campus news comrades say no to mwaks
Transcription
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: ADVERT 20 VOLUME 3 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE 21ST CENTURY The SEPTEMBER INTAKE IS ONGOING!!!!! Campus Blaze A fresh voice in campus KISII UNIVERSITY IS THE PLACE TO BE INSIDE THE ULTRA-MODERN LIBRARY...A LARGE READING AREA AND WELL EQUIPPED W 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 A UNIVERSITY WITH WORLD CLASS PROFESSORS… CAMPUS THE ONLY UNIVERSITY OF THE 21ST CENTURY. F FASHION PG 10... Kisii University is ISO 9001:2008 Certified CONTACT: 0724297565 The Campus Blaze is a publication of the Kisii University Press. Unsolicited materials are submitted at the sender’s risk. For queries, comments or complaints write on email to: kisiiuniversitypress@gmail.com. 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.] STUDENT PUB COMPUTER SERVICES SERVICES– PHOTOCOPING, PRINTING, SCANNING, BINDING (spiral & Tape), LAMINATION of Certificates, HELB APPLICATION, TYPE SETTING & STATIONERY. LOCATED BEHIND STUDENTS’ PUB. CALL 0708562940 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. YOUR SHOPPING NOW MADE EASIER AT PICKPOINT SUPERMARKET. SHOP AT YOUR CONVENIENCE , SAVE MONEY AND TIME. 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 BINDING , SCANNING & PHOTCOPING @ 1.5 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