Campus watch

Rush against time

With the release of exam timetables in various schools, many comrades are now seen scampering for their books- a common phenomenon that climax every semester’s activities. The exams which are scheduled to commence in the next three weeks have elicited a bee- hive of activities; the immediate release of the timetables was preceded with a perquisite school fees clearance and signing of nominal rolls in respective schools.

While the largest Library in East and Central Africa (MTL), continues to receive academians daily, it is becoming apparently obvious that evening studies there for the latecomers is becoming a tall order. The academic corridors are now filled with focused students and the number of students skiving lectures has drastically reduced.

Uasu convenes another meeting

University Academics Staff Union( UASU) has convened another urgent meeting today to resolve the stand off between them and the PSSP ad hoc committee. This follows last weeks meeting where the lecturers boycotted another meeting when the two could not agree, on what they term as a bureaucratic conspiracy by University Management in League with the newly appointed Deans.

The ad hoc committee which was formed by Moi University to oversee the allocation of privately sponsored students programme PSSP money, are in an impasse with UASU, after the staff adamantly disagreed with the University’s decision to slash their 35% of the total money payable to them as direct services.

UASU are demanding the University to account for the 65% share they take. The crucial meeting is set to be held at Moi University Senior Club and Guest House at the College of Heath Sciences, Town Campus today in the afternoon.

Cultural day celebrations

The cultural day which officially started on wednesday , after the PS in ministry of Education prof Ole Kiyapi officiated it is opened, continued yesterday with more guest of honours gracing the occasion among them Prof Wishitemi (DVC research and extension )and Prof. Some.

Through their speeches the guest encouraged culture sharing through sporting activities. During the event various teams played including Moi university vs Uganda football, MalawRush against time

With the release of exam timetables in various schools, many comrades are now seen scampering for their books- a common phenomenon that climax every semester’s activities. The exams which are scheduled to commence in the next three weeks have elicited a bee- hive of activities; the immediate release of the timetables was preceded with a perquisite school fees clearance and signing of nominal rolls in respective schools.

While the largest Library in East and Central Africa (MTL), continues to receive academians daily, it is becoming apparently obvious that evening studies there for the latecomers is becoming a tall order. The academic corridors are now filled with focused students and the number of students skiving lectures has drastically reduced.

Uasu convenes another meeting

University Academics Staff Union( UASU) has convened another urgent meeting today to resolve the stand off between them and the PSSP ad hoc committee. This follows last weeks meeting where the lecturers boycotted another meeting when the two could not agree, on what they term as a bureaucratic conspiracy by University Management in League with the newly appointed Deans.

The ad hoc committee which was formed by Moi University to oversee the allocation of privately sponsored students programme PSSP money, are in an impasse with UASU, after the staff adamantly disagreed with the University’s decision to slash their 35% of the total money payable to them as direct services.

UASU are demanding the University to account for the 65% share they take. The crucial meeting is set to be held at Moi University Senior Club and Guest House at the College of Heath Sciences, Town Campus today in the afternoon.

Cultural day celebrations

The cultural day which officially started on wednesday , after the PS in ministry of Education prof Ole Kiyapi officiated it is opened, continued yesterday with more guest of honours gracing the occasion among them Prof Wishitemi (DVC research and extension )and Prof. Some.

Through their speeches the guest encouraged culture sharing through sporting activities. During the event various teams played including Moi university vs Uganda football, Malawi vs Moi university basketball team.

Students set up a T.V. station

By Moses Nyamori

A group of journalism students have set up a T.V station which will air local content to its viewers within campus.

The TV station, known as DTV, is managed by students and is run on channel 4 on DSTV. It is televising its content in both Kiswahili and English to populace in Soweto.

Ken Obuya, the pioneer of the station, says the idea crossed his mind last year, and strong-willed not to let it go and has since worked on its realization.

“The idea came to me way back when in first year, and knowing very well that all great things have simple origin, I couldn’t let it slip my hands,” he said.

The station which aims at airing issues affecting students within campus, and also offer a platform for practice to students taking media related courses. An interview with the Muso chair, Mwamburi, was its first broadcast.

Muissa Under Scrutiny

BY JAY KIHARA

Moi University Information Science Students Association (MUISSA) has been subjected to an audit following allegations by some of its officials that the Association’s money has been embezzled.

A committee under the chairperson of Rodgers Osewe has been tasked to carry out the auditing and shed light on the issue.

Muissa chairman and his treasurer have come under sharp critic from other officials who claim that the two have been conducting business of the Association, as a ‘two-man thing’ by deliberately sidelining them thus questioning their (chair & treasurer) motive. The vice-chair of the Association, Mr. Vincent Ogaya, raised the claims saying that there are grounds to read mischief from the two, and some members have now promised to send the alleged two packing if any misappropriation of funds is noted.

On an interview carried out on the chairman and his treasurer, they dismissed the allegations terming the officials as unfocused towards the Associations activities.

“These are people who are out to settle personal scores at the expense of the Association –something I cannot allow”, Aukins, the chairman said.

The enstranged finance director claimed that it was a political witch-hunt aimed at settling political scores carried on from their last election.

The audit committee unanimously agreed to do away with the ‘qualified auditors” who had been outsourced from PASSAMU and members of the committee claimed they had enough experience to carry out process. There was also a citation that that was an association’s affair and there was no need to include an outside body except the media.

The committee report will be covered on this space after the report from the committee is produced..

Kudos 25th SGC

BY J. R. MUGEH

Give credit where credit is due

The 25^th SGC was constituted of members whom the students had a conviction that would propagate change in this university with a difference. By ensuring freedom of expression, freedom of movement and Right to life (by eradicating mashoka), shielding students from exploitation at several fronts including shops, chips cafe, and clubs among others. And ensure fast, efficient and equal service delivery to the students. Not forgetting to mention the slogan in every contestant’s mouth ‘’promote the spirit of comradeship.’’

The trust we bestowed upon you as our representatives to some level is not in vain. This gives me the reason to stand boldly from the crowd and say Congratulations. To some, that may be the least they ever expected to hear from me and soon they may label me a sycophant and sympathizer of the 25^th SGC but all we must do is give credit where it is due. Facts are facts because they can never be fiction.

Alongside what others may view as their shortcomings, there are numerous achievements that the members of the 25^th SGC have made and to that we say kudos.

Achievements

We members of the press have earned freedom of conscience without fear of being suspended.

As opposed to members of the 24^th SGC, members of the 25^th SGC are easily available to the students

Up to the time am writing this article the mashoka terror has to some level been contained.

A student writer who was suspended during Dommie’s reign is back courtesy of TRIPLE M ,our current chairman.

The MU premier league is on. Courtesy of Mukholwe.

The dean of students issued a decree to all shops to ensure that prices are not higher than those at systems shop.

I don’t deny that we students deserve more, BUT are not the above listed and many more not mentioned, talking points worth words of congratulations? My answer is YES and so should be yours.

After congratulation comes more pressure to deliver and I cannot fail to challenge members of the 25^TH SGC. Beware the students expect all that you promised and these that have merited you words of congratulations, to them, is just a lip service.

Students’ requirements

Revision of MUSO constitution

Stable power supply and improved security

Better service delivery at the dispensary and faster ambulance response.

A shield from exorbitant prices at the shops within and fare to town

Finance director: the students are questioning the automated financial system that you promised.

Academics director; ensure there are sufficient seats in the school of human resource development, lecturers are punctual, exam cards are issued in time to all students, issues of results and missing marks are sorted early enough.

Improved sanitation in the hostels H and J

Parting shot

Once again I say congratulations but remember that just as it is compulsory that every student subscribes to MUSO , so is it compulsory that you deliver.

WHEN TRAVELLING 101

BY VICTOR MOGUCHE

1.Always travel light if you can or at least do not carry a lot of luggage when you know very well that you are travelling alone.

2.Do not eat too much when you are set to travel or buying everything that is brought to you at he windows, feeding on everything.

3.always carry a bottle of drinking water with you.

4.avoid the tendency of borrowing Newspapers from your seatmates, if you cannot buy yours, its so disgusting or if at all you must borrow, do not start filling the Crossword, Codeword or any other puzzle or doing any kind of writing on the Newspaper.

5.For men ,do not ask the lady her name first ,you should say yours first, its always good manners, or do not start a conversation with, “what is your name?”

6.do not accept any kind of food or sweets from strangers

7.do not engage yourself in too much conversation with strangers or everyone in the Mat .

8.Avoid making unnecessary calls to show off, learn to text in a Mat or you should not shout when making a call. It drugs you behind miles.

9.Always learn to put your mobile phone in silent mode when getting into a Mat. some ring tones are very funny and not everyone wants to hear them.

10.Do not remove your shoes in a Mat when travelling.Your shoes may stink very bad indeed.

11.Do not pass out gas in a Mat, be it silent or loud, nobody needs it, trust me. Just try to control yourself.

12.Do not yawn with your mouth so wide open, or coughing without covering your mouth.

13.Do not blow your nose so loudly.

14.Do not apply make up or spray yourself in a Mat.

15.If you can ,always carry a P.K with you when travelling.

16.Always excuse yourself after sneezing.

17.Do not have a tendency of falling asleep in a Mat,if you must really sleep, “sleep well”

18.If you have a cold always carry your handkerchief with you, do not use your hand to wipe out your mucus, its disgusting.

19.Do not insist speaking to a lady if she is not interested in you, maybe you have a bad breath, so you may make her change a Mat.

20.However funny the statement, do not laugh out so loudly till everyone starts looking at you, or you disturb everyone in a Mat.

21.Just eat your groundnuts silently, do not engage yourself in too much conversation, you may end up embarrassing yourself.

22.Do not pick your nose in a Mat.

23.Do not spit inside a Mat. When you can do it on your Handkerchief.

24.Do not throw litter through the window ,keep it in your bag or leave them in the Mat.

25.If at all you must puke ,do it in a paper bag.

26.When in a Jam, do not develop a tendency of staring at people on the other buses and what they are doing or smiling at them.

27.Just pay your fare and avoid unnecessary shouts or embarrassments.

When I go to campus…

BY MERCY TRECY NG'ANG'A

I remember these were the exact words I started my talk with. I was addressing my mother and it was only a week before my secondary school results could be out. It is during such times that most of those who sat for the exams are filled with tension. Ours was no different. I knew from the condition we lived in that this was my only ticket to a University education.

The week passed fast enough and the long awaited day came to pass… I got a call from my secondary school principal. Her exact words were…”Your dream has come to pass. You have the points needed for campus. Congratulations dear!” Everyone in school had known me as a dreamer. But I had made it to the dream!

“Mummy, I will follow all my principles. I will be top in my class all the time just like High School days. I will be a good girl, I promise!” Everyone in the family now saw me as a heroin and my name didn’t leave people’s mouths when telling my siblings and cousins how to behave. I had set an example yet I was the lastborn in my family. I was the pride of my family including the extended.

I was bought many things such as new clothes, shoes and a suitcase. My family is a religious one so the clothes were mostly long baggy skirts. I didn’t have a problem at all with them since they were what I was used to… This was even before my admission letter to any university had come. My mother argued out that the fact remained that I was going to campus!

My admission letter came about four months later. I had been admitted to Moi University, Main campus to take the course of my dreams…The DREAMER!...

“…When I go to campus…” I told my mother.

Coming to campus is my best accomplishment so far in my life! Having dreamt for so long to do so. My mother has been the greatest encouragement to achieving this. Her constant reminders were on the situation of the family . She believes am the only ticket to bettering everyone’s life. Her regular phone calls ensure that I don’t forget that!

When I joined campus, my whole family came along with me to see the place where none has been to. My mother ensured this by holding a ‘CHAI’ where everyone in the village was invited to make a contribution to raise the money to bring me to my DREAM. They made sure I had settled in since they believe that since they had used what they saw as a ‘fortune’ on my fees, I should get the best of what that money was worth.

Before they left, I was handed a Bible. I was told to read at least a verse every evening and morning as a guidance on my activities. I smiled at my mother, nodded and mouthed a thank you. She embraced me lovingly, her eyes full of pride.

I decided to take a stroll with a friend I had made while queuing for the registrations. She was the one who spotted an Arab-somali boy as I came to know him. I had never seen someone with such complexion. It made him so noticeable and girls turned their heads wherever he passed. He was walking towards us. I pretended not to notice him but…

“Hi ladies”. What? Did he just address us? We stood rooted to the ground. No words seemed to form in either of us. I was the first to come out of our ‘coma’. I simply nodded my head. He decided to accompany us for our ‘tour’. We later exchanged contacts and room numbers. I later came to realize that room numbers are some sort of identity and mean more than what the dorms used to mean in High School.

Let that be a story for another day when I finish analyzing what they truly mean. Hoping you will be patient enough with me until then.

Campus is where I sent to hell most of my principles. With each passing day, I find that I am becoming more flexible in my dealings and the general way I view life. As I sit writing this, I remember my statement that I had used with my mother; When I go to campus…

…Will this remain just a statement or will I be brave enough to take my mind back to that very time I used it meaningfully? Am left wondering…

Amongst The 25th SGC Directors’ enemies, none is worse than themselves

BY OBILO KOBILO

You may hate or like The 25^th Students Governing Council (SGC) Directors but certainly they are a clique of individuals you can’t assume in campus politics even as they amuse and propel themselves to self destruction and to the wrong side of history of this campus, suppose it will be written one day.

Like the tenacious testosterone laden bulls which graze around the campus although a liter of milk still goes between shs.40-shs.50, the directors especially the Sec Gen and his Assistant never ceases to show their limitation in problem mitigation pyramid even when the odds are very clearly against them for fighting against a worthy cause. Ever since they stood up against the public wish for a transparent and accountable tendering process and had their way, they have been emboldened to lock on with any challenge and therein lies their waterloo.

As every good soldier knows, there is time to surge forward and a time for tactical retreat depending on the tide of war. There is time for war cry and a time to shut up and let danger fizzle away. I don’t know if the ever busy Directors especially Cyprian Obwogo still have a peace of mind to listen to country music- that if they haven’t veered off into jazz, salsa or any other genre of music associated with the elites. If they still listen to mwananchi music, they should heed counsel in Kenny Rodgers’ The gambler. They should particularly, pay attention to the chorus that goes:

“You got to know when to hold ‘em

Know when to fold ‘em

Know when to walk away

And know when to run.”

The problem with our Directors is that ever since it dawned on them-whether real or imagined-that they are the kings of impunity and they can walk into any office in this campus to report those who criticize them, they have never known when to walk away or when to run, when to let other people play some roles or when to play them and above all “when to eat or when to give back to the society”. They have a penchant for going against the expectations and that is why they can wake up one morning-cheered on by supporters, hangers-on, sycophants and opportunists- and organize a retreat bringing together all the other fellow “thieves” from other Moi University constituent colleges under the Chairmanship of an Assistant Secretary General!

There is nothing wrong with the elites getting together after successfully succeeding in draining public coffers and stealing the shops, but there are a lot of issues and urgent students’ needs that they need to sought out before engaging in any form of celebration.

This is one SGC which will go down the history lane as being obsessed with credit seeking and very deficient in genuinely earning the credit through ethical ways. They believe so much in short-cuts and lack the intellectual capacity to formulate issues which might navigate us through this dark society.

When some students led by Oscar Karris initiated the idea of KENYANS FOR KENYA INITIATIVE –MOI CHAPTER, no sooner had they gotten the Dean’s approval than the credit hunters- Okeri Orina, Silas Ong’aro and partly Patricia Tuwei, hijacked the noble idea and your guess on where the little contribution ended is as good as mine. Nobody has ever taken the responsibility of telling you—the contributors—how much was collected, did it benefit the intended beneficiary or it was used to stock up shops and the chips cafes around which continue charging exorbitant prices!

Now comes the International Cultural Week-Moi Chapter. A committee has been formed whose composition is almost 99% members of SGC. As usual, the Illuminator will never report on who is in this committee, its mandate and the budgetary allocation but one thing for sure it will report how the event was successful and treat us to pictorial coverage of the Directors having a light moment in Guest House spending our MUSO contributions-one reason why I still have a fee balance of shs.200 since I know where this money will head to!

THE SHAMBA BOY SERIES: WHEN I WENT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY

BY MAALIM SALAT

When I went home for the holiday, the village boys and girls gave me a heroic welcome. You know I am the first alumni of the only secondary school in our village to ever join a university. They asked me several questions about the university where presidents Daniel Moi and Moi Kibaki were educated, yaani Moi University.

Because I love my university, I had to lie to save the image of my university. For example, I did not tell them that more than a quarter of the students do not have rooms and that they live like those Somalis in the Indian Ocean or in a place called farakaz. I did not say anything about the fact that electricity is shared between hostels H and J. There was no need to tell them that form-1 communication students are waiting for the Red Cross Society to save them from doing CATs while sitting on the floor in a place called LT-4.

Instead, I told them about developments in the campus. The girls wanted to know if members of the female species can go university. They were surprised to hear that girls can perform better than boys. They asked me how a girl can survive in the university. I told them that they live like men: they wear trousers, men cook for them and they sleep in any hostel and in any bed.

I told them about Links Technology (the guys that force us to watch channels of their choice) and the computers that can be folded. They didn’t believe that there was a difference between a TV and a computer. I added that students at the university are clever because they support red devils called Manchester and armed bandits/gunmen called Arsenal.

I told the girls to stop applying mafuta ya ng’ombe on their bodies. Instead they should ask their parents to buy them something called lotion that is found in Nairobi. They should not greet boys with their hands. I showed them how to greet men by putting their bosoms on the men’s chest.

I told them about the houses that are built on top of each other called ghorofa. When they refused to believe this I had to show them a photo I took in front of hostel H with my former girlfriend. When they asked me about the girl in the photo with me, I told them about how every beginning of the year we get girls called freshaz and how the girl’s contract will end at the beginning of the following year when the next group of freshaz arrives. At this point the boys promised to work hard to join this university. I saw one of them jump up with joy and shout, “Haya! Kubata musijana fresh kila maka si mujeso, walahi mi naenda”.

I told them about the rooms in which we bathe; how by simply turning a knob on the wall, water would automatically fall from above one’s head like rain. However, I could not tell them about the place called exile where one goes to when his/her roommate is visited because I have never gone there.

I told them about the presence of Hassan peter Almashoka, the Alshabaab ambassador to Moi University. I told them how this guy is so nice that he doesn’t take anything from us. He simply knocks the mwakenya out of one’s head to remind the administration that police is not required to harass second class Kenyans in Garissa but to protect the future leaders of Kenya who are being educated in the university. I told them how he was once wrestled by our head boy when the latter mistook him for a thief.

Reminder: His eminence, Almashoka has gone to Somalia for holidays and will be back just before we begin the exams, please prepare your heads to welcome him.