Unknown to many, the new University of Nairobi students’ leader Anne Mvurya, looks up to the wife of the former President of the United States Barack Obama, details have emerged.
The law student was elected as the first female student to serve as University of Nairobi Student’s Association’s (
Ann, who is 24 years old, was inspired by Michelle Obama to contest for such a male-dominated position where she was contending against six of them.
The brilliant student, who spoke with boldness also hinted at joining national politics in the near future.
“I don’t think politics is that hard. I will have a family in future but I will ensure I stick by the rules and become a governor,” she said.
She says the desire to continue to lead reflects that she has made an impact in the lives of women in her school and many others that surround her.
In an earlier interview, Anne said “I am sure I must have represented the women well before. They are the ones that I want to continue fighting for however this does not mean I will ignore the boy child,” she commented amid laughter.
Her win was not a big surprise given her leadership history.
“Ever since I was a young child, I have always loved politics and involved myself in the game from time to time, I have been a student leader countable times and I am just left with a small piece of cake to eat.’
She knew very well that being the only lady eyeing this position, it made it even easier for her to win,” she says, as she is equally rapt by her level of confidence.
Before the win, Anne was serving as the head of women student’s welfare association, across all University of Nairobi branches and also as the head of secretariat University of Nairobi Student’s Association.
“I was a head girl in primary school,” she says. “And in high school at Bahati Girls in Nakuru, I was elected as the head girl again,” she added.
In her first year in campus, she got devastated seeing that ladies lacked proper representation in the student’s body as
This is what drove her interest to particularly want to have a seat too.
“It is really sad when you walk around and here women have issues and there’s no one to fight for them. You know you hear girl’s lack pads and you think it’s a joke until you get to witness,” she says.
“I personally decided that I will join the conservation and it is better done when with them,” she added.
As we dive keenly to know who Anne is, being the last born in a family of two she spent a lot of time with her father.
At his feet, Anne started getting tips on how the political field runs. Though not a politician, her dad remains eager to understand the bed of politics.
“As always girls are close with their dads and we would watch political news and debates together and later share our opinions. Slowly by slowly my interest grew,” she narrated.
The reality of her calling fully dawned when she led a strike in high school demanding a change in the management.
“Sometimes in high school students go through difficult learning conditions, and when we saw this in Bahati Girls, the leadership had to change,” she said.
Anne says she realized at that moment that God had endowed her with influence because the students listened to her and supported her proposal.
“I was nervous but determined. At first, I thought it was not going to work. I was putting a lot at risk, my reputation, my life. Then I later talked to my fellow prefects to support me and within no minute, we were ready to roll,” says Anne.
The school’s Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi took to Twitter to congratulate Ann on her win. Over the years, the school has been known for its daring male leaders who include celebrated politician Babu Owino.
“Congratulations! Anne Mwangi becomes the first University of Nairobi [female]Student Leader, after nearly 50 years in existence. SONU has since been re-branded to UNSA,” the Vice Chancellor wrote.
Ann who will replace former student leader Anthony Manyara garnered 24 votes against her competitor who only managed to secure eight votes.
Her comrades also took to Twitter to celebrate the lady’s memorable win as they branded it as a step towards the right direction.
Anne is a jack of all trades. Her day is always packed and rarely does she get time for herself.
“I start my day by visiting the gym first, then later at 11 I head to Milimani Law Courts where I am doing my internship, later on, attend classes and at night from midnight till 2 am is when i did my campaigns,” she added.
The current voting process in the University of Nairobi is done by delegates from the institution’s countrywide campuses.
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