Its pomp & dance! As South Sudanese students community celebrate Independence Day in Kenya[©Gurtong]
By Job O. Mainye
NAIROBI, 17th July, 2011 [Gurtong] - Over one thousand South Sudanese students in Kenya affiliated to the South Sudanese Students Association, (SSSA) of Mount Kenya University (MKU) Thika branch, gathered yesterday to celebrate the Independence of their country in pomp and glamour at the University grounds.
Among the key guests who graced the occasion was Dr. Patrick Lumumba –the Kenya Anti Corruption Commissioner who was the guest of honour, MKU’s Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs -Professor Chege Muigai and Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance Administration and Planning -Mr. Peter Waweru and the Director of Procurement and Logistics form the South Sudan Ministry of High Education.
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Dr. Patrick Lumumba delivering his speech
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Dr. Lumumba delivered his key-mark speech while congratulating the People of South Sudan, President H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit and Government of the Republic of South Sudan for the peaceful Independence Day Celebrations while paying tribute to the late Dr. John Garang and all those who lost their lives during the Relentless struggle for self determination.
The Anti Corruption boss reminded the people of South Sudan to manage their abundant unexploited resources well. “South Sudan has full resources but if not well managed you will witness one of the worst humanitarian crisis.”
Lumumba gave an example of Rwanda and Zimbabwe’s crisis that drew world attention due to internal wars. “Zimbabwe was once regarded in Africa as a full basket of resources but due to poor governance and internal wrangles the country’s economy is worse.”
He informed the South Sudanese students that development in their new country can only be achieved through informed human resource. He challenged SSSA student body to take their academics seriously.
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Dancing Group Rehearsing
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The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Professor Chege Muigai promised the South Sudanese nationals of a new Mount Kenya University Juba campus to be started soon. Professor Chege confirmed of the University’s marketing centre that’s already operating in the new Republic.
About SSSA
Due to peer socialization and common objectives as foreign students from South Sudan, the South Sudanese Students Association was formed in 2009 with very few members. The Association is led by Mr. Chol Aduong as the Chairman assisted by Mr. Chol Gabriel (all students at Mount Kenya University-Thika main campus)
The body currently has over 54 registered members predominantly South Sudanese in Mount Kenya University and over 1,000 students from other Kenyan academic institutions.
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Chol Gabriel & Chol Aduong (Right)
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Chol Aduong told Gurtong media that they decided to celebrate the independence of their country since they were unable to travel home. “We were unable to organize for the January referendum celebrations due to financial constrains,” Chol said while confirming that the University Administration supported the event wholly.