Campus confession: Campus politics burned me, but it made me stronger

Have you ever noticed how every parent has that one line when their children start university? You know, the classic warning whispered like sacred scripture. Mine was: My mum leaned in and said, "Avoid campus politics. They're like fire: touch it and you'll get burned. Keep touching and you keep burning.”

But sadly, politics runs in my blood. She probably already had my name on a billboard in mind: 'Vote for Caasi Njuguna.'

Her advice lasted exactly one week shorter than most campus love stories. The moment I set foot at Egerton University, I fell for politics. The thrill of convincing people to vote for me? Easy. I’m a smooth talker. I can't argue that same charm got me into a few situations of the heart, but let’s stay on track.

By my second year, I had joined the big leagues: The Egerton University Motion Movers Debate Club. I honed my skills, climbed the ranks to become a judge, then a senior judge, and finally Speaker of the House.

With my confidence high, I threw myself into the campus elections, running for Director of Gender and Co-Curricular Activities.

On paper, I was the perfect candidate: a member of 30 clubs, with a solid reputation and a reputation for being loved by many. Or so I thought. The delegates smiled, promised me their votes and praised my manifesto. Results day came. Out of 32 votes, I scored one. Third place. I came last.

I learned a bitter truth that day: it's never just about the manifesto. It's about the money-festo.

Still, Motion Movers had my back and dragged me out to celebrate anyway. I bounced back, taking the lesson with me. Now, as I dream of walking into the 14th Parliament, I carry one mantra with me: 'Hasta la Victoria Siempre' — 'Until victory always'.

Campus didn’t just teach me politics. It burned, shaped and refined me like fire does to gold.

As narrated by Cassi Isaacs, a student at Egerton University.