MUISSA CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW ONGOING

By Jacob Otachi

The Moi University Information Science Students Association (MUISSA) constitutional review process kicked off after setting up the committee mandated for the task. The MUISSA executive office initiated the process as they felt the need to change contentious clauses to meet the status of the school, members’ diverse information needs, as well as incorporate new developments. The current constitution has never been reviewed since 1994.
The review committee headed by John Okwaro, has up to 23rd of this month to collect opinion and views from members on the clauses they wish amended. MUISSA public relations officer, Ms Asha Abdalla, in an interview with a Newsround reporter said, “This shall be a landmark process and it is important for everyone to give their honest opinion.” She maintained that the office has put in place apt mechanisms to ensure success of the process but was quick to caution that it was an all members’ project not just the officials.
For the first time, members shall owe their oath of allegiance to a constitution of their creation. This is a significant step in ensuring that members own the association. They shall be required to acquaint themselves with the articles of the current draft, suggest amendments, debate upon contentious issues then eventually vet the document. Most importantly is the candid fact of ensuring awareness: Policy – Why?, Strategy – What?, Implementation – How?
The select committee has so far published the constitution review handbook that contains 12 articles of the current draft and the proposed articles that members need to review. Article 5 on offices and office bearers has drawn widespread opinion. This comes in the wake of the association suffering ‘office vacuums’ after those overwhelmingly
elected transferring to Nairobi campus which is still under our jurisdiction in the current draft. Some are of the idea that Nairobi campus should be autonomous as activities are not well coordinated and others think it should be submerged to have the main office in main campus.
The recently promulgated Kenyan constitution took over 20 years to reach a consensus because a constitution is a negotiated document. It should establish an independent association on a system of representative democracy and guarantee certain fundamental rights along with a popularly elected office, separation of powers and financial independence. This is what members have always forged for in this process.
The structure of our school curriculum has technically changed through the introduction of Bsc. Media science and Bsc. Informatics. The new draft has to recognize these changes by incorporating all the groups aforementioned.
The motive of replacing or amending the draft could do MUISSA a memorable service, especially now that we need a strong bond between members and other stakeholders. I wish to refer you to the clause on amendments which, in the eyes of many, has been largely associated with responsibility.
Information on this matter has also been made available on notice boards within the school, websites:http://www.mu.ac.ke/sis/muissa and www.facebook.com/muissa-review.
Newsround continue publishing developments in this process and airing your views.
(The writer is the immediate former chairman of MUISSA. orinajacob5@gmail.com )