The unison of the incoming 26th Students’ Governing
Council (SGC) might be at stake. This follows a heated debate generated by the
Secretary-General elect, Seth Dikembe’s stand over the crucial issue of accommodation.
His proposal to increase the number of beds in the Senior Hostels A, B, E and F
did not augur well with the director in
charge of the docket, Enock Ogega, who termed the act as an “encroachment”.
In his official communication to students on The 3rd Eye Facebook fan page, Ogega distanced himself from the comments made by his colleague saying that as far as his office is concerned, the hostels in question will remain for two occupants until official communication stating otherwise is made by his office.
The post read in part: “The security and accommodation office wishes to detach itself from any communication implying that Senior Hostels will have more than two occupants…any information concerning the rooms will only be communicated from this office.”
Separately speaking to The 3rd Eye on Thursday, the Sec Gen who seems to be softening his stand said that whatever he had earlier said was just a suggestion and should not be treated as the official stand of The 26th SGC.
“I suggested that there should be three beds in the mentioned hostels, but this is subject to discussion and should not be treated as an official stand – it was my personal view as far as the accommodation issue is concerned. We can still pursue other options to ensure every comrade is accommodated,” said the optimistic Dikembe.
In his official communication to students on The 3rd Eye Facebook fan page, Ogega distanced himself from the comments made by his colleague saying that as far as his office is concerned, the hostels in question will remain for two occupants until official communication stating otherwise is made by his office.
The post read in part: “The security and accommodation office wishes to detach itself from any communication implying that Senior Hostels will have more than two occupants…any information concerning the rooms will only be communicated from this office.”
Separately speaking to The 3rd Eye on Thursday, the Sec Gen who seems to be softening his stand said that whatever he had earlier said was just a suggestion and should not be treated as the official stand of The 26th SGC.
“I suggested that there should be three beds in the mentioned hostels, but this is subject to discussion and should not be treated as an official stand – it was my personal view as far as the accommodation issue is concerned. We can still pursue other options to ensure every comrade is accommodated,” said the optimistic Dikembe.
However, commenting on Ogega’s “grievances” the Sec Gen termed the remarks as political sideshows arguing that the SGC as a whole has a collective responsibility, and that none of them can work single-handedly. He added that as the SGC’s Sec Gen, he has a role of uniting comrades and ensuring that their affairs are taken care of considerably.
While addressing the incoming team during the handing over ceremony held at the Soweto Mess, the outgoing MUSO Chairman, Mwang’ombe Mwamburi, urged the team to work in unison as that is the only way they can deliver their promises to the student populace.
“No director is autonomous and you must work together to achieve your goals or else the divide and rule will work against your wishes,” said Mwamburi.
The outgoing team’s Vice Chairperson Judy Waweru, challenged the incoming Chair Mr Florence Doghana to unite the team by referring to an exemplary work done by Mwamburi during his tenure.
It will be a wait-and-see situation to comrades as the newly elected team tries to mend their already fragile unity.