The night before being cleared to vie for the CUEASO(Student Organization) Chairperson (March 8th 2009)

Its been a while since i blogged, the modjo is indeed rare and far between. Its amazing how i used to write even two times a day and now its down to once every three months. Oh by the way, Merry Christmas, Happy new Year, and Happy Valentines. :-)

Last week we went to a children’s home in Ngong’ as KMUN club, and i must admit i had lots of fun as we mingled with the kids, i have aching muscles days after playing soccer with the orphans, more of that to come in later posts, hopefully not next year though.

The reason i am up at 4:14Am is as a result of my decision to vie for the post of Chairperson of our Students Organization in University which is CUEASO (Catholic University of Eastern Africa Students Organization). Butterflies don’t quite seem to fit the description of what i feel floating around in my tummy but rather giant elephants with wings. In a few hours time i will find out if i have been cleared by the Management to vie for the seat and thus the circus will begin. But am i ready? Yes thats the 4:18Am question! I keep on revising what ill say and how ill say it to the electorate, but it still doesn’t sound right in my head then i bet it would sound dreadful if i spoke it out.

My hard time figuring out what, how to woo my electorate would probably justify a friends remark when she heard that i had expressed interest in the seat, “AAA you don’t seem the type to go for such”. I was not at all taken aback by that statement as previous Chairpersons had been active and well known to be vocal and “loud” about anything and everything. But the question is, do i need to be all over the place for me to be an effective student leader? One of my closest classmates does a good job of keeping my morale up, “Hii kiti ni yako, jiamini tu na utaichukua tu hivi *snaps fingers* (This seat is yours, believe in yourself and it will be yours just like that!). His opinion comforting it may be, is rather biased and skewed and not reflective of the true word on the ground, sadly i cant commission an opinion poll to figure out my chances. Of course i could figure out a way to measure my public opinion but that would take massive resources of time and cajoling people only for the public opinion to sway moments later based on the flimsiest of reasons.

My jump into school politics may appear a shock to many, but a long time dream come true for me. I have never been given a position of authority throughout my school life, be it in primary or secondary, but now its my time to earn it. “Don’t take my kindness for weakness”, this mantra has always been at the back of my mind when people take my soft spoken, quiet nature and think i am a push over, well i may fall short in terms of physical strength but put me in the battle of the minds and ill fight to the death.

I have been often referred to as an idealist always pointing out how things should be contrary to what they are, i believe sensible clean politics start at the grass roots. You cant go any deeper down the root than University politics and here is where all the change begins and should reflect in the national politics. It is thus my intent not to spread dis information, propaganda or play tribal politics in an ethnically polarized population. I am on the back foot though, being the most popular (unconfirmed) among the people vying for Chairman thanks to my winning the title Mr. CUEA, i am fair game and any and all slingshots loaded with mud will most likely be aimed my way.

Despite my not being of the typical political type i have a vision for our University, and i believe the politicians have had a go at it and made minimal inroads, so its time to try a different approach, a diplomatic one without all the lies and the bruhaha that politicians bring to the table. Id like to try unifying the University population, and representing their interests to the best of my ability. Wish my luck!

Sadly i lost with a big margin, but managed to come second, which doesnt matter much really. It was quite an experience and is worth at least a few posts, soon.

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