Moi University main campus, Kesses, on September 21, 2023, organized a student summit on leadership connect, climate action, and sustainable development goals. The event was held in the student centre. The chief guests were Majority Leader Senator Aaron Cheruiyot from Kericho County, Senator Kajwang’ Moses Otieno Homabay County, MP and Kesses sub-county, MNA Julius Rutto, CPA, MP Kesses. Other leaders in attendance were the Moi University Student Organization Leaders and the Moi University Alumni Team.
The event started at 10:00 a.m. with the arrival of students and organizations and registration at the entrance desk. A programmer from the MUSO team introduced the day’s schedule as students and some of the guests settled down; the master of the ceremony introduced the Moi entertainment crew for the entertainment session, which included dancing and singing from the school choir and dance crew.
At 11:00 am, the chief guests, student leaders, the vice chancellor representative, the Moi University scouts’ team, and the choir led the ceremony by singing the national anthem, EAC anthem, and Moi University anthem. Majority leader Senator Aron Cheruiyot led the scout’s parade. Moi University chaplain led the event with a prayer.
MUSO, Master of Ceremonies, introduced Moi University Student Organization Leaders. He also introduced the former student leader body who were present; each had a chance to introduce themselves and the area they represent. Student leaders from various campuses, like a school of medicine and annex campus, were present.
The dean of students was given a chance to speak at the summit; she encouraged the students to take care of themselves while also taking care of the environment. She also promised the student present at the summit that she would be available to support them in their studies and anything they needed to ensure that they were able to achieve the best in their studies.
The area chief, Madam Salim Mucrogem, was also invited; she praised the Moi University community and thanked them for their cooperation and contribution in ensuring the smooth running of various activities in the area. She also made the summit full of laughter when she regarded herself as an alumnus since she was running businesses in the school. The area chief, being so energetic, encouraged students and guests at the summit to be champions and drivers for sustainable development and talked of partnership of landlords within Moi with the school, which will reduce the chances of students being harrassed by their landlords.
The dean of students, Ann Kosgei, recognized all the partnering organizations present and those who sent representatives: Kenya Vision 2030, UN Youth Ambassador, UN-Sustainable Development Solution Network Organization (SDSN), Kenya Inter Universities Environmental Students Association (KIUESA), Professional Climatologist Association of Kenya (PCAK), Kenya Climate Change Working Group, Nai ‘Ture Fest Organization and Project Digital. Each of these organizations ensured that the student summit was successful in various ways.
Youth Future Lab for example is a registered NGO that aims at voicing the needs of youths in Kenya, this organization was part of the partnering organization during this summit.
Moi Deputy Vice Chancellors representative, Professor Kimenge, presented remarks, recognizing the efforts of the student leaders organizing the summit. Congratulations and praises went to the chief organizer, Alexander Murithii who ensured that the day was a success. The chair of the student leader Moi University, Kepha Erick Opass, and his deputy,Victorine Lwamba an international student from Congo and an International Student Ambassador, also addressed the students. Sir. Kepha also recognized some of the problems that students are facing on campus and promised to address the changes.
MP Kesses, Julius Rutto was the next guest to speak in the meeting, he recognized some of the problems that Moi University faces since he is closer to the place, and this includes; poor roads, the road from the main highway that is Eldoret- Nakuru highway road to Kesses, Moi main campus is neither tarmacked nor does it have murram, it is in a deplorable condition and this Is a disadvantage to the students and the community at large.
The Member of Parliament Kesses County invited Senator Moses Kajwang’ from Homabay County to address the summit. Moses Kajwang’ is a young leader, and the students connected with him; the crowd burst with laughter as he narrated his experience as a student and a student leader at Moi University. His life experience living in Mabatini, famously known as ‘Mabs’, and the challenges he faced while learning. His experience encouraged the students to do better and be better. He discouraged tribalism in schools and encouraged students to have a diverse mind.
“I want to discourage the tribal groupings in university. You cannot be from Pandpieri Primary School, go to Pandpieri Secondary School, come to Moi University and still associate with people from Pandpieri. Embrace MUSO, diversify and grow yourself as a leader”.
Sen Moses Kajwang
Senator Moses Kajwang ended his speech by welcoming the Majority leader, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot. He is also an alumnus of Moi University and a young, famous leader. Senator Aaron Cheruiyot talked of his experience as he vied for leading positions at Moi University and failed multiple times. He encouraged the students to never give up in life, and his life history of leadership became a great encouragement to them, from his defeats on campus to being a senator and senate majority leader. He encouraged students to be diverse in their thinking and social life and everything; he also spoke of being open to opportunities globally.
“The world is your playfield. Do not confine yourself to Kenyan boundaries alone… Diaspora remittance earned Kenya more revenue than tea and coffee combined in the last financial year.”
Sen ,Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot
The guests and the students then proceeded to the Kesses Campus field for a tree-planting session after a prayer from the school chaplain, where they all planted trees led by Senator Aaron Cheruiyot. Each of the students and the organizations and partners, planted trees and later proceeded to get refreshments, where everyone went on to prepare themselves for day 2 of the summit.
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