During the colonial period, campus had a very great influence to national politics in Kenya.
This is because, revolutions were made and championed by student leaders who later became interested in national politics when the white man left.
As a result, today’s Kenyan politics is largely influenced by such ex student leaders who control a big influence.
Here is a list to draw your memory down the lane.
Babu Owino
Babu Owino, was the student leader of SONU, at University of Nairobi. Today he is the MP for Embakasi East and a very influential leader in Nairobi and national politics
James Orengo
Siaya senator James Orengo was a political freedom fighter and s student leader during the early politics in Kenya.
He served as SONU leader in 1972 for a single term.
In 2017, he is credited for successfully appealing for Presidential results
Miguna Miguna
Political activist Miguna Miguna was a strong man in campus, just as he is today.
Miguna shot to fame with his controversial books such as Peeling Back The Mask, as well as during the controversial NASA swearing in ceremony after the 2017 elections
Miguna served as UoN student leader in 1987.
Kipchumba Murkomen
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen served as the chair of Kenya Law School Students Society at UoN
Hassan Omar
EX Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar served as Moi University student leader when he was elected as the chair for Moi University Students Organisation (MUSO) .
However he was expelled from the varsity after he demanded the renaming of the varsity on grounds that it had been named after an illiterate person
Before joining politics he served at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights as the Secretary-General.
Johnson Sakaja
While still at UoN, Sakaja served as vice chair of Actuarial Science Students Association.
Today he serves as Nairobi County senator, while in 2013, President Uhuru Kenyatta used his party to win the 2013 presidential elections.
During then, he served as a nominated MP under The National Alliance Party aka TNA and the party’s chairperson
Ababu Namwamba
He served as the Parkland Campus representative at SONU at the UoN.
Former Bundalangi MP in today’s politics serves as the Chief Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Anyang’ Nyóngó
The Kisumu County Governor served as a leader at Makerere University based in Uganda, Kampala.
He has been one of the longest serving MPs besides being first Kisumu senator.
Nyongó is also a top influencer in ODM politics
Isaac Ruto
Former Bomet Governor commands a huge chunk of voters in South Rift region.
While at UoN he served as a student activist in politics advocating for good leadership and student affairs.
He was the MP for Chepalungu and was appointed Assistant Minister in former President Mwai Kibaki‘s cabinet.
Gladys Wanga
The Homa Bay County Woman Representative served as the Secretary General at the Kenyatta University Students Association (KUSA).
Wanga is one of the top female politicians in the country
