THE 26th SGC’S UNITY AT STAKE

By Moses Nyamori

The unison of the incoming 26th Students’ Governing Council (SGC) might be at stake. This follows a heated debate generated by the Secretary-General elect, Seth Dikembe’s stand over the crucial issue of accommodation. His proposal to increase the number of beds in the Senior Hostels A, B, E and F did not augur well with the director in charge of the docket, Enock Ogega, who termed the act as an “encroachment”.

In his official communication to students on The 3rd Eye Facebook fan page, Ogega distanced himself from the comments made by his colleague saying that as far as his office is concerned, the hostels in question will remain for two occupants until official communication stating otherwise is made by his office.

The post read in part: “The security and accommodation office wishes to detach itself from any communication implying that Senior Hostels will have more than two occupants…any information concerning the rooms will only be communicated from this office.”

Separately speaking to The 3rd Eye on Thursday, the Sec Gen who seems to be softening his stand said that whatever he had earlier said was just a suggestion and should not be treated as the official stand of The 26th SGC.

“I suggested that there should be three beds in the mentioned hostels, but this is subject to discussion and should not be treated as an official stand – it was my personal view as far as the accommodation issue is concerned. We can still pursue other options to ensure every comrade is accommodated,” said the optimistic Dikembe.

However, commenting on Ogega’s “grievances” the Sec Gen termed the remarks as political sideshows arguing that the SGC as a whole has a collective responsibility, and that none of them can work single-handedly. He added that as the SGC’s Sec Gen, he has a role of uniting comrades and ensuring that their affairs are taken care of considerably.

While addressing the incoming team during the handing over ceremony held at the Soweto Mess, the outgoing MUSO Chairman, Mwang’ombe Mwamburi, urged the team to work in unison as that is the only way they can deliver their promises to the student populace.

“No director is autonomous and you must work together to achieve your goals or else the divide and rule will work against your wishes,” said Mwamburi.

The outgoing team’s Vice Chairperson Judy Waweru, challenged the incoming Chair Mr Florence Doghana to unite the team by referring to an exemplary work done by Mwamburi during his tenure.

It will be a wait-and-see situation to comrades as the newly elected team tries to mend their already fragile unity.

OTHER ACADEMIC HOTSPOTS IN MOI VARSITY

By Kirong Shadrack

These ‘ OTHER ACADEMIC HOTSPOTS’ are there to remind you that life in Moi Varsity is not a rehearsal, whether you are fresh or expired. And to add up the number to President Woodrow 14 PRINCIPLES OF PEACE, are also eight in number (check previous article for the six). I Amended Kenya style and added three more.

1.FRAKAS/ CHAMBERS – the most famous, pronounced and visited places. It attracts customers as far as Annex and Eldoret Town. However it’s a nightmare to land on these stations, which is only 20 metres from the entrance gate during rainy seasons. It’s a ‘school’ within a school. It has its own Deans and Secretaries, who check the roll call .confirms the absentees and those in attendance. Unfortunately they are on their own pay rolls. It’s already in the genetic make up of the regulars here to be in this place every Friday and any other day they feel thirsty.

They arrive in shifts of groups. And to show their unity of purpose, a ten -able men team orders one mzinga, and they can drink it the whole night as they brag about how they won EPL match the previous weekend, they never set their eyes on! On entrance you welcomed by blaring and ear – splitting music. The common songs played are T.O.K –‘No man’, Elephant Man- ‘This how we do it’, followed by a vigorous – waist breaking ‘Bent over’ and for the doubting Thomas’s, it’s done practically to avoid confusions.

It’s abnormal for you to leave this place without watching free and live ‘Spartacus movie’ Moi version. Two hundred meters away from this place is ‘Harvard’, Kapsowar, where pro – Frakaz/ chambers , go to quench their ‘thirst’ (cheap liquor) towards the end of Sem ,when things are tight. While others resort to roast maize or sell mutura to make ends meet. The ‘Deliverance Team’ rescue these lost sheep! They need spiritual breathalyzers!

2 .MABS – Mabatini or Cheboiywo in full.A special market, draws its customers from and across the village and campus population. They throng this place on Saturday’s in different weekend attires. It has a variety of goods, ranging from all sorts of mutumba clothes, jeans, mirrors, and anything mutumbaish, to stolen bedcovers and shoes from comrades.

3. Archive chambers – respect this lot! ‘Elders’ they have gone through enough troubles to entertain yours. They reside in Hostels (F, A, B, G, E and Ngeria Halls).surrounded by Dandora (D), Kibera (C) and Jericho/ Mlolongo ( J), where these group seek refuge when things are not in order in their houses .

‘Brains at work’ is the kind of faces that greets you if knock at doors. They are busy formatting all the nonsense in the past and are reloading it with probably a new software that touches on; life after school, how to tame a new life ID in the woods ‘ kid’ that resulted from a straying bullet and how and where to get a job. The only language they speak is ‘how they are going to finish their projects. Most of their favourite music is soul and Rumba. No crank!

4. MESS- for the record this are our ‘Hotels’ within the school. Meant for the lazy blobs who cannot afford to purchase coils and sufurias.They are very scarce, four in number. My days as a part-time nightshift cashier speak volumes and nothing to be desired.

First of all, the food is not of quality and standard, students demand non- existing food on the menu e.g. ‘samaki tatu, mursik fresh, mayai mbili kienyeji choma….etc.’ yet again they expect you to work with the robot speed. Since then I resigned and joined them in clamouring for their rights, but have never seen any progress! Mama Chelaa at stage, mother to many and respected for her hospitality and hotel management have done better than our ‘hotels’, ‘But nowadays I don’t see my boys’ is what she told me.

5.MOI POLICE STATIONS – meant for those ‘people’ who take other peoples’ property without their permission, the likes of legendary Peter Mashoka (living actor of Moi Wrong Turn 1 and 2 movie), very tipsy comrades who decides to disturb the sleeping nation in the middle of the night, and fighting couples. Our OCS is a Retired Major from the Military and he leads other unarmed ‘men in green’, in combating and fighting any external or internal threat.

6. FRUSTRATION SQUARE – it’s not by choice to be seen here. The frustrated squad comes to take a breath. Not a laughing matter, especially if you have been awarded five sups, meaning discontinue or rewind or worse your other better- half has just left unceremoniously. Also it’s a comfort zone for the exilic group. Or the disgruntled comrade who just been handed unbalancing fee sheet by so called nonsensical and arrogant trained school accountants few days prior exam time. Its also serve as an entertainment junctions where idlers go an ogle at ladies from a distance.

7. KADUNDA – people come here once in a while to gyrate to different music, chips funga or just mere spectators. Some even try ‘360- break dance’ on the floor, only to find themselves early Monday morning on bed telling a different story and feeling drrry. Everybody take to the floor only when the lights are dim. The visiting male Celebrity singers get a share of the fun, when charged lady fans start throwing their underwear’s on the stage when the choice and lyrics of the song find a way into their nerves.its said it's a sign of acceptance and generosity.

8. ADMINISTRATION BLOCK – the most unfrequented and feared place. Houses many chambers, but to be specific is the ‘Students Courtroom’ (Senate), where the School Deans and some Administrators act as both the Judge and Prosecutors. Terms like’ Postponed’, ‘until further notice’ are hurriedly formulated here!

9. LIBRARY –the largest building in East and Central Africa, that the institution and students alike brag about. Named after the former and first woman Prime Minister of Britain, Margret Thatcher. Also serves as Moi ICU (Intensive cramming Unit), during exam time.

10. DISPENSARY- feeling uneasy? Exam pressure? And want to check your body temperature after you narrowly escaped Peter’s axe? This is the place to go. CAUTION! Serious diseases you know about are not frequently treated here! The prescriptions and injections are the same for all ailments. However it’s also the best hotspot for the aspiring future Mr. and Mrs Moi..’The hunter can becomes the haunted’

11. CHURCH / MOSQUE - respect these Holy grounds. All the flocks head to this place for spiritual nourishment, hourly, weekly, once in a Sem or yearly, while some don’t know they exist! Some even conduct their own services from their own rooms ( E- church).

’The Delivery Team’ are the Directors in- charge. These ‘Disciples’ unlike the Disciples’ we read and hear about in the Holy Books, speak in tongues while inside, but speak commoners language once they are outside. As one, Rev. Fr Njoroge, a.k.a Fr. Njoroo, my former High school Spiritual Director and current Chaplain at St.Michael’s Catholic Church would put during his closing service remarks ,after an incisive and moving sermon ,’ Peace be with you always’, I also extend peace to you all. PEACE!!.., PEACE!!.. May be with you also, as you usher in the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

LECTURERS STRIKE? NOT AGAIN!

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!!!!.

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.

"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.