By Precious Wangu

The USIU-Africa Public Speaking Club recently represented the University at the Laureate Debate Championship, held earlier this month.

The University was represented by 7 debaters: Kagia Samuel (Finance, Junior), Chantelle Mukabi (APT, Sophomore), Bienvenue Faraja (APT, Sophomore), Jeremiah Kashaka (IBA, Sophomore), Shalom Kimani (IBA, Senior), Louis Gitu (Film Production, Sophomore) and Simbarashe Mutandadzi (Accounting, Freshman). In total, 144 students from across the globe took part in the debate.

The debates were very competitive, but USIU-Africa was able to maintain
consistently high scores throughout the preliminary rounds. All teams managed to break to the
Octofinals, with two teams managing to reach the Quarter Finals (Bienvenue Faraja & Jeremiah Kashaka and Chantelle Mukabi & Kagia Samuel). Chantelle and Kagia reached the semifinals, with Chantelle emerging as the 9^th best speaker at the tournament.

The University’s participation in the Laureate Championship was led by an Organizing Committee which consisted of Faith Musumba (Out-going PS Vice-Chair), Eunice Njagi (Out-going PS Chair), Lucy Njeri (USIU-Africa alumni and debater) and Chantelle Mukabi (Current PS Chair). The proficient individuals ensured proper organization of the entire tournament as well as seamless flow of activities. The event was ran by a diverse Chief Adjudicating Panel (CAP) which consisted of experienced and respected adjudicators from across the continent.

The team hopes to represent Kenya at the East African Universities Debate Championships (EAUDC) in Tanzania (August, 2020), the Pan African Universities Debate Championship (PAUDC) in Botswana (December, 2020) and the World Universities Debate Championship (WUDC) (Korea,2021).