campus news comrades say no to mwaks

CAMPUS BLAZE VOLUME 3:
2
CAMPUS NEWS
KEEP CALM AND KEEP READING
COMRADES SAY NO TO MWAKS
Most of us are familiar with the infamous
quote that if you want to hide something
students’ handbook: issued in
first year, exam malpractice is a
from an African, hide it in books. In this
crime punishable by expulsion or
issue of Campus blaze, we feature
discontinuation from studies.
The big question is cheating
professor Amutabi who has authored not
worth it?
one or two but more than 21 voluminous
Copying, reading from a classmates’ script and
books! Just like many other authors, he
carrying unauthorized
admits that his books have sold more
material into an exam room are
the common malpractices. Little
copies abroad than they have, back here
did
I
know
that even sitting for a paper
By Chelimo Dorcas
without clearing fee or aiding and covat home. Our poor reading culture is a
Examination malpractice is real and
ering up for someone else is defined as
poses a threat to most; students and
disaster in waiting. We have to keep up
a malpractice. This was according to Dr.
tutors alike. It’s famously
Ngacho.
referred
to
as
‘mwaks’
by
most
with the demands of the 21st century
Cpt. Omaye tackled the reasons why
students though it has a lot of
since we cannot afford to be ignorant and
people cheat. Highlighting
nicknames. This prompted the
several factors among them poor
student union to hold a ‘SAY NO TO
uninformed. Ignorance is no defence and
preparation, not attending classes and
MWAKS’
standards set by society. What stood
for this reason campus blaze volume 3
campaign in mid June to sensitize
out was cheating being caused by inagainst exam malpractices.
endeavours to keep you on the know in a
The event which was held at Sagini hall herited genes and it being the order of
saw the chief guests: Dr. Ngacho, dean the day.
fun, exciting and educative way. We have
faculty of commerce, and Cpt. Omaye, After all is said, did students attend the
all the big news around campus covered
exam coordinator faculty of education, campaign because of the
address the students. According to the
for you. We tackle issues affecting us
both inside and outside the confines of
Kisii University sets Foot in Elgeyo Marakwet County
our university so yours is to just keep
H.E Governor Alex Tolgos of Elgeyo Marakwet County led a delegation to
calm and keep reading.
Kisii University to explore possibilities of having a university campus in their
Lucy.
EDITORIAL BOARD
CHIEF EDITOR
LUCY MUTUNGI
SUB-EDITORS
PAUL KIRIKA KIMANI
DORCAS CHELIMO
SUSAN MWEHA
CHRISBONE OGUGU
ZACHARIA MAKORI
PURITY GAKII
KIPKORIR EVANS
0711 136 810
RAYMOND OTIENO 0711483760
NELSON OCHONDO 0713089723
County. The Governor emphasized on the need of taking quality and
affordable education closer to the people of his county as envisioned in the
county’s strategic plans. The Leaders expounded on their County’s vast
Natural Resources that Kisii University can tap in enhancing Research,
Academic Excellence and service to the people of North Rift. Reports
indicate that a task force established to look into ways of improving
education in the county, recommended that a University Campus be
established. Our news sources revealed that the proposal has augured well
with the county residents as well opinion leaders in the region. The County
government has since set aside infrastructure to start off the University
Campus.
The establishment of a campus will not only improve Education standards in
the county but also create employment and stir economic growth among
other benefits. Prof John S. Akama - Vice Chancellor, congratulated the l
leadership of Elgeyo Marakwet County for choosing Kisii University as a
strategic partner in promoting Academic Excellence and Research for the
advancement of the people in the North Rift. The Vice Chancellor in his
speech said that taking Education to the people is one of the key pillars of
Devolution. To realize the
dreams and aspirations of
Elgeyo Marakwet people,
Kisii University agreed to
partner with Elgeyo Marakwet County to
establish Chebara Campus,
the first campus in the
County.
Governor Tolgos (left) and Prof. Akama
By Ian Adumbo
19
CAMPUS BLAZE VOLUME 3:
Games captains, attended
a three day training session organized by the
Games office with support
from the Dean of Students’ office. The training,
which was supposed to be
held last year, had been
delayed due to unavoidable circumstances. Captains got their chance to
air the problems affecting
ONE TEAM, ONE DREAM
The teams expressed their
concerns about the various
challenges that they face such as
lack of basic sports equipment
including balls, and training kits.
Players are forced to play with
poor quality equipment. They also
demanded for an increment in
their allowances. The students’
union president however
promised to follow up on the issue of allowances. The Dean
promised to support the Games
Office fully.
Their respective
players. Among those
who attended included
The Dean of Students,
The Games tutor,
various sports officers
and the Student’s Union
executive led by the
President, the Secretary
General and the
Director Sports and
Entertainment.
The Captains were trained on
both mental and technical aspects
concerning their respective
games. The next training will be
held on the month of May, 2016.
Gakenia Christine
THE SPORTPESA ‘POT’ ADDICT
A pot from the English Dictionary is used
as a store for water food or other things.
However, in my context here I mean
totally a different thing and that is Sportpesa Betting Site and others. This is a
site that is very popular among the
youngsters especially students in the
higher learning institutions according to
online sites. The site since its inception
in Kenya in 2014 is growing in its numbers and is lucrative in terms of population.
But why should I call it a pot? Wait a
minute, take relate as it is for a pot here
one puts money as a matter that sometime he/she will be able to get again
after a matter of 2s hour since the start
of the game one has predicted.
Whenever one loses it is a self-drive to
again look for money to again try his/her
luck. Some of its members even go a
step further even to use money meant
for other serious ventures like fee payment, rent and even repaying loans with
the mindset of either doubling or even
getting more. Alas, what happens is distress whenever it goes badly.
The efforts of Sportpesa members can-
not be underrated as they have formed
various Facebook groups, pages and
twitter accounts with the sole aim of
combining minds to win more. This has
even opened more loopholes to the advantage of Sportpesa as it is evident
from the way they are earning more.
This is attached to how they are running
dictiveness to bet more in order to get
that the heart desires. For instance,
there is these famous groups on
WhatsApp network, Gambling Zone and
Facebook page Sportpesa reloaded
where the gamblers are busy advising
each other on how best to ruin
Sportpesa by winning big. Whenever
such sentiments are aired, they drive
the members to continue betting more
and if they lose it will be advantageous
to the gambling site.
In general, one is freely enrolled to
Sportpesa. Some members whom I
shared my feelings would who used to
their adverts daily drink have attested that they nowadays
on the local media; television and news- have little or no time to go for drinking
papers, and through the various SMS
as they are busy analyzing games so as
being set to almost every of its members to win big. That time for drinking has
daily. That result to an organization
been reduced immensely.
minting if not millions of shillings then it In conclusion, Sportpesa and other betting sites are good ventures. But my
would be billions of shillings daily.
I don’t say that gambling is such bad but friends and citizens be keen whenever
you are indulging in betting as you either
it has its side effects as it has two sides
expect to win or lose. The choice is yours
as ; you can win the money or lose it.
Losing the money is more painful. How- and mine. Good luck.
ever, the fact that you are equally expecting to win ‘big’ translates to the ad- KEPHA ONGANGA
CAMPUS BLAZE VOLUME 3:
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VOLUME 3
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The
SEPTEMBER INTAKE IS ONGOING!!!!!
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KISII UNIVERSITY IS THE PLACE TO BE
INSIDE THE ULTRA-MODERN LIBRARY...A LARGE READING AREA AND WELL EQUIPPED
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WITH READING MATERIALS.
Professor Maurice
N. Amutabi
On work, family and
Vision.
VISION
A world class university in the
advancement of academic
excellence, Research and
Social welfare.
MISSION
To train high level human resource
that meets the development needs
of the country and international
labour market, sustain production of
quality research; disseminate knowledge, skill and competencies for the
advancement of humanity
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queries, comments or complaints write on email to: [email protected]. Find us on Facebook @ Kisiiuniversitypress.
CAMPUS
HOT
RIDES ...pg.
11
Giving
back to the
society
Pg 9.
CAMPUS BLAZE
18
VOLUME 3:
KISII UNIVERSITY TRUIMPHS AT THE MASAKU INTERNATIONAL SEVENS
CAMPUS BLAZE
VOLUME 3:
Meet professor Amutabi
Professor Maurice N. Amutabi, The DVC Academic
Affairs, has deep thoughts and lofty ambitions. He opens
up about his Education, career, family, social life and
doing things that will leave a lasting legacy. BY SUSAN
MWEHA AND EVANS KIPKORIR.
Campus Blaze: Who is Professor Maurice Amutabi and how do you profile
yourself?
Prof. Amutabi: professor Amutabi is a Nairobi University and University of Illinois
Educated scholar, a person of two worlds: an African and American trained. I am an Historian cum political scientist. I
have taught in University of
Nairobi, Moi University, Central Washington University, Catholic university and now at Kisii University. I have as a
person inbound a lot of African cultural aspects, having the opportunity to serve both
locally and globally. I am married with children. My dad and mum are my biggest mentors. I have written about
twenty books. I have two latest books, one on Africa and the other one on Globalization. One of the books is
dedicated to my father, Mzee Jack. I had dedicated one of my earliest books to my mother. Most of these books are
edited volumes while others are single and they are cited
globally by many scholars making us, Kisii University, famous.
C.B: Talking of books, there are some novels that you have authored, that is; “These
Good People” and “Because of Honor”, what inspired you into writing them?
kisii University Rugby Team after being awarded silver medals at the Masaku International sevens tournament
Kisii University rugby team secured a place at the Main Cup in
the recently completed Masaku International Rugby Sevens
tournament by beating MKU-Thika by a narrow stretch of 19-17
points in a highly tensed match. Led by the Brian Mambo, they
were a composed side with one mission to accomplish; bringing
the Cup home. The team had posted a series of successful results since day one and ensured a winning streak to the end of
the tourney. Earlier in the tournament they beat Northern
Rugby, 24-07; Multi Media University, 17-12 and Eastlanders,
05-00 to earn a spot at the semifinals of the tier two tourna-
ment.
In the Semi Finals they beat MKU-Thika by a narrow 19-17
points in a much tensed match to get to the finals. The lads
however humbly lost to Catholic University of Eastern Africa 2405 on the last day of the tourney.
The team is now set for the National Seven’s circuit due August
with the aim of maintaining their winning streak. In other stories, Masaku 7s is never complete without madness famously
known as #masakuumadness. Alcohol, crazy fans and total mad-
KISII UNIVERSITY BOWS OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ELDORET OPEN TOURNAMENT.
The annual University of Eldoret Open Tournament featured various teams. The volleyball team was pooled
with Maseno University and Egerton. The team beat Maseno University two sets to one and the latter two
sets to one to proceed to the quarter finals of the tournament where they played against Eldoret polytechnic three sets to one. They then proceeded to the semifinals which proved to be a hard nut to crack. They
bowed out of the competition after losing to Rift Valley Teachers Training Institute by three sets to one.
The football team fought a good fight though they bowed out of the tournament at the Quarter Final stage.
They drew one game, lost one and won one
game to earn their spot at the quarter final
stage where they lost to the hosts by a
margin of two goals.
By Wilson Odira
Prof. Amutabi: There are certain things that I could not say in text books, and I thought I could
take the poetic literary license to say in the novels. “Because of Honor” is a novel that tries to
correct cultural excesses, where women are caricatured, undermined and peripheried, so I
tried to put women at the center in that novel. “These Good People” is on corruption. I talk
about corruption in government and many other things, so nobody can take me to court
because that is creative work that is basically fiction and fiction is about people who don’t
exist but may exist in terms of representation. So I choose to write those novels because of
that frustration that I could not write some of those things in text books without running the
danger of being accused of excessive representation of Africa’s negatives and so on.
C.B.: As a scholar, how do you rate the reading culture of Kenyan students?
Prof. Amutabi: It is terrible. Africa has a bad reading culture. Students and even scholars,
Prof. Amutabi with Prof. Owino (left)
will come and tell you “can I look at your book?”, then they will ask you “can I make a photocopy?” not “can I buy a copy?” So nobody wants to invest in books. I don’t know where this culture has come from, but there
is a tendency that African scholars do not take books seriously. Even reading, they ask “Do you have a summary of these
books?” The summary is just a
minute synopsis but some people will tell you that I have gone to the back and I have read the
summary. Summaries are not
everything, people do not want to read.
Campus Blaze: Concerning The Media department, last time we had a meeting
at Sagini you promised that a studio will be set up. Until now there is no
functional and professional studio. What do you have to say about that?
Prof. Amutabi: Appreciate at least the effort that a room was found. There was no room
initially, and you should have known the resistance that we went through to get that room
left out for media. There is a tendency in Kisii University of people taking spaces as
personal space. So getting that space was not easy and the equipment is there so what
you need now is to initiate installation and that’s an hour’s job,2-3 hours to set up the
equipment and there is a studio.
C.B: Tell us about your relationship with Selly Kadot Amutabi of QFM.
Prof. Amutabi: She is my daughter, schooled at Daystar University and currently working
at Nation Media Group hosting a morning show: “Tambira”. You can send her a formal
invitation and she will gladly come and mentor you.
3
CAMPUS BLAZE
VOLUME 3:
Meet professor Amutabi
4
CAMPUS BLAZE
VOLUME 3:
ADVERT
17
17
Campus Blaze: What are some of your achievements as DVC Academic Affairs?
Prof. Amutabi: They are so many, one of my biggest achievements is bringing rationalization
to our programs, From 37 to 207 programs. We only had 75 PhD and masters’ students, we
now have 2000 post graduate students .that is tremendous growth. We had 4 campuses
and we know have 12 campuses performing marvelously.
CAMPUS BLAZE march/2015 :
C.B: What are some of the challenges you face?
Prof: Major challenge is finances. Another challenge is rapid expansion especially demand
for KSU programs. We are so popular to the extent that we don’t know if we can expand
with the space we have. The government is bringing us more students and the university
funds allocation is low. We also have a challenge in research funds. We need to be spending
5% of our allocation on research but we are spending less than 1%.
C.B: How do you intend to deal with the challenges facing KSU in research?
Prof: Our emphasis is on promoting a research culture through presentations. Almost every
month, we receive scholars from abroad for example, Dr. Kefa Otiso, a prominent American
scholar is being sponsored by Kerrigan Foundation to the tune of USD 10,000 and will come
spend 3 months here to help us set up a Geography Department and also prepare proposals
for funding. He is the President of KESSA (Kenya Studies and Scholars Association). We are
also creating conference awareness and will launch 1 journal for each faculty.
Whether you are on a low carb or gluten-free diet, you can still
enjoy this healthy sweet treats.
C.B: Why do you think that the students don’t trust the communication channels and
protocols at the University especially at lower levels?
Prof: The students should trust the channels because these are the lecturers that teach them. It
is like saying that you don‟t trust your mum and dad but you trust the chief or the DO. Students are only interested in shortcuts and not dialogue. We need to tone down the violent
culture.
Prof: C.B: Are the values of tolerance and dialogue achievable?
Prof: Yes. It works in other societies. Systems and dialogues work. I was working as a lecturer in America and we had a structure where students met lecturers on a monthly basis. The
students would dialogue with the manager on their issues.
C.B: You talked about the challenge of funds, how does this problem come up yet students are not issued with exam cards until they meet a certain target in fees payment?
HEALTH TIP
Prof: Students at Kisii University pay the lowest fees. The government should service us with the rest but it‟s not doing that.
Kisii University is terribly underfunded. We are the last in the University funding. Furthermore, students owe the school huge
debts.
Watermelon is low in
sugar and has a high
water content which
makes it a great thirst
quencher for hot days.
C.B: What criteria is used in funding the Kenyan Universities?
Prof: It is political and it cannot be resolved unless you know people that matter.
C.B: What other things do you do in your social life apart from being a scholar and a DVC?
Prof: I engage in a lot of outreach programs. When I go back home, I participate in community activities. For instance, construction and improvement of wells, I supply chlorine, I pay fees for the poor and orphans, and I support those without food at home,
construction of schools. I also support soccer because I also played it, I watch games like basketball and tennis in stadiums and
on TV. I support women groups. Finally, I like collecting stories from old people.
WE ARE LOCATED WITHIN KISII UNIVER-
C.B: How do you balance all these?
SITY, OPPOSITE ADMINISTRATION BLOCK
AND NEXT TO THE UNIVERSITY SPORTS
Prof: It is not easy. Sometimes I may focus on my office work and academic work at the
expense of my social life. Sometimes I find myself becoming an absentee dad. However, I
try as much as possible to create a balance.
GROUND
C.B: What is your comparison of the kind of life students live nowadays to your campus days?
Prof: These days students like shortcuts and are not willing to work harder, there is a lot of
cheating. Students like being exonerated. They want to take a four year programme in two
and a half years. They also don‟t understand the protocol of negotiating and dialogue.
passports
They cause violence most of the times. We need to cultivate a sense of democracy in our young minds, a sense of dialogue, tolerance and patience.
C.B:
What is your message to the students?
Prof: They should understand that we are a young university and we are do-
11
PHOTOCOPY DONE HERE
CAMPUS BLAZE
VOLUME 3:
16
kiswahili
UKABILA KITU DUNI
Ukabila ni dhana ambayo imepata mashiko katika harakati za maisha ya watu .Ni vyema kujadili kwa kina kwani usipoziba ufa
utajenga ukuta. Ukabila unajitokeza kwa wanafunzi wa vyuo vikuu ambao wanategemewa na jamii kupinga dhana ambayo
huendeleza ubaguzi na tofauti zisizo na msingi halali. Wanafunzi katika vyuo vikuu ambao hutoka jamii mbalimbali huunda
vikundi vya kuwatangamanisha.Katika matangazo yao utaona; ”wanafunzi wa kaunti fulani mnatakiwa kukutana mahali
kujadili kuhusu…” Iwapo ukabila unajitokeza kwa wanafunzi, ni nani ataupiga vita kweli?
Katika harakati za kisiasa wanafunzi huchagua viongozi kulingana na kabila bila kujali jitihada za mgombea kiti. Dhana ya
utengano ni dalili mbaya kwa wanafunzi wanaosoma katika chuo kimoja.Ukabila siku hizi unajitokeza katika suala la ubaguzi
wa dini. Watu hujitambulisha kwa dini zao badala ya utaifa. Ubaguzi wa dini umesababisha vita na mauaji katika
jamii.Wanafunzi katika chuo kikuu cha Garissa waliuawa kinyama dhidi ya utengano baina ya Waislamu na Wakristo. Serikali
haina dini wala ukabila. Wakenya tupinge fikra za watu wanaokuza ubaguzi wa dini na ukabila.Utengano ni udhaifu bali
umoja ni nguvu. Wanafunzi tutatue malalamishi ya watu na tuhakikishe kuwa watu wanaishi kwa undugu, amani na upendo.
Purity Gakii.
UBUNIFU POTOVU
Nimezuru miji, vyuo, taasisi na makanisa
mbalimbali ya humu nchini na nakiri kwamba
mavazi yamekuwa maonyesho kivyake kando
na maonyesho ya kilimo.Sina uhakika ni nini
hasa
kilichokusudiwa na wabunifu wa mavazi
hayo. Enzi za mababu zetu mambo yalikuwa
shwari. Ubunifu wa mavazi ulitokana na
nyakati maalumu.Ingawa mavazi yalitokana na ngozi za
wanyama na majani ya miti ,watu walijisetiri vizuri,
ikilinganishwa na nyakati hizi ambapo huwezi tofautisha ni
yepi mavazi ya majira ya baridi wala joto.
Idadi ya wabunifu na watengenezaji wa mavazi nchini ni kubwa
mno. Tunajivunia juhudi
na bidii zao za kubuni mitindo ambayo inatufanya tuwe
sambamba na wenzetu duniani katika suala
la mavazi. Hata hivyo wabunifu na washonaji hawazingatii mila
na desturi za kiafrika.
Mavazi wanayobuni ni ya kutisha na
kutamausha mno. Hayawezi kuficha
yakufichika, si kubana, si kupwaya na
mengine mengi unayoyafahamu.Ubunifu
haupaswi kuwa na mipaka lakini kwa hakika
kuna
ubunifu mwingine ambao unamfanya mtu
ambaye amevalia vazi hilo kuonekana kama kibonzo na kuwaacha watu vinywa wazi huku wakimkondoleamacho.
Tunawaomba wabunifu na washonaji wa mavazi wanapobuni
mitindo mipya wafanye hivyo huku wakizingatia mila na desturi
za kiafrika. Hatua hii itatuwezesha kuepuka
zimwi la kudorora kwa mienendo, tabia na utovu wa nidhamu
katika jamii.
EDWIN WAFULA.
KUPANDA USIPOPENDA
Ndugu yangu tahadhari, nakwambia waziwazi,
Usijawe na kiburi, ukachukua vya wizi,
Ukijihisi subiri, utafute lahazizi,
Kupanda usipopenda, si kupanda ni kutupa.
Usijitie mwapuza, kaimba kazi ni kazi,
Tamaa zako punguza, kwanza upate ujuzi,
Ng’ang’ana takuumiza, roho kipenda maizi,
Kupanda usipopenda, si kupanda ni kutupa.
Mapenzi ni njia mbili, upende nawe upendwe,
Mapenzi ya mbwa kali, yasiyopenda yashindwe,
Mapenzi ni ya kibali, asiyependa alindwe,
Kupanda usipopenda, si kupanda ni kutupa.
Kung’ang’ania kukutu, kijuwa hautapendwa,
Kupigana kwa mtutu, kigundua umeshindwa,
Kukosa roho ya utu, kwa lazima unapindwa,
Kupanda usipopenda, si kupanda ni kutupa.
Kioa asokupenda, si kuoa ni kuzoa,
Kifwata alekuwinda, sidhani amekuoa,
Kidhani atakupenda, ni Mungu takuokoa,
Kupanda usipopenda, si kupanda ni kutupa.
Kichapo sio ungwana, hufurahi uchunguni,
Utajiri siyo zana, ukatumia kuwini,
Usuhuba si laana, ukatesa maskini,
Kupanda usipopenda, si kupanda ni kutupa.
Rafiki ni wa kulinda, mawi yasije karibu,
Adui ni wa kushinda, kanunua kwa taabu,
Ukaishi kumponda, kwani huna mahabubu,
Kupanda usipopenda, si kupanda ni kutupa.
© Samuel Mwenda
CAMPUS BLAZE
VOLUME 3:
5
OPINION
Hey your Excellency Mr. President!!!
Did you say “Magazeti ni za kufungia
nyama?” In Francis Imbuga's play 'Man
of Kafira' Bin Bin, a character questions
what truth really is: "Truth! What is
truth? Just a disease, that's all. Priests
calls for truth, artists calls for truth, even
politicians of the world advocate for
truth; yet truth still remains the greater
killer disease in this life. Yes, truth is a
disease. Remove truth and there will be
life upon life."
I intensively borrow Francis Imbuga's
faculty of thought when it comes to matters Press Freedom. As we journalists
struggle to expose things the way they
are, some view them as bitter pills that
must not be swallowed. They thereby
vow to fight it tooth and nail. Censoring
the press must not be the order of the
day. Hopefully, the government must
have not been trying to gag the media. In
the past the media had been known for
bringing news. Today the media itself has
turned to be the news. This begs a
question: is it because news maketh The
media or because the media maketh the
news? What was his Excellency trying to
insinuate? It was tragic for the head of
state to articulate the above Swahili
words while in Bomet. Itwas very
irresponsible of our president to say
these words. Did he listen to his
sentiments before echoing them to a
public gathering? Yes, Swahili language is
at times a lingual challenge and perhaps
this might have been a
misunderstanding. But anyway, Kiswahili
is a national language and so if you did it
out of ignorance; it's high time you
realized that ignorance is no defense. I
therefore get the vigor to
continue criticizing your take painfully.
Kiswahili version: "Magazeti ni za
kufungia nyama" translates to
"newspapers are for wrapping meat"! A
big NOOOO. Magazines are to inform,
educate, persuade and to entertain just
to mention a few. All these are achieved
by the media just at the mention of a
single word; "expose". The media
exposes things as they happen. Citizens
thereby become the judges. Nothing
more. Personal opinions (columns) are
responsibilities of the writer (columnists).
That's the editorial policy. Personal
opinions like those of Anyang' Nyong'o
and Oketch Kendo must not be a blame
on the newspaper organization but on
the writer. Editors are always objective
and balanced. For instance; any
unbalanced story always goes at the
mention of "all our attempts to reach the
other party proved futile". So far it's
crystal clear that Jubilee government
knows nothing like the independence of
the Fourth Estate but the censored
government mouthpieces. They regard
(media) as enemies and this reminds me
of Henrik Ibsen's play 'An Enemy of the
People'. Dr. Stockman had to be branded
An Enemy of the People by the Peter
Stockman-led team just because of
advocating for the good of the society
during the Water bath saga and so the
Kenyan media under jubilee reign. With
this state of the art leadership we
witness in Kenya today; it's only through
press freedom that the man on the street
can brag of his potential as a patriot. The
Kenya's deputy president's speech during
this year's World Press Freedom Day was
just but the irony of all ironies. Definitely
you can not win a war by accusing the
mirror of the society. We live at times
when some heavyweights have even attained an additional name as 'scandal'
just because of their unending dirty
dealings. It's only a free viral and
Independent press that can always help
expose these god-damned scandalous
political bigwigs. I urge all Kenyans and
more specifically the academia to lead
the war towards the attainment of full
press Freedom. Kudos to the media
council of Kenya (MCK) for representing
us well. It's high time we continue
exposing them before they can
assassinate all of us (journalists). After all
HELL is their
destiny. God will one day reward us. The
Campus Blaze, Nation, Standard, Star,
RMG, Magazine Reel and another media
organization that fearlessly expose the
truth; continue
'mulikaring' these robbers. By the way,
"what the offended feel are less I
mportant and stupid are the things that
makes the MUST READ headlines. Expect
more of them. “These were my
sentiments in an arbitration meeting that
involved Campus Blaze, Law Society of
Kisii, Kisii University Students Union
(KUSU) and KSU administration. Please
let no-one tell me to mention any
state-owned media because they
masquerade for the truth. Till cows come
home they will remain to be
government's mouthpieces.
Journalism is printing what others do not
want printed, everything
else is public relations, says George
Orwel. And so news maketh the
media. Censorship maketh government's
mouthpieces.
[Odanga Josiah is the current President
of the Kisii University Press (media students) and a young politician.]
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CAMPUS BLAZE
VOLUME 3:
6
News
Entertainment or irony?
The organization of entertainment in the
university has come under sharp criticism
following mishaps during previous events.
Hence the need for students to take
entertainment as a personal responsibility.
Speaking with the blaze magazine, the
KUSU director for sports and
entertainment Denis Manduku alias
Menace said entertainment is not effective
in the university but that should not create
a forum for blame games.
This comes after two incidences where top
celebrities who have performed in the
varsity got a small turn out. According to
Manduku, this was out of sheer ignorance
as the students had been informed. Artists
from grandpa records including DNA had
an audience majorly composed of kids
from the nearby surroundings. He also
insisted on the need for students to share
any information they come across on
posters and social media about events
happening in the university so as to attract
a larger audience. This makes it easier to
search for talents and promote the local
artists.
The administration has tried so much to
allocate funds for entertainment but
budgeting for events is always a problem
as it requires a large amount of money to
be effective. Menace also revealed that the
entertainment fraternity will soon launch a
movie night that will bring together
THE THIRTEENTH OMEN
Next time you’re in a hotel or a high rise
building elevator, try to find the button
for the 13th floor. There’s a good chance
that you won’t be able to. Sounds nuts?
How is fear of the number thirteen demonstrated? And while the practice of
“removing” the 13th floor or erasing its
traces may seem a bit drastic, it can be
partly attributed to a very real
phobia- triskaidekaphobia. To wit, Friday
the 13th gets a bad rap as an unlucky day,
but there are also folks who believe it’s no
coincidence that Princess Diana died at
the 13th pillar of the Pont de l’Alma
tunnel. More than 80 percent of highrises lack a 13th floor. Many airports skip
the 13th gate. Airplanes have no 13th
aisle. Hospitals regularly have no room
number 13. Italians omit the number 13
from their national lottery. On streets in
Florence, Italy, the house between
number 12 and 14 is addressed as 12 and
a half. Many cities do not have a 13th
Street or a 13thAvenue. In France,
socialites known as the quatorziens
(fourteeners) once made themselves
available as 14th guests to keep a dinner
party from an unlucky fate.
Many triskaidekaphobes, as those who
fear the unlucky integer are known, point
to the ill-fated mission to the moon,
Apollo 13.If you have 13 letters in your
name, you will have the devil's luck. Jack
the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey
Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De
Salvo all have 13 letters in their names.
Omitting the 13th floor may take a variety
of forms; the most common include
denoting what would otherwise be
considered the thirteenth floor as level
14, giving the thirteenth floor an alternate
designation such as "12A" or "M" (the
thirteenth letter of the Latin alphabet), or
closing the 13th floor to public occupancy
or access.
Some conspiracy theorists have suggested
that the thirteenth floor in government
buildings is not really missing, but actually
contains top-secret governmental
departments, or more generally that it is
proof of something sinister or clandestine
going on. This implication is often carried
over, implicitly or explicitly, into popular
culture.
CAMPUS BLAZE
15
VOLUME 3:
Kisii University becomes the first public institution to implement E-Waste Management programme
By Chrispine Otieno
Management course being offered by the institution. He
Kenya is earnestly seeking for
further cautioned area
solutions to manage e-waste
residents on the dangers posed
which is an emerging environby reckless disposal of
mental threat. Kisii university
electronic gadgets. He urged
can now brag of being the first
them to bring any such
public institution to implematerials to the E-waste
ment E-waste management
collection facility at the
programe . The programme
university’ main campus. “we
was launched by the CS for
have already started collecting
Environment and Natural reKisii Governor Ongwae, Prof. Akama and C.S Prof. Wakhungu arrive for the E-Waste
electronic waste materials now
souces, Prof. Judy Wakhungu Management Programme Launch at KSU main Campus. [Photo Credit ICT Department]
that we have the facility in
On Wednesday 22nd July. Speaking in Kisii, the CS reiterated on the need for Kenyans to guard
place .“ He said. Kisii County
against increasing volumes of E-waste arising from the massive usage of Electrical and electronic Governor James Ongwae who
devices.
was also present during the
launch said that his
Prof. Wakhungu disclosed that Kenya releases approximately 17530 metric tonnes of E-Wastes
government would partner
annually. This calls for strengthen and proper measures to manage the menace. Kisii university
with the university to ensure
Vice Chancellor prof. John Akama urged prospective students to register for an E-waste
success of the programme.
PICK POINT
MINI-SUPERMARKET
Cosmas Mulinge
THE OFFICE OF THE DEAN
One of the most important offices in the
university is the dean’s office. Like a heart, it
allows circulation of services between the
university administration, the staff and the
students. The office mainly deals with student
affairs and student welfare. In general, the
office acts as a link between the students and
other offices in the university. The other
departments that the dean of students office
links with is the health(medical) department,
the halls department, security department,
the catering department and the maintenance
department. Currently (2015) the dean of
students is Madam Gladys Osoro.
The office of the dean of students houses the
guidance and counseling section, chaplaincy
and games and sports departments. The
guidance and counseling section ensures that
the students are advised in various issues that
may be affecting them psychologically,
socially and emotionally. The chaplaincy
section deals with the religious groupings
within students and making sure that the
students are also fed with the spiritual food.
This sees a peaceful coexistence between the
religious groupings. The games and sports
department ensures that entertainment for
students not left behind. Through the student
union, the office organizes for trips and
tournaments for students
The office also deals with registration and
orientation of new students. Once new
students are registered, they are registered
into the database of the institution. The office
of the dean of students takes the orientation
which sees that the new students are updated
on what is expected of them in their new
environment.
In terms of finances, the office links the
students with their local constituencies for
bursary. The office also through a kitty given
them by the university offer work study
program that see the needy students get
funds to aid their study. It is through this office also that student’s link with HELB (higher
Education Loans Board).
The Dean of Students office is also a member
of the disciplinary committee. It is this office
that delivers the disciplinary letters to the
students. In most cases it fights to defend the
students but under reasonable terms and
conditions. It is this office that offers guidance
and counseling to the identified student and
also breaks the news to the sponsors or parents of the student in case of a suspension or
a discontinuation for such information may be
too heavy for students to bear.
In cases of bereavements, the office of the
dean of students organizes for comfort
throughout the grief period and also makes it
possible to have students and members of
staff attend the funeral in case a student has
lost life.
For those who fear the office, it is a time that
we look at the office from a different perspective. We should not just run there in the times
of trouble alone but in all times for better
delivery of services and a better learning
environment.
Chrisbone Ogugu.
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SHOP AT YOUR
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WE ARE LOCATED ALONG KISII UNIVERSITY WAY APPROX. 100 METERS
CAMPUS BLAZE
VOLUME 3:
VOICE OF THE COLUMIST
14
CAMPUS BLAZE
VOLUME 3:
FIGHTING FROM TRENCHES; THE GREATEST CALL OF THE PRESENT GENERATION
Trenches are filthy and stingy. They pool
waste garbage and dirty litter. When
raining, trenches are dumpsites of liquid
flotsam and debris. At its worst state,
people pass holding their breath. In sum,
there is no dignity in trenches. Yet, some of
us consider it divine fight gallantly from the
allegory trenches for what is good and
right. One must break away from the
trappings of comfort zone and confines of
individualistic interests to fight from
trenches. One cannot stomach hostile
conditions in trenches unless one denies
oneself. One can only believe in a just
cause to position oneself in trenches to
fight. The price of fighting from trenches is
exceptionally exorbitant. What makes
matters worse is that fighting from trenches
has neither privileges nor advantage. It has
no guarantee of the present victory. The
fighter only strains to see a glimmer of
future victory. It is characterized by bruises,
mistreatment, intimidation, threats, killings
or severe injuries and betrayal. It is clear
that those who fight from trenches are not
fighting the present war. They are fighting
for future generation. Human beings are
naturally materialistic and individualistic. It’s
hard for one to suppress this human
nature. In the final analysis, those who fight
for a just cause from trenches are only
answering the divine purpose of their
existence.
Socrates (470 BC) had to break away from
the common grain and fight for liberation of
intellectual sanity. He not only ruffled
feathers with the common current of
reasoning but also found himself at the
mercy of the merciless hang-man. The then
generation did not appreciate the revival of
knowledge through academia and search
for truth that would later transcend to the
ages to come. He ended up being killed by
those in power. Perhaps the
Judeo-Christian heritage gives clear
insights to these instances. Moses, a divine
leader who liberated the Israelites from
manacles of injustice had to die before the
Promised Land. His was a story written on
struggle, restlessness and death. Some
feel that he didn’t deserve to die before
reaching the Promised Land. The most
amazing ones were Old Testament
prophets. These gallant Men and women
sang unpopular songs to a stoic audience.
Prophet Amos had to sing unfamiliar song
to the powers be, ‘let justice flow down like
waters and righteousness like Mighty
streams.” Prophet Isaiah had to cry out,
‘Woe unto them that decree unrighteous
decrees, and that write grievousness which
they have prescribed; To turn aside the
needy from judgment, and to take away the
right from the poor of my people, that
widows may be their prey, and that they
may rob the fatherless!” For prophet
Jeremiah despite mistreatments,
intimidations, threats and attempts to kill he
still had the gut to shout, ‘Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear
falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and
walk after other gods whom ye know not;
And come and stand before me in this
house, which is called by my name,.. ”
Even 400 years later after these prophets,
John the Baptist was still confronting King
Herod over adultery only to be thrown into
prison and be assassinated. Then Jesus
Christ came. After revealing the truth to
humanity that, ‘I am the way, the truth and
life” he was only crucified.
Beyond the Judeo-Christian history, to
make humanity understand the simple truth
that the earth is spherical, Galileo Galileo
had to go against the common Aristotelian
teachings and the Catholic Church. He was
excommunicated and imprisoned. Then for
Martin Luther the reformist to bring the
eternal truth that, ‘the righteous are justified
by faith” he had to be excommunicated for
preaching heresy.
Nonetheless democracy and protestant
churches were born out of his gallant
teachings. Still one can move forward to
19th century. Mahatma Gandhi a follower of
Christ teachings on non-violent means of
agitating for rights had to be shot dead. The
assassin didn’t realize that civil
disobedience movement liberated India
from the colonialists.
When you take a look at Africa, you can’t
fail to find the fighting spirit of Patrice
Lumumba in DRC Congo. Immediately he
told off the colonialists and set out to
protect the natural resources of his
motherland, forces of darkness had to
eliminate him. Nelson Mandela had to pay
the price of 27 years behind bars. Burkina
Faso’s Thomas
Sankara, stood against neo-imperialism of
the colonial masters. He died by the
assasin’s bullet, three months after the
1987 OAU conference in Addis Ababa.
Kenya has had a number of this
exceptional guys trudging on unfamiliar
paths. When one cranes his neck back to
post independence, he catches easily the
glimpse of Pio Gama Pinto, JM Kariuki and
Tom Mboya. These men had to suffer for
what they believed. Fast forward to Kenya’s
popular Dark Age, one will encounter the
dauntless Bishop Muge (late), Gitari,
Wamwere, Wa Thiong’o, Wangari Mathai
(late) just to name afew. One can
effortlessly agree that these men and
women though not saints planted seeds for
the future. These seeds are planted from
trenches which symbolically represent the
precincts of out of comfort zone, where one
has to struggle and persevere. Trenches is
an allegory of future. Future is spiritual and
divine. It is predestined and purposed.
When one is answering a call of future, he
is engaging in a divine mission. He has to
come out of the narrow confines of
individualistic interests and embrace the
common good. The present generation
enjoys the fruits of seeds that were planted
with sweat, blood, pain, suffering and even
death.
In sum, the question for the current
generation is; what is one doing for the
future generation? To what extent does
love of all mankind challenge him or her to
serve humanity selflessly? To what degree
does the desire for an ideal world pierce
him or her to stand for what is right? The
answer to such questions can only salvage
mankind. It’s the answer that denies that
the society can be built on corruption and
lies. It’s an answer that will compel one to
break up from the trapping of comfort to go
to trenches. It is an answer that comes with
a high cost. From the trenches, one can
only strive to fulfill the greatest want of the
world. In Ellen G White word’s such want is
the want of men; men who cannot be
bought or sold; men whose conscience is
true as the needle is to the pole; men who
will stand for the truth though heavens falls
down.
The writer is a vibrant Lawyer and
the former Secretary General of the
Law Society of Kisii University .
7
CAMPUS LIFE
point forced to evict her girlfriend
who paid him a visit unannounced.
Cunning campus mistresses
Women are complex creatures by
nature as put forth by scholars.
They are hard to tell and adaptive
to any setting. Walk into public
universities and college and you
bear me witness. In most cases
they have devised strategies to
cope with financial crisis by shouldering this burden to their male
counterparts.
Take for instance Mary Mogaka,
23 (not real name) a law student at
Kisii University who admits that
the vice has been trending. “It is
indeed true that we ladies have
schemed how to survive in this
campus life. Those are survival
skills” says Mogaka.
With a campus setting where freedom of students is not subject to
monitoring many cohabitation unions in the name of marriage have
cropped. It is occasioned by students moving in as a man and a
woman. Men are the hosts in this
melodrama. These unions are short
-lived and leave both parties hurt
and painful as they cope with sudden termination of „marriage‟.
She further adds that most female
students are vulnerable and whenever financial crisis hits them they
have to seek alternative. “It is a
common trend and for me I cannot
starve yet my boyfriend is there”
says jovial Mogaka. For her most
male students are blindfolded by
love yet they don‟t realize that
they are being siphoned.
Furthermore ladies in campus have
perfected a strategy where they
clinch on their lovers towards the
end of the semester. They do so in
bid to counter financial crisis that
hits them.
The trend which is highly condemned by many has easily been
embraced by many students both
from needy and well off families.
According to Mark Muganda, 24,
(names changed) he was at one
“I recall how I was forced to evict
my girlfriend after she paid me a
visit unannounced. I was not in a
position to accommodate her” says
Muganda.
He further adds that with most universities baring continuing students to stay on campus, many female students as a way to evade
expenses and responsibilities they
resort to depend on male students
for survival. While most female
students have been craving for this
survival tricks they are vulnerable
to discrimination and violence by
their male counterparts. “Many
female students are suffering in
secrecy as they are easily manipulated by male students that host
them” says Muganda.
COMRADES SAY
THE CAMPUS BLAZE SOUGHT TO KNOW COMRADES TAKE ON CAMPUS MARRIAGE
John Gichuhi, Fourth year
Clinical Medicine student
I support it since the two
parties can help each
other financially and share
ideas. It also gives chance
for to practice on being a
future husband
Enock Mukila, Third
year, Communication
& Media student.
Emma Akinyi,
Fourth year, Education student
Hope Edagiza,
Fourth year, Procurement student
Phylis Kerubo halls
department
In my opinion
cohabitation is not
good. Marriage is so
demanding as such the
two parties may miss
classes because each
one seeks the attention of other. It has
more disadvantages
than advantages
I am not supporting it.
More so these
marriages exists in
secrecy as parents of
both sides are not
involved. Most of them
are seasonal and have
no legal proof.
I don't support the
idea because female
students are misused
by male students.
Very few cohabitation
marriages survive
after four years. If
necessary then it
should be legalized.
I support students
living together
because they are
grownups. I see no
problem as long as
they do so responsibly.
Compiled by Mandela Nelson and Paul Kirika
CAMPUS BLAZE
8
VOLUME 3:
CAMPUS BLAZE
VOLUME 3:
THE KISII SOAPSTONE WONDER
NO SHAME IN TEARS
By Faith Lagat
Just like Abraham Lincoln, I will remember to teach my son and
daughter that there is no shame in tears. Sometimes it is good
enough not to have all the answers, but to just try and take it all
in. Truth is, we all experience those cold sleepless nights when
our own thoughts haunt us and we just want to cry ourselves to
sleep. Maybe in moments like this, it is just ok to let our hearts
bleed and stain our pillows.
Growing up, they may have told us that heros and heroines don't
cry and they may have even equated tears to cowardice; this
isn‟t farther from the truth. Even the people we celebrate most
must have had that moment when they felt beaten down and
perhaps even had a tear roll down. Is there a hero or heroine who
never hit rock bottom? Think of Professor Wangari Maathai,
think of our freedom fighters. Can anyone possibly go through
such desperate times and not shed a tear? I doubt that anyone of
them overcame the temptation of letting a tear fall. For those
who at one
point felt crushed but did not actually give up, did they become
lesser heroes? We might not be fighting to liberate our country
but we are all in a battle field trying to liberate ourselves from
our struggles.
Your feelings may be irrational and illogical but they are valid.
You have a right to feel the way that you do and to own feelings.
They can call you sentimental or a „cry baby‟ but what you feel
is your heart's most fundamental right. Our emotions are not
things that we can wish away but an integral part of who we are.
Sometimes emotions can rip your heart apart almost literally and
in order to find a sense of peace, you have to allow yourself to
feel. Don't try to act all strong and fool everybody else that you
have it all together. It is important to open up to someone you
FROM OUR CHURCHES TO HELL
Religion is one of the most treasured
things on earth. Everybody belongs to a
certain religion. However, today religion is
one of the most corrupted existences.
The greatest want of the world is the want
of men- men who will not be bought or
sold, men who in their inmost souls are
true and honest, men who do not fear to
call sin by its right name, men whose con- be the light of the society are darker than
science is as true to duty as the needle to those they should be light unto.
the pole, men who will stand for the right
Social injustices including oppression of
though the heavens fall.
the poor, corruption and overpricing of
The life of a Christian for example, is one goods are rampant. Also men and women
that is expected to be holy. It should be
are lost in a form of religion that idolizes
characterized by love, peace, humility and things such fashion and music mixed with
faithfulness. It worries me today that
sports. It’s ironical that we claim to be
though we have religion, these pillars
Christians but we don’t show love. If we
have been broken: the ones who claim to love, we would not have children in the
HELL
streets, would not be giving bribes to receive basic services, would not be breaking the law of the land and above all our
hearts would always be filled with gratitude.
As prophesied in the good book people
have become lovers of self, lovers of
money, boastful, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers,
without self-control, brutal, without love
for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of religion
but denying its power. If men do not turn
from their evil ways then destruction is on
the way and it is real. The people are deBy Beatrice Mumbi
SWAGGARIFIC KINYOZI AND PRINTERS
SWAGGARIFIC KINYOZI IS THE PLACE
WHERE ELEGANCE
MEETS CLASS….
YOUR BEAUTY OUR
DUTY.
13
feature story
FOR PRINTING @ 5/= &
3/= FOR BULK PRINTING
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WE ARE LOCATED AT KISUMU NDOGO JUNCTION ON YOUR WAY TO WESTGATE HOSTEL
By Zachary Makori and
Judith Wasonga
One cannot satisfactorily talk
about Kisii county without
mentioning the beautiful and
magnificent Kisii soapstone.
This rare commodity is found in
Tabaka, a small town found in
Kisii County in western Kenya.
The campus blaze crew visited
the town to unearth the mystery
of this stone.
The soapstone is an ancient
rock that was discovered by the
forefathers of the Abagusii
community in 1820 as a
naturally occurring rock as
Cosmas Onchomba (manager of
Riamosioma quarry) narrates.
Initially, the soapstone had
domestic uses but over the
years it has been
commercialized and become the
main source of income and an
economic activity as well for
most of the people in this area.
The stone is used to make
beautiful handcrafts such as
wild animals candle holders,
utensils flower vases and other
decorations. It is used in
industries to manufacture
Soapstone being excavated
ground to be cut in to various
sizes according to need. The
largest ever stone mined at
Riamosioma quarry was 9 feet
and was used to make a
sculpture of Holy Hail Mary
which is at the catholic church
of Tabaka. The excavated
stones are sold locally to the
carvers who now cut the stone
into various sizes and carve
them to make different products
using tools like panga, axe, tape
measure and a knife. Also the
stone is taken to Uganda for
smelting. However, the
smelting factory is under
construction at
Kamagambo which is few
kilometers from the mining site.
The mines of the soapstone may
take years and years to be
Seldom. Various sand papers
are used to wash the artifact
from the rough sand paper to
the smooth one. Then they are
left to dry on the sun before a
shiny wax cream is applied on
them. Others are polished and
dyed.
They are then painted into
different attractive colours by
designers and designed in
different attractive patterns, a
way learnt from fabrics and also
using their artistic skills.
The soapstone mining industry
is faced by various challenges.
The lack of modern equipment
and safety wear since the
extraction process is a
risky endeavor and the
mines
sometimes do collapse
leaving excavators injured
and
sometimes they die. The market
for the final products is very
unpredictable and prices keep
on fluctuating. There are so
many middlemen in the industry which has led to low income
and
low benefits for the locals who
operation in this area, collapsed
about thirty years ago due to
alleged mismanagement .A
cooperative society for quarry
owners and workers also suffered the same fate. However,
they have benefited from the
educational seminars from the
mining and geology authorities
who have taught them on the
safety measures during the extraction and how to also conserve the
environment. Trees have been
planted in places where mining
has taken place and not in use
anymore.
Support received from various
agencies such as that of mining
and geology is in much
appreciation by the people of
the soapstone industry. The
national as well as the county
government can still make
things better for the soapstone
industry by helping them
acquire the advanced mining
equipment and safety wears and
help in the market of the
soapstone both locally and
Internationally.
The combined effort of all
stakeholders will ensure that the
glory of the magnificent Kisii
Soft stones being carved to create attractive ornaments [photo credit. Boniface & Horace]
soapstone and the artistic
chalks and in the construction
depleted. Experts who have
ideally should be the ones reap- talents of the Kenyan people
industry as a building material visited the quarries have
ing from the business. The de- becomes a beauty that is
and also as a décor
measured the depth of the rock signers who are allergic find it admired and appreciated all
and discovered that it is 300
hard during the designing as
over the world.
The stone comes in a wide
feet down the ground.
most of the dyes used are not
range of colours namely pink,
friendly to them. The chemicals
red, black, yellow, brown,
Once the tone has been
for
white and malachite. It is mined excavated and carved into
designing also affect the skin if
by experienced excavators who desired designs, the next level
not properly handled.
use crude tools like the chisel,
is washing the stone. Ordinarily
Giraffe carving as a final product
hammer and spade. Once it has it is women who do this kind of
been mined, it is brought to the job but also, men do
The factory that has been in
CAMPUS BLAZE VOLUME 3:
LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS
12
Flames of love IN campus
Then things start changing between you
two……….. Every time you are having a
serious conversation through the phone
he always says “give me a minute let me
call you back,” then he hangs-up on you
after saying he loves you so much, but
you and I know what that means, you
will wait for hours and he never calls.
You convince yourself he’s busy, he
works all day long and as he always says
love wont feed you both so he has to
work. You look into your pocket remove
the remaining coins you have to purchase credit and call him.
THE OTHER WOMAN
I
n case you wondering what ‘the
other woman’ means then let me break
it down for you” mpango wa kando”……
yeah it is… I know most of you are familiar with this because you have
watched a movie with the same title.
Most campus ladies {I believe you no
longer girls} have been victims of this,
let’s not pretend we don’t know of all
the despicable things that go around in
various campuses. If you have never
seen, then I believe you have heard of
gals being dropped by men in expensive
cars and all the stuff they get from this rich
men who are much older than they are or
even twice their age. Am not going to talk
about sugar daddies and sugar mummies today.
You are this innocent girl in campus who has
big dreams about their future. You’re always
wishing for a tall dark and handsome man
who is stable and can take care of your bills,
take you out for drinks and satisfy your emotional needs. But as we all know the guys you
meet in campus or your classmates are relying
on HELB just as you are. The best they can do
is maybe buy you lunch at the student center,
tell you the sweet nonsense and maybe help
you with your assignments {don’t crucify me
because of this guys but this is partly true}.
Then you meet this young man who looks
younger than his actual age and he satisfies
part of what is your dream man list {of course
there is no perfect man], he works at this big
company, has a Porsche car and is willing to
buy you anything you so desire. He spoils you
with all the expensive gifts that you love and
before you know it you are into him. Before
long you come to learn that he is married and
has a kid when he starts hiding while receiving
his calls or is always busy and can’t find
enough time for you like he used to when he
was pursuing you. He no longer opens doors
{car and his door} for you and stops to care if
your seatbelt is on or not. You are THE OTHER
WOMAN.
To start with, why are men always looking for
a side chick….I will be so glad to answer
you……you are always there when they feel
there relationships are on the docks or when
they need some change. They always call
when they feel depressed from family pres-
sures and when they need company and satisfaction. You met while travelling, he was your
seatmate, you talked for long laughed and
even shared a meal at one of the bus stops {I
don’t care about how you met, you are still
the side chick}. You thought you had this connection with him and fell in love with him
even after telling you he was married, but
since he didn’t want to lose the chance to
have a share of your cake he plays along with
your love and makes sure he has it.
“Heey angel, I missed you,” For crying
out loud he was supposed to call you not
the other way round. But you know you
can’t say that coz just the sound of his voice
melts your anger to joy. There’s nothing you
can do about it because he convinces you he
was in a meeting. He is using you still just convincing yourself you are happy with him
The best days and nights of your life are when
you are with him or he call you in the middle
of the night to tell you he loves you and he’s
hungry and horny yeah that’s the only part he
enjoys in this whole thing, using you. Before
you realize it you the only one who sees a
future to your relationship. He has plans for
He calls you to tell about his bad days, how he his life, his career and the crazy gal you always
has to put up with her negative energies, at
comparing yourself to. You’re nothing like her
least that is what he calls it whenever they
dear. She’s is his matrimonial wife and she
have a fight .You are always there to listen to gets everything you don’t. She’s stable, she
him and give your full support or even give
works so she does not ask for money to buy
solutions. at the end he says”, You know what, petty things like you do You are just a student
I love you, you are the best, I just don’t know who entirely relies on parents for everything
what I would do without you.“ He can do everything without you all he wanted was a solu- Before you know it he’s gone….so gone …no
more calls no more I love you text or even
tion and he is going to use your advice to
voice notes on WhatsApp like he used to do …
make up his relationship problem with this
he’s gone…don’t bother, he won’t pick your
woman he calls crazy the same one he says he
calls or even reply your text coz you mean
can’t stand, now one word for that is he loves nothing to him. He doesn’t care however
her more than he cares about you. He is using much you cry or hurt….he’s happy and comyou to evaluate your own way of settling such fortable now with the negative energies. But
you always keep on trying and crying and
arguments. You are only there to help him
praying to at least hear his voice once more.
find a way to settle whatever issue he has
Its time you woke up and realized you have a
with her.
life ahead of you gal. Focus on your studies
However much it pains you to know she is
and stop fantasies. Find someone who cares
there to stay. You can’t do anything, your
about you and you do the same without him
hands are tied with the gifts he gives you and buying gifts and taking you to expensive
the money you get from him that your parents places. Life goes on for him and his family so
or your campus boyfriend offers you together should you with what you have. MOVE ON.
with the love he prophesies, and the empty
BY OLOO MOLLY AKINYI
promises he makes to you. He is blinding you,
trust me girl you are there for a short period.
CAMPUS BLAZE VOLUME 3: Giving
KISII UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN
back to the society.
KISII UNIVERSITY PROCUREMENT STUDENTS
9
KALENJIN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION—(KOKWET)
Photo courtesy Mugure Mary Wainaina
By Mary Wainaina
Fourth year students (Elders 2015)
paid a visit to Kisii special school
for mentally handicapped. The visit
was aimed at giving back to the
community by sharing the little that
they had out of love just as they
have learned from their affiliation.
They interacted with the kids and
gave them moral and material
support. The kids were motivated
through talks but also spending
time with them was enough
inspiration. It also served an
opportunity to familiarize the KSU
finalists with the realities of life; that
life will not always be smooth, there
will sometimes be setbacks and
how we address such challenges is
paramount.
The students engaged in various
activities like cleaning classrooms,
dining hall, washing clothes,
splitting logs to firewood and was
climaxed by playing games with the
kids. Swinging among other games
were played. To crown it all the
students donated food stuffs and
Photo courtesy: Silas Kipchirchir
Kisii referral hospital enjoyed generous
services delivered by members of
Photo courtesy Enock Mukila
By Amos Kinyua
Procurement students held a social activity .
They cleared trenches and collected rubbish
along Kisii—Kilgoris Road. The activity begun
in the morning and carried on through the
whole day. Procurement Students .
KOKWET association. In-Patients as
well benefited from the philanthropic
gifts of fruits and “Get well soon cards”
KISII UNIVERSITY CATHOLIC ACTION
Photo courtesy : Paul muthoga
Catholic action faithfuls visited ST. Michael
Girls High School along Kisii- Kilgoris Road.
They encouraged the young ladies to persue
their studies seriously so that they can live an
informed live in future.
Bafisa members in a tree planting
activity at Nyosia Farm.
Students who are willing to join the
Association are welcomed to be
members upon payment of
registration fee as stipulated in the
association’s constitution.
By Nickson Wangusi Khaoya.
Inspiration
Campus Blaze
So just live your life and forget the back chatter
VOLUME 3:
10
Blaze Fashion
BETTY OLWANDE: THIRD YEAR STUDENT.
WHAT INSPIRES OR INFLUENCES YOUR STYLE?
Campus Blaze: They call you the don. You drive
the ‘Lamborghini,’
W
HA
T‟
My
SY
co st y
OU
nte le
RS
mp is
T
ora cla
ry. ssy YLE
?
an
d
ve
ry
Adelle Onyango. She is very stylish, I fancy her and
apart from that I admire her work (project SHE) that
RULES
THAT
YOUR STYLE?
Jere:
Blaze:
TO
Blaze: Why the ‘Lamborghini?’
WHAT IS YOUR MUST HAVE?
Jere:
As I said, it is a sports car; a Toyota corolla sprinter. There are only two of a kind
around and we, the owners, know each other. As
a sprinter it is faster than most cars around because it has an extra gear making it 5 speeds.
A lady must have a classy handbag, accessories to compliment her attire, a pair
of nice colored shoes and smell nice coz
you wouldn‟t want to hug your man
HOW OFTEN
SHOP?
DO
Jere:
YOU
Blaze:
Well I shop as often as I can, as
long as I see something good
Jere:
FAVORITE COLOR?
I love the color yellow because it
blends in with other colors like blue,
CHALLENGES?
Blaze:
I bet most ladies have this problem… we spend more
time trying on so many clothes before choosing what to
wear. I‟m one of them…even my roomie can testify to
Jere:
Blaze:
COMPILED
BY:
BRENDA
WIRE
KNOW ZONE
NEW DAY
From within, in its depth,T he pain, the sorrow
What a burden to shoulder, Lifted off is my pain
The source of hope, A fountain of hapiness
Dawn to dusk , I toil, Day after day it hardly rolls,
Year in year out it remains, But at the edge of the horizon
Is a ray of light, So bright and shining
My shoe is worn out, Each door i knock is closed
Am tired, will i make it, The sun is shining again
Its yet another day, A new beginning
Chelimo Dorcas
How much did it cost you?
Blaze: What is the craziest stunt you have
pulled so far with the car?
FELLOW
It may seem a little bit rude but…
the opinion of the street never pays
the bill. Always be yourself and
young enough to take chances.
Don‟t be afraid to try out new
things… like trying out different
It is a sports car.
Jere:
It was a second hand. I bought it
at 400,000 shillings.
GOVEN
One must know their body
shape and dress appropriately
for it. Wear whatever makes
you feel empowered and beautiful…a woman should feel and
look beautiful like I always
do… (Laughs) Fashion fades
ANY ADVICE
STUDENTS?
11
CAMPUS BLAZE VOLUME 3:
W
H
E
Is
ho RE
D
at p a
Re ny O Y
O
lo wh
U
ad er
e
M , b SH
O
om u
ba t m P?
sa ost
, t ly
ho I
ug do
h sh
I
lo op
ve
CAMPUS BLAZE
How well do you know the Kenyan celebrities?
Shix Kapienga- Wanjiku Karanja
Dj Soxxy- Jackson Kamau
Govi- Malik Lemuel
Dj Hypnotiq- Eric Mwendwa
Dj Mo- Sammy Muraya
MC Jessy- Jasper Mwangi
Dj Krowbar- Fredrick Karumba
Juliani- Julius Owino
Octopizzo- Henry Ohanga
Naliaka -Daisy Odeko
Baha- kamau Mbaya
Socialite Shaniqwa -Kelvin
Mwangi
Selina- Catherine Kamau
Dj Crème - George njuguna
Facts about women
Every 90 seconds, one woman
dies during pregnancy or child
Birth
Women speak about 20,000
w0rds a day which is 13,000 more
than the average man
Women spend nearly one
year of their lives deciding what to wear
Women cry on average 30 to
64 times a year, while
men cry between 6 and
17 times
The youngest girl to be divorced was 10 years old
Women’s heart beat faster
than men’s
Women spend an average of
4 years (in total) of their
lives menstruating
Only 20% of women describe
themselves as beautiful
Women blink 19 times per
minute compared to 11
for men.
Facts about Men
Unfaithful Men have lower IQs
according to a study
Men spend almost a year of their
lives staring at women.
By Muthoga Paul
I love my car and cannot do crazy things with it. I love it so much.
What makes the car special? What makes it stand out?
The music system. I got it souped up for 67000 shillings. It has a powerful music system made up of two
woofers, subwoofers, a mixer, a tutor and an equalizer. It has powerful rims, and a manual gear
transmission up to five speeds, thus its name. She moves from 0-100 in 10.06 seconds with a top
speed of 200km/hr.
You said ‘she’
Yes, I love the car like my wife. I call her ‘The big Jay.’
If you were to give it a male singer’s name, what would it be??
Jere:
Pharell Williams
Blaze:
Tell us about its maintenance.
Jere:
Blaze:
Jere:
Its spare parts are hard to get, for instance I had to import some from Japan since I could not get them
in the country. It is fuel friendly with a consumption of 6.60l/100 km.
What is your dream car?
That would be a Range Rover Sport.s