By Kirong Shadrack
Details of a looming Lecturers’ strike have left many with lingering
questions. Few months ago, KNUT and UASU called for a national strike
demanding for a pay rise. This was allegedly part of un-honoured pay
agreement which dates back from a decade ago. This threw the whole
nation into a limbo, Parents
Association, Religious Groups and activist groups could not hesitate to
come out strongly and exert all pressure on the Government over their
defiant and recalcitrant attitude over the matter.
It has
not escaped the public gallery, the unfolding of events that
precipitated the battle that ensued. From the controversial Education
Minister Hon Mutula Kilonzo, to inevitably last strike minute deals.
That for the first time in the teaching profession, a teacher could
exercise their bragging rights without any discrimination, courtesy of
the renown “hero” Mr. Sossion and his team. And no sooner had the
teachers hanged down their ‘solidarity forever’ song did the civil
servants, nurses and University staff unions join the almost revolution
and growing national industrial action anthem. But this time round
with a different line of rythm ‘come baby come’.
History
might be repeating itself. However, no Kenyan would wish recent
happenings “rearranged cut and pasted” into the recent time. It
therefore comes as mock and displeasing news that we might see another
recurrent mish - mash of the situations, we widely witnessed few
months ago, if yesterdays’ threats issued by the University staff
unions is anything to go by. Posing many questions than answers,
whether the signed return- to- work formula between the
aforementioned parties and the Kenya Government was not sealed deal?
Or were the parties duped into signing the agreements?
It’s a
unanimous fact that Industrial Action is the only language the Kenya
Government can understand. But for how long is the Kenya Government
going to persist with its stubbornness, arrogance and delay tactics
over issues that touch the very fabric of our economy and livelihood,
is a question that should expeditiously be addressed once and for all.
Lest we want to see our Higher Education system sail in regular ship
full of un-contended captains and worn out sailors.
It will
be a razored humiliation at its core especially to entire system if
this untimely decisions proves futile, not to mention the common
victims; the students who will always roil in frustration. Entangled in
this web of wait-see situation coupled by tug of curiosity on the next
course of action, over the impending Industrial action by the
University staff Unions, the voice is unanimously loud and clear! We are
tired of strikes!!!!.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Medical Centre introduces Male cut
From the News Desk
Main-Campus based Moi University Medical Centre has revealed plans to have male circumcision introduced in the facility.
Main-Campus based Moi University Medical Centre has revealed plans to have male circumcision introduced in the facility.
"We would like ask those interested in this noble initiative to visit
and get free services at our facility", said the health officer.
Recent studies have shown that those circumcised are safer than those not, when it comes to STDs infection.
However, the centre will work in collaboration with an Eldoret community-based N.G.O to provide male-cut.
Additional reporting by Ronah Saadah.
Recent studies have shown that those circumcised are safer than those not, when it comes to STDs infection.
However, the centre will work in collaboration with an Eldoret community-based N.G.O to provide male-cut.
Additional reporting by Ronah Saadah.
OH MY! MY ROOMMATE IS AN ENGINEER!
By William Dekker
There is this bunch that I duly respect full time; engineers. They run the planet, no doubt! But we run the humanity in it, that’s indisputable. But really, what happens behind the scenes? The transformation of a common man into an engineer is a process that is filled with humour, craze and baffling experiences. My roommate is an engineer, I have lots of pains to reveal and comics to disclose in effect to that. I share the fun but still remain a secret sufferer:
1. He has never known my name for three years now;
This chap has no time even just to ask for your name. He calls me boss (I wonder if I’ll ever make even a simple CEO in the future to earn such a title, now that am addicted to “soups”). Neither does he know I’m currently in which year, nor undertaking which course in this campus, all he knows; I make a good room-mate. According to him, such is a time wastage thing that doesn’t contribute to his degree (of course he is right).
2. He has turned my electronics into experimental paraphernalia.
Last Saturday, I invited my buddies for a get-together. Psyched, to DJ the whole night of merry-making, I made attempts to reach for the music system only to find the “woofer” components had been disassembled all over his bed. I didn’t see him the whole night to express my frustrations. The following morning, as I made attempts to power on the electric heater for preparation of breakfast I got another blow; it wasn’t functioning. Then from nowhere, I guess, he bumped in; in a lean-walk holding some coiled “thing” in his right arm, with the power cable hanging on his right shoulder as well. Oh my! This had been removed from the appliance that, by then, I was still holding, staring at in exasperation. No words!
With burning fury, I uttered no word! I decided to get off this place, and set off to church. Perhaps this guy deserved some forgiveness, maombi was my only pending option. After taking a shower, I reached for my “Sunday best” and powered on the iron box…ooooooooow! The first spot that the iron box had landed on was left to form a triangular “hole”, through to the six-inch mattress!
“No! You should have told me! I had removed the bimetallic strip while repairing Njeri’s Iron-Box, I guess I forgot it in hers. Without that you will continue ‘smoldering’ more of your clothes.” This dude had the courage to ascertain so. Compelled by anger, I felt like squeezing him through the aeration holes located over the door just to teach him some manners. Thank Jah, it was Sunday; when always in my best behaviour.
3. The best he can cook is strong tea;
Mr. Engineer either has no time to spend cooking “complex stuff” or he literally doesn’t know how to do the cooking thing. In case I don’t cook, the chap is ever ready to survive the hunger. “Anapikanga STRONG mob asubuhi, then mchana yote ni ngumu anaongeza akisuma maisha”. Really! Was this guy ever raised in a house with a kitchen? Busy? Doesn’t make a reasonable excuse, utakonda!
4. I’m still in doubts whether he is dumb or deaf;
Hapa Moi nimepata dawa yangu! I used to be this hornbill extrovert who never quiets. Imagine a situation where you stay with either a dumb or deaf comrade in a (2x3)m squeezed room; like the ones we have in J& H. He never talks; his personality, background, social life, academics or just “boy-talk” that I am addicted to most. The last time we had more than a minute-talk, was four-semesters ago. That day he got down to caution me over my eating habits; the chemical confusion in them; Juo, Royco, Mandazis; “That Sossi you are so addicted to is floor that has undergone polymerization…” That hit me so hard. No body ever undermines my addiction!
I have deliberately “forgotten” to mention that; he neither combs his iconic shaggy hair nor shaves it; doesn’t spread his bedding; never heard him talk of him having a girlfriend(or he just has no time for that); doesn’t know where LT3 is locate; not aware that the university staff were yesterday on a strike; doesn’t know that people do get HELB-loans (by the way grapevine says Forth-years wamepata HELB double…si mbaya!)
Literally, this people don’t have time; no time to live like normal campo students. Could somebody please give the engineers time! Somebody please…Heylooow?
There is this bunch that I duly respect full time; engineers. They run the planet, no doubt! But we run the humanity in it, that’s indisputable. But really, what happens behind the scenes? The transformation of a common man into an engineer is a process that is filled with humour, craze and baffling experiences. My roommate is an engineer, I have lots of pains to reveal and comics to disclose in effect to that. I share the fun but still remain a secret sufferer:
1. He has never known my name for three years now;
This chap has no time even just to ask for your name. He calls me boss (I wonder if I’ll ever make even a simple CEO in the future to earn such a title, now that am addicted to “soups”). Neither does he know I’m currently in which year, nor undertaking which course in this campus, all he knows; I make a good room-mate. According to him, such is a time wastage thing that doesn’t contribute to his degree (of course he is right).
2. He has turned my electronics into experimental paraphernalia.
Last Saturday, I invited my buddies for a get-together. Psyched, to DJ the whole night of merry-making, I made attempts to reach for the music system only to find the “woofer” components had been disassembled all over his bed. I didn’t see him the whole night to express my frustrations. The following morning, as I made attempts to power on the electric heater for preparation of breakfast I got another blow; it wasn’t functioning. Then from nowhere, I guess, he bumped in; in a lean-walk holding some coiled “thing” in his right arm, with the power cable hanging on his right shoulder as well. Oh my! This had been removed from the appliance that, by then, I was still holding, staring at in exasperation. No words!
With burning fury, I uttered no word! I decided to get off this place, and set off to church. Perhaps this guy deserved some forgiveness, maombi was my only pending option. After taking a shower, I reached for my “Sunday best” and powered on the iron box…ooooooooow! The first spot that the iron box had landed on was left to form a triangular “hole”, through to the six-inch mattress!
“No! You should have told me! I had removed the bimetallic strip while repairing Njeri’s Iron-Box, I guess I forgot it in hers. Without that you will continue ‘smoldering’ more of your clothes.” This dude had the courage to ascertain so. Compelled by anger, I felt like squeezing him through the aeration holes located over the door just to teach him some manners. Thank Jah, it was Sunday; when always in my best behaviour.
3. The best he can cook is strong tea;
Mr. Engineer either has no time to spend cooking “complex stuff” or he literally doesn’t know how to do the cooking thing. In case I don’t cook, the chap is ever ready to survive the hunger. “Anapikanga STRONG mob asubuhi, then mchana yote ni ngumu anaongeza akisuma maisha”. Really! Was this guy ever raised in a house with a kitchen? Busy? Doesn’t make a reasonable excuse, utakonda!
4. I’m still in doubts whether he is dumb or deaf;
Hapa Moi nimepata dawa yangu! I used to be this hornbill extrovert who never quiets. Imagine a situation where you stay with either a dumb or deaf comrade in a (2x3)m squeezed room; like the ones we have in J& H. He never talks; his personality, background, social life, academics or just “boy-talk” that I am addicted to most. The last time we had more than a minute-talk, was four-semesters ago. That day he got down to caution me over my eating habits; the chemical confusion in them; Juo, Royco, Mandazis; “That Sossi you are so addicted to is floor that has undergone polymerization…” That hit me so hard. No body ever undermines my addiction!
I have deliberately “forgotten” to mention that; he neither combs his iconic shaggy hair nor shaves it; doesn’t spread his bedding; never heard him talk of him having a girlfriend(or he just has no time for that); doesn’t know where LT3 is locate; not aware that the university staff were yesterday on a strike; doesn’t know that people do get HELB-loans (by the way grapevine says Forth-years wamepata HELB double…si mbaya!)
Literally, this people don’t have time; no time to live like normal campo students. Could somebody please give the engineers time! Somebody please…Heylooow?
NAKED TRUTHS 101
By Henry Adera
Okay, okay. There are numerous annoying things common amongst us comrades that are rather so last year. Many are times we are left perplexed because of what we see or hear here in Campus, so let me settle some beef here. Depending on your point of view and opinion depth, you’ll find some of these issues affecting you or someone you know directly:
I’M SINGLE AND SEARCHING
This is the most common lie in campus and very prevalent among us; gentlemen, sorry to say. You’ll always hear it in group and association meetings, especially during introductions. Turns out that every campus dude is single, ladies beware. Unless you’ve known a guy’s relationship history, I find ladies who fall for this cliché so naïve and cheap. Depending on when one commenced studies, the modal age bracket for joining campus according to a recent research conducted by an NGO in East African public universities is 19-20. Now, at this age comrades, unless one has an ambition of becoming a nun or brother, do you think a relationship status of “Single” applies? No, sir!
WEEKEND “UNCLES”
Gentlemen, keep your eyes open on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings to see the number of dressed-to-kill ladies in handbags and cars cruising along the academic highway; then compare the figures you get with workday figures. This way, you won’t break my spectacles when we meet anywhere because you’ll see what I mean. Very few principled ladies will shamelessly disclose their relationship statuses as “In a relationship” and I really give maximum respect to such. Most of them will always reminisce about their heartbreaks, how men are the same all over and go to the extent of calling us ‘dogs’ but during weekends, they visit their “Uncles” outside campus. Woe unto you who has such a comrade as a sweetheart here and boast to us of how her love is agape, you know, she even has to visit her only uncle every weekend while you’re left jerking off in your room.
SWAG
Changes are constant and will always remain that way, I don’t dispute that fact and I also appreciate fashion to the maximum, but what's with dudes wearing Timberland boots with official outfits, exposed G-string briefs due to short tops and exposed dirty boxers because of sagging denim jeans along our highways? I won’t point any fingers, but some dudes are exact replicas of Homo habilis in the name of swag. Swag is not for every Tom, Dick and Harry. If you can’t do it right, leave it to the pros. Don’t show us the village in you by putting on 5kg baggy jeans, an Arsenal jersey plus a “Ng’ombe” cap on a hot afternoon and to add salt to injury, bouncing in this ISO certified institution.
On the same note, some ladies resemble sand tippers in certain hair styles. They wonder why, despite possessing perfect model bodies, their weight constantly reads 1050 Newtons. It never occurs to them that the only thing they need to shed off that weight is to get rid of the bulky hair on their head. This is my opinion: Swag is for boys and girls; class is for real ladies and gentlemen. Simple and crystal clear.
STATUS UPDATES
“On my way to Nairobi…Mombasa here I come...Heading to Kisumu…” The list is endless and very common during holidays and weekends. Sometimes you happen to have seen a comrade at a joint somewhere and the next thing you see him or her updating on Facebook is, “Kumbe wazungu pia hushuta”…at Pioneer International Hotel, Chicago USA, 2 minutes ago near Texas. Nkt!
Will you catch cholera if you say you are sipping a warm calabash of porridge at your rural home, say Bomachoge village? Some even go to the trouble of climbing up trees to access UMTS, 3G or EDGE networks while guarding maize from notorious monkeys at their rural family farms, lest the monkeys reap where they did not sow, just to update such crap. The next time you see a comrade’s arm on an arm strap during reporting day, just smile and walk away!
Okay, okay. There are numerous annoying things common amongst us comrades that are rather so last year. Many are times we are left perplexed because of what we see or hear here in Campus, so let me settle some beef here. Depending on your point of view and opinion depth, you’ll find some of these issues affecting you or someone you know directly:
I’M SINGLE AND SEARCHING
This is the most common lie in campus and very prevalent among us; gentlemen, sorry to say. You’ll always hear it in group and association meetings, especially during introductions. Turns out that every campus dude is single, ladies beware. Unless you’ve known a guy’s relationship history, I find ladies who fall for this cliché so naïve and cheap. Depending on when one commenced studies, the modal age bracket for joining campus according to a recent research conducted by an NGO in East African public universities is 19-20. Now, at this age comrades, unless one has an ambition of becoming a nun or brother, do you think a relationship status of “Single” applies? No, sir!
WEEKEND “UNCLES”
Gentlemen, keep your eyes open on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings to see the number of dressed-to-kill ladies in handbags and cars cruising along the academic highway; then compare the figures you get with workday figures. This way, you won’t break my spectacles when we meet anywhere because you’ll see what I mean. Very few principled ladies will shamelessly disclose their relationship statuses as “In a relationship” and I really give maximum respect to such. Most of them will always reminisce about their heartbreaks, how men are the same all over and go to the extent of calling us ‘dogs’ but during weekends, they visit their “Uncles” outside campus. Woe unto you who has such a comrade as a sweetheart here and boast to us of how her love is agape, you know, she even has to visit her only uncle every weekend while you’re left jerking off in your room.
SWAG
Changes are constant and will always remain that way, I don’t dispute that fact and I also appreciate fashion to the maximum, but what's with dudes wearing Timberland boots with official outfits, exposed G-string briefs due to short tops and exposed dirty boxers because of sagging denim jeans along our highways? I won’t point any fingers, but some dudes are exact replicas of Homo habilis in the name of swag. Swag is not for every Tom, Dick and Harry. If you can’t do it right, leave it to the pros. Don’t show us the village in you by putting on 5kg baggy jeans, an Arsenal jersey plus a “Ng’ombe” cap on a hot afternoon and to add salt to injury, bouncing in this ISO certified institution.
On the same note, some ladies resemble sand tippers in certain hair styles. They wonder why, despite possessing perfect model bodies, their weight constantly reads 1050 Newtons. It never occurs to them that the only thing they need to shed off that weight is to get rid of the bulky hair on their head. This is my opinion: Swag is for boys and girls; class is for real ladies and gentlemen. Simple and crystal clear.
STATUS UPDATES
“On my way to Nairobi…Mombasa here I come...Heading to Kisumu…” The list is endless and very common during holidays and weekends. Sometimes you happen to have seen a comrade at a joint somewhere and the next thing you see him or her updating on Facebook is, “Kumbe wazungu pia hushuta”…at Pioneer International Hotel, Chicago USA, 2 minutes ago near Texas. Nkt!
Will you catch cholera if you say you are sipping a warm calabash of porridge at your rural home, say Bomachoge village? Some even go to the trouble of climbing up trees to access UMTS, 3G or EDGE networks while guarding maize from notorious monkeys at their rural family farms, lest the monkeys reap where they did not sow, just to update such crap. The next time you see a comrade’s arm on an arm strap during reporting day, just smile and walk away!
AVOIDING LOVE WITH REGRETS
By Dagitari Kayai
After rigorous introspection, there are a couple of things I will never tell a girl to spare her the experience of LOVE WITH REGRETS.
I will never promise to take her to heaven. I am not sure whether it exists and if it exists I am among those who will never step there at this rate of sinning. It will take a print error in that Book of Life for me to shelter there.
Never refer to her as An Angel Sent from Heaven. Am very sure the only Angel who will pay me a visit on earth is Angel Of Death. And am sure he will be in business of terminating my life in this world. I fear his mention.
Taking her to the moon. Not me. I hope she has heard the amazing news of the few tycoons who have been there. It cost them a fortune. I am just a hustler, just be content when I take you around the Ghetto.
She features in all my dreams. Am sorry I remember very few especially the ones in which I find myself enjoying sumptuous delicacies with my friends.
Why cheat her that she is my screen saver. The truth is that my phone enjoys the pictures of Manchester United Players and Ferrari Cars.
You are my one and only. I remember my Sunday school teacher telling me that I am a descendant of David and Solomon. You remember David saw someone's wife bathing and organised a murder. Similarly King Solomon was more dangerous than Akuku Danger. What does she expect from me? More and more!
I heard another man promising her a ship. We fetch water from our well which cost my parents a lot in ‘sinking’. I am sure its water can't fill a swimming pool leave alone a sea for her ship.
You leave me breathless! That is the last wish I will have. Suffocating me is very fatal to my village. All have great expectations on me. Just let their son scale the ladder of success to help them.
When I see you my heart skips a beat. Never ever! In fact the heart beat increases as I try to figure out how fifty bob plus fifty bob can add up to a thousand to buy you pizza and wine.
I can't live without you. If this is true we could have been born as twins. According to the rate at which my stomach feels empty, the only thing I can't live without is a bowl of githeri.
You are my Comfort Zone. The only place I can spend my lifetime and which soothes me after a tiresome day is my Bed. It has made me disappoint many when I turn up late for an appointment.
You make my life so rich!???..Oh My God. If my “pauperness” is what is referred as rich I wonder how the poor man survives. Ask Bob Collymore the number of times he has blacklisted me after failing to clear my 10 bob Okoa Jahazi. He will also tell you that I was beseeching him to increase the level of Okoa Jahazi’s and “Please Call Me’s”.
Girl, you can never be my baby. You are supposed to be the mother of my baby. If otherwise, then am your Dad and that is forbidden incest.
I have a thick blood of Kikuyu hence you can never be always in my mind. I think in terms of Dollars. I will never ask her for One more night. I need her all the nights.
After rigorous introspection, there are a couple of things I will never tell a girl to spare her the experience of LOVE WITH REGRETS.
I will never promise to take her to heaven. I am not sure whether it exists and if it exists I am among those who will never step there at this rate of sinning. It will take a print error in that Book of Life for me to shelter there.
Never refer to her as An Angel Sent from Heaven. Am very sure the only Angel who will pay me a visit on earth is Angel Of Death. And am sure he will be in business of terminating my life in this world. I fear his mention.
Taking her to the moon. Not me. I hope she has heard the amazing news of the few tycoons who have been there. It cost them a fortune. I am just a hustler, just be content when I take you around the Ghetto.
She features in all my dreams. Am sorry I remember very few especially the ones in which I find myself enjoying sumptuous delicacies with my friends.
Why cheat her that she is my screen saver. The truth is that my phone enjoys the pictures of Manchester United Players and Ferrari Cars.
You are my one and only. I remember my Sunday school teacher telling me that I am a descendant of David and Solomon. You remember David saw someone's wife bathing and organised a murder. Similarly King Solomon was more dangerous than Akuku Danger. What does she expect from me? More and more!
I heard another man promising her a ship. We fetch water from our well which cost my parents a lot in ‘sinking’. I am sure its water can't fill a swimming pool leave alone a sea for her ship.
You leave me breathless! That is the last wish I will have. Suffocating me is very fatal to my village. All have great expectations on me. Just let their son scale the ladder of success to help them.
When I see you my heart skips a beat. Never ever! In fact the heart beat increases as I try to figure out how fifty bob plus fifty bob can add up to a thousand to buy you pizza and wine.
I can't live without you. If this is true we could have been born as twins. According to the rate at which my stomach feels empty, the only thing I can't live without is a bowl of githeri.
You are my Comfort Zone. The only place I can spend my lifetime and which soothes me after a tiresome day is my Bed. It has made me disappoint many when I turn up late for an appointment.
You make my life so rich!???..Oh My God. If my “pauperness” is what is referred as rich I wonder how the poor man survives. Ask Bob Collymore the number of times he has blacklisted me after failing to clear my 10 bob Okoa Jahazi. He will also tell you that I was beseeching him to increase the level of Okoa Jahazi’s and “Please Call Me’s”.
Girl, you can never be my baby. You are supposed to be the mother of my baby. If otherwise, then am your Dad and that is forbidden incest.
I have a thick blood of Kikuyu hence you can never be always in my mind. I think in terms of Dollars. I will never ask her for One more night. I need her all the nights.
We are not on strike, confirms dispensary official
From News Desk
Operations in the Moi University-Main campus dispensary are going on as usual, we have established.
Earlier in the morning hours, rumour had sent shock waves in Moi fraternity that the health workers had downed their tools.
However, there was a meeting Today in which workers discussed about the impending allowances.
According to a source privy to The 3rdEye, the meeting had been called to protest their exclusion from a management meeting.
"We felt that our issues on allowances was not going to be addressed because the Chief Medical Officer was not feeling well", said the source, who had requested anonymity due to sensitivity of the matter. The health workers said that their risk allowances dating back to 2006 have not been paid. We have also learnt that other public universities including a Moi Constituent college in Karatina are paid.
Operations in the Moi University-Main campus dispensary are going on as usual, we have established.
Earlier in the morning hours, rumour had sent shock waves in Moi fraternity that the health workers had downed their tools.
However, there was a meeting Today in which workers discussed about the impending allowances.
According to a source privy to The 3rdEye, the meeting had been called to protest their exclusion from a management meeting.
"We felt that our issues on allowances was not going to be addressed because the Chief Medical Officer was not feeling well", said the source, who had requested anonymity due to sensitivity of the matter. The health workers said that their risk allowances dating back to 2006 have not been paid. We have also learnt that other public universities including a Moi Constituent college in Karatina are paid.
"We had sought audience with the Vice Chancellor in November who promised us that the matter will be discussed in the management level but since then we have not heard anything on the same", confided the source.
We couldn't reach the Chief Medical Officer for a comment but was said to have had meeting with the management, by the time of going on press.
However a meeting will be held Tomorrow to chart way forward after receiving feedback from the CMO.
Meanwhile lectures resumed Today after the lecturers temporarily suspended their strike on salary increment tussle. This was after the management intervened yesterday. The negotiations are still ongoing.
We couldn't reach the Chief Medical Officer for a comment but was said to have had meeting with the management, by the time of going on press.
However a meeting will be held Tomorrow to chart way forward after receiving feedback from the CMO.
Meanwhile lectures resumed Today after the lecturers temporarily suspended their strike on salary increment tussle. This was after the management intervened yesterday. The negotiations are still ongoing.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
MASINDE MULIRO CLOSES AS THE SEMESTER FINALLY ENDS
By Ejakait Vincent
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) finally draws the curtains on its first semester after completion of the end of semester exams. The closing date couldn’t come at a more opportune time as the Lecturers and non-teaching staff are expected to join their colleagues from all over the country in the nationwide strike.
The information which was signed and dispatched by the Registrar of Academic Affairs, Mr. Mabonga, stated the following:
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) finally draws the curtains on its first semester after completion of the end of semester exams. The closing date couldn’t come at a more opportune time as the Lecturers and non-teaching staff are expected to join their colleagues from all over the country in the nationwide strike.
The information which was signed and dispatched by the Registrar of Academic Affairs, Mr. Mabonga, stated the following:
Official closing date for 1st semester...........23rd January 2013
Official opening date/registration for 2nd semester………..1st February 2013
Official commencement of lectures for 2nd semester……………4th February 2013
The move has received mixed reactions with many students viewing it as damage control for the anticipated lecturers and non-teaching staff strike. In so doing, the University administration expects to kill two birds with one stone; that is, give the students the inter-semester break and prevent squandering of learning days as a consequence of the strike.
Official opening date/registration for 2nd semester………..1st February 2013
Official commencement of lectures for 2nd semester……………4th February 2013
The move has received mixed reactions with many students viewing it as damage control for the anticipated lecturers and non-teaching staff strike. In so doing, the University administration expects to kill two birds with one stone; that is, give the students the inter-semester break and prevent squandering of learning days as a consequence of the strike.
Have M.U.S.O directors failed?
By digital reporter
Have they failed? That is one question that has more answers to it.
Moi University Main Campus entertainment director and his sports counterpart are on the spotlight. Comrades are forced to trek to stage to watch football matches. To add salt to the healing wound, poor students are forced to dig into their pockets to avoid unnecessary protests from the owners.
Some have now accused Mr. Kyalo of a ploy to collaborate with DSTV owners to rip them off. However, the director has denied the claims, blaming the delay on the Dean of Students' absence. The dean is currently on leave.
"The delay has been due to the fact the the dean is not around and he usually approves the funds to cater for the subscription," said Mr. Kyalo. While calling for patience, he now hopes to get assistance from the deputy's office.
Meanwhile, his counterpart Mr. Maxwell Aduke has been accused of doing little in his docket. According to critics, the director has not initiated any project compared to his predecessor Mr. Brian Mukolwe. Mr Mukolwe, a 5th year in School of Engineering has been credited for initiating the Moi University Premier League, which was the first of its kind. Students drawn from various schools participated in the tournament dubbed "fighting drugs in campus".
Little has been heard about the director who had promised to revamp sports. For instance, he had promised that during his tenure he would champion for the construction of a mega swimming pool.
Comrades will be watching the MUSO directors foot steps to see whether they will act, despite having the longest period of service.
Have they failed? That is one question that has more answers to it.
Moi University Main Campus entertainment director and his sports counterpart are on the spotlight. Comrades are forced to trek to stage to watch football matches. To add salt to the healing wound, poor students are forced to dig into their pockets to avoid unnecessary protests from the owners.
Some have now accused Mr. Kyalo of a ploy to collaborate with DSTV owners to rip them off. However, the director has denied the claims, blaming the delay on the Dean of Students' absence. The dean is currently on leave.
"The delay has been due to the fact the the dean is not around and he usually approves the funds to cater for the subscription," said Mr. Kyalo. While calling for patience, he now hopes to get assistance from the deputy's office.
Meanwhile, his counterpart Mr. Maxwell Aduke has been accused of doing little in his docket. According to critics, the director has not initiated any project compared to his predecessor Mr. Brian Mukolwe. Mr Mukolwe, a 5th year in School of Engineering has been credited for initiating the Moi University Premier League, which was the first of its kind. Students drawn from various schools participated in the tournament dubbed "fighting drugs in campus".
Little has been heard about the director who had promised to revamp sports. For instance, he had promised that during his tenure he would champion for the construction of a mega swimming pool.
Comrades will be watching the MUSO directors foot steps to see whether they will act, despite having the longest period of service.
DONS CALL OFF STRIKE
BREAKING NEWS
The University Lecturers and non – teaching staff have call off their strike pending a court order, which seeks to bar them from participating in the countrywide strike that commenced yesterday in all public universities. Announcing the move UASU and UTENSU officials said that they were going to respect the law, and battle the matter in court with the Vice Chancellors. The decision was reached yesterday evening
The University Lecturers and non – teaching staff have call off their strike pending a court order, which seeks to bar them from participating in the countrywide strike that commenced yesterday in all public universities. Announcing the move UASU and UTENSU officials said that they were going to respect the law, and battle the matter in court with the Vice Chancellors. The decision was reached yesterday evening
Monday, January 21, 2013
UNIVERSITY STAFF STRIKE ON DESPITE COURT INJUNCTION
By Kirong' Shadrack
The planned strike slated to start today is still on. Speaking to
UTENSU and UASU members this morning at the Moi University Main Campus
Administration Block, UTENSU Chairman, Moi University Chapter, Mr
Nyakonyi, said the strike will go on as planned despite a court order
seeking to bar them.
Last week on Friday, the Vice Chancellors from all Public Universities had allegedly gone to court to seek an injunction to halt the planned strike. However, this did not go down well with the University staff Unions, which have vehemently condemned and termed the move as “desperate”. They added that the University cannot be controlled from the court rooms.
Earlier on, dilemma emerged over the direction the two unions were to take, as a result of the court injunction. However arrival of representative from National office, Mr. Abok, set the record straight over the matter maintaining that the strike was still on. He reiterated that, they had no powers to call off the strike, after UASU launched it yesterday.
The speakers who spoke during the charged meeting took issue with the Vice Chancellors for their unending suffering, citing Moi University Vice Chancellor Prof Richard Mibey and the management for the current impasse.
"We want them to give us what the government gave them to give us’’ added a member. Moreover, the Union representative, Mr. Abok sought answers to why other public universities like University of Eldoret (Chepkoilel), Masinde Muliro University, and Egerton University had been fully paid as agreed on the CBA, yet they operated within the same system as these universities.
Following the last strike, the Government had signed an agreement and awarded the University staff Kshs 7.8 billion, which was to be implemented in two phases. With the first phase starting July to December 2012 and the other dating back to July to December 2010. So far Moi University has received Kshs 340 million, which according to Mr Abok doesn’t even hit a quarter of what they had earlier negotiated for. As a result the Unions ascertain that the University is yet to pay them Kshs 104 million more.
Resolutions
After a long open consultative meeting between the two Unions' officials and members present, they finally agreed that, the strike is on, chanting their famous slogan ‘NO MONEY, NO WORK’. They also stood firm against the court injunction, saying that they will soldier on with their fight. They also took a jab at the usual police presence every time they called a meeting, adding that this time round they won’t be intimidated by anyone including the police.
Last week on Friday, the Vice Chancellors from all Public Universities had allegedly gone to court to seek an injunction to halt the planned strike. However, this did not go down well with the University staff Unions, which have vehemently condemned and termed the move as “desperate”. They added that the University cannot be controlled from the court rooms.
Earlier on, dilemma emerged over the direction the two unions were to take, as a result of the court injunction. However arrival of representative from National office, Mr. Abok, set the record straight over the matter maintaining that the strike was still on. He reiterated that, they had no powers to call off the strike, after UASU launched it yesterday.
The speakers who spoke during the charged meeting took issue with the Vice Chancellors for their unending suffering, citing Moi University Vice Chancellor Prof Richard Mibey and the management for the current impasse.
"We want them to give us what the government gave them to give us’’ added a member. Moreover, the Union representative, Mr. Abok sought answers to why other public universities like University of Eldoret (Chepkoilel), Masinde Muliro University, and Egerton University had been fully paid as agreed on the CBA, yet they operated within the same system as these universities.
Following the last strike, the Government had signed an agreement and awarded the University staff Kshs 7.8 billion, which was to be implemented in two phases. With the first phase starting July to December 2012 and the other dating back to July to December 2010. So far Moi University has received Kshs 340 million, which according to Mr Abok doesn’t even hit a quarter of what they had earlier negotiated for. As a result the Unions ascertain that the University is yet to pay them Kshs 104 million more.
Resolutions
After a long open consultative meeting between the two Unions' officials and members present, they finally agreed that, the strike is on, chanting their famous slogan ‘NO MONEY, NO WORK’. They also stood firm against the court injunction, saying that they will soldier on with their fight. They also took a jab at the usual police presence every time they called a meeting, adding that this time round they won’t be intimidated by anyone including the police.
THE PRIMARIES EXPOSED POLITICIANS' FILTHINESS
By Kirong' Shadrack
The countrywide party primaries nomination just ended and for the winners it’s all systems go as they prepare to roll out their next campaign machineries, in a bid to clinch the coveted seats. However I am bemused and outraged at the political arithmetic, tactics and balancing, that marred these party nominations.
The countrywide party primaries nomination just ended and for the winners it’s all systems go as they prepare to roll out their next campaign machineries, in a bid to clinch the coveted seats. However I am bemused and outraged at the political arithmetic, tactics and balancing, that marred these party nominations.
Topping my list is the postponement of the nomination dates. Seems our
new crop of politicians have borrowed a leaf from some of our
institutions; the word ‘postpone’ seems to have miraculously found its
way into their political arena.
It’s no doubt Kenyan politics has never had room for political jokers and joy riders. But taking a look at events preceding the recently concluded primaries, several elements and traces of jokers might have been on board. That party A had to wait for party B or D to fix a nomination date or alter it at a later stage to suit their own equations was a trying, boring and dodgy ploy that political schemers and their teachers alike should learn from and shun.
For a serious politician who has grasped the ideology that politics is a seasonal game, with time as an intervening variable, playing your cards on time is always safe. And for those to whom the adage might have escaped their attention, during the hour of need, the season is over and time has proven them wrong.
Allegations flying around of the so called political bigwigs having sinister hands during the nomination exercise should not be treated as a passing cloud. Indeed it deserves sanctimonious outrage. The orgy of blood-letting that marked the disputed 2007 general election, is something that any patriotic and peace loving Kenyan would wish and pray away.
Democracy cannot be bought or sold. On the contrary, the world's best democracies were attained after major revolutions, and as we speak they are the bastions of democracy. Kenya has for a long while travelled through that rough path. These post primary nomination knee-jerk reactions, should not be treated as political sideshows or propaganda blitz. The voice of the wananchi ought to be respected, lest these politicians plunge the peaceful country into anarchy again.
As campaigns enter their final stretch, it is paramount that we remain steadfast in promoting harmony amongst ourselves. Let's elect leaders based on merit, capacity and aptitude. The germane point being that this country is greater than all of us, and I just wish our politicians could also learn that.
It’s no doubt Kenyan politics has never had room for political jokers and joy riders. But taking a look at events preceding the recently concluded primaries, several elements and traces of jokers might have been on board. That party A had to wait for party B or D to fix a nomination date or alter it at a later stage to suit their own equations was a trying, boring and dodgy ploy that political schemers and their teachers alike should learn from and shun.
For a serious politician who has grasped the ideology that politics is a seasonal game, with time as an intervening variable, playing your cards on time is always safe. And for those to whom the adage might have escaped their attention, during the hour of need, the season is over and time has proven them wrong.
Allegations flying around of the so called political bigwigs having sinister hands during the nomination exercise should not be treated as a passing cloud. Indeed it deserves sanctimonious outrage. The orgy of blood-letting that marked the disputed 2007 general election, is something that any patriotic and peace loving Kenyan would wish and pray away.
Democracy cannot be bought or sold. On the contrary, the world's best democracies were attained after major revolutions, and as we speak they are the bastions of democracy. Kenya has for a long while travelled through that rough path. These post primary nomination knee-jerk reactions, should not be treated as political sideshows or propaganda blitz. The voice of the wananchi ought to be respected, lest these politicians plunge the peaceful country into anarchy again.
As campaigns enter their final stretch, it is paramount that we remain steadfast in promoting harmony amongst ourselves. Let's elect leaders based on merit, capacity and aptitude. The germane point being that this country is greater than all of us, and I just wish our politicians could also learn that.
STRIKE OR NO STRIKE, MOI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE A DAMNED LOT
By Isaac Meso
It all started with the postponement of the opening date for the current fourth years who were to report back late July last year. This was followed by a series of flimsy excuses mixed with a concoction of public notices relating to rescheduling of opening dates that ended up keeping this lot of ‘finalists’ out of session for a whole academic year.
I have tried to seek an explanation for this glitch but all my efforts have returned me to one school of thought; someone is sleeping on the job.
The best explanation that almost convinced my mind was that of lack of adequate accommodation for these students. However this explanation has a loop hole. For one it doesn’t make much sense due to the fact that the school has been running on low accommodation capacity for years now but never has it occurred to anyone that some students had to be locked out for almost almost a year for others to be in session. Moreover, what doesn’t add up is the notion that the number of first years who got admitted through the double intake programme was an all-time high despite the accommodation crisis which has plagued the school for years.
The scenario that presents itself is that of an administration which has bitten more than it can chew. How it could admit first years who are double the number of accommodation slots available is still a mystery. We can throw the ball to the former Joint Admission Board (JAB) which was concerned with admitting students to public university but the buck stops with the university administration as it is the body which compiles and issues JAB with a list containing the number of first years it requires for admission in their various faculties.
Another explanation that came through was that of the graduation ceremony in August. This one was the lamest of them all. Since when was an opening date postponed until further notice because a graduation ceremony was to be held mid-year. This just shows how things are out of hand in the upper level of management of our dear institution.
Like this wasn’t enough this lot of students came back to school with so much enthusiasm only to find the lecturers and non-teaching staff in a picketing mood; learning disrupted again. What the administration seem to forget is that the current fourth years are supposed to have graduated or would have been graduating any time now. This has now become a pipe dream for many since even it is not certain whether the first semester is going to end any time soon with exams dates being postponed with each coming day and the general elections factor.
What worries me however is the fate of the remaining students since after all the fourth years are in their final year of study. The current states of matters indicates that the current third years who are on compulsory one year holiday may have to wait a little longer to be recalled back for their final year. Worse still, a section of the second years are still counting on their luck as they wait to be recalled back to session. If the current mood is anything to go by, they may end up forgotten or report at a later date.
The big question therefore remains, who is to blame for the current crisis facing the student fraternity? Rather in a more African tone we should ask ourselves, who ‘bewitched’ our beloved university? The current crisis facing Moi is more of a lapse in the administration. Poor communication of opening dates is just but one of the many of the ways in which the administration has failed the student fraternity. The body that manages students affairs has done nothing to improve the plight of the students, not forgetting the future of the same body is in a limbo also.
It is said that a building is usually condemned when cracks of weakness emerges on its walls and foundations .Chepkoilel was a constituent campus affiliated to Moi. It broke ties with this same university on what was alleged as misallocation and poor management of funds meant for it by its Mother university (Moi). Information from credible sources has it that Moi University Annex campus is also planning an exit.
Apparently it is the high time the management of Moi wake up from the deep slumber they are in or this time round they will be condemned by their very own; the main campus student fraternity, who until now are not a happy lot.
It all started with the postponement of the opening date for the current fourth years who were to report back late July last year. This was followed by a series of flimsy excuses mixed with a concoction of public notices relating to rescheduling of opening dates that ended up keeping this lot of ‘finalists’ out of session for a whole academic year.
I have tried to seek an explanation for this glitch but all my efforts have returned me to one school of thought; someone is sleeping on the job.
The best explanation that almost convinced my mind was that of lack of adequate accommodation for these students. However this explanation has a loop hole. For one it doesn’t make much sense due to the fact that the school has been running on low accommodation capacity for years now but never has it occurred to anyone that some students had to be locked out for almost almost a year for others to be in session. Moreover, what doesn’t add up is the notion that the number of first years who got admitted through the double intake programme was an all-time high despite the accommodation crisis which has plagued the school for years.
The scenario that presents itself is that of an administration which has bitten more than it can chew. How it could admit first years who are double the number of accommodation slots available is still a mystery. We can throw the ball to the former Joint Admission Board (JAB) which was concerned with admitting students to public university but the buck stops with the university administration as it is the body which compiles and issues JAB with a list containing the number of first years it requires for admission in their various faculties.
Another explanation that came through was that of the graduation ceremony in August. This one was the lamest of them all. Since when was an opening date postponed until further notice because a graduation ceremony was to be held mid-year. This just shows how things are out of hand in the upper level of management of our dear institution.
Like this wasn’t enough this lot of students came back to school with so much enthusiasm only to find the lecturers and non-teaching staff in a picketing mood; learning disrupted again. What the administration seem to forget is that the current fourth years are supposed to have graduated or would have been graduating any time now. This has now become a pipe dream for many since even it is not certain whether the first semester is going to end any time soon with exams dates being postponed with each coming day and the general elections factor.
What worries me however is the fate of the remaining students since after all the fourth years are in their final year of study. The current states of matters indicates that the current third years who are on compulsory one year holiday may have to wait a little longer to be recalled back for their final year. Worse still, a section of the second years are still counting on their luck as they wait to be recalled back to session. If the current mood is anything to go by, they may end up forgotten or report at a later date.
The big question therefore remains, who is to blame for the current crisis facing the student fraternity? Rather in a more African tone we should ask ourselves, who ‘bewitched’ our beloved university? The current crisis facing Moi is more of a lapse in the administration. Poor communication of opening dates is just but one of the many of the ways in which the administration has failed the student fraternity. The body that manages students affairs has done nothing to improve the plight of the students, not forgetting the future of the same body is in a limbo also.
It is said that a building is usually condemned when cracks of weakness emerges on its walls and foundations .Chepkoilel was a constituent campus affiliated to Moi. It broke ties with this same university on what was alleged as misallocation and poor management of funds meant for it by its Mother university (Moi). Information from credible sources has it that Moi University Annex campus is also planning an exit.
Apparently it is the high time the management of Moi wake up from the deep slumber they are in or this time round they will be condemned by their very own; the main campus student fraternity, who until now are not a happy lot.
PSYCHOLOGY RELOADED
By Lau Lawi
I need honorary degrees in different fields so as to bolster my chances of making the next government. There is the scramble for educational recognition from the outgoing vultures (Sorry, I meant Members of Parliament). I write this thesis on schools' psychology so at least this university can issue me with a PhD if not an honorary degree.
The schools are examined on the basis of behaviours exhibited by its students.
School of engineering This is the academy part of the university, It is also referred to as the University of Ngeria, a constituent academy of the engineering fraternity in Moi. Their classes don’t bounce and the lecturers are always punctual and available. The only problem is the students; they are divided into three psychological groups:
The kalewa group - this lot is ever drunk from Sunday to Sunday. They exhibit characteristics like shaggy uncombed hair, dirty jeans and overstretched t-shirts. They are class geniuses and have never sat for supplementary exams.
The perverts - these are all players. They juggle girls like marbles. They are very neat ,hypocritically quiet and always carry laptop bags even if they just contain The Theraja (engineering encyclopaedia). They have no definite girlfriends and are always speaking on phone (perhaps spinning lies to avoid a scene of cat fights).
The Holy Daves- they are always on church errands if not in class or MTL. They are confident, cool, ever-smiling and smartly dressed. Most of them hold offices in churches or church groups. The sad thing is that this group contains the least number of members. Their ladies are classified because they are either single or dating a school of Arts dude.
School of Arts and Social Sciences
This school should be renamed to include a department of madness and fashion disaster. Most dudes here don the Mohawk hair style even if they have cone-shaped heads. They are classified into two main groups:
The celeb wannabes - these are the dudes who don every item of clothing in fashion on a single day. You will find them with three shambalas, four plastic armbands, two plastic watches and a wrist rosary: all in one hand! They have plastic shades, sagging trousers (always exposing some faded inner wears) or overstretched vests and skinny jeans.
The bouncers - this group has the funniest members. They either have heavily built chests or a high protruding rib cage. They walk with arms spread out hence making themselves bigger. They walk with swag (read limping style with their bottoms thrust backwards). I hate dealing with this lot because they believe in the power of the fist and ignore the mind.
The ladies from this group are in two groups which are like heaven and earth. They are:
Mother Teresas - this lot includes staunch church goers who wear long skirts and four other items of clothing (jeans short, biker, panty and a petticoat) inside that skirt. They are always neat, well kept hair, skirt suits and closed taffees.
The crazy Agnes - this is where you find all types of hairstyle ranging from blue and green horse-hair extensions to a Mohawk. They wear short skirts covering the essentials and exposing enough for the guys to ogle at. They are attention seekers. They wear jeans that expose the bottoms and G-strings. If not in jeans they are in a low-cleavage tops and transparent tights that leaves a lot to be desired (I mean ogled at) and nothing to be imagined.
...to be continued.
I need honorary degrees in different fields so as to bolster my chances of making the next government. There is the scramble for educational recognition from the outgoing vultures (Sorry, I meant Members of Parliament). I write this thesis on schools' psychology so at least this university can issue me with a PhD if not an honorary degree.
The schools are examined on the basis of behaviours exhibited by its students.
School of engineering This is the academy part of the university, It is also referred to as the University of Ngeria, a constituent academy of the engineering fraternity in Moi. Their classes don’t bounce and the lecturers are always punctual and available. The only problem is the students; they are divided into three psychological groups:
The kalewa group - this lot is ever drunk from Sunday to Sunday. They exhibit characteristics like shaggy uncombed hair, dirty jeans and overstretched t-shirts. They are class geniuses and have never sat for supplementary exams.
The perverts - these are all players. They juggle girls like marbles. They are very neat ,hypocritically quiet and always carry laptop bags even if they just contain The Theraja (engineering encyclopaedia). They have no definite girlfriends and are always speaking on phone (perhaps spinning lies to avoid a scene of cat fights).
The Holy Daves- they are always on church errands if not in class or MTL. They are confident, cool, ever-smiling and smartly dressed. Most of them hold offices in churches or church groups. The sad thing is that this group contains the least number of members. Their ladies are classified because they are either single or dating a school of Arts dude.
School of Arts and Social Sciences
This school should be renamed to include a department of madness and fashion disaster. Most dudes here don the Mohawk hair style even if they have cone-shaped heads. They are classified into two main groups:
The celeb wannabes - these are the dudes who don every item of clothing in fashion on a single day. You will find them with three shambalas, four plastic armbands, two plastic watches and a wrist rosary: all in one hand! They have plastic shades, sagging trousers (always exposing some faded inner wears) or overstretched vests and skinny jeans.
The bouncers - this group has the funniest members. They either have heavily built chests or a high protruding rib cage. They walk with arms spread out hence making themselves bigger. They walk with swag (read limping style with their bottoms thrust backwards). I hate dealing with this lot because they believe in the power of the fist and ignore the mind.
The ladies from this group are in two groups which are like heaven and earth. They are:
Mother Teresas - this lot includes staunch church goers who wear long skirts and four other items of clothing (jeans short, biker, panty and a petticoat) inside that skirt. They are always neat, well kept hair, skirt suits and closed taffees.
The crazy Agnes - this is where you find all types of hairstyle ranging from blue and green horse-hair extensions to a Mohawk. They wear short skirts covering the essentials and exposing enough for the guys to ogle at. They are attention seekers. They wear jeans that expose the bottoms and G-strings. If not in jeans they are in a low-cleavage tops and transparent tights that leaves a lot to be desired (I mean ogled at) and nothing to be imagined.
...to be continued.
LESSONS TO PONDER FROM THE JUST CONCLUDED PRIMARIES
By Isaac Meso
The much awaited party primaries are over and as the dust settles for the various political parties that had filled candidates in various civic posts, I take a position in my political windmill to analyse the various lessons that emerged from what transpired over the weekend during party nominations across the country.
Threat of post election violence is eminent
One of the major lessons that came out especially after what happened in the western part of the country is that despite the tremendous steps taken by the government to get rid of any acts that may lead to violence after election, the threat is still imminent.
On Friday, the counties of Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya were literally burning, as rowdy youths took to the streets barricading roads and lighting bonfires all in the name of showing frustration over what they termed as favoritism and unfair tallying of votes at the voting centres. At the centre of it all was Dr Oginga Oburu’s challenger for the Siaya County Senate seat, William Oduol, who declared himself winner only for the same to be reversed by the ODM electoral officials.
The violence as a result of party primaries was sporadic as Central and Rift valley regions weren’t spared either. In central, the TNA party primaries were marred with fracas and protest owing to rigging claims by party supporters. This same fate befell URP party primaries in the larger Rift valley region.
Tribal politics is no longer a secret
Another lesson that came out in the open, thanks to the party primaries, is tribal politics. This can be seen in how various parties could fill multiple candidates in the just concluded Primaries. Despite the efforts made by the two political protagonists CORD and Jubilee to appear as parties with a national figure and face, the ethnic dimension of Kenyan politics reared its ugly head again. This could be explained by absence or presence of candidates from these major coalitions in certain areas of the country.
For instance the Jubilee coalition had a strong foothold in the Central, Eastern and Rift Valley parts of the country. CORD on the other hand had remarkable support on the Western part of the country, part of Eastern, Coast and North Eastern provinces.
The voting trend in the primaries, if it is anything to go by, might result in a repeat of what happened in 2007 when the country got polarized into two voting blocks.
The entrenchment of tribal politics in the Kenyan political landscape partly explains why ODM filled no candidate in the central part of the country and some opting to vie with the wiper ticket. The same case was manifested in the western region with most aspirants vying with the UDF and ODM tickets and shying away from TNA or URP party tickets.
The electorate is no longer a gullible lot
The falling of political demagogues in both the Jubilee and CORD alliances has sent panic in the political realms as politicians struggle to keep their political career afloat at all cost. Big names went down on Friday as they were outwitted by young and new blood in the political scene.
The likes of Finance Minister, Hon Njeru Githae and Gem Member of Parliament lost in the primaries bringing to light the criteria by which the electorate is now using to select their leaders. The days of political thuggery and deceit are long gone as voters are looking for leaders who are going to serve their interest first and bring infrastructural development with little lip service.
As the political parties brace themselves for another gruelling battle come March 4th, what is at the heart of many Kenyans is a peaceful electioneering period and a peaceful transition after that. Anything that falls less of that is to be condemned with utmost ferocity because no Kenyan citizen wants to see a repeat of what happened in the last general election.
The much awaited party primaries are over and as the dust settles for the various political parties that had filled candidates in various civic posts, I take a position in my political windmill to analyse the various lessons that emerged from what transpired over the weekend during party nominations across the country.
Threat of post election violence is eminent
One of the major lessons that came out especially after what happened in the western part of the country is that despite the tremendous steps taken by the government to get rid of any acts that may lead to violence after election, the threat is still imminent.
On Friday, the counties of Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya were literally burning, as rowdy youths took to the streets barricading roads and lighting bonfires all in the name of showing frustration over what they termed as favoritism and unfair tallying of votes at the voting centres. At the centre of it all was Dr Oginga Oburu’s challenger for the Siaya County Senate seat, William Oduol, who declared himself winner only for the same to be reversed by the ODM electoral officials.
The violence as a result of party primaries was sporadic as Central and Rift valley regions weren’t spared either. In central, the TNA party primaries were marred with fracas and protest owing to rigging claims by party supporters. This same fate befell URP party primaries in the larger Rift valley region.
Tribal politics is no longer a secret
Another lesson that came out in the open, thanks to the party primaries, is tribal politics. This can be seen in how various parties could fill multiple candidates in the just concluded Primaries. Despite the efforts made by the two political protagonists CORD and Jubilee to appear as parties with a national figure and face, the ethnic dimension of Kenyan politics reared its ugly head again. This could be explained by absence or presence of candidates from these major coalitions in certain areas of the country.
For instance the Jubilee coalition had a strong foothold in the Central, Eastern and Rift Valley parts of the country. CORD on the other hand had remarkable support on the Western part of the country, part of Eastern, Coast and North Eastern provinces.
The voting trend in the primaries, if it is anything to go by, might result in a repeat of what happened in 2007 when the country got polarized into two voting blocks.
The entrenchment of tribal politics in the Kenyan political landscape partly explains why ODM filled no candidate in the central part of the country and some opting to vie with the wiper ticket. The same case was manifested in the western region with most aspirants vying with the UDF and ODM tickets and shying away from TNA or URP party tickets.
The electorate is no longer a gullible lot
The falling of political demagogues in both the Jubilee and CORD alliances has sent panic in the political realms as politicians struggle to keep their political career afloat at all cost. Big names went down on Friday as they were outwitted by young and new blood in the political scene.
The likes of Finance Minister, Hon Njeru Githae and Gem Member of Parliament lost in the primaries bringing to light the criteria by which the electorate is now using to select their leaders. The days of political thuggery and deceit are long gone as voters are looking for leaders who are going to serve their interest first and bring infrastructural development with little lip service.
As the political parties brace themselves for another gruelling battle come March 4th, what is at the heart of many Kenyans is a peaceful electioneering period and a peaceful transition after that. Anything that falls less of that is to be condemned with utmost ferocity because no Kenyan citizen wants to see a repeat of what happened in the last general election.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Developing story
FROM THE NEWS DESK
Learning in Moi University-Main Campus disrupted in some schools as lecturers keep off some classes. However, most students have had CATs, classes and examinations go on as scheduled at 8.
"My class bounced and hoping strike issue will be resolved quickly, said one fourth year student. He says he will check if class slated for 11 will materialize.
Currently, there is a meeting at administration as unions deliberate in a bid of breaking stalemate on the matter. Uasu and Untesu had issued 7 day notice last week calling for speedy implementation of C.B.A agreement.
Meanwhile, the School of Engineering have had the examinations go on as planned today.
Learning in Moi University-Main Campus disrupted in some schools as lecturers keep off some classes. However, most students have had CATs, classes and examinations go on as scheduled at 8.
"My class bounced and hoping strike issue will be resolved quickly, said one fourth year student. He says he will check if class slated for 11 will materialize.
Currently, there is a meeting at administration as unions deliberate in a bid of breaking stalemate on the matter. Uasu and Untesu had issued 7 day notice last week calling for speedy implementation of C.B.A agreement.
Meanwhile, the School of Engineering have had the examinations go on as planned today.
Strikes: Kenyan University student dilemma
As the 7-Day Dons' strike notice issued last week expires tomorrow, university students will be watching closely as events unfold.
On Monday last week, teaching and the non-teaching staff, through their unions, warned that it won't be business as usual. The U.A.S.U Secretary General Prof. Muga Olale had fired salvo, pointing fingers to university administrations for failing to release funds.
According to a memo released last week by UNETSA, the workers union have vowed down tools unless their grievances which are ratified in the C.B.A.
The unions accused the Universities of illegal changes of the agreement. It is understood that money had been given to various universities by Ministry of Higher Education.
Students will bear the greatest brunt, because some universities have already issued semester examinations. Learning might also be disrupted. For the other group out of session, it will mean another long holiday.
On Monday last week, teaching and the non-teaching staff, through their unions, warned that it won't be business as usual. The U.A.S.U Secretary General Prof. Muga Olale had fired salvo, pointing fingers to university administrations for failing to release funds.
According to a memo released last week by UNETSA, the workers union have vowed down tools unless their grievances which are ratified in the C.B.A.
The unions accused the Universities of illegal changes of the agreement. It is understood that money had been given to various universities by Ministry of Higher Education.
Students will bear the greatest brunt, because some universities have already issued semester examinations. Learning might also be disrupted. For the other group out of session, it will mean another long holiday.
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