In December 2019, Pwani University student president, Jacobs Fikirini became the first student leader to be expelled from two public universities, just two years after leaving Maasai Mara University.
According to a story by Daily Nation, Fikirini who is 23 years old, was expelled from Pwani University after the administration found him guilty of leading a student protest which they termed illegal.
The publication indicated that in October 2019, Fikirini wrote an opinion piece in a popular blog, calling for the ouster of the Vice Chancellor Mohamed Rajab.
The piece titled “Why The VC Must Go by All Means Necessary” got much traction as students shared it widely on social media platforms.
The radical student leader wrote that the institution’s bank accounts were frozen due to unpaid taxes owed to the Kenya Revenue Authority.
He also accused the vice chancellor of late issuance of bursaries and having an unclear policy on retaking of examinations.
“I am aware of all plans that the administration has to pay the KRA debt through over-fining students. I know of the conspiracy to torture students or me,” Fikirini published.
In April 2017, Fikirini was expelled from Maasai Mara University in unclear circumstances after winning student elections with a landslide.
“I was the only elected student leader to oppose the Aden Duale amendments, which sought to reform how student elections are held.
“I managed to mobilise 749 votes from students while the opposing team only received 43 votes,” remarked Fikirini.
The leader further indicated that Maasai Mara University's administration expelled him without giving clear reasons for the drastic measure.
“Soon after the election, the university administration accused me of inciting the students. I was summoned to appear before a disciplinary committee and given only three minutes to defend myself.
“Subsequently, I was sent home and told that I could be given an opportunity, later on, to come and defend myself again. To date, I have never been called back,” added Fikirini who was born and brought up in Bamba, Kilifi County.
