Chaos erupted on Monday during the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected leaders of the Nyandarua County Tertiary Students’ Association.
Governor Francis Kimemia and Women Rep Faith Gitau were forced to leave the event without addressing the congregants who had come to witness the swearing in of the student leaders at Ol Kalou Catholic Hall.
This was after a dispute arose between the university students and their Technical and Vocational Education Training counterparts, who claimed that they were not represented in the newly elected NCTSA board.
Led by Mirangine Polytechnic president Moses Ramui, the students demanded for the inclusion of college and polytechnic leaders in the top seats of the association.
They said they contribute the largest population among tertiary students in the county.
“We are calling for changes in the association's constitution to ensure that college and polytechnic students are equally involved in the leadership of the student’s Association,” Ramui said.
Kimemia’s departure without addressing the attendees during the ceremony raised concerns among the students.
Elijah Mutitu, the newly elected NCTSA treasurer, urged the governor and the speaker to solve their differences amicably in order to serve residents better.
“We understand that the governor and the speaker have been having differences. I urge them to resolve their issues in order to deliver services to their people in a fair and efficient way,” Mutitu said.
NCTSA secretary general Sam Mjanja said that they will work together as leaders to ensure that students' grievances and welfare are taken care of accordingly.
“Our organisation is an independent body which seeks to promote the welfare of comrades across Nyandarua county,” Mjanja said.
Later the university and TVET students resolved their differences and agreed to team up for the wellbeing of members.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
