A Nairobi based law firm KN Associates LLP has issued threats to deny employment and pupillage to students from the University of Nairobi following the recent unrest displayed by students from the varsity. The firm that did so through Twitter has received mixed reactions from different quarters. Below is the tweet they sent out to give a stand against what they called ‘hooliganism’ by the students.
In view of the hooliganism exhibited by UoN students, we shall no longer be offering pupillage and employment opportunities to UoN graduates
— KN Associates LLP (@KNAssociatesLLP) May 16, 2016
Below are reactions by Kenyans on Twitter with some highlighting that the Managing Partner at the firm Mugambi Nandi is a Nairobi University alumni and should therefore be more understanding to the situation.
@KNAssociatesLLP @MugambiNandi there were riots when you and I were students at UoN law. But somebody gave us a chance. So should you.
— Migai Akech (@MigaiAkech) May 16, 2016
@KNAssociatesLLP college students are high on a drug called mob psychology wait until you are on the streets and the hustle is individual
— Priscilla N Kang’ata (@pkangata) May 16, 2016
Maybe alumni & graduates of @uonbi should shun @KNAssociatesLLP both as an employer or in doing business altogether https://t.co/2iKyZEJ6Pf
— Mr. B (@Benogola) May 16, 2016
It will not change our position on violent protests. We do not want clients who support violent protests either. https://t.co/dLcHKvlgKV
— KN Associates LLP (@KNAssociatesLLP) May 16, 2016
@Benogola Their tagline is Smart Thinking/ Pragmatic Solutions. How (in)appropriate. @KNAssociatesLLP
— White Kaftan (@amtheCollonel) May 16, 2016
@enyarick it’s time a general freeze like this is adopted by every company. Their wanton destruction has to be tamed. @KNAssociatesLLP
— Anthony Migui (@MiguiAnthony) May 16, 2016
@enyarick all of them have to shape up. blanket punitive measures are the only way to have genuine change across board. @KNAssociatesLLP
— Anthony Migui (@MiguiAnthony) May 16, 2016
@KNAssociatesLLP When employers start taking such actions, young goons at universities will take notice and moderate their behavior.
— Rutto Tarus (@RuttoTarus) May 16, 2016
Consequences. https://t.co/Yfo0JHIeR1
— Mercy Murugi (@mercymurugi) May 16, 2016
If students don’t take individual and collective responsibility, then entities out there will respond accordingly. https://t.co/2JhfAa4g71
— Ray Musumba (@RayMusumba) May 16, 2016
On Saturday a section of students from the same university went on a rampage and destroyed property valued at millions of shillings as they protested a ban to cook in their hostels. The equipment had been set up in preparation for an event by the US embassy and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The event nishowpower was to push for voter registration and anti-violence campaigns among the youth. This comes weeks after the students destroyed property over results of SONU elections.
This calls for action from the government against students who are putting their future and those of other students at risk. It also cannot become common for Nairobi residents to live fearing for their lives because they never know when protests will erupt. Such scenes and many other seen in the country are a sign of the state of the country as a whole. It also does not set the best foundation for next year’s general elections.