The University of Nairobi has produced some of the most iconic student leaders, especially during the tenure of the former Vice Chancellor, Professor George Magoha.
Historically, UoN's Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) produced top politicians like James Orengo, William Ruto, Ochilo Ayacko, Kabando wa Kabando, Mwandawiro Mghanga, and Moses Kuria who were all student leaders.
Under the leadership of Magoha, University of Nairobi students were also able to exercise their right to elect their leaders through universal suffrage. Here are five leaders who served as UoN student leaders under the former CS.
1. David Osiany
The former Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) at the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development, David Osiany served as SONU Chairman during Professor George Magoha's tenure as the Vice Chancellor.
As a second-year student at the University of Nairobi, Osiany emerged the winner in 2009 after beating his closest challenger John Ngaruiya, who later staged a coup to impeach the former SONU chairman in 2010.
At 26, Osiany worked as an adviser on youth affairs to the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and later served as a governance associate at the Oxfam GB Pan-African programme.
Osiany holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communication) from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Science in Public Policy from the University of Bristol, England.
"I remember when I went to Professor Magoha and told him that we would go to the streets due to limited accommodation at the university.
"He simply asked me, 'will streets give you the accommodation that you are asking for?" Osiany recounted as he mourned the former Cabinet Secretary.
2. Babu Owino
Paul Ongili Owino, popularly known as Babu Owino, is currently serving his second term as the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East Constituency.
The lawmaker gained his popularity while serving as the SONU Chairman under the leadership of Professor George Magoha.
Babu is one of SONU's longest-serving chairpersons in the history of the institution having begun his reign of leadership in 2011. He served for two terms.
The lawmaker joined Nairobi University for a Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science and graduated with First Class Honors in 2012.
He later returned to the institution in 2013 to study Bachelor of Law during which he continued with his activism.
3. DMK Kiogora
DMK Kiogora was elected Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) chairperson in April 30, 2012, having emerged the winner after beating Erick Janganya.
Former Vice Chancellor Professor George Magoha welcomed Kiogora's election victory and promised him cooperation.
In 2017, Kiogora won the Abogeta West MCA seat and retained it during the 2022 General Election.He also runs the Kenya Airlift Program- An initiative that takes postgraduate students to the United States.
4. Zack Kinuthia
The former Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage, Zachariah Kinuthia also served as Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) chairman between 2013 and 2014.
Zack joined the University of Nairobi in 2010 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science.
Kìnuthia is currently pursuing a degree in Law at the same institution
5. Irene Kendi
The current Youth advisor at the Ministry of Public Service Youth and Gender Affairs, Irene Kendi, also served at Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) as its Vice Chairperson between 2014 and 2015.
