Strathmore University Debate Society took part and won 1^st Runners Up in the 6^th Annual Inter-Varsity Human Rights Debate Championships (IHRD) hosted by Amnesty International Kenya in partnership with the Students Consortium on Human Rights (SCOHRA).

The theme of this year’s debate, which was held on 3^rd and 4^th November, 2017, was Education and Human Rights. Strathmore students: Njuguna Macharia, Gathoni Ireri, Zachary Ramogo, Lizzie Kibira and Jabez Magomere competed against Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology and Agriculture (JKUAT), who won the first price.

The debate championships were based on a Mjadala Kenya format. The competitors held occasional trainings with the help of adjudicators and instructors, who took them through the debate layout, roles and expectations of each debater, and how to manage time effectively while contending.

Strathmore University was represented by five teams, with each team comprising four speakers and one researcher. This set-up ensured that the debaters mastered the debate language which included use of points of information, rebuttals and cross examinations. The set-up also ensured that all participants were on an equal footing during the debate.

During the competition, the Strathmore teams managed to reach the knockout and semi-finals round. At the semi-finals, two Strathmore teams battled between themselves, with Strathmore B team emerging top to compete against JKUAT.

The winning teams won internships at Amnesty International Kenya.

 

Congratulations to the Strathmore B team.