AN OPEN LETTER TO CHARLES RINGERA – HELB CEO

By Eric Kinaga

I am aware that in the recent days, Kenyans have adopted the habit of writing 'OPEN LETTERS TO' so and so. Some of these are purely publicity stunts. Yet there are others coming from deep within ours hearts. Mine lies here.

I am not sure you know this, but Moi University (Main Campus) has its third years in session; class of 2011-2015. Their recalling was actually by accident. While they expected to be recalled back to school somewhere in July or August, they were recalled on April 15th. That is over two months ago. 

While I appreciate that yours isn’t a gutter organization, driven to serve a few hundreds, I must bring to your attention the plight of these men and women; those waiting to take up your position when that time comes. 

We have tried to seek communication with your office, Mr CEO. We have tried. We have approached administrators, accountants, Deans and DVCs here at main campus, seeking to know why we haven't received any financial boosting from your side. Some of them claimed that HELB was a separate entity and, as such, any complaints should be addressed directly to it. And yet these were the same people that recalled us back with no financial grounding. 

A few days ago, we came across an announcement. Your team would be coming over to deal with this issue. This was after a list was pinned on the notice board, revealing hundreds of names of those that had qualified for disbursements. Yet three weeks later, our accounts remain thirsty.

We start our exams in four days. And the university has a policy of not letting anyone sit examinations without first clearing their fees. We have tried to negotiate, only to reach a dead end. Until now, no one has spoken to you about this, or even written. If they had, I would not have to do this. (I hate writing long letters by the way.)

I have not met you before, and I am hoping one day I will. But I am sure that in your capacity, you can do something to help, if you so wish. This hope is what drives me, and many others, to ensure that none of us misses their exams, simply because they can't afford to clear their fee balance. Or have to go for days without meals, with no surety that all shall be well. 

We hear there was a message relayed to us; that we would receive the money in a fortnight. That's the same time our exams end. We ask, how shall we start?

I don't need to conclude this, but ask that you take appropriate measures to deal with this issue. And if possible, do so in haste. In the meantime, I shall prepare for my exams, knowing that our prayers will be answered. And funds disbursed. Kind regards.

SPLENDID START FOR AFRICA, WORLD CHAMPIONS AND THE HOSTS

By James Kombe

Nigeria, representing Africa in the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup, produced a commendable start in the competition after claiming an easy 6-1 victory over Tahiti on the night of Monday 17th June, 2013. The tournament, being hosted in South America’s Brazil, commenced on Saturday 15th and will have its final played on 30th this month.

Nnamadi Oduamadi completed a hat-trick while Uwa Echiejile scored a brace for the Super Eagles as they subjected the Pacific Islanders to humiliation in their first match at a senior FIFA world tournament. The only Tahiti consolation goal came from Jonathan Tehau, who converted Marama Vahirua’s corner with a wonderful header past Nigerian goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama on the 54th minute. Tehau however erroneously scored a 68th minute own goal to add to the African champions’ tally on their 19th match without defeat, their longest ever unbeaten run.

The Super Eagles defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the February 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final in South Africa to earn the right to represent Africa at the FIFA Confederations Cup. They currently sit on 31st world position and 4th in Africa according to the latest FIFA rankings and top of group F in Africa’s 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.

Tahiti, the Oceania champion’s next match will be against the World and European champions, Spain on Thursday 20th in a match which weighs the world’s 1st position against 138th in the FIFA Ranking. On the other hand, the Super Eagles will battle against South American champions, Uruguay, on Friday 21st.
In the previous matches, Brazil (who qualified automatically as the host country) started with a 3-0 clean sheet against Asian champions, Japan in the competition’s opening match on Saturday. Neymar da Silva, FC Barcelona’s new signing, opened up the goal-scoring campaign with a 3rd minute long range strike, followed by José Paulinho and João Alves’ goals on the 48th and 93rd minutes respectively. Brazil is the defending champion of the Confederation Cup, having won it in both 2005 and 2009.

Later on the same day, Spain who qualified for the Confederations Cup as the reigning FIFA World Cup champions also started with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay. They took an early 2-0 lead, courtesy of Pedro Rodriguez and Roberto Soldado’s 20th and 32nd minute goals. With just two minutes to the end of the match, Liverpool forward, Luis Suarez’s 88th minute brilliant free kick outdid Iker Casillas to give the South American side their lone goal.

MAJOR CATEGORIES OF CAMPUS STUDENTS

By Elizabeth Asasha

The analogue

Those who never yield to pressure and live up to the vow they made to their parents and villagers. The digitals call them sisters or brethren. If you cannot trace such a person in his room on a weekend night, find out where a fellowship, Bible study or other church activity is taking place. They will do the group assignments with or without the other members. They are too innocent to snitch.

The genuinely undecided batch

The second bracket is genuinely undecided; they are never sure what to believe and what to discard, what to do or what to let go. They are eternally vague and more often than not could easily be swayed by any type of wind. Literally, they are the following suit, dubious sort, ready to jump on the bandwagon. All that brews in their mind is what is Nelly up to?

The digital bracket

I had always misconceived the contextual meaning of this word whenever comrades used it in their vocabulary until the other day that I realized the word exuded a new meaning in town, call it a connotative signification. These are the people whose constitution boldly stipulates that ‘traversing a weekend in your hostel is a taboo’ and you would only be allowed to infringe the rule on condition that you host a ‘friend with benefits’. You would leave lips asunder in dismay simply because you slip between the sheets every night of the calendar.

For them, the value attached to Friday is just palpable if not conspicuous. Messages like ‘form ni gani?’ ‘mpango ni upi?’ and ‘is how?’ on Friday evening are a trademark and they are pros at deciphering the meaning. They tend to have a ‘nose for funkies’, kadunda, Mr. and Miss Campus and the rest. They are the kind of guys who will come with their weekend hangovers and bellow at the analogues, “I’ve got a lot of stuff in my head and assignment is not part of them!” before throwing a 20bob or 10bob coin to cater for printing cost.

I never comprehended the difference in the three assortments of students in Campus until I landed in the University with a difference; the only place where you can crack your puzzles irrespective of their magnitude.

LECTURER DIES IN ROAD ACCIDENT

A senior lecturer passed on in a road accident this morning at around 9 am on his way to Kisumu. Eng. Isaiah K. Chebii died on the spot when his car collided with an oncoming truck close to Sondu-Miriu. He was overtaking the vehicle ahead. 

The deceased was travelling with his daughter. She is recuperating in hospital. The late Eng. Chebii was also the Head of Department – Mechanical and Production Engineering. 

He will be remembered for commitment to his work and his jovial nature. May his soul rest in peace.