In April, third-year law student Ann Mwangi Mvurya (21) became the first female leader of the University of Nairobi Students’ Association (UNSA) after contesting Kenya’s second university student elections, made possible by the Universities Amendment Act of 2016. She spoke to University World News about her winning strategy and the changes she hopes to make in her new role.
UWN: You have made history as the first female university student leader. What strategy did you use to win?
Mvurya: The ground has shifted from talking and buying your way, as has been the norm, to talking about the real problems students are facing and how these issues can be addressed. These issues include mental health which is becoming a big problem for the youth in the country and at the university. The main cause of depression among students is unemployment … finances. I therefore was raising awareness among the students about the programmes available to help them and the need for more such programmes.
UWN: What motivated you to stand?
Mvurya: I was the secretary general of the Women Students’ Welfare Association (WOSWA) and an official of the UNSA secretariat in 2018. I was frustrated to see that women lacked proper representation in the top student leadership bodies and that women’s issues were not being fully addressed. This is why I decided to vie for the topmost position.
UWN: What are your priorities?
Mvurya: My studies, of course, come first. I am in third year and I would like to finish my studies and graduate on time. Under these circumstances, I will try to delegate as much as possible to my team. Currently I have a team of seven council members and I am working with 91 student leaders. I am hoping that we can work together with one agenda to make the university better.
I intend to amend the UNSA constitution and make it more inclusive. Currently, for example, only local students can stand for UNSA leadership positions. International students including refugees cannot contest any UNSA post unless they have a student pass issued by the immigration department. This is so unfair, especially for the refugee students who cannot be issued with the student pass. The constitution also bars first-year students from any UNSA position and they therefore lack representation. It is unfair that this bars the majority of the students with leadership skills from standing.
There have been problems such as missing marks and-or students buying grades to graduate. The current student organisational structure involves campus chairmen who shall notify us of such cases.
We will also continue to put pressure on the university to ensure that IT systems are not hacked so that students get the results that they have worked for.
UWN: What is your agenda for women?
Mvurya: I am conducting a survey that will help to establish what the real problems facing female students are. Some challenges already have solutions at the university, but because of lack of awareness most students do not know about them. More awareness is needed. However, issues such as sexual abuse, and mental and reproductive health issues are big challenges and we intend to come up with programmes and partnerships that will help students in finding solutions.
We have created a programme known as ‘HE for SHE’ to enable male students to help their female counterparts. We cannot pretend to be solving women’s problems without involving men. They have to walk with us and realise what is right and what is not right. I am hoping that this will be a success.
I am also working closely with WOSWA to ensure that women’s issues at the university are addressed fully.
We are planning a vigil on 30 June and have invited 30 members of parliament, members of the cabinet, UN women representatives and the other university women’s associations. The aim is to talk about issues facing young women in the country. There have been a lot of killings of women lately, including university students. We shall discuss what needs to be done so that there are no future regrets about not taking action.
UWN: What has changed since you were elected into office?
Mvurya: I was recently elected Kenya University Students’ Organisation (KUSO) chair by leaders from the other universities. In this forum I am championing a discussion on matters affecting youth at a national level, such as unemployment.
At the university I am planning to welcome the first-year students and I am working with my team on an orientation programme focused on guidance and counselling on all 12 campuses.
Urinary tract infections have been a big challenge for female students at the university because of resistance to use of the poorly maintained campus toilets. I have engaged with the university management to ensure toilets are fixed and they have agreed. I am also planning a ‘Health Week’ shortly where various health experts will educate students about reproductive health and general hygiene and sanitation.
I have also engaged with three cabinet secretaries from the ministries of education, devolution and trade on the issue of paid internships which were promised by the Jubilee government, so that the students who graduate in August will have internships without having to struggle.
UWN: How did you fund your campaign?
Mvurya: No one financed my campaign. I fundraised through a harambee. I also asked for the support of family and friends and at school I asked for support through the students’ support groups. I am glad that people were willing to assist and they went out of their way to contribute. In total I spent US$20,000 for my whole campaign.
UWN: Recently there was a petition challenging your win. Why?
Mvurya: There were complaints by my immediate opponent about alleged irregularities in the nomination process and bribery during my campaign, but there was insufficient proof presented at the tribunal and the case was dismissed. However, I shook hands with my competitor; we are at peace and ready to work together.
UWN: What legacy do you want to leave after your one-year term?
Mvurya: The University of Nairobi is known for rowdiness, which is what I want to change. I will ensure that this is a thing of the past. I am ready to take the university back to a time when its graduates were sought-after employees. We shall also change the narrative internationally and attract more international students like the private universities in the country. I am working with the university administration to ensure that students who were expelled are no longer in the university. By the end of my term I want things like missing examination marks, sexual assault and rape to be history.
UWN: Do you have plans to enter national politics like your predecessors?
Mvurya: My focus at the moment is on the University of Nairobi as a leader and as a student. I can only know that once I have crossed that bridge. All I know for sure is that I want to become a strong lawyer who will champion women’s rights in the country.