KENYA: STUDENTS AT NAIROBI UNIVERSITY VOTE FOR STRIKE ACTIOIN UNLESS LONG-STANDING GRIEVANCES ARE RESOLVED

Record ID: 328465

  • Title: KENYA: STUDENTS AT NAIROBI UNIVERSITY VOTE FOR STRIKE ACTIOIN UNLESS LONG-STANDING GRIEVANCES ARE RESOLVED
  • Date: 9th August 1974
  • Summary: 1. TGV Student leader addressing rally on campus 0.06 2. LV and CU Student leader Ben Ombaka addressing rally through megaphone 0.40 3. SV and CU Students seated on lawn with newspaper "Strike ends as students and principals agree" 0.48 4. CU Female student seated knitting 0.51 5. SV Students 1.00 6. SV PAN FROM students to Ombaka asking students to raise hands and jubiland response 1.15 7. SV Ombaka asks students "Do we have the mandate" they reply 'Yes' as Ombaka and Agnes Chepkwony leave to cheers 1.34 Initials OS/2146 OS/2201 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 24th August 1974 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NAIROBI, KENYA
  • Country: Kenya
  • Reuters ID: LVA1ZPL3X2JD9LPC7VKJ5OFH6O3C
  • Story Text: More than four thousand students from Kenya's Nairobi University voted to strike on Thursday (8 August). Voting by a massive and jubilant shop of hands, the students responded to a call for a mandate to strike by student leader Mr. Ben Ombaka, who is also Chairman of the United Nations Student Association. He addressed the meeting on the campus of the University.

    In a long memorandum the students listed a number of "long-standing" grievances including shortage of food, overcrowding in halls and canteens, and exploitation by booksellers. The memorandum puts forward proposals to relieve congestion, and proposes the annexation of empty Government buildings. They are also demanding the resignation of the Dean of Students, and the registration of Student's Union.

    The students pledged solidarity with students from Kenyatta College, who are boycotting lectures in a protest at staff shortages. Principal of Kenyatta College Dr. D. Ireri, said the problem was being solved. But at Nairobi the students have resolved not to budge from the Great Court on the campus until their demands are met.

    SYNOPSIS: The students are also complaining about the conduct of the Dean of Students, Mr. Koinange. They say he has given false statements to the press. In a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor of the university the students ask for Mr. Koinange to resign immediately.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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