Editor's Review

Unlike before where politics was reserved for the wealthy and well-off persons in society, the politics now is quite different as anyone can try his shot and stand a chance thanks to the Constitutional provision for an Independent Candidate.

Over the years, the Kenyan political scene has undergone massive evolution with new faces coming up after every election.

Unlike before where politics was reserved for the wealthy and well-off persons in society, the politics now is quite different as anyone can try his shot and stand a chance thanks to the Constitutional provision for an Independent Candidate.

A quick look into the current Kenyan political scene reveals that most of the people in power started way back, with some being prefects, head boys or student leaders in campus.

Studying some of the leaders currently dominating the Kenyan political scene, it was evident that most of them harnessed their leadership skills in campus where they served as student leaders.

Here are 7 former student leaders who are playing critical roles in the Kenyan political scene:

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James Orengo

The Siaya Senator served as the Chair of the Student Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) in 1972. He is currently the Senate Leader of Minority and a close confidante of ODM Leader Raila Odinga.

Miguna Miguna

The vocal lawyer served as SONU chair in 1987. He was deported to Canada in 20018 after swearing-n Raila as People’s President. Despite his deportation, Miguna is still actively involved in Kenyan politics where he is a harsh critic of President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Gladys Wanga

Wanga is one of the senior women dominating the Kenyan political scene at the moment. She is the Homa Bay Woman Rep and a senior official at ODM. Before joining national politics, she serves as Kenyatta University Secretary General.

Johnson Sakaja

During his time in campus, Sakaja served as the University of Nairobi Actuarial Science Students Association vice chair. It is here that he harnessed his leadership skills. Sakaja is a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta. In 2013, the President used Sakaja’s The National Alliance (TNA) party to contest the electon which he eventually won.

Kipchumba Murkomen

The vocal senator started his leadership journey at the University of Nairobi where he served as chair of the Kenya Law School Students Society. At the moment, he is a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto and a shart critic of the government. He served as Leader of Majority in the Senate until he was ousted in favour of West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio.

Irungu Kang’ata

The Senate Majority Whip started his craft at the University of Nairobi where he served as the Vice Chair of Kenya Law Student Society and Vice Chairman of SONU in 1999. At some point, he was suspended from the university because of participating in a strike. Currently, he is one of the most powerful people in the country as he spearheads the government agenda in the Senate.

Babu Owino

The controversial MP is the longest serving chair of SONU. He is currently the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East and an associate of Odinga. Babu is known as a fierce defender of the latter and has on several occasions clashed with leaders criticizing his party leader.