NATEMBEYA THE BOLD COMMANDER, KINDIKI THE POLITE GENERAL

NATEMBEYA THE BOLD COMMANDER, KINDIKI THE POLITE GENERAL

By Moses Kibwana 

Sentiments of a former Regional Commissioner, have left many Kenyans wondering if there is more to the Banditry cases in Rift Valley. Despite being out of the office,he seems to know more about what is happening on the ground.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, recently blasted the government for what he termed as misleading motives being implemented to solve the rise of banditry cases in the Rift Valley Regions of Kenya, particularly in Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Turkana and Samburu Counties among other hotspot areas.

Natembeya, highlighted how the raids are funded by the area politicians, through the local militia of the respective regions. He expressed how police officers are sent into such areas without adequate money for accommodation and fuel, forcing them to trade bullets for food supplies with the militia groups.

On the other hand, Kenyans have expressed dissatisfaction in the way CS for Interior and Government Coordination Professor Kithure Kindiki is handling the docket and the whole issue at large. Many have blasted him out for being soft on the terrorists, to the extent of the militia ambushing residents not far off from where he addresses the local barazas.

It is my opinion and that of millions of Kenyans that the Professor is too soft-spoken for the position. The president made a wrong call to appoint Kindiki in the name of "rewarding loyalty". Natembeya though a governor, comes out worthy and more competent to hold the position, more than the professor. It is sad that Kenyans have to watch helplessly as hundreds of their fellow countrymen are killed and thousands of livestock raided from their owners. The core business of the government is to keep its citizens safe. The rustlings and killings in Rift valley have to stop. Let the government act now, lest things get completely out of hand.

The place of women in politics

                                        The place of women in politics

By Maria Njoroge

We have our publication meetings on Wednesday. Mostly, we catch up about how the week has been and at other times we crack inside jokes. Life seems bearable after these meetings. However, there are times that we actually get done with ideas and challenge one another on the happenings of the day-to-day. We come up with topics and ideas for publications and challenge each other on how to do better in shaping our talents and skills. One such conversation turned out to be this article.

“Would you support your wife if she had political ambitions?’

The answer was downright flat

“I am a journalist and that is already a conflict of interest”

I have not read the ethics code of conduct for journalists in its fine print. I would confidently say that I do not have enough knowledge to argue in the line of ethics.

“But a woman is better of in politics if she is married “

That threw me off balance even more. Marriage and politics are two separate institutions and I have absolutely no idea why they appeared in the same sentence.

In the rebuttal with my club members, the gentlemen unanimously agreed that if their wife had political ambitions,  she would have to drop them because it would mean an end to the marriage. It also came out very clearly, that an unnamed politician made very vulgar sentiments about a politician who is navigating politics for the first time.

‘I will go to Nairobi to impregnate her. Maybe that will silence her “

It’s a pity that in this day and age, someone would stop to those levels to make a point. This is where the debate got interesting: what is the place of women in politics, especially here in Kenya?

One of the main challenges that women face in politics is the entrenched gender biases that exist within Kenyan society. Many people hold the view that women are less capable than men when it comes to politics, and this attitude can be difficult to overcome. Additionally, the nature of politics in Kenya can be highly competitive and even combative, with personal attacks and character assassination not uncommon. This kind of environment can be particularly difficult for women to navigate, as they may be more likely to face criticism based on their appearance or personal life.

It is common to see women being castigated for their personal business. Were a woman’s intimate photos to leak at any time during a campaign or a leadership position? Her track record is thrown under the bus and people fail to see her beyond the photos or videos. Most of the photos are taken with this woman unaware. Instead of looking at the crime of violation of privacy committed against her. She will be crucified for being a reproachable leader.

Women make up approximately half of the population, and their voices and perspectives are just as important as those of men. Female politicians are more likely to prioritize issues such as healthcare, education, and social welfare, which can have a positive impact on society as a whole. When we put every policy and decision through a gender lens, we are able to authoritatively know how every decision affects them. Roads are important, but in a place where people are starving, food sustainability would most likely be the urgent goal. Women by merit should be at tables where decisions about their issues are being made.

The place of women in politics in Kenya is an issue that needs to be addressed. Despite the challenges that exist, there are many reasons why it is essential to promote greater female political representation. By working towards more inclusive and diverse political systems, we can create a more just and equitable society for all Kenyans. When a woman in apposition of power falls short in delivering her duties, it has nothing to do with her womanhood. She was just a bad leader.

I cant Marry a campus girl

 

I Can't Marry A Campus Girl

By Hosea Namachanja

I curse my primary school teacher who told me to ring in my pubescent urges on women. My high school teachers and parents conditioned me to believe that I will get better ladies as my academic qualifications improved .  I was told the beautiful ones are not yet born and like a fool, I believed them. I always though my charm and allure with ladies will get better over time . They keep slipping through my fingers. My heart aches for carol, my first love who left me for ma man with a laptop and airforce.

I have had my fair share of bad luck in the love arena. I have suffered in the hands of unrequted love. I am a victim of loving a girl who chose a “mubaba” above our “love”. I was in second year when I attended my first class of character development. It is amazing how ladies move fast. I mean , I did not expect her to be okay with an emoji for a valentine gift when there was someone willing to give her the world. It was at the expense of my poor bleeding heart and my naivety as a campus boy finding himself.

I am set to graduate this year. Dear clansmen, hold your tongues that you may not wound my soul any deeper .I will only come bearing one degree ,My bachelors. I fell in love , I really tried. It went unrequited and the objects of my passion had other pursuits at the time.  I ask that I be received by my people with love . I sought it in the bosom of a woman and all I got is pain. I am yet to meet someone of my intellectual capacity .  I am tired of their Kiswahili Lies and nonsense .

My clasnsmen, Carol began a spiral of lies in my life. Her whereabouts over the weekend did not make sense . I heard a rumour that she goes somewhere in crocs and a huge T shirt. I picture her doing “wifely” duties to another . All dreams of her being mine come crashing down like a mirage faced in the dessert.

As the song lyrics go “I do not have a soulmate ,or maybe I do not have a soul”. I am not walking out of this university with anyone in tow to call a wife. I gave too much to the first one . My dear carol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kenyan Tax Burden

                                       The Kenyan Tax Burden

By Maria Njoroge

In the words of Winston Churchill, "for a nation to try and tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself by the handle. "  In its tax collection, I am afraid that the government has legalized theft. Life should not be this expensive. As I  was reporting to school this year, I walked into a convenience store to buy water and a soft drink. I was amazed at how expensive it was. I recently learned that this taxation is called exercise duty and is paid on imported or locally manufactured goods. Turning 18 opened a whole new world, and everything began a relationship with the Kenya Revenue Authority. Tell me, dear reader, do you even have the slightest idea about the Dynamics of this relationship?.

In Kenya, the taxes can be direct or indirect statutory taxes. Indirect statutory taxes apply to everything we purchase. They apply at our ports as customs duty, exercise duty, on all levies, and as value-added tax(VAT). Direct statutory taxes apply regarding Pay as You Earn, director fees, commissions, weekly wages, and monthly and annual salaries. The taxes are divided further, and the impact is felt throughout. The services we consume, the goods we buy, and everything we import and export are taxed.

I remember how lack of capital seemed like a point in passing in business class. However, research has taught me that capital is more than a start-up. Corporation tax is levied on all corporations. They remit up to 30% to the Kenya Revenue Authority. Non-residents in Kenya pay up to 37.5% in taxes annually. It is very expensive to Pay for licenses per annum as well as health fees and compliances with National Environmental Management Authority ( NEMA). The total calculations to be remitted for a business to be refrigerated before they even get everything started are crippling. The price of rent, goodwill, and costs before the break-even period is not encouraging for any start-up.

 The withholding task is paid on interests, dividends, pensions, performance fees, royalties, and commissions. The rates are flexible according to individuals and corporations. I do not understand why anyone would tax a pension someone has been remitting for all their working days. Everyone on a salary pays (PAYE). Over the covid 19 period, the government made an effort to offer tax relief to everyone earning less than 24,000. It was an attempt to ensure low-income earners could still afford to feed their families.

The future of tax relief is uncertain, and its sustainability is questionable. There is a bid in parliament to monitor mobile money transactions. The high court has, however, put a stop to this move. Residents of Kenya who make income here are taxed at different rates than non-residents. Those who are not citizens of a country only pay tax for income and wealth accrued for the period they have been in the country.

Our mobile data and airtime are expensive. There is a 10% levy of exercise duty on importation and 50 shillings for every ready-to-use sim card imported into the country. Data is currently the biggest source of exercise duty. It beats beer, wine, bottled water, cigarettes, and financial transactions. Considering that the county charges a 16% value-added tax, I pity the pockets of small-income earners.

The relationship between Kenya Revenue Authority and the taxpayer is far from clear or friendly. Many citizens must understand how taxation happens and what it means to their income and investments. The lessons on how and when to file tax returns still need to be clarified. It takes 1000 emails for someone to remember to file their returns on time before June. However, one explanation at a time, and we will make headway.

Maghoha : A final glance

                                   Magoha : A final glance 

By Moses Kibwana 

George Omore Magoha was a man liked and disliked in equal measure for his tough stand in matters related to his work. We all remember him for his no-nonsense attitude and how he stamped foot in the education sector. Most reforms in Education, especially the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), are attributed to him. His desire to rank students based on their abilities was the last dance he did before he finally bowed out on Tuesday evening, the 24^th of January. He was an astute professor of Medicine, and his heart gave out to a cardiac arrest. But who was this man before all cameras turned attention to him?

Professor Magoha was born in the year 1952 in Gem. He attended primary school in Yala and Nairobi before proceeding to the Starehe Boys Center and Strathmore College for his high school education. Magoha was a bright student, evident in his thirst for Education and his precision in climbing the academic ladder.

Magoha secured a scholarship to pursue Medicine at the University of Lagos in Nigeria. He also trained in Ghana, Ireland and the United Kingdom, rising through the ranks to become a fully-fledged urological and transplant surgeon. He truly was a man who pursued life to the highest pinnacle of success. He was a scholar, even by the standards of this time.

In 1988, he returned to the country after furthering his studies. He joined the University of Nairobi as a lecturer in urological surgery before becoming a professor 12 years later, in 2000. During his tenure at the university, he served in different positions, including the chairman of the academic department of surgery, Dean of the School of Medicine and Principal of the College of Health Sciences.

 In 2005, Professor Magoha was appointed as the University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor due to his ambition, quick-thinking nature and practical leadership skills. During his leadership tenure at the university, he accomplished what his predecessors had failed to accomplish, including sanity and accountability of the finance department, as well as quality teaching and discipline of students.

He retired from the position in 2014, but due to his good record, he was appointed Chairman of the Kenya National Examinations Council in 2016, bringing a raft of changes. At KNEC, he demystified what he termed as Kenyans' Obsession with the A grade; as such, students were unable to eventually pursue courses such as Medicine and Engineering in the University comfortably.

In the year 2019, he was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta as the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Education, where he championed the sanity of the examination process, as well as the 100% transition policy. At a time when the education reforms in the country faced a total shakedown, this man stood his ground amid the conflict. He served in this position until October 2022, when the new Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, took over after the August general election.

Magoha has been mourned by the political class and ordinary Kenyans as an astute statesman who went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that the job was done by his death. We learn the brevity of life and how it is fleeting to man. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Barbara Magoha, and his son Dr. Michael Magoha.

 

One last round

 

One Last Round

By Ajuma Millicent

The most challenging lap is always the last one. But every athlete would tell you that this is the time to give everything you've got and finish with a sprint. Being in the last semester of university is exciting but just as frustrating. Getting into Moi University in August 2018, I didn't envision being in my last semester in 2023. I genuinely thought I would have graduated by now. However, I wouldn't change a thing about my experience at Moi University.

There are 3 things that I am grateful for; the strong educational foundation I get once I am done. The narrative that ‘education is just papers’ has dominated social media and our life. It is easy to say that if you don't understand the struggle in getting the said papers. Some of the things that university students have to do to get the papers are sleepless nights, research projects, multiple assignments, retakes, and searching for unpaid internships while trying to keep a healthy social life. It is no mean feat. As a graduate, it is crucial to have a sense of pride and accomplishment in graduating from university, no matter how much the world wants to downplay your achievement.

The second thing I am grateful for is the relationships that I have developed in school. Sixteen years of studying in the 8-4-4 education system, and I couldn't be more thankful for the people I have met along the way. Fellow students with whom we have navigated school life together, it is always nice knowing that you are not alone, and we have forged some amazing friendships in the process, which will hopefully be part of our network in the future.

I am also grateful for the resources that have been provided at school. Being in school has been like having a safe space to maneuver. I have always known that after primary school, it is secondary school, then university. Finishing a university education is weird because the next step is not guaranteed. Getting out of school feels like getting out of the safety net and being out in the cold. I am expected to find a job as soon as possible, move out of my parent's house and get a life. Let us not even get started on the black tax. The pressure to make something out of myself immediately from school is crippling.

Despite the pressure to get out of school, it feels good to great to get out into the world. Every day since I stepped into school for the first time in 2005 has prepared me for this moment. I am excited about the possibilities that await me after university, and I am confident that the world will be a friendly place for me. However, it is not done until it is done.

 

Friends are Like Flowers

                Friends are Like Flowers 

By Kefa Onditi

A musician once wrote a song romanticizing friendships and analogized them to flowers and life as a garden. Like flowers in their variety make gardens beautiful, so make friendships in their richness—the lovely orchid, like a friend that compliments, bring sparkle and color to life. Roses are beautiful, but the thorns remind you to tread carefully; those are like the friends who criticize you. I have no idea what flower proliferates and is always ahead of its time, but we will always have a friend who is ahead of us.

The friends who compliment you are essential because a compliment can brighten up your day. They could comment on something as insignificant as new earrings, and suddenly, you feel a fresh gush of confidence. Suppose you did well in public speaking or a presentation, and someone makes a nice comment about your oratory skills. This gives you a boost of self-confidence and joy. Friends complimenting you always see the details, acknowledge your efforts and make you feel seen. They will be there to crown your every achievement. They will help you gain the respect of your peers because they magnificently see you.

When someone tells you that your hair, shoes, your beard, or even your house are always clean, you will always maintain a neat beard and a clean house so that they don't find you with a dirty one and lose that respect for you. It is human nature to desire affirmation and to feel seen. Your mental health needs to stay with people who find a way to complement you.

Every garden needs a rose. In this context, a rose alludes to the ones who criticize you. There are two sides to criticism; you must be wise to tap into constructive crisis. Simple questions about “why do you always frequently wear that shirt? Why doesn't your house have a Tv? Why are your window curtains transparent? Why are your children always walking with runny noses?

Such questions make you realize the small things you are doing in the wrong way.  These questions sometimes bring out the bad personality traits that you have. Criticism about the company you keep can be in the form of “Why do you like walking with that drunkard? “Why do you always laugh loudly everywhere? “The bad habits you possess are what you should read behind that statement.

 These people might look like your enemies, don’t like you for who you are, or don't appreciate what you do. But that is not always the case. You will discover that you are not perfect by listening to these people. You become better when you listen to them, fix yourself, and work on those small mistakes. These people might even compliment you after you have improved on what they told you, and you be happy and proud of yourself. You will always be on your toes to keep those compliments.

The ones ahead of you. These people will constantly challenge you and inspire you to want more from yourself. This is because you will be challenged to be like them and bask in their achievements; they will share some of their aspirations and dreams with you. You may see that yours are too small; thus, you will begin to dream big, set high standards, and have a bigger vision of your life. Then as the hardworking person, you are, you will work to achieve bigger. So always ensure that those around you are way above you, and you will use them to guide you and give advice from experience. Some may even care enough to offer favors once they see your desire to improve. These are people with better financial status, better relationships with their families, and better social qualities like leadership and spirituality.

You are whom you keep around are whom you keep around you. One biblical allusion to friendship is in Amos 3:3; two cannot walk together unless they agree. It would be best if you kept essential people around you. Your success depends on your company and habits as on what you do every day. You will unleash your most significant potential if you identify.

The Drinking Monster

                                                    The Drinking Monster 

By Kefa Onditi

Last semester when we got our projects, I researched the students' business ideas. Most of my respondents agreed that liquor stores are the best to invest in.  When I cast the net wider, I realized that the idea of selling alcohol was in the societies we live. The youth are just a product of their environments. There is an insatiable demand for alcohol. The population is addicted, and the copious business people are well aware. The reasons many choose this poison are varied.

In the past, elders set a drink in their midst when they needed to deliberate on heavy matters of their people. Sharing a drink was a sign of friendship, hospitality, and invitation. However, times have changed. Many young people drink alcohol out of pleasure and as a way to kill their weekends. There can be no party, no dancing, and merry-making without alcohol involved. Some drink to gain confidence and courage. If someone wants to approach a girl and is somehow anxious, alcohol is always a proven remedy. Public speaking is never accessible for some people unless accompanied by shots gulped down hurriedly. It’s always as though drinking summons courage from the pits of one’s liver.

We have heard tales of men battering their wives after drinking spree or a bitter wife maiming a husband for drinking away the family fortune.  Those that have walked the alcoholism path find it hard to endure a day sober. People find it more challenging to communicate and articulate their feelings after throwing away their sobriety. How can a man keep a family and a relationship with which he does not connect? How do you tell a spouse you love them when your drinking is the reason why they languish in abject poverty? How does a father ask his sons to be upright when he cannot stand?

It is no surprise that many justify drinking as an escape from their daily misery. They always say alcohol drowns their sorrow and makes them float in ecstasy. For a moment, their problems are not their own, which becomes the gratifications sought. Some drink because they have been caught by other people drinking. This type can easily be swayed because they do not have a particular reason rather than the bandwagon of peer pressure.

Drinking has consequences in the short term and long term. While it is true that the gratification sought is to relax, the price to pay comes from empty pockets and addiction. Alcohol is expensive and continuous consumption is bound to have financial implications. People have spent months in therapy and rehabilitation for something that started as one shot for the pain …

Forbidden Lust

 Forbidden Lust

BY BUNGEI BRENDA

There was no more music to play when I saw him, only beautiful memories.

Often getting lost in my own thoughts and blaming it on dejavu

I want you, you know

 

I want to stare at those shy eyes that shine like stardust, like sprinkles,

Like little sprinkles of shinny feelings, sprinkled from the sky

Those lips that promises absolute desire

I want your hands on mine as we walk down the stairs

I want to show case you to the world

So, here’s to the shy boy that sits behind me in class

To that glorious boy that melts my heart, with no effort

I thought you should know, I want you

In every sensual way

 

This goes to the boy that makes me all musshy and warm on the inside,

He makes me all smiley like a stupid huge emoji

He makes me want to drop everything and show him the world

They say age is just a number but then it is not the age that really matters

It’s what you feel on the inside

 

Thoughts of you awaken these lustful desires

That when tapped you can never get enough

Those desires that you can’t stop no matter how hard you try

He gives me something intense than weak knees and mere goosebumps

The fluttering butterflies he gives, gives a worthy thrill

He makes me feel alive as though I have been missing out

 

I want you with a fervor that shakes my soul

I want you as the moon rises and as the sun sets

I want you with the magnolias glow and the rose’s riots

I wanna wake up to moanings of entangled sheets laced with poetry

Playing your skin tone like notes of an acoustic guitar

Bringing you closer to pleasure, tasting of cherry blossoms

Make you closer to heaven on my knees

 

There are no happy endings

However my lust rather love would make cities burn

With my glimpse of affection, I could shatter hearts

But you are on the other side, you are not mine

So at least let me get a taste of those charred lips

Let me taste of that uttermost devotion

That would make my body ache with desire.       

Crazy Campus Course mates

 

Crazy Campus Coursemates

By Mercy Jelagat

 Like any other learning institution, the campus environment is a crazy one. There are phrases such as ‘’kuinama’’, which means not being able to have supper or lunch due to financial issues. This is forgotten almost immediately when a funny comrade crosses the innocent mind, as asserted here.

Latecomer

I think you should know what I am talking about. These people tend to appear past 20 minutes before the class begins. They sneak into class twerking with their little bubble butts in miniskirts to attract every eye. You may think they walk from a long distance but later find out they are from the university residence. They come in late consistently the whole semester. These terrible latecomers have rarely been punctual to class, not even on campus before the early bird sings its melodious song.

Resurrected Ones

These are the kind of human beings that appear during the final exams, sit in cats, and on presentation days only. You may wonder what stuff is keeping them off the campus environment because they are rare to be found, just like the sunflower in the desert. It is with no big surprise that you happen to see them in every class attendance list, yet they don't exist in any of the classes. Most of them put on dark heavy jackets during their final exams carrying sources of light just in case of blackouts in the exam room.

Party Fanatics

Every day is a weekend for them as long as there is a party.  They rarely attend morning classes. Why? Perhaps they suffer from the previous night’s hangovers. They spend much of their time and money partying and impressing their friends. The majority are drug abusers. Of course, what is a party without stiff drinks?

Drama Queens

The majority are female students. They are talented in formulating drama without being the focal point of the circumstance. They can even burst a thunder of laughter in class and pretend nothing has happened. They know all the gossip, including the lecturer's side chicks and main chicks and their family issues. They are usually the backbenchers.

Lecturer's Pet

They are so irritating to the whole class. You find them sitting in front seats dressed half-naked, maybe seducing the lecturer. They laugh loudly at the lecturer's jokes and ask rhetorical questions. Who does that? They never miss a chance to respond to any right or wrong question. They are seen with the lecture after class; who knows what they talk about?

Hand raiser

No class ends without their hands being raised. Of course, they are brilliant, but sometimes, they are annoying. When questions are asked, you do not need to rotate your neck to look around, as you already know precisely whose voice is.

Loner

They are those who do not really hang around with other students and actively stay away from social interactions. They neither chat with anyone after class nor walk in with anyone. They rather talk to themselves. You even find it difficult to say hi to them because they may blue-tick you alive.

Huggers

These people are the single souls on the campus. We are tired of their impromptu hugs. Imagine, after every daily lecture, you find them hugging almost three – a quarter of the class. If she is a lady, she hugs nearly every man and vice versa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Campus Leadership

 CAMPUS LEADERSHIP.

                                                  

By Felix Ouko                                               

Leadership is about making others better due to our presence and ensuring that impact lasts in our absence. As leaders, we're only sometimes going to do things right. We're going to make mistakes. We're even going to make decisions that lead to failures. We need to learn from those mistakes and continue to take risks.

Comrades, I am writing these lines on the evening of the 9th. I am averse to clannish leadership and unapologetically disinclined to partisan politics. Over the years, clan and party politics have led to the installation of mediocre and unscrupulous awful elements as leaders. No society develops in the hands of such characters.

With all my might, I urge comrades to realize that everything hangs by a thread. We are confronted by problems that are not to be solved by conferences or congress but exclusively by people, by the masses, and by the struggles of armed people. The situation is critical in the extreme. It is now clear that delaying the uprising would be fatal. Students’ silence doesn't mean they are enjoying the kind of campus leadership we have, but they are crying from inside.

The cost of university tuition fees is rising at an alarming rate every academic year without students concerned. This is coupled with other costs of housing and meals. Comrades are starving in the hostels in the name of 'KUINAMA,’ missing meals even for three consecutive days, leading to lack of concentration and, eventually, missing lectures. Contemporarily, students are dropping out of university since they have a recipe for unmanageable debts. This situation makes our students vulnerable to physical and mental health problems like depression and stress.

There is a substantial basis for solidarity actions. Many students already work alongside their studies and face exploitative conditions and low pay. They are hit massively by the surge in the cost of living, exacerbated by extortionate tuition fees and university rent costs. The rising state of the economy harms their education.

Who must take power? This is not important at present. We need our leaders to stand for comrades. We cannot afford to lose a whole to depression. We need a healthy generation. Save our generation.

Overcoming Depression

OVERCOMING DEPRESSION

 By Susan Akuku Simolo

Campus life is not always a walk in the park. Many obstacles come along the way, and many challenges one faces. Some give up, not knowing they were so close to accomplishing their dreams. These day-to-day stressors, when not tackled, lead comrades into the spiral of depression.

Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and constant emptiness. This, of course, affects the daily activities of the individual or person. It has been that comrades who face the pressure to balance academics, social life, co-curriculum activities, relationship issues, finances, few job spaces after graduation and parents’ expectations. All these form a dangerous recipe for depression among university students.

Some common symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness or worthlessness, difficulties with concentration, memory or decision-making, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, restlessness, weight loss, and other physical symptoms like headaches and muscle aches. This is, according to the research that has been done over time. The symptoms are not always the same but vary from person to person.

Depression has become a disease slowly eating away the youth, especially the ongoing university students. Some debate that it may be due to the pressure of wanting to achieve things quickly without having worked for them. The internet is left behind when it comes to such a sensitive topic like this. There is no definite solution to treat the symptoms of depression. It takes time and patience to determine the best mental health treatment for depression.

 There is a lot of stereotype and stigma that revolves around it. Some in society do not view it as a disease but a weakness, especially among the male gender. Depression isn't a proper illness; people who experience depression are lazy and mentally weak. Depression is a result of having a tough time are some of the stereotypes revolving around the topic.

There are several unhealthy and risky alternatives. The students opt to take them to relieve themselves from their depressed state. Some decide to start abusing drugs by taking alcohol or smoking marijuana. Others engage in unsafe sex. Lastly, those consumed by thoughts of suicide decide to take their lives. These measures end up messing up and hurting them even more.

Some recommended measures while going through depression include seeking help from the guidance and counselling department. Of course, every institution has to attend to such matters. Everyone is encouraged not to die in silence but to open up to those they trust, so they offload whatever heaviness they have on their chest.

Other ways include having adequate sleep, improving diet, not taking drugs, engaging in activities such as sports also strengthening connections with family and friends. Do not lose someone through depression. Let’s all be our brothers and sisters, keeper

The ripple Effects of Childhood Trauma

 

CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

By Dravil Duke 

Lately, I have been thinking about how our childhood upbringing affects adulthood and what they call trauma. Knowledge and education have taught us to discern what is wrong and correct in all contexts.

Chanced on a video of the Nyeri woman abusing and criticizing her husband in front of a kid, I wondered what this did to the child. Of course, if the child is cognizant and has a healthy long-term memory, the image of parents fighting or the father beating the mother will never leave her.

Insults. Poverty. Abuse. Incest. Rape. Neglect. It can also contribute to trauma.

According to Mary Trump’s book on her famous uncle, Trump became a pathological narcissist because he was ignored as a child and his father, Fred, believed in winning at all costs. And look what happened due to that neglect—a man constantly seeking favour.

As children, most of us went through a lot.

People used to erase such memories and move on with their lives. However, with modern psychology becoming all too available, most people cannot overcome their childhood demons.

It now manifests itself in a variety of ways. Someone who grew up in poverty may have a horrible spouse because they make money their only goal in life. Someone mistreated (incest, rape, etc.) find it difficult to trust again, and every minor trigger sets them off. Some people handle it better than others.

However, the majority of people are afraid. Out here, people are terrified of their shadows. Moreover, we act so foolishly to hide our fears that it worries me.

In his 21 Lessons for the Twenty-First Century, Yuval Noah presents a compelling argument for secularity as an antidote to religion's constraints. He extols the virtues of secularism in its pursuit of compassion, freedom, and equality. But he stops short of claiming that humans may be scientifically manipulated or designed to develop compassion, empathy, and other traits.

It's a hollow argument because humans are complicated, and no amount of science or psychology can explain how unreasonable we are. It's similar to the now-debunked idea that humans are rational buyers. Have you ever seen where men start buying mizingas?

For example, why do people, especially educated ones, squabble in front of their children? Or do harmful things to other people, even those they love, knowing full well the consequences? Why do we continually crave vengeance, even when we know it will harm us more? Why do we live to prove a point, even if it is meaningless? Why is there so much pettiness in relationships and even friendships?

Is it possible to get over one's pride? To control our ego? Is it feasible to live down to the calling of adulthood and its responsibilities?

And, more crucially, given our brokenness, can we spare our children unneeded turmoil and give them a fair chance in life?

 

Dravilduke88@gmail. com

Mitigate stress to avoid mental health problems

 

Mitigate stress to avoid mental health problems

By Jackson Nyakoe  

 

There is an alarming rate of reported and unreported cases of suicide as an outturn of stress and depression. It is expeditiously escalating into a pandemic, and urgent action should be implemented to curb the menace.

People are struggling and aching in silence. They don't want to speak up, and some can't afford the therapy. People are acting normal and okay but are dying on the inside.

We are living in a society full of people with selfish mindsets. People do not want to check up on their neighbours and friends.

On the other side, the victims don’t want to share what they are going through, even with the family members or buddies who accommodate their inner circle. The holes keep enlarging until they are powerless to get out of it.

Shockingly, both the employed and unemployed are victims of this. The unemployed people’s expectations are always high once they land a job. Fewer salaries, pressure from bosses, overworking, and stagnation in junior positions for a long time are the primary triggers of depression and mental illness.

The crisis of depression is more threatening than an economic crisis. People can’t report to work on time, or they don’t know entirely because of mental disorders. This disease highly flies youths aged between 20 to 35 years.

Unemployment, tough life brought up by economic factors, and family matters, especially when a man stalls to care for his family because of financial constraints and toxic relationships, are the significant drivers of depression.

This peril is now like a phase, but most people fail to fight it. After trying more than two solutions, and they don’t help, many give up. Others start drinking alcohol and even forget to eat healthier without considering that their immunity is weakening. In the long run, these issues develop into suicidal thoughts.

The Ministry of Health should implement the Kenya mental health action as fast as possible to rescue the future of this nation. We open up to our close friends as a mechanism for finding a solution, but that's how they get topics to discuss with their allies.

The intensity of depression for someone who has a career or is employed is a bit elevated compared to unemployed fellas. The higher your career is, the few real friends you have. Your trust levels are low, and you are overconfident in almost everything. Now with all this in play, one major setback in life will get you back to default quickly.

Fortunately, there is still hope. You can tickle depression by hitting the gym and trying weightlifting once you feel down. You can make yourself busy. Loneliness should not be encouraged at all at this time. Having friends to talk to will play a salient role in battling the disease.

With no robust support system from relevant departments, depression is kicking in and draining our future generation.

People don’t fake being depressed; they fake being okay. Visiting a therapist for counselling should be one of the immediate and best remedies. Most people can’t afford that therapy because it’s expensive.

This should not worry you. You could go online and read articles about depression, different states of depression, causes, s treatments and herbal remedies.

Do you have hobbies? If not, find something that interests you and keep at it. Watch different films, play video games, or you can also ride a bicycle, and these exercises can offer you relief from depression. Let us be our brother’s keeper by regularly checking our friends’ whereabouts.

Mental illness is scary, but it’s treatable.

By Jackson Nyakoe (journalism and communication student Moi university) Twitter  @Jacksonnyakoe

Uproar as Education CS Suggests Government Plan to Stop Funding Universities

 

Uproar as Education CS Suggests Government  Plan to Stop Funding Universities 

By Maloba Tisa

"Government to stop funding public universities,” says the CS  Machogu. He said that the government is currently experiencing financial pressure that later calls for alternative ways to source income for universities. Therefore, universities must venture into research, innovation and technology to generate income. He said this at a CBC public hearing in Nanyuki on November 4, 2022.

What does it mean to fund a public university? Higher education in Kenya dates from 1956 when Nairobi Royal Technical College was founded, an institution that later became the first Kenyan university - The University of Nairobi.

The government started funding universities to support various programmes essential for the qualification of its professionals as a state. This was because; almost all the courses are so expensive for the learners to pay from their own pockets.

Without government intervention, a bachelor's degree in clinical medicine can cost a student a Differentiated Unit Cost (DCU) of Ksh.720 000 per year. Some causes in essential humanities, social sciences, and economic geography must pay a DUC of Ksh.144 000 per year.

Despite all this support, most students will still seek support from HELB loans, bursaries and scholarships to cater to the remaining percentage they must pay. Sadly, all these approaches only sometimes fill the gap; thus, some students have petty fee arrears of up to Ksh.5000.

Getting rid of this government funding for the universities will, therefore, in no time, make it impossible for some needy students to join campus and accomplish their various dreams. The continuing students might drop out of school due to this impending pandemic.

The CS has suggested innovation, research and technology venturing to generate income. For innovation of all forms, it takes time. It is an investment with long-term returns. Research, on the other hand, costs people time and resources. Moreover, for research to become useful, more capital is needed to cater to all these. Whenever technology is mentioned, its improvement brings more benefits, but before that, one must accept to incur costs that most universities can't still afford.

Additionally, most universities already have pending debt they need to pay immediately. How will they be able to pay these debts and at the same time do innovation, research and improve technologies, something they are already trying but straining?

Currently, with a cohort of 145,145 students, the country needs 32.7M, while the available is 12.6M. The incoming cohort will be larger than the existing one by 52,195 students. Regardless of the CS's current urge, the government will need more funds to sustain university learning. This will reduce the number of students joining campus. Moreover, dropout cases will never be news again.

With his claim of being misquoted, the talk continues since he touched on a sensitive part that affects the higher education sector. He then said that the government would continue to fund public universities. He further added that universities have to continue with research avenues that would generate extra income. He said this at the groundbreaking ceremony at the Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology.

Rhetorically, we are left to wonder what this research would do for us when we already have them, but they are not sound. Are we left with the opinion that the country cannot generate more income on itself to help fund its various institutions rather than transferring burdens to their subjects?