By Kinyua Njeri
The other day, a score of readers accused me of being unethical and insolent when I stated that in the forthcoming elections, elders will watch toddlers play. I cannot escape mentioning Mahatma Gandhi who once said that he’d be more pleased by those who step on his footprints than those who kiss his feet. Well, I have never known why I always feel better challenged than praised...it's a thing I've had since birth. Here, I'll tell you why.
To begin with, those conversant with the trends in MUSO politics will agree with me that anyone, vying or politically heavy-weighted, who does not understand the semantics of the concept of 'a toddler’ in the context of Moi University, should quit politics forthwith. Why? It's simply because no one can know where MUSO is headed to, if he doesn't know where it came from. It's as terse as that.
Now, it is true to say that age is not an aspect of leadership. In fact, I prefer when wise ‘children’ lead adults. This is because wisdom also does not necessarily increase with age. You see, an old person is experienced, but not always wise. That I agree. But in a very concerned tone of reality, I fear for a society that has the young governing the old. This may be best explained by the change of trends in families in the 21st century where children 'overthrew' their parents long time ago. Every move leads to regret and if it continues, the family will soon be a mortal hell!
Let's come back to the incoming SGC. A close look at the aspirants leaves me with more doubts than hopes. You see, most of them have been my close friends ever since I joined this fenceless university. I know, yes I do, how most of them function (except for a certain aspirant whose links dominate comments of this wall just caught my attention). It is definitely true that the urge and desire for gold, glory and power is the dark and primitive instinct that drives most of them. They will accuse former regimes of underperforming and appreciate no effort that has ever been made. To them, every MUSO regime was bogus and very inconsequential. Why? They want to justify, curtain and conceal their gluttonous motives the blame game.
As Dikembe and Obilo once said in MU Fm, most of the aspirants do not know why they are vying. They are just vying to fill the slots. Sometime back, last month to be specific, I strived to convince a certain aspirant who was so much obsessed with becoming the 'next' Assistant Academics Director, a position that even doesn't exist in the MUSO constitution!
And you still say this is not toddler business?
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
WHAT FRESHERS MUST KNOW….part-1 (The Shamba Boy Series)
By Maalim Salat
Last week, Winnie, one of my classmates was removed from her room in Hostel K. She was dragged to the dirty field that is between Hostel J and studie, forced to face the admin and swear while shouting “26th SGC tuko pamoja” seventeen times while drinking a bitter liquid mixed with goat’s sperms. She suspected that the perpetrators were affiliated to one of the current shopkeepers (sorry, directors) who hails from her community and to whom she refused to vote for last semester.
I take this chance to welcome the innocent species of My University to this university with defects (sorry, I meant difference). Freshers karibuni to My University where you are expected to sleep on top of trees and attend classes. It is my time to orient you.
Let me start with the prefect body led by the head boy. Here, they are called SGC. They are chosen from the hungriest students and end up being shopkeepers. The head boy is called chairman. He is so powerful that he can make the university security officials to suspend me for writing this after which you can go on strike. He is called toothless dog or Mr. dog-hana Meno.
The one who gave you his number the other day is called Mr. Tight-ass (anavaanga tight shirts na tight jeans). He is the prefect in-charge of mwax and sups. He gave you his number during your orientation because that was the only way to kwachua as many freshers as possible. I hear he doesn’t pick calls unless u text him, “me ni Esther” or something that suggests that you belong to the female species. This semester is named after him (Mururu semester) because he made sure we come back so that his chips business thrives.
The prefect in-charge of money and shops is called Pesa Wale Nakula. Like him or not, you paid him sh.500 when you reported to this campus. He is the treasurer of the campus thieves. But I salute him for being the only director worth our votes. He is the one behind the return of the MUSO cyber cafe and wireless network around Soweto. Clap for him! Again! Thank you.
The head girl is the vice chair lady who would come to your room during her campaigns and ask you while holding you color, “utanivotia ama nikuchape kofi?” She is Get Rude Chemka. I once tried to date her and she was like ‘are you man enough?’ I still wonder whether she meant I go buy Viagra or atanichapa. Si angeishi tu huko Nyeri?
The only confused member among the SGC is called Viola YEGON. Her surname must be written in capital letters or else... She is the assistant prefect in-charge of nothing. (The other day I saw her at Hijaz Hotel with a very handsome mswahili boy. I was told he is her new boyfriend. Kumbe hata ladies hukwachua freshers? I wonder why she damped my friend Simon, the former assistant prefect). I am saying she is confused because she doesn’t as yet know how to steal our money na Simo hajamfunza.
Let us go to the classes where you find some ugly students named class-rapes. They are raped by the situation. They did not kwachua nor were they kwachuad. They don’t have boy/girlfriends. They chose to be class-rapes so that classmates can take their numbers and at least, text them “hi, daro imebounce ama?” Be kind to them, sawa? Very good!
And lastly, there is a place called exile. Don’t ask me where in main campus it is located. This is the place where your roommate will send you to when he is visited by his/her overnight partner. In the words of the late Kijana Wamalwa, you can spend the rest of the night puffing a cigarette outside, ama uende frakaz!
I have some sodas and cakes for you behind this wall, take only one of each and have a very good day.
Don’t miss the Shamba Boy’s humour every Wednesday.
Last week, Winnie, one of my classmates was removed from her room in Hostel K. She was dragged to the dirty field that is between Hostel J and studie, forced to face the admin and swear while shouting “26th SGC tuko pamoja” seventeen times while drinking a bitter liquid mixed with goat’s sperms. She suspected that the perpetrators were affiliated to one of the current shopkeepers (sorry, directors) who hails from her community and to whom she refused to vote for last semester.
I take this chance to welcome the innocent species of My University to this university with defects (sorry, I meant difference). Freshers karibuni to My University where you are expected to sleep on top of trees and attend classes. It is my time to orient you.
Let me start with the prefect body led by the head boy. Here, they are called SGC. They are chosen from the hungriest students and end up being shopkeepers. The head boy is called chairman. He is so powerful that he can make the university security officials to suspend me for writing this after which you can go on strike. He is called toothless dog or Mr. dog-hana Meno.
The one who gave you his number the other day is called Mr. Tight-ass (anavaanga tight shirts na tight jeans). He is the prefect in-charge of mwax and sups. He gave you his number during your orientation because that was the only way to kwachua as many freshers as possible. I hear he doesn’t pick calls unless u text him, “me ni Esther” or something that suggests that you belong to the female species. This semester is named after him (Mururu semester) because he made sure we come back so that his chips business thrives.
The prefect in-charge of money and shops is called Pesa Wale Nakula. Like him or not, you paid him sh.500 when you reported to this campus. He is the treasurer of the campus thieves. But I salute him for being the only director worth our votes. He is the one behind the return of the MUSO cyber cafe and wireless network around Soweto. Clap for him! Again! Thank you.
The head girl is the vice chair lady who would come to your room during her campaigns and ask you while holding you color, “utanivotia ama nikuchape kofi?” She is Get Rude Chemka. I once tried to date her and she was like ‘are you man enough?’ I still wonder whether she meant I go buy Viagra or atanichapa. Si angeishi tu huko Nyeri?
The only confused member among the SGC is called Viola YEGON. Her surname must be written in capital letters or else... She is the assistant prefect in-charge of nothing. (The other day I saw her at Hijaz Hotel with a very handsome mswahili boy. I was told he is her new boyfriend. Kumbe hata ladies hukwachua freshers? I wonder why she damped my friend Simon, the former assistant prefect). I am saying she is confused because she doesn’t as yet know how to steal our money na Simo hajamfunza.
Let us go to the classes where you find some ugly students named class-rapes. They are raped by the situation. They did not kwachua nor were they kwachuad. They don’t have boy/girlfriends. They chose to be class-rapes so that classmates can take their numbers and at least, text them “hi, daro imebounce ama?” Be kind to them, sawa? Very good!
And lastly, there is a place called exile. Don’t ask me where in main campus it is located. This is the place where your roommate will send you to when he is visited by his/her overnight partner. In the words of the late Kijana Wamalwa, you can spend the rest of the night puffing a cigarette outside, ama uende frakaz!
I have some sodas and cakes for you behind this wall, take only one of each and have a very good day.
Don’t miss the Shamba Boy’s humour every Wednesday.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
THE CHURCH MUST GUIDE ITS FLOCK IN THIS ELECTION
By Gitungo Wamere
Politics is a dirty game and so the saying goes and this might be the sole reason why church leaders shy away from politics and fail to guide the children of God in making tough political decisions. Politics I say is not dirty since it is a fundamental building block of life, and therefore life is politics and politics is life. Even if it is dirty injecting hygiene in it is imperative.
With the prevailing political mood within the campus, as the church here exorcises demons, methinks the demon of political apathy within the church must top the list. The church is the conscience of the society and the religious organizations within the campus can be rightly discussed as the conscience of this campus. These organizations pray when things go wrong, somehow they basically pray for everything in this institutions but it becomes a contradiction when they fail to take charge when the opportunity to raise political leaders come.
Good people, of the church especially those on the leadership positions come and let us reason together. The chairperson of Christian Union, MUSDA and Catholic Students Association you have a large constituency that you head, and at least you stand for something good. Good people, you value virtues and moral values and that is why I think you should take a stand in this election.
Student’s governance is in dire need of a moral re-awakening and having the church as the moral custodian of the society the church has a big role to play. In the last national elections the church tried
putting a moral gauge on all the running mates of the presidential candidates and that made the election different. The church herein should also break from the cocoon of traditions and make the forthcoming MUSO election different.
Student leadership and politics in general is not meant for rebels neither for celebrities, it’s for people who understand the dynamics of society and can manipulate them for positive change. The church using its highly respected spectacles of virtues and moral values they can easily help identify capable leaders and lead the congregation accordingly in making a wise decision.
The church must add its input in the effort to reclaim the glory of our union. It must contribute to the debate of which philosophy and ideology that our union must be grounded on. It must be there as we try to regain our moral compass.
A lot has been said and done but the church can make the forthcoming election memorable for all the good reasons. Prayers alone are not enough and it is time the church decorate its faith with actions. It time to speak out before the Church’s voice is shut forever.
Politics is a dirty game and so the saying goes and this might be the sole reason why church leaders shy away from politics and fail to guide the children of God in making tough political decisions. Politics I say is not dirty since it is a fundamental building block of life, and therefore life is politics and politics is life. Even if it is dirty injecting hygiene in it is imperative.
With the prevailing political mood within the campus, as the church here exorcises demons, methinks the demon of political apathy within the church must top the list. The church is the conscience of the society and the religious organizations within the campus can be rightly discussed as the conscience of this campus. These organizations pray when things go wrong, somehow they basically pray for everything in this institutions but it becomes a contradiction when they fail to take charge when the opportunity to raise political leaders come.
Good people, of the church especially those on the leadership positions come and let us reason together. The chairperson of Christian Union, MUSDA and Catholic Students Association you have a large constituency that you head, and at least you stand for something good. Good people, you value virtues and moral values and that is why I think you should take a stand in this election.
Student’s governance is in dire need of a moral re-awakening and having the church as the moral custodian of the society the church has a big role to play. In the last national elections the church tried
putting a moral gauge on all the running mates of the presidential candidates and that made the election different. The church herein should also break from the cocoon of traditions and make the forthcoming MUSO election different.
Student leadership and politics in general is not meant for rebels neither for celebrities, it’s for people who understand the dynamics of society and can manipulate them for positive change. The church using its highly respected spectacles of virtues and moral values they can easily help identify capable leaders and lead the congregation accordingly in making a wise decision.
The church must add its input in the effort to reclaim the glory of our union. It must contribute to the debate of which philosophy and ideology that our union must be grounded on. It must be there as we try to regain our moral compass.
A lot has been said and done but the church can make the forthcoming election memorable for all the good reasons. Prayers alone are not enough and it is time the church decorate its faith with actions. It time to speak out before the Church’s voice is shut forever.
Monday, August 12, 2013
WHY THESE ELECTIONS MUST NOT BE BUSINESS AS USUAL
By Mohammed Doyo
The elections, in just a month, can’t and will not be business as usual. The business of short changing comrades by conducting fraudulent campaigns-where cheap victory is bought through appeals of tribalism, the fanning of tribal alliances, the perennial crossfire heckling and the making of irresponsible promises-must surely come to an end.
These elections are different. The exercise is not a mere routine to satisfy MUSO constitutional requirement for a one year voting cycle.
It hinges on the desperate need to exorcise the ghosts of an under-performing 26th SGC (Students’ Governing Council) and the need to restore comrades’ power that died way back after a bunch of self interested, administration projects found place in MUSO politics.
After voting in previous SGCs that were largely accused of corruption and neglect of comrades’ issues, 2013 provides an opportunity for redemption.
The union’s very future is at stake, Comrades are hopeless, disappointed and disillusioned by MUSO politics after a dismal performance by past SGC’s. Mind you, they were largely voted in by their ability to supply cheap liquor and highly diluted juice, their rhetorical capabilities during crossfire and their tribal backgrounds. The upcoming election is an opportunity for students to begin getting things right
Most important, this must be an election with an agenda for students rather than an agenda for student politicians who have ambitions for a big office and big money. What’s in it for us as the people?
The office that will be elected in September 6 elections must restore the spirit of comradeship back. Comradeship that was there during the eras of Hassan Omar, Mama Rainbow, and the likes of Garang. Comradeship that wouldn’t allow a section of the students suffer in the hands of the administration while the majorities just watch.
Of importance again is the dilapidated state of the institution’s infrastructure, from the hostels to the lecture halls. However hard it might prove to be, the next SGC must not relent to push for renovation and maintenance of these buildings.
The issue of planning the academic calendars and the official communication of the reporting dates is a critical and an urgent one and calls for a MUSO office that will be caring and fierce enough to force the administration to be releasing the dates moths before and not the last minute. Students are tired with unplanned impromptu further notices.
Perhaps the biggest threat facing MUSO is corruption, misappropriation of funds, overriding self interests and disunity in the SGC -politics of my docket’. This destroys the capacity of the leaders we elect to serve us.
The leaders we need are not the ones that ride tribalism to power and nurturing it to eat to the fullest. We need leaders who will put the students’ interest first.
Students are encouraged to question aspirants on this agenda. Those who have nothing concrete do not belong in leadership. This election is a game-changer. But only if it is about issues and not personalities.
The elections, in just a month, can’t and will not be business as usual. The business of short changing comrades by conducting fraudulent campaigns-where cheap victory is bought through appeals of tribalism, the fanning of tribal alliances, the perennial crossfire heckling and the making of irresponsible promises-must surely come to an end.
These elections are different. The exercise is not a mere routine to satisfy MUSO constitutional requirement for a one year voting cycle.
It hinges on the desperate need to exorcise the ghosts of an under-performing 26th SGC (Students’ Governing Council) and the need to restore comrades’ power that died way back after a bunch of self interested, administration projects found place in MUSO politics.
After voting in previous SGCs that were largely accused of corruption and neglect of comrades’ issues, 2013 provides an opportunity for redemption.
The union’s very future is at stake, Comrades are hopeless, disappointed and disillusioned by MUSO politics after a dismal performance by past SGC’s. Mind you, they were largely voted in by their ability to supply cheap liquor and highly diluted juice, their rhetorical capabilities during crossfire and their tribal backgrounds. The upcoming election is an opportunity for students to begin getting things right
Most important, this must be an election with an agenda for students rather than an agenda for student politicians who have ambitions for a big office and big money. What’s in it for us as the people?
The office that will be elected in September 6 elections must restore the spirit of comradeship back. Comradeship that was there during the eras of Hassan Omar, Mama Rainbow, and the likes of Garang. Comradeship that wouldn’t allow a section of the students suffer in the hands of the administration while the majorities just watch.
Of importance again is the dilapidated state of the institution’s infrastructure, from the hostels to the lecture halls. However hard it might prove to be, the next SGC must not relent to push for renovation and maintenance of these buildings.
The issue of planning the academic calendars and the official communication of the reporting dates is a critical and an urgent one and calls for a MUSO office that will be caring and fierce enough to force the administration to be releasing the dates moths before and not the last minute. Students are tired with unplanned impromptu further notices.
Perhaps the biggest threat facing MUSO is corruption, misappropriation of funds, overriding self interests and disunity in the SGC -politics of my docket’. This destroys the capacity of the leaders we elect to serve us.
The leaders we need are not the ones that ride tribalism to power and nurturing it to eat to the fullest. We need leaders who will put the students’ interest first.
Students are encouraged to question aspirants on this agenda. Those who have nothing concrete do not belong in leadership. This election is a game-changer. But only if it is about issues and not personalities.
Friday, August 9, 2013
A UNIQUE ELECTION: ELDERS WILL WATCH TODDLERS PLAY
By Kinyua Njeri
The oncoming MUSO elections will perhaps be the most unique and awkward too. It is an election that has been delayed since September last year when the Dean of Students ruled to fatten the tenure of the 26th SGC by adding them yet another academic year in office.
And though the elections were to be held between March and May this year, as per the Dean's decision, efforts by student-activists to have the word honoured seemed more fictious than real.
Again, this election will be unique in that it'll be amongst the few
that has been held with some groups in absentia. Half of the 1st
years, to whom the Assistant Secretary General's slot normally goes,will be out of session and this might see a 'very old' continuing student rise to the position.
As if that's not enough, this election will be meant to scrap out the
26th SGC, which has notoriously been branded as the longest serving SGC. I'd have wished to let you know how the directors have the pride of owning shops and emaciating the MUSO kitty, but I leave it for some other day.
It'll be an election to 'exit' Doghana's government, which will go
down as one of the most sterile SGC's MUSO has ever had. Though the academic calendar hit their efforts hard, they were expected to be better, if the oratoric and eloquent speeches they gave at the cross-fire is anything to go by.
Well, most important of all, the fact that 4th Years will not vie
during these elections makes it one of the most peculiar. My father (I don't know him even) once told me that when an elder sits at his stool under the family tree, he sees farther than a boy who's on top of the tree. I don't know how true the statement is, but the man 'was' thoughtful.
In these elections however, the elders will have to sit, relax and
watch 'toddlers' play.
The oncoming MUSO elections will perhaps be the most unique and awkward too. It is an election that has been delayed since September last year when the Dean of Students ruled to fatten the tenure of the 26th SGC by adding them yet another academic year in office.
And though the elections were to be held between March and May this year, as per the Dean's decision, efforts by student-activists to have the word honoured seemed more fictious than real.
Again, this election will be unique in that it'll be amongst the few
that has been held with some groups in absentia. Half of the 1st
years, to whom the Assistant Secretary General's slot normally goes,will be out of session and this might see a 'very old' continuing student rise to the position.
As if that's not enough, this election will be meant to scrap out the
26th SGC, which has notoriously been branded as the longest serving SGC. I'd have wished to let you know how the directors have the pride of owning shops and emaciating the MUSO kitty, but I leave it for some other day.
It'll be an election to 'exit' Doghana's government, which will go
down as one of the most sterile SGC's MUSO has ever had. Though the academic calendar hit their efforts hard, they were expected to be better, if the oratoric and eloquent speeches they gave at the cross-fire is anything to go by.
Well, most important of all, the fact that 4th Years will not vie
during these elections makes it one of the most peculiar. My father (I don't know him even) once told me that when an elder sits at his stool under the family tree, he sees farther than a boy who's on top of the tree. I don't know how true the statement is, but the man 'was' thoughtful.
In these elections however, the elders will have to sit, relax and
watch 'toddlers' play.
MOI UNIVERSITY TO HOST MOST JOINT ADMISSIONS BOARD STUDENTS
Moi University will admit the highest number of students at 5,792, followed closely by the University of Nairobi at 5,496 and Kenyatta University at 5,491 in their new intakes, the Joint Admissions Board (JAB) has announced.
About 53,135 students who sat last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination will join public universities this year.
“Each university will contact its admitted candidates directly and advise them on reporting dates and procedures,” said Jab acting chairperson and Maseno University Vice-Chancellor Prof D W Makawiti Thursday after the board held its final meeting.
Egerton University will admit 3,500 students in various disciplines while Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology will admit 2,151 students. Maseno University will admit 3,096 students while Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology will admit 2,176 students.
Technical University of Kenya will admit 1,778 students, Pwani University 748, while Dedan Kimathi University of Technology will admit 1,012. Technical University of Mombasa will admit 864 students, Chuka University will 1,731 students and Kisii university is expected to admit 1,060 students.
Maasai Mara University and Meru University of Science and Technology will admit 1,258 and 808 respectively.
The University of Kabianga will admit 1,418, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology will admit 1,156 students and South Eastern Kenya University, 1,646. Multimedia University of Kenya will admit 745, Laikipia University, 1,680 and Karatina University, 1,740.
FRESH INTAKE
The University of Eldoret will admit 2,923 students while Taita Taveta University College will admit 505 students in its first intake.
Muranga University College will admit 233 students while Kirinyaga University College will receive 322 students. The Cooperative University College of Kenya will admit 382 while Kibabii University College will receive 759.
Garissa University College will admit 722 students while Rongo University College will receive 1,136 students. Embu University College will admit 384 and Machakos University College will register 423 students. Each candidate who met the board’s cut-off criteria may access their admission information through its website www.jab.uonbi.ac.ke.
Adapted from http://www.standardmedia.co.ke
About 53,135 students who sat last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination will join public universities this year.
“Each university will contact its admitted candidates directly and advise them on reporting dates and procedures,” said Jab acting chairperson and Maseno University Vice-Chancellor Prof D W Makawiti Thursday after the board held its final meeting.
Egerton University will admit 3,500 students in various disciplines while Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology will admit 2,151 students. Maseno University will admit 3,096 students while Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology will admit 2,176 students.
Technical University of Kenya will admit 1,778 students, Pwani University 748, while Dedan Kimathi University of Technology will admit 1,012. Technical University of Mombasa will admit 864 students, Chuka University will 1,731 students and Kisii university is expected to admit 1,060 students.
Maasai Mara University and Meru University of Science and Technology will admit 1,258 and 808 respectively.
The University of Kabianga will admit 1,418, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology will admit 1,156 students and South Eastern Kenya University, 1,646. Multimedia University of Kenya will admit 745, Laikipia University, 1,680 and Karatina University, 1,740.
FRESH INTAKE
The University of Eldoret will admit 2,923 students while Taita Taveta University College will admit 505 students in its first intake.
Muranga University College will admit 233 students while Kirinyaga University College will receive 322 students. The Cooperative University College of Kenya will admit 382 while Kibabii University College will receive 759.
Garissa University College will admit 722 students while Rongo University College will receive 1,136 students. Embu University College will admit 384 and Machakos University College will register 423 students. Each candidate who met the board’s cut-off criteria may access their admission information through its website www.jab.uonbi.ac.ke.
Adapted from http://www.standardmedia.co.ke
Thursday, August 8, 2013
WHAT EXACTLY DO READERS WANT?
By James Kombe
It is said that a writer remains blind to how his/her readers react to the text until they finally respond. I agree. The diversity of audience surely makes it hard to at least make a guess regarding the same. After all, different people consume similar pieces of information for different purposes – some to get informed, for leisure, to criticize – just to mention a few.
However, I have personally come to realize that there are a few ‘funny’ responses that one ought to be prepared for, especially while writing for such a vibrant forum as ‘Moi University Press Club, The Third Eye’. If you want to believe this, take some time, go through some of the comments made for stories posted in this fan page. Trust me; you might not stop laughing, at least for a while! You will come across comments that you least expected. That is what I normally do sometimes when I am depressed.
As I write this piece, I constantly refer back to its beginning, just to confirm that it is still a short one. Some comrades seem not to be in love with long text pieces. They have no time for them, whether or not they have something else to do. “I can’t read all this…” “This is too long…” “Can someone summarize this for me…?” are some of the complaints that I want to avoid now. So trust me, this won’t be ‘too long’ for you.
Allow me to restate one or two replies for a news story that I came across sometimes back. Someone, after reading the online post, just said, “e.t.c” Another one wrote, “Blah blah blah!” I did not really understand what they meant until I asked one of them, who said, “Ok, I read the story and understood it. I simply had nothing serious to say about it, I just wanted to submit a comment.”
Well, I promised you that I was going to keep this one short. For that matter, let me disregard all the other paragraphs that I am yet to type, so that I can sum up with the question of, ‘What exactly do readers want?’
It is said that a writer remains blind to how his/her readers react to the text until they finally respond. I agree. The diversity of audience surely makes it hard to at least make a guess regarding the same. After all, different people consume similar pieces of information for different purposes – some to get informed, for leisure, to criticize – just to mention a few.
However, I have personally come to realize that there are a few ‘funny’ responses that one ought to be prepared for, especially while writing for such a vibrant forum as ‘Moi University Press Club, The Third Eye’. If you want to believe this, take some time, go through some of the comments made for stories posted in this fan page. Trust me; you might not stop laughing, at least for a while! You will come across comments that you least expected. That is what I normally do sometimes when I am depressed.
As I write this piece, I constantly refer back to its beginning, just to confirm that it is still a short one. Some comrades seem not to be in love with long text pieces. They have no time for them, whether or not they have something else to do. “I can’t read all this…” “This is too long…” “Can someone summarize this for me…?” are some of the complaints that I want to avoid now. So trust me, this won’t be ‘too long’ for you.
Allow me to restate one or two replies for a news story that I came across sometimes back. Someone, after reading the online post, just said, “e.t.c” Another one wrote, “Blah blah blah!” I did not really understand what they meant until I asked one of them, who said, “Ok, I read the story and understood it. I simply had nothing serious to say about it, I just wanted to submit a comment.”
Well, I promised you that I was going to keep this one short. For that matter, let me disregard all the other paragraphs that I am yet to type, so that I can sum up with the question of, ‘What exactly do readers want?’
THE MUSO BATTLE
By Elvis M. Nyakreal
August 2013, a month like no other in this university with the longest serving dean of students in East and Central Africa also fondly referred to as the university with a difference. It is a month of ‘hot’ politics. Terms such as “comrades’ power!” will soon be the fashion in every corner of main campus. The never to be promises, propaganda, critics, student activists rackets and insults will be ringing in our ears.
For first years and some second years who have never participated in campus elections, this will be a defining moment. My friend Sheila Serser reminds me that I should inform the first years to be prepared for endless knocks on their doors by the door-to-door campaigners. George, the boy from the lake side who calls himself “Senior Counsel” also tells me that the only way to avoid going sleepless nights during this political time is to find a marker pen and write on your door “PLEASE COME TOMORROW.”
Various aspirants among them being Titus Kisangau, Kipsaro Arab Boit, Sam Ogutu, Jeff Kenyatta and Bush have already decided that they will contest for the MUSO chairman docket. Some of the female students who have brought a touch to this battle include Journalist Parcie, Delicate, and Angie.
Unusually, the campus Mutahi Ngunyi’s have already predicted who will clinch the most powerful docket in MUSO, however, one of the best serving student leader- Mwamburi Mwangombe’s reminds me that, in main campus there is nothing like tyranny of numbers. I am yet to agree with him.
Well, for those aspiring to be student leaders, be prepared to meet the master of students. Be prepared to hear statements like “the university has no money, the previous MUSO left behind a debt of 10 million which I am struggling to pay.”
Nyamweya one of 3rd eye’s grandfathers will tell you, “walio na masiko wasikie.”
August 2013, a month like no other in this university with the longest serving dean of students in East and Central Africa also fondly referred to as the university with a difference. It is a month of ‘hot’ politics. Terms such as “comrades’ power!” will soon be the fashion in every corner of main campus. The never to be promises, propaganda, critics, student activists rackets and insults will be ringing in our ears.
For first years and some second years who have never participated in campus elections, this will be a defining moment. My friend Sheila Serser reminds me that I should inform the first years to be prepared for endless knocks on their doors by the door-to-door campaigners. George, the boy from the lake side who calls himself “Senior Counsel” also tells me that the only way to avoid going sleepless nights during this political time is to find a marker pen and write on your door “PLEASE COME TOMORROW.”
Various aspirants among them being Titus Kisangau, Kipsaro Arab Boit, Sam Ogutu, Jeff Kenyatta and Bush have already decided that they will contest for the MUSO chairman docket. Some of the female students who have brought a touch to this battle include Journalist Parcie, Delicate, and Angie.
Unusually, the campus Mutahi Ngunyi’s have already predicted who will clinch the most powerful docket in MUSO, however, one of the best serving student leader- Mwamburi Mwangombe’s reminds me that, in main campus there is nothing like tyranny of numbers. I am yet to agree with him.
Well, for those aspiring to be student leaders, be prepared to meet the master of students. Be prepared to hear statements like “the university has no money, the previous MUSO left behind a debt of 10 million which I am struggling to pay.”
Nyamweya one of 3rd eye’s grandfathers will tell you, “walio na masiko wasikie.”
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
WHEN DIKEMBE COMES BACK... (The Shamba Boy series)
By Maalim Salat
When Dikembe comes back from the land of Obama, I will have so much to tell him that he will never dream of going back to that land of white skinned human beings. I see the Americans as people with burnt skin because in the village where I come from, there is no white human being. None of the elders ever talked of human beings with white skin except those men who were burnt by their wives when the husband sees the bahali yake of another woman. However, I have gone to school and learnt that people who use dollars to buy omena develop white skin.
When Dikembe comes back, I will tell him how the My University has transformed from analogue to Uhuruto. I will take him to Hostel-A where I live with some of my village mates. I will make him a cup of tea and a glass of maziwa ya ngamia before telling him about our new deputy headmaster who forced us to enter the hostels through laptops. You see, these days you do not need to have a capital-T at the end of your name to get a room. There is no need to smile at janitors in order to get a room. All you need is to have the computer that can be folded and I you do not have one, kuna nafasi stage.
I got a very beautiful room in Hostel-A because I happened to get to have the computer that can be folded which can only be found in the university, at least according to my family in the village. Let me take you back to the extra-long holiday that we went for. Before I went for the holiday, I decided to get a second-hand laptop from a reformed goon in the name of Macharia at a cheap price on condition that I vote for him when we return. Next week, I will tell you how all the girls in the village wanted me for a husband when I showed them the miracles my laptop, the computer that can only be found in the yolofasity, could do.
When Dikembe comes back, I will tell him how I entered my room through the laptop and never produced my ID at some of the offices to prove that I have capital-T at the end of my name.
I will also tell Dikembe how I wanted to become the chairman of the My Univerisity Shop Owners (MUSO) and how my dream was thwarted by a section of those who went to Nakuru last year to get us HELB which is found in Nairobi. If I were to become the chairman of the shop owners, I would have transformed the administration block into a hostel so that those living in diaspora can have a place to call home. The guys from Nakuru convinced the dean that I do not deserve to own a shop.
I will tell Dikembe about the about the people who are competing to get the shops and go to America next year. I will tell him of our future Doghanas with some names that sound like Nyefnyef Kenyatta and Titus Nyang’au. There is also another one but if I mention his name here, I will find my mass at the senate. It sounds that weird.
I will also take him to the School of Human Resource Development, that place where journalists are trained without a radio to practice with, and show him the fixed seats at the hall where he and I once listened to boring lectures and wrote notes on our laps. That is why we walk the same style with bent backs.
Before he gets up and thanks me for the maziwa ya ngamia, (it will sound like thenk yew because he is from America) I will ask him the final question which is about whether he changed his name from Dikembe to Johnson Dikindizi.
Don’t miss the humour every Wednesday.
When Dikembe comes back from the land of Obama, I will have so much to tell him that he will never dream of going back to that land of white skinned human beings. I see the Americans as people with burnt skin because in the village where I come from, there is no white human being. None of the elders ever talked of human beings with white skin except those men who were burnt by their wives when the husband sees the bahali yake of another woman. However, I have gone to school and learnt that people who use dollars to buy omena develop white skin.
When Dikembe comes back, I will tell him how the My University has transformed from analogue to Uhuruto. I will take him to Hostel-A where I live with some of my village mates. I will make him a cup of tea and a glass of maziwa ya ngamia before telling him about our new deputy headmaster who forced us to enter the hostels through laptops. You see, these days you do not need to have a capital-T at the end of your name to get a room. There is no need to smile at janitors in order to get a room. All you need is to have the computer that can be folded and I you do not have one, kuna nafasi stage.
I got a very beautiful room in Hostel-A because I happened to get to have the computer that can be folded which can only be found in the university, at least according to my family in the village. Let me take you back to the extra-long holiday that we went for. Before I went for the holiday, I decided to get a second-hand laptop from a reformed goon in the name of Macharia at a cheap price on condition that I vote for him when we return. Next week, I will tell you how all the girls in the village wanted me for a husband when I showed them the miracles my laptop, the computer that can only be found in the yolofasity, could do.
When Dikembe comes back, I will tell him how I entered my room through the laptop and never produced my ID at some of the offices to prove that I have capital-T at the end of my name.
I will also tell Dikembe how I wanted to become the chairman of the My Univerisity Shop Owners (MUSO) and how my dream was thwarted by a section of those who went to Nakuru last year to get us HELB which is found in Nairobi. If I were to become the chairman of the shop owners, I would have transformed the administration block into a hostel so that those living in diaspora can have a place to call home. The guys from Nakuru convinced the dean that I do not deserve to own a shop.
I will tell Dikembe about the about the people who are competing to get the shops and go to America next year. I will tell him of our future Doghanas with some names that sound like Nyefnyef Kenyatta and Titus Nyang’au. There is also another one but if I mention his name here, I will find my mass at the senate. It sounds that weird.
I will also take him to the School of Human Resource Development, that place where journalists are trained without a radio to practice with, and show him the fixed seats at the hall where he and I once listened to boring lectures and wrote notes on our laps. That is why we walk the same style with bent backs.
Before he gets up and thanks me for the maziwa ya ngamia, (it will sound like thenk yew because he is from America) I will ask him the final question which is about whether he changed his name from Dikembe to Johnson Dikindizi.
Don’t miss the humour every Wednesday.
Monday, August 5, 2013
MUSO ASPIRANTS: IGNORE SOCIAL MEDIA AT YOUR OWN PERIL
By Mohammed Doyo
It is indisputable, social media is the next platform for successful political campaigns. Going by the recent March 4 elections, a lot happened in social media networks. Both CORD and JUBILEE alliances invested millions in their social media campaigns to drive their agendas to the masses.
Uncountable Facebook pages and groups were created, influential people on social media were hired by the competing factions and so were bloggers and propagandists. By the end of the frenzied elections, Jubilee alliance emerged victors. While there may be other reasons for the win, a section of communication scholars attributed the Jubilee victory to a good communication strategy.
The same scenario was witnessed during the 2012 USA presidential campaigns where the sitting president Barack Obama, despite the growing resentment on his economic policies during his first term in office easily triumphed over the Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Political analysts to a certain extent attributed his win to an excellent use of the interactive new media to woo supporters.
A Key analysis of MUSO’s electoral process in the past and the current climate will inform the belief that the upcoming elections may end up being the most heated and dramatic ever in the history of the Union. While no one can predict with certainty what exactly would be the outcome, it is clear that social media will play a pivotal role in driving messages and will be a huge battle ground in the forthcoming students’ elections.
Why will Social media be crucial during the upcoming 2013 MUSO elections?
Majority of university students are tech savvy and well informed. Almost every single student owns at least one of these: Twitter, facebook, whatsapp or a blog where they discuss ideas and share what is in their mind or what is happening. In Main Campus context, a close look at one of the popular pages- The 3rd Eye reveals that main campus students have embraced the new age media. A single post in the page that has over 20,000 likes attracts at least 10,000 views!
Aspirants must therefore come up with a good social media strategy if they are to remain relevant in this tough race. And speaking of good social media strategy, it doesn’t just involve opening up of facebook pages and groups and posting political messages while adding members randomly and haphazardly. It is more than this. The content of these interactive media must well thought of, audience friendly and thought provoking. It must capture the aspirations of the comrades while at the same time invoke questions and constructive debates among students.
Into the bargain, having a team of social media campaigners is fundamental. This team effectively answers all questions from the comrades, makes updates in popular groups and pages, and persuades comrades into identifying with the aspirant while tackling character-assassinating propaganda that might emerge in the course of campaigns. Use of graphical representation, images to explain policies is a boost to the social media campaign.
Advertising in popular pages that have huge fan bases is advisable too. These adverts are able to reach the masses at the comfort of their rooms. Students can effortlessly tell what an aspirant stands for.
However, this doesn’t mean the traditional avenues such as use of posters, banners, Door-to door campaigns, forums on the ‘ground’, crossfire, Kamukunjis and barazas will be less important. No! A successful campaign strategy is one that is able to effectively use social media alongside the aforementioned avenues.
It is indisputable, social media is the next platform for successful political campaigns. Going by the recent March 4 elections, a lot happened in social media networks. Both CORD and JUBILEE alliances invested millions in their social media campaigns to drive their agendas to the masses.
Uncountable Facebook pages and groups were created, influential people on social media were hired by the competing factions and so were bloggers and propagandists. By the end of the frenzied elections, Jubilee alliance emerged victors. While there may be other reasons for the win, a section of communication scholars attributed the Jubilee victory to a good communication strategy.
The same scenario was witnessed during the 2012 USA presidential campaigns where the sitting president Barack Obama, despite the growing resentment on his economic policies during his first term in office easily triumphed over the Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Political analysts to a certain extent attributed his win to an excellent use of the interactive new media to woo supporters.
A Key analysis of MUSO’s electoral process in the past and the current climate will inform the belief that the upcoming elections may end up being the most heated and dramatic ever in the history of the Union. While no one can predict with certainty what exactly would be the outcome, it is clear that social media will play a pivotal role in driving messages and will be a huge battle ground in the forthcoming students’ elections.
Why will Social media be crucial during the upcoming 2013 MUSO elections?
Majority of university students are tech savvy and well informed. Almost every single student owns at least one of these: Twitter, facebook, whatsapp or a blog where they discuss ideas and share what is in their mind or what is happening. In Main Campus context, a close look at one of the popular pages- The 3rd Eye reveals that main campus students have embraced the new age media. A single post in the page that has over 20,000 likes attracts at least 10,000 views!
Aspirants must therefore come up with a good social media strategy if they are to remain relevant in this tough race. And speaking of good social media strategy, it doesn’t just involve opening up of facebook pages and groups and posting political messages while adding members randomly and haphazardly. It is more than this. The content of these interactive media must well thought of, audience friendly and thought provoking. It must capture the aspirations of the comrades while at the same time invoke questions and constructive debates among students.
Into the bargain, having a team of social media campaigners is fundamental. This team effectively answers all questions from the comrades, makes updates in popular groups and pages, and persuades comrades into identifying with the aspirant while tackling character-assassinating propaganda that might emerge in the course of campaigns. Use of graphical representation, images to explain policies is a boost to the social media campaign.
Advertising in popular pages that have huge fan bases is advisable too. These adverts are able to reach the masses at the comfort of their rooms. Students can effortlessly tell what an aspirant stands for.
However, this doesn’t mean the traditional avenues such as use of posters, banners, Door-to door campaigns, forums on the ‘ground’, crossfire, Kamukunjis and barazas will be less important. No! A successful campaign strategy is one that is able to effectively use social media alongside the aforementioned avenues.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
I CALL IT DOWNRIGHT LOGIC!
By Timothy Simwa
As we continue to grapple with the Kenyan curriculum of education that has been condemned of being devoid of the basic essentials that education in developed countries encompass, voluminous files of review commissions on education continue to gather dust in our national archives. (Just as many other reports with the latest but already mutilated TJRC report to exonerate the untouchable just as our culture of freeing the big fish demands.) Grave issues remain unsettled.
In the recent past, Kenyans have woken up to news of at least three satellite colleges that underwent an overnight evolution to become fully-fledged universities. While you might view it a plus to whoever does this, you are probably not giving it a critical evaluation or you are a continuing undergraduate who ostensibly has no idea of what lurks in the world of tarmacking for public university graduates. I blame it on popular politics, flicks and tricks that are now playing a role in our education spheres.
The sector's role in realizing a transformed society (in Kenya we call it vision 2030) cannot be underestimated but it remains crystal clear that roadside declarations by the head of state, or any other mandarin who matters in our worshipped political structures, is uncalled for in our education systems .Such moves have seen village polytechnics transform overnight to become universities. This is what I term as downright and warped logic as a way of empowering our people education-wise.
I watch in amazement as pundits succumb to pressure of locals in political rallies to establish a university within their walking-distance even when KCSE statistics reveal the whole districts had only a dozen students making it to public universities albeit the harmonized threshold by the Joint Admission Board.
Notably the head of state, particularly during the coalition regime, was characterized by institutions mushrooming in tremendous numbers. Under the same reign, as if it was a succession of awards from the head of state, we saw a number of districts upsurge to over 160 maybe to create opportunities for employing DOs as part of the 500 thousand job creation strategy plan in a year. Then followed the number of universities. Interesting enough their children read about our institutions in the newspaper from the diaspora.
Yes,we all endeavour to create a society where everyone is learned and accessing education isn't an uphill task as it has been for the have nots. But in the same breath, an education system 50 years old down the lane that has very little to salute is doomed.
The appalling conditions that describe our lives as Kenyans is enough evidence that introducing the luxury of laptops for standard one kids in our crippled education system is a rib-tickling joke. What good does it serve to a child who comes to school with an empty stomach, barefooted, in torn uniform repaired beyond repair and of course a yawning teacher whose peanuts increment treaty signed 15 years ago has not been effected leaving their situation is laughably hopeless.
If the few public universities still do not produce graduates to beat the competitive job market then average reasoning informs that creating 160 varsities to match the moribund 160 districts is disastrous. Instead of consolidating the few we have to realize hybrid graduates than the half-baked type as we are described, and of course tackle the problems bred by the crash program. Pundits in the sector continue to enjoy office slumber as we languish below their noses.
But despite this subjugation, I delight in the enthusiasm with which we remain steadfast in this struggle to refute the appellation of suffering creativity bankruptcy as public university graduates.All we need is a million dollar determination. We will overcome
The writer is a 3rd year journalism student.
As we continue to grapple with the Kenyan curriculum of education that has been condemned of being devoid of the basic essentials that education in developed countries encompass, voluminous files of review commissions on education continue to gather dust in our national archives. (Just as many other reports with the latest but already mutilated TJRC report to exonerate the untouchable just as our culture of freeing the big fish demands.) Grave issues remain unsettled.
In the recent past, Kenyans have woken up to news of at least three satellite colleges that underwent an overnight evolution to become fully-fledged universities. While you might view it a plus to whoever does this, you are probably not giving it a critical evaluation or you are a continuing undergraduate who ostensibly has no idea of what lurks in the world of tarmacking for public university graduates. I blame it on popular politics, flicks and tricks that are now playing a role in our education spheres.
The sector's role in realizing a transformed society (in Kenya we call it vision 2030) cannot be underestimated but it remains crystal clear that roadside declarations by the head of state, or any other mandarin who matters in our worshipped political structures, is uncalled for in our education systems .Such moves have seen village polytechnics transform overnight to become universities. This is what I term as downright and warped logic as a way of empowering our people education-wise.
I watch in amazement as pundits succumb to pressure of locals in political rallies to establish a university within their walking-distance even when KCSE statistics reveal the whole districts had only a dozen students making it to public universities albeit the harmonized threshold by the Joint Admission Board.
Notably the head of state, particularly during the coalition regime, was characterized by institutions mushrooming in tremendous numbers. Under the same reign, as if it was a succession of awards from the head of state, we saw a number of districts upsurge to over 160 maybe to create opportunities for employing DOs as part of the 500 thousand job creation strategy plan in a year. Then followed the number of universities. Interesting enough their children read about our institutions in the newspaper from the diaspora.
Yes,we all endeavour to create a society where everyone is learned and accessing education isn't an uphill task as it has been for the have nots. But in the same breath, an education system 50 years old down the lane that has very little to salute is doomed.
The appalling conditions that describe our lives as Kenyans is enough evidence that introducing the luxury of laptops for standard one kids in our crippled education system is a rib-tickling joke. What good does it serve to a child who comes to school with an empty stomach, barefooted, in torn uniform repaired beyond repair and of course a yawning teacher whose peanuts increment treaty signed 15 years ago has not been effected leaving their situation is laughably hopeless.
If the few public universities still do not produce graduates to beat the competitive job market then average reasoning informs that creating 160 varsities to match the moribund 160 districts is disastrous. Instead of consolidating the few we have to realize hybrid graduates than the half-baked type as we are described, and of course tackle the problems bred by the crash program. Pundits in the sector continue to enjoy office slumber as we languish below their noses.
But despite this subjugation, I delight in the enthusiasm with which we remain steadfast in this struggle to refute the appellation of suffering creativity bankruptcy as public university graduates.All we need is a million dollar determination. We will overcome
The writer is a 3rd year journalism student.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
ADMINISTRATION: CLASS OF ’09 TO GRADUATE IN DECEMBER NOT AUGUST
By Mohammed Doyo and Remington Galo
The University administration has finally cleared the air over the groups that will be graduating later this month. Fourth years students who cleared school on 12th July 2013 will not be part of the forthcoming 29th graduation set to happen on 30th August.
“The upcoming graduation will involve students, drawn from all the University’s campuses, who failed to graduate in previous years because of various reasons” clarified Ms. Harriet Ramogi, an administrator in the office of DVC Academics, Research and Extension.
“Every year, students fail to graduate due to fee issues, missing marks, clearance issues among other factors. The 29th graduation will thus have a smaller number of graduates compared to past graduations”, She added.
The fourth years (Class of 2009) are set to graduate in December.
“The class of ’09 will most likely graduate in December after we are done with marking exams and compiling them” said Dr. Menjo, the Principal Administrative Officer in charge of Examinations.
“It is unrealistic to expect fourth years who cleared their final exams on mid July to graduate after one month” added the Officer.
This clarification follows information that was earlier posted in the university’s website that 29th graduation is set to take place on 30th August this year. However, the university had not specified the campus or the groups that were set to graduate
The University administration has finally cleared the air over the groups that will be graduating later this month. Fourth years students who cleared school on 12th July 2013 will not be part of the forthcoming 29th graduation set to happen on 30th August.
“The upcoming graduation will involve students, drawn from all the University’s campuses, who failed to graduate in previous years because of various reasons” clarified Ms. Harriet Ramogi, an administrator in the office of DVC Academics, Research and Extension.
“Every year, students fail to graduate due to fee issues, missing marks, clearance issues among other factors. The 29th graduation will thus have a smaller number of graduates compared to past graduations”, She added.
The fourth years (Class of 2009) are set to graduate in December.
“The class of ’09 will most likely graduate in December after we are done with marking exams and compiling them” said Dr. Menjo, the Principal Administrative Officer in charge of Examinations.
“It is unrealistic to expect fourth years who cleared their final exams on mid July to graduate after one month” added the Officer.
This clarification follows information that was earlier posted in the university’s website that 29th graduation is set to take place on 30th August this year. However, the university had not specified the campus or the groups that were set to graduate
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
YES THERE WERE FAILURES; BUT OF WHO, WHEN, WHERE AND HOW? (Right of Reply)
By Dikembe Disembe
Mohammed Doyo, probably with hindsight, has attempted to put words on my time as the Secretary General. Cautiously, he has navigated one of the hardest experiences of any journalist: To objectively write about a friend.
Truth is, when I actively served in Muso, which is during the first part of the academic year 2013/14; two things shaped the operations of MUSO.
First was the external politics within the larger student body. Can anyone recall my first actions when I got in? I guess not. Here it is: I wanted us to accommodate more students within the university halls. I wanted the so called 'senior hostels' decked and the thousand 'unknown students' housed in 'shanties' at Blue gate and whatnot brought in. This failed, but was it my failure? Later, until now, one of the most hurtful things to students has been on the area of accommodation.
Back then, people told me to concentrate on "my docket", which, in MUSO parlance, meant to do those functions explicitly stated for the Sec Gen. Who were these people? Doyo only needs to go back there and you will be shocked by the names. You see, I got into MUSO in spite of (without) the endorsements of so many people. The students who voted me in were moderate, unknown and very 'silent' group. They just came, voted and left.
Often, the people whose names appear in any political discussions in Main Campus do not need student leaders to navigate the murky waters of institutional bureaucracies; in fact, many of them are part of the system; and its problems. Ever heard that, say, Allan Wadi, missed a room? Or my friend Kobilo? You see, to them; student politics is just a showbiz. A game. They know nothing about living Kilometers away from the library or lecture halls. They just imagine it.
Doyo highlights four failures (though this number is being contested as too less) on my work. First, that I had a tussle with one Salat which I took to the Dean for resolution. Two, that I 'did little' to achieve a new constitution. Three, that I owned a shop; and four that I concentrated too much on national politics and 'neglected' MUSO politics.
But, just as all journalists do, Doyo, who seems to be too lenient on a friend, left it for each comrade to agree or disagree with his observations. I have seen the debate and the feedback; and it humbles to know what people think of you.
I wish, however, to respond to the question of the MUSO constitution. Until last week, I did not know that a clique of students led by one George Bush were again engaged in writing a "new constitution"; and that over Ksh 70,000 went into that activity. I can't wait for crossfire! But I digress.
While Doyo says I did very little (at least he appreciates I did something; which was 'very little'); he does not say what was this that I did: Here it is.
Throughout the whole year, the university Chief Legal Officer, Ms Sinani, was engaged in the vetting of the judges and magistrates. She was on a sabbatical leave. Now, any student who understands legal framework on which Moi University was established will tell you that no document can ever be declared in use in Moi University without the input of the Chief Legal Officer. I made countless attempts to have this lady endorse the constitution until I realized it was never going to happen. What would you have done?
On my tiff with Salat, a classmate; I have this: Morality, especially sexual morality; is a very personal issue. Salat knew that nothing infuriates me more than an awefully false accusation on "sleeping with women around", yet that is what he wrote about me. As a man, it will be stupid to deny my vitality on matters procreational; but, as a student leader, I always made a point to stick with the same muso 'gal' am still dating-and yes, she took Salat's article with a pinch of salt; accepted it and we moved on!
Suffice to say, after the noise went down, Salat, a practising muslim, made a point and apologized to me over it. We ended it.
People can talk about my failures day on end but there are things they will never dare talk about: No one will dare say they obstructed so many of my initial ideas of what strengthening MUSO entailed. As the Secretary General; I have put the name of MUSO in the best of places;and events in this world! And just don't forget; am penning this piece from two oceans away!
Lastly, for the incoming SG, and i'm glad the position has attracted the highest number, though majority are jokers, I have this for you: Stepping in my shoes won't be easy, but, TRY anyway! Forget the low politics of shops and sex; MUSO is bigger than the little sideshows of who poisoned who, where, why and how.
The writer is the outgoing MUSO Secretary General, currently on an exchange programme at Miami University, US
Mohammed Doyo, probably with hindsight, has attempted to put words on my time as the Secretary General. Cautiously, he has navigated one of the hardest experiences of any journalist: To objectively write about a friend.
Truth is, when I actively served in Muso, which is during the first part of the academic year 2013/14; two things shaped the operations of MUSO.
First was the external politics within the larger student body. Can anyone recall my first actions when I got in? I guess not. Here it is: I wanted us to accommodate more students within the university halls. I wanted the so called 'senior hostels' decked and the thousand 'unknown students' housed in 'shanties' at Blue gate and whatnot brought in. This failed, but was it my failure? Later, until now, one of the most hurtful things to students has been on the area of accommodation.
Back then, people told me to concentrate on "my docket", which, in MUSO parlance, meant to do those functions explicitly stated for the Sec Gen. Who were these people? Doyo only needs to go back there and you will be shocked by the names. You see, I got into MUSO in spite of (without) the endorsements of so many people. The students who voted me in were moderate, unknown and very 'silent' group. They just came, voted and left.
Often, the people whose names appear in any political discussions in Main Campus do not need student leaders to navigate the murky waters of institutional bureaucracies; in fact, many of them are part of the system; and its problems. Ever heard that, say, Allan Wadi, missed a room? Or my friend Kobilo? You see, to them; student politics is just a showbiz. A game. They know nothing about living Kilometers away from the library or lecture halls. They just imagine it.
Doyo highlights four failures (though this number is being contested as too less) on my work. First, that I had a tussle with one Salat which I took to the Dean for resolution. Two, that I 'did little' to achieve a new constitution. Three, that I owned a shop; and four that I concentrated too much on national politics and 'neglected' MUSO politics.
But, just as all journalists do, Doyo, who seems to be too lenient on a friend, left it for each comrade to agree or disagree with his observations. I have seen the debate and the feedback; and it humbles to know what people think of you.
I wish, however, to respond to the question of the MUSO constitution. Until last week, I did not know that a clique of students led by one George Bush were again engaged in writing a "new constitution"; and that over Ksh 70,000 went into that activity. I can't wait for crossfire! But I digress.
While Doyo says I did very little (at least he appreciates I did something; which was 'very little'); he does not say what was this that I did: Here it is.
Throughout the whole year, the university Chief Legal Officer, Ms Sinani, was engaged in the vetting of the judges and magistrates. She was on a sabbatical leave. Now, any student who understands legal framework on which Moi University was established will tell you that no document can ever be declared in use in Moi University without the input of the Chief Legal Officer. I made countless attempts to have this lady endorse the constitution until I realized it was never going to happen. What would you have done?
On my tiff with Salat, a classmate; I have this: Morality, especially sexual morality; is a very personal issue. Salat knew that nothing infuriates me more than an awefully false accusation on "sleeping with women around", yet that is what he wrote about me. As a man, it will be stupid to deny my vitality on matters procreational; but, as a student leader, I always made a point to stick with the same muso 'gal' am still dating-and yes, she took Salat's article with a pinch of salt; accepted it and we moved on!
Suffice to say, after the noise went down, Salat, a practising muslim, made a point and apologized to me over it. We ended it.
People can talk about my failures day on end but there are things they will never dare talk about: No one will dare say they obstructed so many of my initial ideas of what strengthening MUSO entailed. As the Secretary General; I have put the name of MUSO in the best of places;and events in this world! And just don't forget; am penning this piece from two oceans away!
Lastly, for the incoming SG, and i'm glad the position has attracted the highest number, though majority are jokers, I have this for you: Stepping in my shoes won't be easy, but, TRY anyway! Forget the low politics of shops and sex; MUSO is bigger than the little sideshows of who poisoned who, where, why and how.
The writer is the outgoing MUSO Secretary General, currently on an exchange programme at Miami University, US
FOURTH YEAR STUDENTS CHOOSE SEC OVER VYING IN COMING ELECTIONS
By Tony Irungu
The current fourth years have sacrificed their leadership quest to join the 27th SGC over an opportunity to serve in the SEC (students’ electoral commission). This comes after a politically charged meeting held yesterday (Tuesday 30th) afternoon attended by a cross section of the current fourth years and the dean of students.
The group resolved to form the SEC under the condition that 3 posts be reserved for the fourth years which will be filled through competitive elections and also to be represented and consulted in all issues pertaining MUSO.
The agreement, ratified by the dean of students and the students present had a provision for a caretaker committee to be constituted during the 2nd semester when some of the SGC leaders will be on vacation. The agreement was also on condition that the SEC selection process is to be free, fair and impartial.
The deal was arrived at after the dean of students declined a proposal by the fourth years to vie in the elections and also be involved in overseeing the polls.
“You are free to vie for elections, but you cannot be a referee and the player at the same time, the principal of natural justice states that you cannot be a judge over your own case” said the dean who was called upon to make clarifications on contentious issues that nearly brought the meeting to a halt. The dean equivocally stated that it was to be a hard choice between serving in the SEC, present candidates for the polls or come up with a co-opting arrangement.
The SEC which oversees MUSO elections constitutes of 30 to 45 members drawn from finalists and the post graduate students. Apart from the allowances that accompany the service, a certificate equivalent to the one given to the SGC members is given out making the post equivalent to that of an SGC member. The ordinary members earn Ksh. 5000 while the chairman and the secretary both earn about Ksh 8000
The consensus reached was received with mixed reactions from a cross -cutting student’s populace with some citing ambiguity in the 3 slots-provision given to the fourth years which have no specifications.
Some quipped that it was not an all inclusive meeting and that dreams of some fourth year aspirants were shuttered without any guarantee of being selected to be members of the SEC. the composition of the SEC was also questioned where there are two fourth year groups and the post graduates and who qualify to be bonafide SEC members.
The current fourth years have sacrificed their leadership quest to join the 27th SGC over an opportunity to serve in the SEC (students’ electoral commission). This comes after a politically charged meeting held yesterday (Tuesday 30th) afternoon attended by a cross section of the current fourth years and the dean of students.
The group resolved to form the SEC under the condition that 3 posts be reserved for the fourth years which will be filled through competitive elections and also to be represented and consulted in all issues pertaining MUSO.
The agreement, ratified by the dean of students and the students present had a provision for a caretaker committee to be constituted during the 2nd semester when some of the SGC leaders will be on vacation. The agreement was also on condition that the SEC selection process is to be free, fair and impartial.
The deal was arrived at after the dean of students declined a proposal by the fourth years to vie in the elections and also be involved in overseeing the polls.
“You are free to vie for elections, but you cannot be a referee and the player at the same time, the principal of natural justice states that you cannot be a judge over your own case” said the dean who was called upon to make clarifications on contentious issues that nearly brought the meeting to a halt. The dean equivocally stated that it was to be a hard choice between serving in the SEC, present candidates for the polls or come up with a co-opting arrangement.
The SEC which oversees MUSO elections constitutes of 30 to 45 members drawn from finalists and the post graduate students. Apart from the allowances that accompany the service, a certificate equivalent to the one given to the SGC members is given out making the post equivalent to that of an SGC member. The ordinary members earn Ksh. 5000 while the chairman and the secretary both earn about Ksh 8000
The consensus reached was received with mixed reactions from a cross -cutting student’s populace with some citing ambiguity in the 3 slots-provision given to the fourth years which have no specifications.
Some quipped that it was not an all inclusive meeting and that dreams of some fourth year aspirants were shuttered without any guarantee of being selected to be members of the SEC. the composition of the SEC was also questioned where there are two fourth year groups and the post graduates and who qualify to be bonafide SEC members.
APPLICATION FOR STUDENTS ELECTORAL COMMISSION (SEC) POSTS BEGINS
By Remington Galo
Undergraduate finalist and postgraduate students interested in being selected as Student Electoral Commissioners are being urged to apply. In a memo dated 30th July 2013, by The Dean of Students, the Electoral Commission shall comprise of at least 30 members. The members will be drawn from fourth and fifth year students (finalists) or post-graduate. Students possessing high integrity, independent and neutral have been urged to apply.
The SEC will organize elections of officials for the 27th SGC in conjunction with the Returning Officer and The Dean of Students for the 2013/2014 academic year, supervise campaign meetings and maintain discipline throughout the electioneering period, preside as officials (polling clerks and officials), aid in sorting out and counting of votes, maintain discipline within polling stations, and see that no electioneering is done within the premises of the polling stations (students center).
Those eligible for selection should submit their application in sealed envelopes marked ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ at the top to the Dean of Student’s Office latest by 6th August 2013 at 10.00 am. The applicants should state, among others, their full names, registration numbers, email addresses, mobile number/s, responsibilities held in the varsity in class and other welfare associations and the reason/s they think they should be selected.
Interviews will be conducted on 8th and 9th of August and names of successful applicants be pinned on notice boards on 13th August, 2013. The SEC will proceed to pick their chairperson and secretary on 15th August 2013 at 5pm. The chairperson and the secretary will prepare the program for elections and consequently take over the electioneering course.
Undergraduate finalist and postgraduate students interested in being selected as Student Electoral Commissioners are being urged to apply. In a memo dated 30th July 2013, by The Dean of Students, the Electoral Commission shall comprise of at least 30 members. The members will be drawn from fourth and fifth year students (finalists) or post-graduate. Students possessing high integrity, independent and neutral have been urged to apply.
The SEC will organize elections of officials for the 27th SGC in conjunction with the Returning Officer and The Dean of Students for the 2013/2014 academic year, supervise campaign meetings and maintain discipline throughout the electioneering period, preside as officials (polling clerks and officials), aid in sorting out and counting of votes, maintain discipline within polling stations, and see that no electioneering is done within the premises of the polling stations (students center).
Those eligible for selection should submit their application in sealed envelopes marked ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ at the top to the Dean of Student’s Office latest by 6th August 2013 at 10.00 am. The applicants should state, among others, their full names, registration numbers, email addresses, mobile number/s, responsibilities held in the varsity in class and other welfare associations and the reason/s they think they should be selected.
Interviews will be conducted on 8th and 9th of August and names of successful applicants be pinned on notice boards on 13th August, 2013. The SEC will proceed to pick their chairperson and secretary on 15th August 2013 at 5pm. The chairperson and the secretary will prepare the program for elections and consequently take over the electioneering course.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
RETAIN ROOMS AS YOU WAIT FOR HELB, SAYS DVC
By Mohammed Doyo
A group of students met the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students' Affairs) Prof. Nathan Ogechi this afternoon following a direction that all 3rd years and a section of 2nd years who retained rooms last semester to clear fee & accommodation by this Friday, 2nd July 2013.
In the meeting, it was resolved that students (HELB beneficiaries) should be allowed to retain rooms as they wait for the loan disbursement.
The DVC had earlier on convened a meeting with Deans of all schools and agreed that the affected students by HELB delay should be allowed to pick their clearance certificates from their respective schools without necessarily clearing both tuition and accommodation fees.
After being issued with clearance certificates, students will be required to take them to the ICT department for officially registration in the online booking system.
The ICT will be setting a desk at the Student Center starting tomorrow to conduct the exercise. Students retaining rooms have been urged to comply with online registration process .
A group of students met the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students' Affairs) Prof. Nathan Ogechi this afternoon following a direction that all 3rd years and a section of 2nd years who retained rooms last semester to clear fee & accommodation by this Friday, 2nd July 2013.
In the meeting, it was resolved that students (HELB beneficiaries) should be allowed to retain rooms as they wait for the loan disbursement.
The DVC had earlier on convened a meeting with Deans of all schools and agreed that the affected students by HELB delay should be allowed to pick their clearance certificates from their respective schools without necessarily clearing both tuition and accommodation fees.
After being issued with clearance certificates, students will be required to take them to the ICT department for officially registration in the online booking system.
The ICT will be setting a desk at the Student Center starting tomorrow to conduct the exercise. Students retaining rooms have been urged to comply with online registration process .
ON THE SPOTLIGHT: DIKEMBE DISEMBE
By Mohammed Doyo
In analyzing the performance of the 26th SGC, This week we focus on Seth Odong’o alias Dikembe Disembe the outgoing Muso Secretary General.
Dikembe, who has his beginnings in the campus media, will perhaps be remembered as one candidate who swayed the crowd in the last minute during the 2012 pre-election game changing crossfire. Thanks to a clearly articulated, electrifying speech that captured the aspirations of the comrades, Dikembe easily trounced Meshack Omega, who the opinion polls had placed as the post’s favorite in the March 17 2012 Muso elections.
Dikembe has had his successes and failures as the secretary general of MUSO. Collaborating with campus activists, he was instrumental in fighting for HELB disbursements in year 2012. At a time when HELB had declared to have no funds to disburse, Dikembe led a delegation to Nairobi which successfully negotiated for the release of the funds.
During the 2012 demonstration against the intended fare hike by the MU-84 Sacco, Dikembe was in the forefront agitating for discipline among the operators of the transport sector.
In an SGC that has been clogged with corruption and misappropriation of funds, Dikembe managed to set himself apart, often condemning the acts on the social media. He has also been a key defendant of students faced by discipline issues in the
University disciplinary meetings where he is a member.
However, the outspoken secretary general has had his fair share of shortcomings.
In year 2012, Dikembe was involved a tussle with the shamba Boy writer who he accused of painting him in the negative light in one of the articles. Quite unexpected him, He reported the matter to the dean of students. However, the Dean ruled in favor of Maalim Salaat. This incident almost toppled him out of the SGC after a section of the students, who were displeased by his move to report Maalim, decided to collect signatures to remove him from office. In an interesting turn of events, the group collecting the signatures mysteriously halted the process.
Perhaps one of his greatest shortcomings, the secretary general was unable to escape the lure of owning a shop, something he had vehemently condemned in all his scathing articles he used to write before joining the SGC.
In addition, Dikembe did little to see a new constitution in place, a task that squarely lies in his office. Considering he was part of the Collins Bett-led commission that wrote the 2011 draft constitution, a section of the students felt he was in a very good position to push for its adoption.
Others felt the secretary General of concentrating too much on national politics, SONU politics on social media in expense of MUSO issues while others felt the SG was too high handed to listen to issues of average students.
Nonetheless, Dikembe remains a figure that won’t be ignored in both student and national politics in Kenya in the near future. Going by what he does in socio-political platforms, pundits have argued that the acclaimed scribe, blogger and a social and political commentator, is among the few SGC members who have a political future after the SGC.
The writer is the Editor-in-Chief, The 3rd Eye.
In analyzing the performance of the 26th SGC, This week we focus on Seth Odong’o alias Dikembe Disembe the outgoing Muso Secretary General.
Dikembe, who has his beginnings in the campus media, will perhaps be remembered as one candidate who swayed the crowd in the last minute during the 2012 pre-election game changing crossfire. Thanks to a clearly articulated, electrifying speech that captured the aspirations of the comrades, Dikembe easily trounced Meshack Omega, who the opinion polls had placed as the post’s favorite in the March 17 2012 Muso elections.
Dikembe has had his successes and failures as the secretary general of MUSO. Collaborating with campus activists, he was instrumental in fighting for HELB disbursements in year 2012. At a time when HELB had declared to have no funds to disburse, Dikembe led a delegation to Nairobi which successfully negotiated for the release of the funds.
During the 2012 demonstration against the intended fare hike by the MU-84 Sacco, Dikembe was in the forefront agitating for discipline among the operators of the transport sector.
In an SGC that has been clogged with corruption and misappropriation of funds, Dikembe managed to set himself apart, often condemning the acts on the social media. He has also been a key defendant of students faced by discipline issues in the
University disciplinary meetings where he is a member.
However, the outspoken secretary general has had his fair share of shortcomings.
In year 2012, Dikembe was involved a tussle with the shamba Boy writer who he accused of painting him in the negative light in one of the articles. Quite unexpected him, He reported the matter to the dean of students. However, the Dean ruled in favor of Maalim Salaat. This incident almost toppled him out of the SGC after a section of the students, who were displeased by his move to report Maalim, decided to collect signatures to remove him from office. In an interesting turn of events, the group collecting the signatures mysteriously halted the process.
Perhaps one of his greatest shortcomings, the secretary general was unable to escape the lure of owning a shop, something he had vehemently condemned in all his scathing articles he used to write before joining the SGC.
In addition, Dikembe did little to see a new constitution in place, a task that squarely lies in his office. Considering he was part of the Collins Bett-led commission that wrote the 2011 draft constitution, a section of the students felt he was in a very good position to push for its adoption.
Others felt the secretary General of concentrating too much on national politics, SONU politics on social media in expense of MUSO issues while others felt the SG was too high handed to listen to issues of average students.
Nonetheless, Dikembe remains a figure that won’t be ignored in both student and national politics in Kenya in the near future. Going by what he does in socio-political platforms, pundits have argued that the acclaimed scribe, blogger and a social and political commentator, is among the few SGC members who have a political future after the SGC.
The writer is the Editor-in-Chief, The 3rd Eye.
Monday, July 29, 2013
STUDENTS DECRY DILAPIDATED STATE OF HOSTELS
By Kamau Wainaina
Students residing in varsity hostels are up in arms over poor condition of the hostel rooms.
The students have raised concern over lack of light in washrooms and dilapidated state of the rooms which they say have worn out floors and do not have power sockets.
“There are no light in most of the washrooms and this has made using the facilities difficult,” said hostel B resident.
He said the institution ceased to treat students as clients adding that the concerned authorities should address the menace with speed.
The students, majority fourth years, have also expressed fears over their security within the institution reiterating that if it does not move with speed to fix security lights at strategic points, cases of insecurity are poised to soar.
“There are no security lights in most parts of the university and I fear insecurity might soar,” added the student who sought for anonymity.
The students have faulted the university’s management over lack of initiative to renovate the institution’s hostels.
He said, “The institution should carry out regular maintenance of the rooms to improve their conditions.”
The same sentiments were echoed by several students residing in Hostels A, F, G and E.
ENDS…
The students have raised concern over lack of light in washrooms and dilapidated state of the rooms which they say have worn out floors and do not have power sockets.
“There are no light in most of the washrooms and this has made using the facilities difficult,” said hostel B resident.
He said the institution ceased to treat students as clients adding that the concerned authorities should address the menace with speed.
The students, majority fourth years, have also expressed fears over their security within the institution reiterating that if it does not move with speed to fix security lights at strategic points, cases of insecurity are poised to soar.
“There are no security lights in most parts of the university and I fear insecurity might soar,” added the student who sought for anonymity.
The students have faulted the university’s management over lack of initiative to renovate the institution’s hostels.
He said, “The institution should carry out regular maintenance of the rooms to improve their conditions.”
The same sentiments were echoed by several students residing in Hostels A, F, G and E.
ENDS…
RE-BOOK YOUR ROOMS, THIRD YEARS DIRECTED
By Remington Galo
Third year students who retained rooms have been directed to re-book the rooms online. According to a memo dated 26th July 2013, students should re-book rooms latest by noon Friday 2nd August 2013 to reconfirm the rooms retained from last semester.
After 2nd of August, ICT system will be synchronized and those not captured by it will be considered unregistered and thus non-resident in the campus hostels.
Conditions for re-booking a room are paying full tuition and accommodation fees, obtain a clearance form from the dean of school, confirm with the Hostels Officer that they have been allocated the room and then sign the room allocation sheet.
This comes at time when some students are uncertain whether and when they will receive their HELB loans. Majority of students who are HELB beneficiaries use the funds to cater for their fee and daily upkeep.
A section of third year students have not yet received their loans because of an alleged hitch with the loaners systems thus forcing the students to wait for a whole semester. However, unconfirmed reports say the funds might be disbursed by the end of this week.
Third year students who retained rooms have been directed to re-book the rooms online. According to a memo dated 26th July 2013, students should re-book rooms latest by noon Friday 2nd August 2013 to reconfirm the rooms retained from last semester.
After 2nd of August, ICT system will be synchronized and those not captured by it will be considered unregistered and thus non-resident in the campus hostels.
Conditions for re-booking a room are paying full tuition and accommodation fees, obtain a clearance form from the dean of school, confirm with the Hostels Officer that they have been allocated the room and then sign the room allocation sheet.
This comes at time when some students are uncertain whether and when they will receive their HELB loans. Majority of students who are HELB beneficiaries use the funds to cater for their fee and daily upkeep.
A section of third year students have not yet received their loans because of an alleged hitch with the loaners systems thus forcing the students to wait for a whole semester. However, unconfirmed reports say the funds might be disbursed by the end of this week.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
PREPARATION FOR MUSO ELECTIONS BEGINS
By Mohammed Doyo
The quest to succeed the 26th SGC(Students' Governing Council) has begun with many aspirants declaring their interests to vie for various positions. Several aspirants have created face book pages and groups, twitter handles in readiness to woo voters through the social media networks platforms while others have earnestly begun seeking support and endorsement from Campus popular and influential figures ahead of the MUSO elections scheduled to happen in the course of this semester.
Aspirants are already making their presence and their candidature known through popular face book pages and groups that involve Main Campus. One such page is The 3rd Eye wall which has continued to receive influx of posts from aspirants making their candidature known over the past few weeks. Students too have been publicly endorsing their preferred choices on the same wall.
Going by the number of people who have declared interest to vie for the MUSO posts so far, the forthcoming elections might turn out to be the most competitive in the recent MUSO elections history. In the docket of secretary general alone, over fifteen students have declared interests to run for the post as battle to succeed Seth Dikembe hots up. The number is expected to steadily rise as others, who are yet to declare interests to vie, emerge in the due course. The same scenario has been witnessed in other dockets.
The Aspirants will be seeking to succeed the 26th SGC which has been in office since March 2012.
The quest to succeed the 26th SGC(Students' Governing Council) has begun with many aspirants declaring their interests to vie for various positions. Several aspirants have created face book pages and groups, twitter handles in readiness to woo voters through the social media networks platforms while others have earnestly begun seeking support and endorsement from Campus popular and influential figures ahead of the MUSO elections scheduled to happen in the course of this semester.
Aspirants are already making their presence and their candidature known through popular face book pages and groups that involve Main Campus. One such page is The 3rd Eye wall which has continued to receive influx of posts from aspirants making their candidature known over the past few weeks. Students too have been publicly endorsing their preferred choices on the same wall.
Going by the number of people who have declared interest to vie for the MUSO posts so far, the forthcoming elections might turn out to be the most competitive in the recent MUSO elections history. In the docket of secretary general alone, over fifteen students have declared interests to run for the post as battle to succeed Seth Dikembe hots up. The number is expected to steadily rise as others, who are yet to declare interests to vie, emerge in the due course. The same scenario has been witnessed in other dockets.
The Aspirants will be seeking to succeed the 26th SGC which has been in office since March 2012.
Friday, July 26, 2013
ON THE BEAM BALANCE- FLORENCE DOGHANA’S SUCCESSES AND FAILURES
By Mohammed Doyo
Beginning this week, The 3rd Eye will be analyzing the successes and failures of the 26th Student Governing Council (SGC) which presumably will be ending its tenure officially in a few days time. We will be evaluating the performance of each of the 12th members heading MUSO (Moi University Students’ Organization). This week, we focus on the chairman of the union, Florence Doghana.
Florence Doghana, a political scientist, will perhaps go into history as the longest serving SGC chairman in over 25 years of MUSO existence. Popularly referred to as ‘Mr. President’ by a section of the students, Doghana entered office in March 2012 and has continued to serve to date.
Doghana , who won hearts at the 2012 game changing crossfire thanks to his electrifying speech has had both ups and down . To begin with, he was involved in a tussle with his counterpart, Seth Dikembe, almost immediately after he assumed office over the nomination of Stephen Macharia as the Editor-in-chief of MUSO. In a power supremacy battle that lasted for weeks, Doghana was able to nullify Macharia’s appointment, promising to appoint another Editor in Chief. Perhaps the greatest of his undoing, despite all the efforts to nullify Macharia’s appointment, the post has remained vacant to date costing the union an editor to run ‘The Daily Illuminator’-a MUSO publication.
A section of students also accuse ‘Mr. President’ of failing to intervene over the reporting dates that have remained a constant headache due to their unpredictable nature. For instance, the KCSE 2009 group who recently finished their 4th year education accuse the chairman of doing little when they had to stay at home for over a year despite joining the institution way back before the inception of the accelerated double intake program.
Other groups too have lodged several accusations against Doghana and his SGC team for not intervening when the infamous ‘impromptu’ further notices, synonymous with Moi University, strike.
Some students also feel the chairman has done little especially when matters concerning ‘HELB’ disbursements take the centre stage. For instance, the Chairman was seen to take a backseat during the June 2012 famous push for HELB disbursements that involved campus activist and SGC members; the likes of Obilo Kobilo and Dikembe Disembe. This year, the current 3rd years have lodged similar complaints against him and the rest of the SGC for not pressurizing the administration enough to push HELB into disbursing the funds on time.
Doghana have also scored low in building and enhancing the spirit of comradeship among students. Rarely did he make efforts to unite students to rally behind a common course, save for the demo against MU-84 Sacco.
Other students also speak of Doghana as being too moderate and complacent in handling students’ issues while others have complained of his inaccessibility. Doghana has been residing in Eldoret town for the better part of his 4th year education.
Nonetheless, Doghana has had his fair share of success stories. It is during his tenure that online balloting of hostels has been introduced same for wireless internet that has reached some places in the campus. In addition, it’s during his regime that a disabled student – Abdullahi-was nominated to the SGC. In 2012, he was instrumental in the demonstration against the MU-84 Sacco fare hikes.
In several occasions Doghana has rubbed the administration the wrong way for speaking his mind especially in senate and disciplinary meetings concerning the managerial inefficiencies of the institution’s. In the same breath, the flossy chairman who is fond of spotting Nigerian robes, has managed to remain 'independent' in an SGC that has been clogged with numerous allegations of being administration ‘projects’.
Beginning this week, The 3rd Eye will be analyzing the successes and failures of the 26th Student Governing Council (SGC) which presumably will be ending its tenure officially in a few days time. We will be evaluating the performance of each of the 12th members heading MUSO (Moi University Students’ Organization). This week, we focus on the chairman of the union, Florence Doghana.
Florence Doghana, a political scientist, will perhaps go into history as the longest serving SGC chairman in over 25 years of MUSO existence. Popularly referred to as ‘Mr. President’ by a section of the students, Doghana entered office in March 2012 and has continued to serve to date.
Doghana , who won hearts at the 2012 game changing crossfire thanks to his electrifying speech has had both ups and down . To begin with, he was involved in a tussle with his counterpart, Seth Dikembe, almost immediately after he assumed office over the nomination of Stephen Macharia as the Editor-in-chief of MUSO. In a power supremacy battle that lasted for weeks, Doghana was able to nullify Macharia’s appointment, promising to appoint another Editor in Chief. Perhaps the greatest of his undoing, despite all the efforts to nullify Macharia’s appointment, the post has remained vacant to date costing the union an editor to run ‘The Daily Illuminator’-a MUSO publication.
A section of students also accuse ‘Mr. President’ of failing to intervene over the reporting dates that have remained a constant headache due to their unpredictable nature. For instance, the KCSE 2009 group who recently finished their 4th year education accuse the chairman of doing little when they had to stay at home for over a year despite joining the institution way back before the inception of the accelerated double intake program.
Other groups too have lodged several accusations against Doghana and his SGC team for not intervening when the infamous ‘impromptu’ further notices, synonymous with Moi University, strike.
Some students also feel the chairman has done little especially when matters concerning ‘HELB’ disbursements take the centre stage. For instance, the Chairman was seen to take a backseat during the June 2012 famous push for HELB disbursements that involved campus activist and SGC members; the likes of Obilo Kobilo and Dikembe Disembe. This year, the current 3rd years have lodged similar complaints against him and the rest of the SGC for not pressurizing the administration enough to push HELB into disbursing the funds on time.
Doghana have also scored low in building and enhancing the spirit of comradeship among students. Rarely did he make efforts to unite students to rally behind a common course, save for the demo against MU-84 Sacco.
Other students also speak of Doghana as being too moderate and complacent in handling students’ issues while others have complained of his inaccessibility. Doghana has been residing in Eldoret town for the better part of his 4th year education.
Nonetheless, Doghana has had his fair share of success stories. It is during his tenure that online balloting of hostels has been introduced same for wireless internet that has reached some places in the campus. In addition, it’s during his regime that a disabled student – Abdullahi-was nominated to the SGC. In 2012, he was instrumental in the demonstration against the MU-84 Sacco fare hikes.
In several occasions Doghana has rubbed the administration the wrong way for speaking his mind especially in senate and disciplinary meetings concerning the managerial inefficiencies of the institution’s. In the same breath, the flossy chairman who is fond of spotting Nigerian robes, has managed to remain 'independent' in an SGC that has been clogged with numerous allegations of being administration ‘projects’.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
WILL MOI UNIVERSITY SURVIVE THE ERA OF NEW CHARTERS?
By Gitungo Wamere
The dream of every Kenyan High school kid is to join a public university. They may not know what to do when they get therein, but our guillotine like system, demands them to dream to be in a University.
Unfortunately, the lucky ones when they get there they end up being frustrated by the dysfunctional system of our higher education. Those who join an institution like Moi University, which
chokes from its contradictions, end up resigning and cursing the whole system of higher education. The nearly collapsing higher education is what inspired the conceptualization of the UNIVERSITIES BILL 2012.
The bill is supposed to be the blueprint and therefore the cure- all document of the abuse, neglect and marginalization of our universities. So Many atrocities have been committed against our universities and in this Moi University is a perfect case study.
The bill outlines the objectives, the principles and values of university education in Kenya. On top of the objectives is to promote socio- economic development in line with the country’s agenda. Quality and relevance ranks top on the principle and values list. Without fear of any contradiction, Moi University lags behind in attaining these fundamentals. For instance, the Institution is situated in an area that was largely affected by 2007-8 PEV; did it play any role in bringing back peace and reconciliation? Does the university have classrooms, an upto measure library and other infrastructure for students?
To discuss the question of quality is like opening a pandoras box. Some essential questions still remains answered. Have reforms been initiated in the school of Engineering to make sure that never again will our graduates be rejected by the Engineering Board? What became of the School of Law after it was on the verge of being discredited?
When I look at Moi University I usually see an Institution that is haunted by malevolent ghosts of President’s Moi administration. The institution was a product of his sieged mentality. The university was meant to produce academic zombies who cannot respond on anything within the University let alone on national issues. This has caused the stagnation of the university. The image of the university is that of reluctance, unwillingness and incompetence. This is an institution where most of its workers come to the office to drink tea, read newspapers and gossip. After the beginning of the semester, three weeks later, there are still lectures that haven’t shown up.
There are still some students who haven’t received any of their results, two years later. Aren’t these indicators of a decaying institution? Moi University acquired a new charter on 1st March 2013 but I doubt whether The Commission of University Education did a thorough inspection. But all is not lost, with a new Cabinet secretary; he can freeze the process of issuing Charters and order for a thorough inspection before issuance of new charters to the universities.
Finally, my request goes to students, we are force that can initiate reforms. For a long time now we have been trampled on with indignity. We are a formidable group that can form strong checks and condemn the mismanagement of our university. The university Bill 2012 by setting The Commission of University Education gives us a platform where we can table our legit grievances
The writer of this opinion piece is a 3rd year Political Science student
The dream of every Kenyan High school kid is to join a public university. They may not know what to do when they get therein, but our guillotine like system, demands them to dream to be in a University.
Unfortunately, the lucky ones when they get there they end up being frustrated by the dysfunctional system of our higher education. Those who join an institution like Moi University, which
chokes from its contradictions, end up resigning and cursing the whole system of higher education. The nearly collapsing higher education is what inspired the conceptualization of the UNIVERSITIES BILL 2012.
The bill is supposed to be the blueprint and therefore the cure- all document of the abuse, neglect and marginalization of our universities. So Many atrocities have been committed against our universities and in this Moi University is a perfect case study.
The bill outlines the objectives, the principles and values of university education in Kenya. On top of the objectives is to promote socio- economic development in line with the country’s agenda. Quality and relevance ranks top on the principle and values list. Without fear of any contradiction, Moi University lags behind in attaining these fundamentals. For instance, the Institution is situated in an area that was largely affected by 2007-8 PEV; did it play any role in bringing back peace and reconciliation? Does the university have classrooms, an upto measure library and other infrastructure for students?
To discuss the question of quality is like opening a pandoras box. Some essential questions still remains answered. Have reforms been initiated in the school of Engineering to make sure that never again will our graduates be rejected by the Engineering Board? What became of the School of Law after it was on the verge of being discredited?
When I look at Moi University I usually see an Institution that is haunted by malevolent ghosts of President’s Moi administration. The institution was a product of his sieged mentality. The university was meant to produce academic zombies who cannot respond on anything within the University let alone on national issues. This has caused the stagnation of the university. The image of the university is that of reluctance, unwillingness and incompetence. This is an institution where most of its workers come to the office to drink tea, read newspapers and gossip. After the beginning of the semester, three weeks later, there are still lectures that haven’t shown up.
There are still some students who haven’t received any of their results, two years later. Aren’t these indicators of a decaying institution? Moi University acquired a new charter on 1st March 2013 but I doubt whether The Commission of University Education did a thorough inspection. But all is not lost, with a new Cabinet secretary; he can freeze the process of issuing Charters and order for a thorough inspection before issuance of new charters to the universities.
Finally, my request goes to students, we are force that can initiate reforms. For a long time now we have been trampled on with indignity. We are a formidable group that can form strong checks and condemn the mismanagement of our university. The university Bill 2012 by setting The Commission of University Education gives us a platform where we can table our legit grievances
The writer of this opinion piece is a 3rd year Political Science student
Sunday, July 21, 2013
WE STILL DON’T NEED TO CLAP FOR THE "ADMIN"
By William Dekker
One good doesn’t cancel all the other wrongs. That’s why I would be a little reluctant to hail the Moi University Administration for stepping the game up a little by introducing the online booking system. Fine, at least for the improvement; one or two praises won’t do harm. But it’s not worth changing perceptions. Even the system itself has vivid shortcomings, some silent while others glaring; like a frustrating sign-up process, delayed passwords, inability to sustain simultaneous access by the numerous users from different access points.
I’m still wondering why it discriminates against the PSSP students. That term "priority given to JAB students” is just an excuse or a polite way to discriminate. For instance, in my class alone, around 50% of the students are PSSP students. Does it mean all of them will have to "sort themselves out their own way"? I thought the days of segregation and battles between PSSP & GSSP (JAB) students are long gone. Ask Mr. Mureithi (Bwana Dean), he’ll reveal to you that blood was shed before it was solved.
Now, while still praising a system that perhaps will just fail on Monday and send us back to our manual world, let’s look at the other side of it all. I’d compare it to the famous IEBC Electronic Voter Identification (EVID) kits (some call it Biometric) that were the talk in town just before they sent the whole electoral process into the manual realm. You book a room online, ELECTRONICALLY right? Scan a hard copy piece of paper then upload it.
Why couldn't they just link the system from the Accommodation Bank Account to the “online thing”? Or better still, just ask for the receipt number and leave it at that instead of putting comrades through a frustrating process of scanning, then submitting a document that takes ages to upload depending on how close you are to “faiba”(Fibre).
Remember when it comes to that, it only needs a semi-literate computer chap to forge or tamper with one’s scanned JPEG receipt before uploading. Actually, these are some of the tempting situations that compel one to go down that road, even if the intentions didn’t exist. Expose someone to a crime, then stick a notice that reads “any fraudulent action would be subjected to disciplinary action” and it’s not worth it all! Because it’s simple; scan>>>edit>>>upload>>>get disciplinary action.
Then you still have to wait till Monday for a manual confirmation from the janitor. Meaning the current booking concept is NOT A GUARANTEE that you will get that room you intended. In other terms, it means that as from Monday, comrades will still have to queue, struggle and even part with some “chai” just to get the three basic confirmations of room allocation: a room key, mattress and dustbin! Manual it is, comrades!
Remember even the very important concepts are still yet to be implemented; electronic results that comrades have demanded since the ISO certification. And I’m still wondering who will tackle the missing marks, non-existent campus wide wireless internet access and inadequate bed space. (Of course by Monday, hundreds will still be “accommodation-less”.)
PARTING SHOT: Ever noticed that the MU website is so limited on student information yet so full of "admin" stuff? From the Governor’s courtesy call to the VC’s partnership with organizations, blah blah! And photos are there to support the claims, making one think that the snaps were taken with intended purposes. It more or less looks like an advertising page; uBid, Google+ or OLX!
One good doesn’t cancel all the other wrongs. That’s why I would be a little reluctant to hail the Moi University Administration for stepping the game up a little by introducing the online booking system. Fine, at least for the improvement; one or two praises won’t do harm. But it’s not worth changing perceptions. Even the system itself has vivid shortcomings, some silent while others glaring; like a frustrating sign-up process, delayed passwords, inability to sustain simultaneous access by the numerous users from different access points.
I’m still wondering why it discriminates against the PSSP students. That term "priority given to JAB students” is just an excuse or a polite way to discriminate. For instance, in my class alone, around 50% of the students are PSSP students. Does it mean all of them will have to "sort themselves out their own way"? I thought the days of segregation and battles between PSSP & GSSP (JAB) students are long gone. Ask Mr. Mureithi (Bwana Dean), he’ll reveal to you that blood was shed before it was solved.
Now, while still praising a system that perhaps will just fail on Monday and send us back to our manual world, let’s look at the other side of it all. I’d compare it to the famous IEBC Electronic Voter Identification (EVID) kits (some call it Biometric) that were the talk in town just before they sent the whole electoral process into the manual realm. You book a room online, ELECTRONICALLY right? Scan a hard copy piece of paper then upload it.
Why couldn't they just link the system from the Accommodation Bank Account to the “online thing”? Or better still, just ask for the receipt number and leave it at that instead of putting comrades through a frustrating process of scanning, then submitting a document that takes ages to upload depending on how close you are to “faiba”(Fibre).
Remember when it comes to that, it only needs a semi-literate computer chap to forge or tamper with one’s scanned JPEG receipt before uploading. Actually, these are some of the tempting situations that compel one to go down that road, even if the intentions didn’t exist. Expose someone to a crime, then stick a notice that reads “any fraudulent action would be subjected to disciplinary action” and it’s not worth it all! Because it’s simple; scan>>>edit>>>upload>>>get disciplinary action.
Then you still have to wait till Monday for a manual confirmation from the janitor. Meaning the current booking concept is NOT A GUARANTEE that you will get that room you intended. In other terms, it means that as from Monday, comrades will still have to queue, struggle and even part with some “chai” just to get the three basic confirmations of room allocation: a room key, mattress and dustbin! Manual it is, comrades!
Remember even the very important concepts are still yet to be implemented; electronic results that comrades have demanded since the ISO certification. And I’m still wondering who will tackle the missing marks, non-existent campus wide wireless internet access and inadequate bed space. (Of course by Monday, hundreds will still be “accommodation-less”.)
PARTING SHOT: Ever noticed that the MU website is so limited on student information yet so full of "admin" stuff? From the Governor’s courtesy call to the VC’s partnership with organizations, blah blah! And photos are there to support the claims, making one think that the snaps were taken with intended purposes. It more or less looks like an advertising page; uBid, Google+ or OLX!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
OPENING DATES
The following are the opening dates as stated
in an announcement by the DVC (A, R & E), Prof. B. E. L. Wishitemi
in today's Standard newspaper:
MONDAY 22nd JULY, 2013
1. Registration of first year 2nd Semester students in the following schools
2. Registration of Second year 2nd Semester, Third year 2nd Semester and Fourth year 1st Semester students in the following schools
3. Registration of Second and Third year students - 2nd semester in
4. Registration of continuing Third and Fourth year students in
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is not guaranteed on campus and students may he required to make private arrangements in advance.
Incoming first and fourth year JAB students can book the available bed spaces online before they report to their respective schools for confirmation of fees payment and allocation of the booked room.
MONDAY 22nd JULY, 2013
1. Registration of first year 2nd Semester students in the following schools
- School of Arts and Social Sciences
- School of Business S Economics
2. Registration of Second year 2nd Semester, Third year 2nd Semester and Fourth year 1st Semester students in the following schools
- School of Arts & Social Sciences
- School of Education
- School of Human Resource Development
- School of Business & Economics
- School of Information Sciences
3. Registration of Second and Third year students - 2nd semester in
- School of Biological and Physical Sciences
4. Registration of continuing Third and Fourth year students in
- School of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is not guaranteed on campus and students may he required to make private arrangements in advance.
Incoming first and fourth year JAB students can book the available bed spaces online before they report to their respective schools for confirmation of fees payment and allocation of the booked room.
Friday, July 12, 2013
BYE BYE MOI
By Wesonga Quintas
Joining Moi University, the university with a difference, is one of the best events to have happened in my life so far. I have indeed seen the difference and this is the same message I take out as I say bye and breathe a sigh of relief upon completion of my 8-4-4 studies. I want to bid special farewell and appreciation to some groups of people and individuals:
My only creditors today, the HELB is the first to bid a humble farewell. You made a poor son of man access university education and interact with the mighty. Although reminders to repay are now the biggest stressor, thanks for the great help.
Coming to lecturers, there is no blanket judgement. There are those sadists who made my life difficult. I will be jubilant to have you out of sight. To the few good lecturers, fare thee well.
The administrators at the School of Education: Mr. Mutuku, Saina, Jane and the whole team, God has seen your good work and a reward is in the offing. Your hard work serving the largest school in Main Campus unrelentingly is worth noting. Kudos, I will miss you!
The greatest sigh of relief is for the senate. I bear an honest grudge to this intellectual lot. They acted as the devil’s advocate and extended my stay here. The less I say the better for my skin. Bye.
For the security team, you have to pull up your socks. Here, we have Sisyphus syndrome of dealing only with crisis. The lights which were put up in the Mashoka era are dysfunctional today till he resurfaces. Farewell though because you always read my articles and immediately noted when it was unpalatable for the boss hoping this meets no threshold for the same.
Coming fast to the health centre, sorry the university hospital, I only thank God for keeping my health all through that I was never a guest there apart from visits as a 3rd Eye reporter. If the security will have to pull up the socks, I am honestly unable to say what the hospital staff should do!
Forgetting mama mboga in this article would be suicidal. Their presence, though unnoticed by many, is invaluable. You left your families to serve, though for a profit, but the opportunity cost was too high. You still pressed on and supplied all I needed both in harvest and dry season. Serve more brothers and sisters I leave behind. Bye.
Home is where I did all my “homework.” The hostel department under the able leadership of Mrs. Ebby Tanui was so good. Puke if you wish but they were good to me, especially one Salima Kiprono of Hostel H. I stayed here for two years. The only problem with the department comes when a student is referred to room 34 at Admin. Anyway, for the good majority, thanks and bye.
All my roommates were so good. Each new year there was a new roommate. Whether it was due to my stubbornness or their goodness, I never went on “exile.” I always slept in my room whenever I was in school. Farewell.
Home away from home was St. Michael’s Chaplaincy. I really enjoyed mass. A service where each county and diocese is represented under one roof was the best. Fr. Njoroge and Fr. Waweru made it even better. To the whole family, bye.
Another group I will be happy to bid farewell is the matatu lot. They charge exorbitant prices and cartel the route. They were only teased for weeks when a student died in 2009 due to their behaviour then it was business as usual. When I come for graduation, they will charge me double the already high fare. They annoy me the most just like the senate and security. Farewell.
What made me enjoy the extended term was the associations such as the 3rd Eye, MUKAS and NYGCA. They enabled me have a stress-free life due to free association. The lively debates at MUKAS and 3rd Eye were great, not forgetting the encouragement from NYGCA. I enjoyed making stories with friends then at the end hear “Nisipate hii stori 3rd Eye.
In a movie or a play, all glory goes to the actors and no one is keen on other people behind the scenes such as the playwright, financiers, music players, costume makers etc. I will not follow this trend. All the hostel cleaners, typists, secretaries, bodaboda guys, photocopiers and all those who worked behind the scenes to enable my stay and studies, fare thee well.
All friends and enemies in the making, bye! I am very sorry for whoever I wronged even in this article. Fare thee well!
Joining Moi University, the university with a difference, is one of the best events to have happened in my life so far. I have indeed seen the difference and this is the same message I take out as I say bye and breathe a sigh of relief upon completion of my 8-4-4 studies. I want to bid special farewell and appreciation to some groups of people and individuals:
My only creditors today, the HELB is the first to bid a humble farewell. You made a poor son of man access university education and interact with the mighty. Although reminders to repay are now the biggest stressor, thanks for the great help.
Coming to lecturers, there is no blanket judgement. There are those sadists who made my life difficult. I will be jubilant to have you out of sight. To the few good lecturers, fare thee well.
The administrators at the School of Education: Mr. Mutuku, Saina, Jane and the whole team, God has seen your good work and a reward is in the offing. Your hard work serving the largest school in Main Campus unrelentingly is worth noting. Kudos, I will miss you!
The greatest sigh of relief is for the senate. I bear an honest grudge to this intellectual lot. They acted as the devil’s advocate and extended my stay here. The less I say the better for my skin. Bye.
For the security team, you have to pull up your socks. Here, we have Sisyphus syndrome of dealing only with crisis. The lights which were put up in the Mashoka era are dysfunctional today till he resurfaces. Farewell though because you always read my articles and immediately noted when it was unpalatable for the boss hoping this meets no threshold for the same.
Coming fast to the health centre, sorry the university hospital, I only thank God for keeping my health all through that I was never a guest there apart from visits as a 3rd Eye reporter. If the security will have to pull up the socks, I am honestly unable to say what the hospital staff should do!
Forgetting mama mboga in this article would be suicidal. Their presence, though unnoticed by many, is invaluable. You left your families to serve, though for a profit, but the opportunity cost was too high. You still pressed on and supplied all I needed both in harvest and dry season. Serve more brothers and sisters I leave behind. Bye.
Home is where I did all my “homework.” The hostel department under the able leadership of Mrs. Ebby Tanui was so good. Puke if you wish but they were good to me, especially one Salima Kiprono of Hostel H. I stayed here for two years. The only problem with the department comes when a student is referred to room 34 at Admin. Anyway, for the good majority, thanks and bye.
All my roommates were so good. Each new year there was a new roommate. Whether it was due to my stubbornness or their goodness, I never went on “exile.” I always slept in my room whenever I was in school. Farewell.
Home away from home was St. Michael’s Chaplaincy. I really enjoyed mass. A service where each county and diocese is represented under one roof was the best. Fr. Njoroge and Fr. Waweru made it even better. To the whole family, bye.
Another group I will be happy to bid farewell is the matatu lot. They charge exorbitant prices and cartel the route. They were only teased for weeks when a student died in 2009 due to their behaviour then it was business as usual. When I come for graduation, they will charge me double the already high fare. They annoy me the most just like the senate and security. Farewell.
What made me enjoy the extended term was the associations such as the 3rd Eye, MUKAS and NYGCA. They enabled me have a stress-free life due to free association. The lively debates at MUKAS and 3rd Eye were great, not forgetting the encouragement from NYGCA. I enjoyed making stories with friends then at the end hear “Nisipate hii stori 3rd Eye.
In a movie or a play, all glory goes to the actors and no one is keen on other people behind the scenes such as the playwright, financiers, music players, costume makers etc. I will not follow this trend. All the hostel cleaners, typists, secretaries, bodaboda guys, photocopiers and all those who worked behind the scenes to enable my stay and studies, fare thee well.
All friends and enemies in the making, bye! I am very sorry for whoever I wronged even in this article. Fare thee well!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
RETAIN ROOMS, SAYS ADMINISTRATION
The university administration has agreed continuing students to retain
the rooms they are currently occupying. In a memo released today signed
by the deputy vice chancellor in charge of student affairs Prof. Nathan
Ogechi, the university acknowledged the fact that the students would be
breaking shortly between 12th July 2013 and 22nd July 2013 and therefore
agreed to students retaining the rooms.
However, students have been advised to make arrangements to pay both accommodation and tuition fees as a condition of retaining the rooms for the second semester.
However, students have been advised to make arrangements to pay both accommodation and tuition fees as a condition of retaining the rooms for the second semester.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
UNIVERSITY EXTENDS CLEARANCE DEADLINE
By Boaz Onyango
The University will extend the deadline of signing out of rooms till next week, Monday due to examinations. A memo released last week stated that students should clear from rooms by 12th of July. However, this is reprieve to students who are expected to complete their exams on Friday.
Speaking in his office, Catering and Accommodations Manager Mr. Chesang’ said the examination office had communicated that the exams will end at 5 pm, making it impractical for the students to clear.
The University will extend the deadline of signing out of rooms till next week, Monday due to examinations. A memo released last week stated that students should clear from rooms by 12th of July. However, this is reprieve to students who are expected to complete their exams on Friday.
Speaking in his office, Catering and Accommodations Manager Mr. Chesang’ said the examination office had communicated that the exams will end at 5 pm, making it impractical for the students to clear.
Mr. Chesang’ also
disclosed why continuing students ought to sign out of hostels despite a
10-day holiday. He said that the university had reached the decision to
have students clear fee balances at beginning of the semester before
being allocated rooms.
The accommodation department also wants to allocate rooms afresh to accommodate the incoming 2000 fourth years in the Senior Hostels like A and E. Some of the senior hostels are reportedly being occupied by the second and third year students. The 2008 K.C.S.E group will report on 22nd of July.
It also emerged that clearance from rooms will now be done every semester to accommodate different lots of students. This will however, will depend on the university calendar which remains unpredictable.
Meanwhile, the ICT department is currently feeding the system with the student’s data to pave way for implementation of the online booking from this October.
The accommodation department also wants to allocate rooms afresh to accommodate the incoming 2000 fourth years in the Senior Hostels like A and E. Some of the senior hostels are reportedly being occupied by the second and third year students. The 2008 K.C.S.E group will report on 22nd of July.
It also emerged that clearance from rooms will now be done every semester to accommodate different lots of students. This will however, will depend on the university calendar which remains unpredictable.
Meanwhile, the ICT department is currently feeding the system with the student’s data to pave way for implementation of the online booking from this October.
THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADHAN
By Maalim Salat
"A blessed month has arrived. Observing it in fasting is mandated on you (the believers). During this month, the gates of Paradise will be opened and the gates of Hellfire will be closed. The evil ones (Shayaatin) will be handcuffed. In it there is one night, during which worship is better than worship in a thousand months. Whoever is denied its blessings has been denied the biggest blessing." Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h)
Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It begins after the crescent of the new moon is spotted, is one of the most sacred Islamic observances because it marks the month in which Allah revealed the Holy Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). it is the month in which Torah was revealed to Moses and Injil(the Gospel) was revealed to Jesus bringing with it all the glory. This is the month in which the doors of heavens are kept open, doors of hell are closed and Satan is kept in chains.
It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sex with their partners during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity.
In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Qur'an by means of special night prayers, called Taraaweeh, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Qur'an (Juz’, which is 1/30 of the Qur'an) is recited. Therefore the entire Qur'an would be completed at the end of the month.
Muslims all around the world will abstain from food and drink, through fasting, from dawn to sunset. At sunset, they gather for the fast-breaking meal known as Iftar either at home or in the Mosques. The meal starts with the eating of three dates. Then it's time for the Maghrib prayer, after which the main meal is served.
During this month, Muslims seek Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) which falls in the last ten days. It is on this night that Prophet Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. Any prayer or deed on this night is better than prayers performed in a thousand months and all sins are forgiven.
The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempted from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempted are the travelers, pregnant women (if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby), women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. This group must make up the days they missed fasting at a later date.
The Chairman, The Executive Committee, The Editorial Board and Members of The 3rd Eye wish our Brothers and Sisters Ramadhan Kareem and Saum Maqbul.
"A blessed month has arrived. Observing it in fasting is mandated on you (the believers). During this month, the gates of Paradise will be opened and the gates of Hellfire will be closed. The evil ones (Shayaatin) will be handcuffed. In it there is one night, during which worship is better than worship in a thousand months. Whoever is denied its blessings has been denied the biggest blessing." Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h)
Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It begins after the crescent of the new moon is spotted, is one of the most sacred Islamic observances because it marks the month in which Allah revealed the Holy Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). it is the month in which Torah was revealed to Moses and Injil(the Gospel) was revealed to Jesus bringing with it all the glory. This is the month in which the doors of heavens are kept open, doors of hell are closed and Satan is kept in chains.
It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sex with their partners during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity.
In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Qur'an by means of special night prayers, called Taraaweeh, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Qur'an (Juz’, which is 1/30 of the Qur'an) is recited. Therefore the entire Qur'an would be completed at the end of the month.
Muslims all around the world will abstain from food and drink, through fasting, from dawn to sunset. At sunset, they gather for the fast-breaking meal known as Iftar either at home or in the Mosques. The meal starts with the eating of three dates. Then it's time for the Maghrib prayer, after which the main meal is served.
During this month, Muslims seek Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) which falls in the last ten days. It is on this night that Prophet Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. Any prayer or deed on this night is better than prayers performed in a thousand months and all sins are forgiven.
The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempted from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempted are the travelers, pregnant women (if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby), women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. This group must make up the days they missed fasting at a later date.
The Chairman, The Executive Committee, The Editorial Board and Members of The 3rd Eye wish our Brothers and Sisters Ramadhan Kareem and Saum Maqbul.
Friday, July 5, 2013
ANOTHER STUDENT COMMITS SUICIDE
A third year student in the
School of Education committed suicide on Wednesday night at his home in
Webuye. The cause of the incident is not yet known.
Felix Nyongesa was found dead by his mother at home on Wednesday. The body was taken to Webuye Hospital.
According to his colleague, the deceased left a note stating that nobody was to be blamed me for his death. The police have since launched investigations.
Felix Nyongesa was found dead by his mother at home on Wednesday. The body was taken to Webuye Hospital.
According to his colleague, the deceased left a note stating that nobody was to be blamed me for his death. The police have since launched investigations.
Mr.
Nyongesa was until his death on teaching practice at Friends Muturu
Secondary School. He was scheduled to report to Main Campus on 22nd of
this month from the attachment programme.
His body will be laid to rest at night according to the community traditions. The funeral service will be conducted tomorrow.
This comes barely a month after an engineering student took his life in Sultan Hamud, Makueni County.
His body will be laid to rest at night according to the community traditions. The funeral service will be conducted tomorrow.
This comes barely a month after an engineering student took his life in Sultan Hamud, Makueni County.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
FIRST YEARS TO BREAK FOR HOLIDAY
First year students in
session will break for the holidays to pave way for 887 Arts students.
The Senate will deliberate next week on the proposals.
According to reliable sources in the administration, the group is drawn from schools: Education, Information Sciences, Human Resource Development, Biological Sciences and Business. They will break till 19th of October after the current third years go for the attachment programme.
Meanwhile, all second years and incoming fourth years, will resume their studies on 22nd of this month. With the current third years commencing the second semester on the same date, a total number of 7787 students will be hosted in the campus.
According to reliable sources in the administration, the group is drawn from schools: Education, Information Sciences, Human Resource Development, Biological Sciences and Business. They will break till 19th of October after the current third years go for the attachment programme.
Meanwhile, all second years and incoming fourth years, will resume their studies on 22nd of this month. With the current third years commencing the second semester on the same date, a total number of 7787 students will be hosted in the campus.
The fourth years-to-be will be in session till early next year.
However, the 2012 KCSE group are likely to officially join the
university on 28th October this year.
Monday, July 1, 2013
TOO QUALIFIED!
By Simon Gichimu
Ever thought you are better?
Then reality is bitter.
Bouncing out as a comrade,
Joining the rest in parade,
Not as officers,
But hungry job-hunters..
If only I knew what matters!
Ever thought you are better?
Then reality is bitter.
Bouncing out as a comrade,
Joining the rest in parade,
Not as officers,
But hungry job-hunters..
If only I knew what matters!
If we were plenty,
Employer got hefty.
Selection applied tactics,
And dirty damn antics,
Little did I know,
I'd been cornered,
A sumptous surprise I garnered!
Your certs are extremely good..
Honestly my institute is too crude,
To tame and harbour, Such brains,
You are an ostrich,
We are just cranes!
I suppose or guess,
You look for better grounds to graze.
Talk of stare,
Or even a glare...
I got confused,
And lastly amused,
If that criteria was empirical...
Definitely it seemed satirical...
Employer got hefty.
Selection applied tactics,
And dirty damn antics,
Little did I know,
I'd been cornered,
A sumptous surprise I garnered!
Your certs are extremely good..
Honestly my institute is too crude,
To tame and harbour, Such brains,
You are an ostrich,
We are just cranes!
I suppose or guess,
You look for better grounds to graze.
Talk of stare,
Or even a glare...
I got confused,
And lastly amused,
If that criteria was empirical...
Definitely it seemed satirical...
HR STUDENTS BACK TO MAIN CAMPUS
The 2nd year students from the
School of Human Resources Development were relocated back to main
campus today. The students who have faced various problems since their
arrival at Annex participated in a go-slow and refused to go to class
until their troubles were addressed.
The students who have experienced constant blackouts in the hostels had sought audience earlier but it had not been granted. The students also felt that if they were to sit their exams at Annex, they would be disadvantaged.
After waiting for a few hours at the Annex compound, Prof Ogechi, Prof Kwonyike, Dr Ong’ondo and the Accommodation Director, Ogega arrived.
The students who have experienced constant blackouts in the hostels had sought audience earlier but it had not been granted. The students also felt that if they were to sit their exams at Annex, they would be disadvantaged.
After waiting for a few hours at the Annex compound, Prof Ogechi, Prof Kwonyike, Dr Ong’ondo and the Accommodation Director, Ogega arrived.
The School of HRD Dean, Prof Kwonyike, addressed the students and
instructed them to go back to Main campus. Transport was provided for
them.
Upon arrival at Main Campus, the students were allocated rooms at the Ngeria Hostels which had been left vacant by the engineering students who are currently on long holiday.
The students will finish the rest of their semester here and proceed with the second semester.
Upon arrival at Main Campus, the students were allocated rooms at the Ngeria Hostels which had been left vacant by the engineering students who are currently on long holiday.
The students will finish the rest of their semester here and proceed with the second semester.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO LIVE IN HOSTEL G
By Timothy Otieno
Now, it’s not good to begin a story with lamenting but it’s no secret…better call a spade a spade and not a big spoon. I was among the many ‘diasporians’ who got evacuated from our hostels at Veecam. The feeling then was that of bitter-sweet. Sweet because we thought we would transcend to Canaan after our long suffering in Egypt, bitter because we had not been moved to a place any more convenient. It was just next door to the Comfort hostels, the proverbial out of the frying pan into the fire can suffice here.
The problems with Veecam were numerous; it had no lights like all the time. The mud was maddening. Mosquitoes were our daily night house guests eating or rather, sucking on us as early as 7pm – the nerve they had! Comfort was no better! The hostels lacked electricity just as much as Veecam. I presume the move was just to temporarily blind us from the bigger problem – that we diasporians are a forgotten lot! I agree with my comrade Kinyua Njeri who wrote an article recently stating that instead of running from the problem, the administration should help us solve it. Thank God I was delivered finally to ‘Canaan’ or a place almost similar to it.
I’m a complete stranger to my new hostel. Save for rare minute-to-minute visits to my friends over the years, I have never been to Hostel G as a resident. The janitor there is good, same to her assistant. What perhaps she should have informed me when I arrived was that that hostel has additional requirements other than the usual bank slip, accommodation clearance form etc.
About two days in the new residence, I received several comments from my classmates of how lately my eyes were becoming more and more red. “Tim kwani umeanza?” they would often ask. What had I started? I would ponder. The strong Christian background I had been raised in would not allow my conscience to realize they had been talking about smoking shisha, weed and those of that caliber. That was until my roommate pointed out to me that the red eyes we had been due to the smell that emanated from our hostel corridor every mid-morning and evenings. Any regular visitor to hostel G can attest to this. I say visitors because the residents seem to have gotten used to the smell.
We walk around smiling and talking to ourselves like chipped monkeys in a national zoo, all the while we are (as they say) getting high on our own supply! Upon enlightenment on this new predicament I was facing in hostel G, which doesn’t even compare to the hell we went through while at Veecam/Comfort, I sort to sharpen my smelling skills and indeed realized that we had a unique smell emerging from our corridors.
The strange thing is that my neighbours don’t seem to notice it at all even though their eyes appear ‘redder’ than mine. The pleasantries we exchange occasionally reveal their oblivion of the ‘foreign’ smell in the hostel. They however advise me that it’s due to the fact that I’m new to the hostel that’s why I notice such. “Ni vile we ni freshi huku, with time utazoea budah!!” one of them told me.
Of late I keep seeing the doorknob appearing smaller and smaller and even the ground I step on seems to sink every time. Perhaps I’m running crazy but I feel I need to invest in a gas mask and so should any new individual intending to reside in Hostel G. My friends, the cigarette smoke fumes combined with that stuff they call shisha or is it weed (I don’t even know) is no joke!! One goes to the bathroom and leaves it smelling of smoke!
I think I’ll start a business of selling gas-masks at the entrance of hostel G. That’s a very good business opportunity that is not being exploited appropriately. Or rather I may start a fragrance spray business. Air fresheners and sprays could perhaps sell like hot cake around that hostel!
Now, it’s not good to begin a story with lamenting but it’s no secret…better call a spade a spade and not a big spoon. I was among the many ‘diasporians’ who got evacuated from our hostels at Veecam. The feeling then was that of bitter-sweet. Sweet because we thought we would transcend to Canaan after our long suffering in Egypt, bitter because we had not been moved to a place any more convenient. It was just next door to the Comfort hostels, the proverbial out of the frying pan into the fire can suffice here.
The problems with Veecam were numerous; it had no lights like all the time. The mud was maddening. Mosquitoes were our daily night house guests eating or rather, sucking on us as early as 7pm – the nerve they had! Comfort was no better! The hostels lacked electricity just as much as Veecam. I presume the move was just to temporarily blind us from the bigger problem – that we diasporians are a forgotten lot! I agree with my comrade Kinyua Njeri who wrote an article recently stating that instead of running from the problem, the administration should help us solve it. Thank God I was delivered finally to ‘Canaan’ or a place almost similar to it.
I’m a complete stranger to my new hostel. Save for rare minute-to-minute visits to my friends over the years, I have never been to Hostel G as a resident. The janitor there is good, same to her assistant. What perhaps she should have informed me when I arrived was that that hostel has additional requirements other than the usual bank slip, accommodation clearance form etc.
About two days in the new residence, I received several comments from my classmates of how lately my eyes were becoming more and more red. “Tim kwani umeanza?” they would often ask. What had I started? I would ponder. The strong Christian background I had been raised in would not allow my conscience to realize they had been talking about smoking shisha, weed and those of that caliber. That was until my roommate pointed out to me that the red eyes we had been due to the smell that emanated from our hostel corridor every mid-morning and evenings. Any regular visitor to hostel G can attest to this. I say visitors because the residents seem to have gotten used to the smell.
We walk around smiling and talking to ourselves like chipped monkeys in a national zoo, all the while we are (as they say) getting high on our own supply! Upon enlightenment on this new predicament I was facing in hostel G, which doesn’t even compare to the hell we went through while at Veecam/Comfort, I sort to sharpen my smelling skills and indeed realized that we had a unique smell emerging from our corridors.
The strange thing is that my neighbours don’t seem to notice it at all even though their eyes appear ‘redder’ than mine. The pleasantries we exchange occasionally reveal their oblivion of the ‘foreign’ smell in the hostel. They however advise me that it’s due to the fact that I’m new to the hostel that’s why I notice such. “Ni vile we ni freshi huku, with time utazoea budah!!” one of them told me.
Of late I keep seeing the doorknob appearing smaller and smaller and even the ground I step on seems to sink every time. Perhaps I’m running crazy but I feel I need to invest in a gas mask and so should any new individual intending to reside in Hostel G. My friends, the cigarette smoke fumes combined with that stuff they call shisha or is it weed (I don’t even know) is no joke!! One goes to the bathroom and leaves it smelling of smoke!
I think I’ll start a business of selling gas-masks at the entrance of hostel G. That’s a very good business opportunity that is not being exploited appropriately. Or rather I may start a fragrance spray business. Air fresheners and sprays could perhaps sell like hot cake around that hostel!
Friday, June 28, 2013
MOI UNIVERSITY RANKED 85TH IN AFRICA
Moi University made it
to the top 100 universities in Africa - position 85th in the continent
falling behind Egerton, University of Nairobi, JKUAT and Kenyatta
University in the latest 2013 Top 100 Universities and Colleges in
Africa done by 4ICU.org.
University of Nairobi is the top institution in Kenya at number 17 followed by Strathmore University at position 44. JKUAT emerged number 56, Kenyatta University (61), USIU (77), and Egerton (80) while Moi University sits comfortably at position 85.
South Africa scooped the first top five positions with University of Cape Town ranked number one in Africa. University of South Africa came second, University of Pretoria (Third), Universiteit Stellenbosch (Fourth) and University of the Witwatersrand (Fifth).
University of Nairobi is the top institution in Kenya at number 17 followed by Strathmore University at position 44. JKUAT emerged number 56, Kenyatta University (61), USIU (77), and Egerton (80) while Moi University sits comfortably at position 85.
South Africa scooped the first top five positions with University of Cape Town ranked number one in Africa. University of South Africa came second, University of Pretoria (Third), Universiteit Stellenbosch (Fourth) and University of the Witwatersrand (Fifth).
4icu.org (4
international colleges and universities), is an international higher
education search engine and directory reviewing accredited universities
and colleges and universities and colleges in the world. 4icu.org
includes 11160 colleges and universities, ranked by web popularity, in
200 countries.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
VARSITY STUDENTS LOSE Sh70M IN FEES PAYMENT SCANDAL
By Gerald Andae
Adapted from Business Daily (Wednesday, June 26, 2013)
In Summary
Adapted from Business Daily (Wednesday, June 26, 2013)
In Summary
-The 982 students of the university’s main campus in Eldoret are
suspected to have fallen prey to their colleagues who colluded with
accounting officers to perpetrate the fraud.
-The university insists the students are liable because they did not follow the procedure laid down for payment of fees.
Nearly 1,000 students of Moi University risk not sitting their end of semester examinations after they were swindled of more than Sh70 million in a fees payment scam.
The 982 students of the university’s main campus in Eldoret are suspected to have fallen prey to their colleagues who colluded with accounting officers to perpetrate the fraud.
So far, 189 students have appeared before the students’ disciplinary committee and an official at the finance department said another 793 students had been summoned to present their pay-in slips and receipts after their fees could not be tracked in the university accounts.
The university is insisting that the affected students pay the outstanding fees upfront before they are allowed to sit the end of semester examinations. The students have not being issued with cards for examinations that begin this week.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) for student affairs Nathan Ogechi said one official had been suspended.
Preliminary investigations revealed that he had some accomplices among students and others who are currently undergoing disciplinary process of the university senate,” Prof Ogechi said.
The scam was unearthed by a whistleblower. The suspended official is said to have had a group of students who would approach their colleagues on the pretence that they had overpaid their fees and needed to transfer the extra amount to another student in exchange for cash.
“I was approached by one of the students who claimed to have paid his fees in excess and he wanted me to give him cash so that the extra amount on his account would be transferred to my name as my fees,” said one of the victims.
On agreeing to the deal she was taken to the accounts office where she was issued with a receipt that was apparently no different from the official one.
The student said she had paid Sh253,000 in fees through the ‘offset’ system for two years in order to avoid the inconvenience of bank queues.
The university insists the students are liable because they did not follow the procedure laid down for payment of fees.
“When students are admitted here, their admission letter clearly states that all the money meant for the institution is paid to the school account at the bank and not to an individual,” said Prof Ogechi.
gandae@ke.nationmedia.com
-The university insists the students are liable because they did not follow the procedure laid down for payment of fees.
Nearly 1,000 students of Moi University risk not sitting their end of semester examinations after they were swindled of more than Sh70 million in a fees payment scam.
The 982 students of the university’s main campus in Eldoret are suspected to have fallen prey to their colleagues who colluded with accounting officers to perpetrate the fraud.
So far, 189 students have appeared before the students’ disciplinary committee and an official at the finance department said another 793 students had been summoned to present their pay-in slips and receipts after their fees could not be tracked in the university accounts.
The university is insisting that the affected students pay the outstanding fees upfront before they are allowed to sit the end of semester examinations. The students have not being issued with cards for examinations that begin this week.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) for student affairs Nathan Ogechi said one official had been suspended.
Preliminary investigations revealed that he had some accomplices among students and others who are currently undergoing disciplinary process of the university senate,” Prof Ogechi said.
The scam was unearthed by a whistleblower. The suspended official is said to have had a group of students who would approach their colleagues on the pretence that they had overpaid their fees and needed to transfer the extra amount to another student in exchange for cash.
“I was approached by one of the students who claimed to have paid his fees in excess and he wanted me to give him cash so that the extra amount on his account would be transferred to my name as my fees,” said one of the victims.
On agreeing to the deal she was taken to the accounts office where she was issued with a receipt that was apparently no different from the official one.
The student said she had paid Sh253,000 in fees through the ‘offset’ system for two years in order to avoid the inconvenience of bank queues.
The university insists the students are liable because they did not follow the procedure laid down for payment of fees.
“When students are admitted here, their admission letter clearly states that all the money meant for the institution is paid to the school account at the bank and not to an individual,” said Prof Ogechi.
gandae@ke.nationmedia.com
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