• Daystar University
• 10 Nov, 2023

By Damaris Kimilu

Q1. Please give us a brief introduction of who John Brian Oyaro is.

John Brian Oyaro is a Communicator, Law enthusiast and Collaborator. He has faith in God and reason as arbiter to better understand and shape a prosperous society, not only in Kenya but throughout Africa.

Q2. When did you study at Daystar University and what was your field of study?

I studied Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a Minor in International Relations and Security Studies at Daystar University, from 2013-2017.

Q3. During your time at Daystar you were a student leader? When and what office did you serve under?

I served as Student President/Chairman for two consecutive terms between 2015 and 2017.

Q4. What inspired you into student leadership?

My journey into student leadership was motivated by a strong sense of service and a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference. My perception of Daystar University was that it stood out as an institution with unique ethos, one that demanded leadership grounded on principles of discipline, commitment, resilience, and hard work. I held the belief that this perception was widely embraced by the student body, and I saw my role as a student leader to embody and exemplify these values.

Q5. What was the hallmark of your leadership and what were your key achievements as a student leader?

My government and I silently achieved a lot in the two years I was Student President. Notably, I was awarded Exemplary Student Leader of the Year 2017 by Africa Youth Leadership Forum (AYLF) for running an effective Vijana Tusijiwaste campaign Against Drug Abuse in my last year in office. Together with my DUSA team,

· We legally and effectively handled disciplinary issues pertaining to staff members who had not been held accountable for years.

· We set up the first DUSA Publication dubbed The Daystarian that allowed us to be accountable to the students especially with regard to DUSA finances and projects that we were managing.

· We lobbied for the set -up of Coca-Cola canteens on both campuses.

· The DUSA students’ Budget for the year 2015–2017 was managed with accountability and precision.

· We changed how student events were managed and in my view, the DUSA events we delivered were not only colorful but always managed to get the attention of the mainstream media and government officials.

Q6. Looking back at your tenure, what do you wish you had known that would have made you deliver better as a leader?

That failure and success are important tools in making a great leader. It is not always good to be fixated in being perfect, we must allow ourselves to question more, and ordinarily fail to succeed. Trying to achieve perfection robs one of the ability to see and learn from failure whether in private or public life.

Q7. In your recent visit to Daystar, what changes stood out for you in the institution?

The most outstanding change, in my perspective, was the appointment of Daystar’s new Vice-chancellor, Prof. Laban Ayiro. His demeanor clearly reflects a deep understanding of Daystar University’s distinctive identity and the importance of servant leadership in shaping it into a truly unique institution.

Q8. What have you become since graduating from Daystar University?

I am a Human Rights and Humanitarian Law graduate, the Founder of Signature Journal Africa Platform and a Communication Consultant.

Q9. The relationship between student leadership and university Administration can prove to be among the most difficult relationships to navigate. Having been a student leader, what would you say is the nexus in this relationship?

In my view, it is about discipline, truth and courage being the ultimate end goal. The truth does not require navigation but accountability and firmness both in private and in public.

Ultimately, student leaders must wrestle with understanding the concept of a university being first and foremost a learning institution and secondly, an arena to shape societal norms. In my view, the former must be the rule and the latter the exception to the rule.

This allows student leaders to ease the pressure of wanting to transfer the muddy political landscape of the country into university leadership but rather build, wrestle and transfer a new and better breed of leadership into the political or any other sector of the country.

Q10. How can the symbiotic relationship between student leadership and University Administration be effectively managed for good running of the institution?

Student leaders should not only be excited about holding the Administration accountable but also getting themselves to account. The management begins with how well the student leadership manages the students yearly budget, the motive behind representing students in disciplinary, accountability and responsibility in carrying out student mandates when interacting with the administration. This is the first step in holding the administration accountable.

The Administration must learn to listen to student leadership and act appropriately so as to avoid the risk of turning a learning institution into a wrestling arena.

Q11. What counsel would you offer to present and future student leaders?

As a young leader who believes in the transforming power of Jesus Christ and trusts in God, you have to trust that God has your back and will always help and take care of you, regardless of the challenges you face.

Q12. Any parting shot?

Strive for excellence, not perfection.