5 Student Leaders Who Served Under George Magoha as UoN VC
The University of Nairobi, also known as UoN, has a rich history of producing influential student leaders, particularly during the tenure of former Vice Chancellor, Professor George Magoha.
During this period, UoN’s Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) produced several notable politicians such as James Orengo, William Ruto, Ochilo Ayacko, Kabando wa Kabando, Mwandawiro Mghanga, and Moses Kuria.
These individuals all served as student leaders while attending the University of Nairobi.
Under Professor Magoha’s leadership, students at the University of Nairobi were also given the opportunity to elect their leaders through universal suffrage.
This allowed for a more democratic process and gave students a greater sense of agency and representation.
In this article, we will be highlighting five leaders who served as UoN student leaders under Professor Magoha’s tenure.
David Osiany.
David Osiany served as SONU Chairman while Professor George Magoha was Vice Chancellor.
As a second-year student at the University of Nairobi, Osiany emerged as the winner in 2009 after defeating his closest challenger, John Ngaruiya.
However, Ngaruiya later staged a coup to impeach Osiany in 2010.
Despite this setback, Osiany went on to work as an adviser on youth affairs for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and as a governance associate at the Oxfam GB Pan-African program.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communication) from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Science in Public Policy from the University of Bristol, England.
Babu Owino.
Paul Ongili Owino, better known as Babu Owino, is currently serving his second term as the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East Constituency.
He gained popularity while serving as the SONU Chairman under Professor George Magoha’s leadership.
Babu is one of SONU’s longest-serving chairpersons in the history of the institution, having begun his tenure in 2011 and serving for two terms.
He studied for a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science at the University of Nairobi, graduating with First Class Honors in 2012.
He later returned to the institution in 2013 to study for a Bachelor of Law, during which he continued to be involved in activism.
DMK Kiogora.
5 Student Leaders Who Served Under Magoha as UoN VC
DMK Kiogora was elected SONU chairperson on April 30, 2012, having defeated Erick Janganya.
Professor Magoha welcomed Kiogora’s election victory and promised him cooperation.
In 2017, Kiogora won the Abogeta West MCA seat and retained it during the 2022 General Election.
He also runs the Kenya Airlift Program, an initiative that takes postgraduate students to the United States.
Zack Kinuthia.
5 Student Leaders Who Served Under Magoha as UoN VC
Zachariah Kinuthia served as SONU chairman between 2013 and 2014.
He joined the University of Nairobi in 2010 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science.
He is currently pursuing a degree in Law at the same institution.
Irene Kendi.
Irene Kendi currently serves as the Youth Advisor at the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs.
She also served as SONU Vice Chairperson between 2014 and 2015.
Overall, the University of Nairobi has a rich history of producing influential student leaders, many of whom have gone on to make significant contributions in politics and other fields.
The tenure of Professor George Magoha was particularly notable for the democratic process that was put in place, allowing students to elect their leaders through universal suffrage
5 Student Leaders Who Served Under Magoha as UoN VC