Meet the notorious students leader expelled from two universities

Pwani University Students Association (PUSA) chairman Jacob Fikirini is on records as the only student leader who has been expelled from two public universities.
He was kicked from Maasai Mara University in 2017 and last week he was expelled from Pwani University after the administration found him guilty of leading an illegal strike.
In October Mr. Fikirini had published an opinion article ‘why the VC must go by all means necessary’ in the universities blog that was calling for the ouster of the university’s Vice Chancellor Mohamed Rajab.
In his article Fikirini revealed that the university’s account had been frozen due to arrears owed to the Kenya Revenue Authority in taxes. He also sighted issuance of late bursaries and unclear criteria on retaking examinations and lack of sufficient seats.
Mr Fikirini insinuated in his piece that the students are being over fined to pay the KRA debt and on the seats, he alleged that some students have been forced to write their exams on the laps and seat on lecture floors.
He also raised concerns over lack of accreditation by the Commission of University Education (CUE) for some courses offered by school of health, late payment of lecturers who end up refusing to release results and inadequate drugs at the university’s dispensary.
He joined Maasai Mara University in 2015 to pursue a degree in education after sitting his KCPE in 2018 at the Mwakitawa Primary School in Kilifi County. He was then elected deputy president of Maasai Mara students’ organisation.
“I was elected students leader to oppose the Aden Duale amendments which sought to change how students’ elections are conducted. I mobilized 749 votes when the other team only managed 43’’ he said.
Soon after the elections Fikirini was accused of inciting students and summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee and given only three minutes to defend himself. He was subsequently sent home with an opportunity to defend himself later but the university has not called him back.
He then applied and joined Pwani University in august 2017 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree.
His expulsion letter from Pwani University says that he was found of leading an illegal protest that led to destruction of property, suspension of classes and inciting other students.
He remains unsure of what to pursue next after being expelled from two public universities.