UON students protesting a ban on sale of mandazis on campus, 2016. [Photo/capitalfm.co.ke]
There was a time in the 90s when a threat from University of Nairobi student informing the nation of an imminent strike, brought panic to Nairobians.
This was a time when sling shots were manufactured from tubes of tires and bicycles. I remember one student confessing that bicycle tubes have the best elasticity to propel a projectile several kilometers. He likened such a sling shot to the one possessed by the Biblical David.
It was also a time of legendary student leaders known for their mass mobilization ability. Their calls for rioting would cause panic amongst Nairobians. There only obstacle was the legendary GSU.
Recently, UoN students have not been striking as they used to.
One can argue that the students being admitted there have become soft. That they are from the generation who spent their free time in front of a TV watching series and playing playstations.
They simply do not know violence and would rather vent their worries on twitter and facebook.
Which is a good thing.
Violence is for a savages and Hollywood movies of Rambo.
Dialogue and online protests cannot be ignored in the local and international community. The students now have voices. They can record any inhumane acts by Police using their smartphones.
We can also attribute the lack of severity in strikes to the fact that the Kenyan Police have been facilitated with better pay in comparison with the 90s, better equipment and sensitization on human rights. They are also aware of the recording ability of smartphones.