THE UNIVERSITY I CHOSE

By Remington Miheso
One of my new year’s resolutions was that I would try as much as possible to be serious with life, in fact it was a vow. But I had to break that vow. I broke it the moment I stepped foot in the so-called Moi University. I wonder why I liken Moi university to my village school than to other universities. I think initially it was meant to be a secondary school but as some people will say, 'they' had to change their minds. (I wonder if it was replacing the minds they initially had or it was something else.) Believe me, that was the worst mistake ever done to this institution.

I heard (before the election results were announced) someone say that it would do us good if Kenya was sold and each one of us given their own share. I agree and disagree. Kenya should be sold but in bits, starting with Moi High School a.k.a Moi University. In as much as we brag of producing some of the best brains in Kenya, we literally have nothing to pride ourselves in.

I am made to understand that Moi university is among, if not the richest public university in Kenya. (I stand to be corrected.) Shame on us! How can it even be mentioned and yet the one writing this article was denied accommodation just because he had not cleared a tuition fee of just eight hundred and fifty shillings, not dollars!

When the president we elected was sworn in on 9th, I thought everything would change to digital, just as one lights up a bulb. I was in for a rude shock when I was told I had to queue, just like I did when I had to beg Moi university to accommodate me in first year, to be accommodated again.

I couldn't understand why a mzee like me could be subjected to that kind of torture, a continuing student queuing for eight hours! Give me a break! How different am I from that ‘freshman’ who doesn't know where frakaz is? How will he know that I am not just ahead of him academically but also by age? In fact, if I had called my mum to tell her what I was going through I am sure she would tell me to leave school and help her sell mitumba in Gikomba market.

I wonder, do those guys who sit at the administration building think about us students? Do they know we exist? If a mere hostel can be built for twenty three years, what if they were to build a new administration building, how many centuries would it take? If those guys really think of us, they would have changed Margaret Thatcher Library to Margaret Thatcher Hostel a long time ago. What is the use of having a library with books older than itself? I nearly died laughing last week when I dragged myself past it in the evening and saw a guard trying something that I thought was checking students as they enter the library. Surely, even a class three pupil will confidently tell you there is nothing in that building to interest the most broke thief in the world.

I later purposefully passed by the administration building to check if the same was going on and as expected; nothing of the sort was taking place. So, the chief security of Moi University wants to convince us, beyond any doubts, that the library is more important than the white building we call the administration building, and my school! Wacheni mchezo!!

Some will say instead of criticizing I should be acting. Come on, I am a journalist. I am only allowed to give advice to these guys. Next time, instead of allocating a room to first years, give them small pieces of land. They seem to be in a better position to utilize it than the school is. And by the way if hostel M is so hard to finish, kindly allocate the rooms as they are to us, we will do the finishing ourselves. Moi University ni Kenya!!

THE SUPREME LAW

By Quintas Wesonga

Kenya's constitution is lauded as being one of the best in the world today. However most Kenyans have little or no idea what the noble document contains. All they know is that they either voted yes or no on 4th August 2010. This is what makes it rank so highly:

For the Kiswahili lovers, today you can use your language in any official function or even make an application for a job in Kiswahili. Article 7(2) provides that both English and Kiswahili are official languages but only Kiswahili is the national language. Wapi nduru?

Article 258(1) allows any Kenyan to institute a proceeding in court if you feel the constitution is being contravened or threatened. In fact to give more powers to the people, article 22(3) (c) provides that no fee shall be charged by court to institute such a proceeding.

If anybody arrests you, you have to be duly informed on why such action is taken on you and taken to court in not more than 24 hours. There is no imprisonment before trial. Article 49(2) states that one cannot be remanded in custody for an offence punishable only by fine or imprisonment of less than six months.

MPs who do not perform by the end of the first two years can be recalled by voters. Law making is not only for MPs. Public participation is guaranteed and any Kenyan can propose an amendment of the constitution by popular initiative by collecting 1 million signatures of registered voters. Read article 251 and get surprised for free!

When I hear people talk of the police force, I wonder whether they are Kenyans. Article 243 establishes the National Police Service., not the police force. The difference is that the former exercises professionalism but the latter doesn't. To achieve gender balance, no body shall comprise of more than two-thirds of same gender and in article 250 (11) the chair and vice-chair of any group shall not be of same gender. This is the most misinterpreted clause. Whoever said that women should comprise a third and be vice-chairpersons I wish to know. Women can also be two thirds and hold the chair and it would still be constitutional.

I overheard my friend say Raila will not vie for presidency again because of his age which the constitution prohibits. Such a thought is nowhere in the wonderful document. The only limit is the minimum age of 18 years. There is no maximum anywhere. The only specific qualification is that one must be a Kenyan by birth.

Are you aware that article 231 (4) requires that the Central Bank of Kenya prints money (notes and coins) with images depicting Kenya and not the portrait of any individual? However, item 34 in transitional clauses which is the last item in the constitution provides that money available on effective date shall remain valid.

There are those who come from poverty-stricken areas and worried that their county government may not be able to collect any substantive revenue. Article 204 is a relief. One half per cent of the total revenue by the national government will be put in an equalization fund for this purpose in the first 20 years.

Just as a matter of clarification, the term central government should be unheard of but instead use national government. Likewise use devolved government for local government and national revenue authority for Kenya revenue authority. Get used to cabinet secretaries not ministers, deputy president not vice president and principal secretary instead of permanent secretaries.

Just to conclude, the 47 women reps do not just represent and present issues of women in parliament but is just an affirmative action to increase the number of women in the house. They are just ordinary members of parliament.

BLACKOUT HALTS TSA DEBATE

The Technology Students Association (TSA) held a debate for aspirants of various seats this afternoon. This was the second of its kind after the first debate in the last academic year. However, unlike the first where students asked questions at the debate, questions were submitted to the Students Electoral Commission (SEC) prior to the debate.

Today's debate was cut short by a blackout. Speaking to the 3rd Eye, Mr. Opudo Jeckonian confirmed the postponement of the debate to a later date; either tomorrow or Wednesday. The latter day is a public holiday and holding it then depends on agreement by the students.

MOI VARSITY STUDENT PASSES ON

A sombre mood has engulfed Moi University following the pronouncement of the demise of Geffrey Cheruiyot Lagat. Lagat, a fourth year student in School of Business and Economic, Marketing Option was found dead at around 10pm by a passer-by along the road at Huruma Estate in Eldoret, where he had gone to visit his sister.

Confirming the incident to the 3rd Eye, Miss Sally Cherobon, a fourth year Education student and a cousin to the deceased reveals that cause of his death is still unknown, contrary to the reports that he had been knocked down by a car. Adding the family are waiting the post mortem report from Moi teaching and Referral Hospital where his body is being kept.

The late Geffrey known to many as ‘Geff,’ hails from Kaptel in Nandi County. Previously he was residing at Rima Residential at Stage, before he transferred to KPA West Campus this year. He has been a part time employee at Coca Cola Company in Eldoret, after he was retained by company after his attachment last year.
However he has been doing his exams at Main Campus. 

Most of his friends remember ‘Geff’ as a humble and hardworking man. Some of his friends confirm to have spoken to him last evening via Facebook. His last status update at around 9.12pm was a condolence message to the late Makueni Senator Hon Mutula Kilonzo, who passed on yesterday.

Condolence messages
“I received the sad news through a friends’ Facebook post. The entire marketing students' fraternity will dearly miss Geff for his humour and Company. The marketing students condole with the family at this trying time,” said Mr Ochieng George Bush, a classmate of the late Geff.

“I am shocked by the news and I still can’t believe it.Geff has been Residing at Rimma Hostels since his since he came to Moi University. I have known him to be an obedient and respectful gentleman,” said William Ketter, Rimma Landlord.