The Students Organization of Kibabii University (SOKU) electoral process for 2024/2025 came to a successful end on Wednesday, 2nd April 2025, with the swearing-in of the newly elected officials in an exercise administered by the University’s Commissioner of Oaths, Ms. Jacqueline Wanjala. The month-long electoral process, steered by the Academic and Student Affairs Division, resulted in the election of seven (7) Student Council members and twenty-one (21) Student Congress leaders, in line with the University’s Amendment Act, 2016. The transition, marked with flair, kicked off a new chapter in the student leadership, with the incoming officials led by the Chairperson Mr. Koech Victor Kipchumba ready to take the reins and elevate the student experience as manifested during the campaigns.
In his rich acceptance speech, Mr. Koech thanked the students’ community for their trust and pledged to lead through communication, collaboration and conversion to ensure the welfare of the students are met.
Read the Chairperson’s Full Acceptance Speech here >>>
In her remarks, the outgoing Students’ Chairperson, Ms. Elizabeth Kemunto, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve, thanking the students for their support during the tenure of the 7th SOKU hoping that the outgoing leadership had met the expectations of the students.
On his part, the Incharge, Student Affairs Dr. Benson Nasongo urged the incoming officials to serve all students equally and diligently, stressing that the University would provide support through training to ensure a smooth transition.
Dr. Robert Kati, the Electoral Chairperson, reminded the new leaders to apply core competencies such as emotional intelligence, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. He emphasized that leadership should be based on negotiation, not activism.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation) Prof. Julius Maiyo who was also in attendance advised the incoming leaders to familiarize themselves with the relevant laws and regulations as they began their leadership journey. He encouraged them to maintain the high standard of achievements set by the University as demonstrated through a number of recent public service awards in various platforms.
Prof. Joshua Ogendo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs), highlighted the role of student leaders as a bridge between students and the University Administration. Citing his vast experiences both as a student and University Administrator, Prof. Ogendo encouraged them to be inclusive, even reaching out to those who had opposed them, and to act as positive role models for their peers.
The Acting Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration, Finance and Development) Prof. Donald Siamba, reminded the new officials that the University operates with an open-door policy. He emphasized that their role was to lead, not to rule, and encouraged them to advocate for fair usage of University’s resources. Prof. Siamba further challenged the new leadership to come up with proposals that shall ensure the wellbeing of students while striving to be part of the solutions.
