct bearing on our universities.

The circumstances of this year’s elections have been evident, perhaps more than any other before.

Last week, for instance, I saw a post on social media by a public university don addressing a group of students in vernacular.

I understand this is routine political mobilisation in our universities.

STUDENT MOBILISATION
There was also an incident recently where another university almost went up in flames after students were denied permission to erect a banner promoting a tribal association.

In most of the units of regional conscriptions, students come together under the guise of helping one another to pursue public good like seeking bursaries and sometimes to attract the attention of those interested in political seats.

Before the counties came, districts formed the basis of such mobilisation, always spilling over into national politics.

DISCIPLINE

The tragedy is that when faced with disciplinary cases, students tend to retreat into such groupings and almost always claim they are being targeted over their tribe even when there is no malice intended.

Such has no place in higher learning institutions.

If we were to have our way, stakeholders in universities such as myself would prefer dealing with and supporting professional associations and not the tribal ones.

Such help enables the students to grow their career, the core business of universities.

POLITICS
Indeed, it is no longer news that voting for student leaders is happening along patterns similar to those reflected by the opposing national coalitions of the day.

Students are actively getting engaged in national politics, often with undesired consequences both for those with an eye on politics and the others.

Even private universities that have for a long time been perceived to be less permeable to the diffusive effect of national politics are now finding themselves becoming a battleground.

Granted, learners at universities are at an age where they feel more entitled than any other age group, and it is expected that they will want to show support for national politicians.

STUDENT RIOTS

However, there are trends that must be reversed for calm and sanity in higher learning institutions even when times are politically charged on the national scene.

First, the perception of university students as political capital, especially when it comes to demonstrations, must be shunned.

Going through social media posts, you can tell that some of the recent student uprisings were because some players in national politics were involved.

While it is important to nurture the spirit of university students standing for rights, it is important to impart the spirit of statesmanship early.

DIALOGUE

Our history is replete with examples of leaders who honed their skills at university.

It is not a bad thing. A common misconception about student leadership is that the one who can talk the vilest against the institution and use the most brutal language against opponents is the most suitable to lead.

That needs to change. Students should be taught about the principles of agitating without the need to over-vilify other parties.

My experience is that managers tend to listen more to grievances when negotiations are done in a friendly environment.

LEARNING
The toxic national politics finding its way into higher learning institutions is deadly.

Some students have been expelled and others have lost their lives. 

Many studies show the impact of discipline on academic performance. Discipline is essential for effective learning.

I look forward to the day when university becomes the oasis of reason, with students operating above political bickering and resisting the temptation to be recruited to advance parochial endeavours.

If I were asked for the best remedy, I would go for dialogue, dialogue and dialogue.

Mr Gicharu is the founder and chairman of Mount Kenya University. [email protected]