By Victorine Nekesa
Laikipia University
As the strike at Laikipia University continues to disrupt normal academic activities, some students have found a meaningful way to spend their time by giving back to the community. Instead of remaining idle, the students have taken the initiative to clean the local market and unblock drainage systems, helping to improve sanitation and promote a healthier environment.
The students, some of whom have chosen to remain around the university rather than travel home for personal reasons, have turned the unexpected break from their studies into an opportunity to serve the people living and working in the surrounding community.
Their activities include collecting litter, clearing waste from market areas and unblocking drainage channels that may become clogged with rubbish and other materials. These efforts are helping to improve the cleanliness of the market, which serves as an important centre for traders, customers and other residents.
Markets play a significant role in the daily lives of communities. They provide a place for people to buy and sell goods, earn a living and interact socially. However, poor waste disposal and blocked drainage systems can create an unhealthy environment, especially during rainy periods when stagnant water may accumulate. By participating in these cleaning activities, the students are contributing to a cleaner and more welcoming market.
One of the students involved, Omar Joram, said the initiative was a way to use the strike period constructively. "Since our studies have been interrupted, we can still use our time to do something useful. A clean market benefits everyone, and we hope our efforts will encourage others to take care of the environment," he said.
A local resident also welcomed the students' efforts, saying, "We appreciate seeing young people helping to clean the market and clear the drainage channels. It makes the area better for traders and customers, and it reminds all of us that keeping our surroundings clean is a shared responsibility."
For the students, the initiative is also an opportunity to demonstrate that university education extends beyond lecture halls and examination rooms. While academic knowledge is important, community service teaches valuable lessons about responsibility, teamwork, leadership and the importance of working together to solve everyday problems.
The strike period has left some students with more free time than usual, but these students have chosen to use part of that time constructively. Their actions demonstrate that even when normal university activities are interrupted, young people can still make a positive contribution to society.
The initiative also highlights the relationship between Laikipia University and the surrounding community. Universities are not isolated institutions; they exist within communities whose development and well-being are important. When students participate in activities that improve public spaces, they help strengthen the connection between the institution and the people around it.
Beyond the immediate benefits of cleaner surroundings and improved drainage, the students' efforts send a message about the importance of civic responsibility. Keeping a market clean should not be the responsibility of a single group. Traders, residents, local authorities and other community members all have a role to play in maintaining proper sanitation and ensuring that waste is disposed of appropriately.
Although the students' efforts may appear small compared with the many challenges facing the community, their actions demonstrate that meaningful change can begin with simple steps. A cleaner market, properly cleared drainage channels and a shared commitment to hygiene can make a difference in people's daily lives.
As the strike continues, the students' initiative offers a positive example of how young people can turn a difficult period into an opportunity for service. Rather than allowing the interruption of their studies to leave them without purpose, they have found a way to remain active while supporting the community around them.
Their contribution is a reminder that being a university student is not only about pursuing academic qualifications but also about developing the values and skills needed to contribute to society. Through their efforts, these Laikipia University students are showing that community service can continue even when learning in the classroom comes to a temporary halt.
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