Student leaders at Kisii University have a reason to smile after the management adopted an amendment that has been at the centre of controversy between the two sides.
The clause initially barred the student leaders from accessing the finances contributed by students to the union in a bid to improve their welfare, and instead directed the funds to the Dean of Students office.
However, on Monday, Vice Chancellor Prof John Akama bowed to pressure from the Kisii University Students Union members led by chairman Rodgers Nyanumba and signed into law an amendment that would see the union handle all contributions by the students.
The controversial clause had been at the centre of the dispute between the management and previous unions, with the latter accusing the former of infringing on students rights.
“I want to say categorically today that the institution’s management has no intention to take what rightfully belongs to students. Time has come for us to comply and that is what has happened today,” said Akama.
Nyanumba termed the adoption as “a new dawn” to the student body and urged incoming members to run the union with integrity and accountability.
“This is a new dawn to the student body because they will be able to implement all their manifestos when in office. However, accountability is a must and they ought to know that. We will put laws that will govern withdrawals of money from bank,” he said.
With the institution’s population hitting a record 17,000 students, the move will see the union collecting over Sh6 million per year from the Sh400 annual contribution per student.