Nyanza University Students Endorse Broad-Based Government, Back President Ruto’s Second-Term Bid
According to Odidi, the collaboration has fostered inclusivity and delivered tangible economic development especially in regions that previously felt marginalised.
student leader Clinton Obala .Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
University students from the Nyanza region have declared their support for the broad-based government and President William Ruto‘s re-election for a second term due to an increase in national cohesion, expansion in development projects, and reforms in higher education financing.
Speaking during the meeting held in Bondo while representing the Nyanza University Students Caucus, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology student leader Joel Odidi said students drawn from various universities across the country had resolved to back the broad-based political arrangement. According to Odidi, the collaboration has fostered inclusivity and delivered tangible economic development especially in regions that previously felt marginalised.
“For the first time in the history of this country, affordable housing projects are being implemented across all regions. Roads and other infrastructure developments are also taking place in Nyanza on a scale we have not witnessed before,” Odidi said. He added that inclusion of leaders from the Nyanza region in key government positions has improved the region’s participation in national governance.
Odidi went ahead to commend the new university funding model by the government, arguing that the model has seen many students enjoy reduced fees. “University students are now enjoying a reduced fees courtesy of the new funding model. We are fully behind the broad-based government led by President William Ruto and ODM leader Dr. Oburu Oginga,” he said.
He also ruled out calls by some politicians in the region for mass demonstrations against the government, saying students would not allow themselves to be used to advance political interests that run against the country’s development goals.
“Some leaders have been saying that people are ready to go back to the streets. I want to categorically state that we, as students, will not be used to demonstrate against the government,” Odidi said, adding that students respect the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s decision to work with President Ruto in the interest of national unity.
Odidi was accompanied by fellow student leader Clinton Obala, who echoed the sentiments, saying the Nyanza region needs leaders focused on economic development rather than what he termed “kingpin politics.” Obala insisted that cooperation between ODM leadership under Dr. Oburu Oginga and President Ruto is critical if the region is to remain influential in government or form part of the next administration.
Obala also praised the new model of funding universities, pointing to a drastic reduction in fees paid by students from poor families. “For the first time, students in band one are paying as little as Sh6,000 per semester. While the model faced some teething problems, it has eased pressure on economically disadvantaged families,” he said. However, he appealed to the government to expedite disbursement of funds and ensure all universities comply with the policy.
The students also called on the IEBC to establish voter registration centers near universities to encourage youth participation in advance of the 2027 General Election. Obala said the caucus had already written to the IEBC and county governments to support the initiative through mobilization and logistics. The meeting of the caucus came amidst emerging debates in ODM, with some leaders arguing for a break from the broad-based arrangement. The students said their position reflects the desire for stability, development, and meaningful involvement of the youth in national decision-making as the country approaches the next election cycle.
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