Student Organization of Nairobi University

rdf:langString Student Organization of Nairobi University

rdf:langString The Student Organization of Nairobi University (abbreviated SONU) was a student movement at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. SONU was founded in 1971. SONU was affiliated with the International Union of Students (IUS). James Orengo was elected SONU chairman in 1972. At the time of the murder of Josiah Mwangi Kariuki in 1975, SONU was led by Wanyiri Kihoro and James Orengo. SONU mobilized massive street protests against the killing of Kariuki, which led to riots. In reaction to the student riots President Jomo Kenyatta banned SONU. SONU was engaged in struggles against introduction of school fees 1980–1983. In February 1982 the government allowed the registration of SONU. But following the failed coup d'état in August 1982, the government cracked down on the student movement. SONU chairman was arrested and sentenced to ten years imprisonment for sedition. He died in captivity. Deputy chairman of SONU Mwandawiro Mghanga (who became the SONU chairman in 1985) was also jailed. Repression against SONU under the Daniel arap Moi regime would continue. In 1987 SONU chairman was accused of being a Libyan spy, and was sentenced to five years imprisonment. In 1987 SONU was again banned by the government. Leaders of SONU included Paddy Onyango (1982), Rateng’ Ogego (1982), Miguna Miguna (1987) and Kabando wa Kabando (1992). SONU published the newspaper SONU was revived in 1991, under the label 'SONU'92'. Ahead of the 1992 Kenyan general election, SONU joined the Coalition for National Convention - a coalition of civil society forces led by the National Council of Churches of Kenya calling for a national convention and release of political prisoners. Irungu Kang'ata was elected vice chairman of SONU in 1999. In 2002 the Privately Sponsored Students Programme was introduced, whereby privately sponsored students joined SONU (a move resisted by government-sponsored students). Following the process, the politics of SONU would shift. held the chairmanship of SONU, and was followed by Babu Owino. Edith Mwirigi was the sole female elected secretary general of SONU. When Babu Owino contested election for chairman for a fifth time, the university management allegedly worked to introduce legislation to curtail his influence by blocking his re-election. In 2016 legislation was introduced - Universities (Amendment) Act 2016 - through which SONU, which relied on direct elections for its leadership, was replaced by the (which relies on indirect leadership elections through delegates). Per contemporary press commentary, the move to replace SONU by UNSA was done in order to allow the university management to eliminate radical elemenents from the student movement.