THE SENIOR SPEAKS OUT

By Mwangi Guru

The problem with giving big seats to inexperienced juniors is that the juniors get so drunk with power that they forget what it is that they stand for. Even before the 26th SGC has understood the spirit of the comrades, some of them have already started insulting the very comrades that gave them the power they wield.

That Dikembe Disembe is the SG, we have no doubt. We voted him in by the majority. Trying to shove his position into our heads is where the rubber meets the road. Mr. Dikembe, it’s true that you hold the key to the powerful office of the Sec Gen. it is also true that you have ‘work’ to ensure that all Main Campus students enjoy fundamental rights. 

We respect you in that capacity. The problem is: who asked you to remind us of your position? I am of course referring to your Facebook post where you made it clear who you are. Don’t we know? In case you have forgotten, you are dealing with intellectuals who have more important business rather than your ego. Trying to stamp your authority just brings you out as a sweet fellow with feathers in the head.

Another problem with Mr. Dikembe is that he suffers from some degree of naivety, or how do you explain the childish outburst about living in stage if you want luxury? How does Dikembe understand the word luxury? Dikembe’s Facebook post is far fetched. He needs to understand that there is nothing luxurious about living in the ‘senior hostels’. He apparently believes what he wants to believe.

I also fail to understand why our sec gen is rude. Has he forgotten that those living in the ‘senior hostels’ did not make a law to permit their residence there; they balloted. Saying they are selfish and insensitive just shows how emotional and full of grudge he is. We need a secretary general who can hold himself together and not an emotional boy who forgets that there is a world beyond his nose.

We understand that Dikembe has great zeal to reform. We also believe that he has the capacity to do just that. However, packing comrades in a room like passengers in Kenyan matatus is a wrong move. Has Mr. Dikembe ever considered why the rooms have only two cabinets? Or do we need to collect signatures to prove to him that it is because they were meant for two people? 

Mr. Dikembe should focus his revolution on incomplete hostels. Or is he admitting incapability that he can do nothing to negotiate completion of hostel M? However, we excuse him for he understands that he can do little in one year in the line of hostel completion. The only option for him to leave a legacy is to strain hostel resources after convincing us that some people live in luxury.

A certain proverb goes: the first degree of folly is to think thee wise, the second is to tell others so, and the third is to despise counsel. Above all remember that humility often gains more than pride. Mr. Dikembe, I advice you to take your time to seek diverse opinion before thumping your chest lest you prove that indeed there is no putting old heads on young shoulders.