Justice Martha Koome during her interview for the position of Chief Justice on April 14, 2021. PHOTO, JEFF ANGOTE, NMG
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has unanimously nominated Justice Martha Koome for the position of Chief Justice. Koome’s name was forwarded to President Uhuru Kenyatta for appointment.
In a statement released today, the JSC said that the decision came after “lengthy deliberations” and “careful consideration” of the performance of various candidates.
“…the JSC has unanimously recommended the appointment of Hon Koome Martha Karabu as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya and has submitted her name to the President for appointment.”
Justice Koome appeared before a ten-member panel consisting of Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, Justice Mohamed Warsame, Justice David Majanja, and others.
She cited her wealth of experience locally, regionally, and internationally to solve Kenyan courts’ problems and boasts 33 years of an illustrious career in private and public service.
In pursuit of this position, Justice Martha faced competition from Said Juma Chitembwe, Prof. Patricia Mbote, Philip Murgor, Lawyer Fredrick Ngatia, Justice Marete Njagi, Justice Matthews Nduma Nderi, Justice William Ouko, Prof. Moni Wekesa and Ms. Alice Yano.
If appointed, Justice Koome will be Kenya’s first female Chief Justice.
Mrs Jane Irungu dedicates the DUSA student council 2021-2022 to God. PHOTO| Daystar University
The newly elected council was on April 20 sworn in, to place them in the saddle of power, and usher in a new era for the student body.
Team forward, as it’s known, is tasked with leading the students’ association and ensure that the recently launched strategic plan positively impacts students. The Marco Laboso led team has big shoes to fill- it’s predecessor having successfully initiated a new dawn that brought with it Prof. Laban Ayiro. It is an undisputable fact that the team ascends to the helm of the association during a tough period of time, but with the right mindset and policies, can achieve great heights.
The president, Marco, assured students of his readiness to serve them, promising to do so diligently. This is vital for a university that has experienced a vacuum in student leadership, due to tensions, changes and a severe pandemic. As the students’ leader, he will oversee the day-to-day operations of the council, and represent the interests of the association at the senate.
Daystar is an institution anchored on a history of servant leadership- as the VC has continuously shown. Students should be at the center of this government. Top in the priority list should be to promote their spiritual, intellectual and physical growth through the power bestowed unto you by the congress. Instill a culture of unity among students, and come up with ways that will push them to achieve self- actualization.
Echoing novelist Ken Kesey, you don’t lead by telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case.
The new government has to make a clean break with the past, and work on leaving a mark through good leadership and innovative ideas. We have an opportunity to craft a future of hope and progress. However, this will only be achieved through courageous leadership, and the ability to actualise new, bold ideas. As you take your seat on the high table, bring with you unique ideas and a sense of individuality to foster development agendas for the association.
Kisumu Governor, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, has been summoned to appear before the Senate Health Committee, on April 30th via Zoom, on claims of misappropriation of Covid-19 funds.
He was summoned to respond to queries on the utilisation of funds by his county administration in a special audit report. His administration is accused of misusing 209M out of the 238M that was given to his county to aid in the fight against the effects the pandemic had on the county’s economy.
His administration was also accused of failing to utilise funds on frontline health workers and health facilities in the county as well as spending the money without approved Covid-19 training plans.
The Senate committee has warned that failure to appear for the summons will incur a Ksh.500, 000 fine or a warrant of arrest. The governor had previously been summoned by the committee on Tuesday April 20, but he did not show up, despite it being advertised in the Standard and Daily Nation. According to the committee his behaviour was considered an offence according to the law.
“The governor has taken this committee very casually. What we are dealing with is a pandemic, a serious pandemic. We invited him so that we can put our heads together and also know how the money we are sending to counties is being spent,” said Chairman Michael Mbito.
The committee has lined up a series of meetings with all the 47 governors as they investigate how the counties spent the Covid-19 cash. This follows an explosive audit report that exposed massive irregularities in the use of the funds.
Derek Chauvin’s booking photos which were released on Wednesday – CNN
Derek Chauvin was on Tuesday, found guilty in the George Floyd murder case. The charges are second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. After three weeks of trial, the verdict was reached in less than a day by the 12-member jury on the case.
Following this, Chauvin was placed in an isolated housing unit in the Minnesota Correctional Facility. According to the Department of Corrections Spokesperson Sarah Fitzgerald, Chauvin is “on ‘administrative segregation’ status for his own safety”.
“Administrative segregation is when someone’s presence in the general population is a safety concern,” said Fitzgerald.
Chauvin is to remain there until his sentencing which, according to Judge Peter Cahill, is meant to happen in about eight weeks. Chauvin had been out on bail since October but this was revoked by Judge Cahill following the verdict.
Factors the judge will consider
According to Minnesota law, Derek Chauvin could potentially face up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, 25 years for third-degree murder and 10 years for second degree murder. However, given that he had no previous criminal record, state guidelines state that both second and third-degree murder should carry about 12 and a half years each and 4 years for second-degree manslaughter.
Prosecutors are requesting for a tougher sentence than those recommended based on aggravating factors. These include: the fact that the crime was committed in the presence of children, that the victim was treated with particular cruelty and that the victim was particularly vulnerable. Chauvin is expected to appeal the verdict.
Reactions to the verdict
Cheers by several hundred people could be heard outside the court as the verdict was announced.
People cheer in the announcement of the verdict- Jason Armond
Ben Crump, the Floyd Family lawyer said that the verdict marked a “turning point in history” and tweeted that “Painfully earned justice has finally arrived.”
President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris called the Floyd Family following the verdict. In a video of the phone call shared by Crump, Biden can be heard saying, “Nothing is gonna make it all better but at least God, now there’s some justice.”
Former President and First Lady Barrack and Michelle Obama tweeted that the jury “did the right thing”. They noted however, that more can be done.
“We know that true justice is about much more than a single verdict in a single trial,” they said in a joint statement.
The other officers charged
The three other officers facing charges in Floyd’s death- Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J.Alexander Kueng – are awaiting a joint trial that is expected to start in August. They are being charged with aiding and abetting in second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Outgoing DUSA President Aloys Otieno handing over the instruments of power to incoming president Marco Laboso – Daystar University
Daystar University Students Association (DUSA) council was on Tuesday sworn into office, in a ceremony held in the Nairobi Campus.
Members of the council were sworn in by the president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Mr. Nelson Havi.
In attendance also was CAS Public Services and Gender affairs Hon. Beatrice Elachi, VC Prof. Laban Ayiro, DVC Academic Affairs Prof. Faith Nguru, DVC Finance Dr. Muturi Wachira, Principal Nairobi Campus Prof. Michael Bowen, Dean of Students Rev. Mutinda Musyimi, members of the congress and the outgoing DUSA team.
Prof. Ayiro called on the new DUSA council to “see leadership as worship to God”.
“To Marco Laboso (president); Now that you are a leader, look for these qualities in your team; chemistry, commitment to the ideals of Daystar and character,” he said.
Marco Laboso sworn in as DUSA President by LSK President Nelson Havi – Daystar University
Prof. Faith Nguru encouraged the incoming council to “find the script of their leadership in the scriptures”.
Other members of the incoming council include Deputy President Monicah Gitau, Secretary General Paul Msando, Finance Secretary Wambui Njoroge, Athi River Campus Governor Walter Nalwa, Nairobi Campus Governor Brian Achoka and ISADU Chair Duc Florian.
The 2021 DUSA elections are the first in four years, since 2017, when the university was closed over a strike.
The inauguration brings hope for a new dawn in students and the university as a whole.
Mrs. Jane Irungu dedicates the DUSA council to God – Daystar University
A leader is a reflection of the society he or she leads. PHOTO | Thinking Maps
People are a clear reflection of their leaders’ actions, meaning that in a society, a leader is a picture of the people he or she is representing. Leadership should involve translating vision into reality and producing more leaders instead of followers.
Take a look at our leaders- those chosen and those who work their way through leading positions. How they use resources is a clear reflection of the values and norms that are embraced in that particular society.
If the society is corrupt, its leaders will definitely follow suit. We blame our leaders for being corrupt while we have embraced the vice. Corruption is being normalised, as it starts from the grassroots. Most people engage in activities such as bribery, unknowingly making corruption a norm in the society.
The basis of corruption in reference of the Bible is the heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things…” (Jeremiah 17:9).
The only way to better our society is to teach and embrace good virtues. Loyalty, bravery and truth lead this list. These three virtues are so important in every aspect of life. Our society has been embracing and raising deceitful and greedy people. We live in a society where it’s a man eat man affair, everybody for his own and God for us all. If we raise generations in strict observance of the three main virtues and teach them good values then we will have good leaders and a vision that will easily get actualised.
Due to dishonesty and greed, we live in a society where resources are allocated in favor of particular people and not the citizen who needs to be served. Good leadership is one that is built in Christian values and the three main virtues.
“My relationship with Solomon was too deep to bring it out…Solomon commanded me to kneel down in my office and pray…It is Solomon who told me that excellence honors God and inspires others to be the best.” These were his subsequent words upon honoring him with an emotional vernacular chant, a sign of the deep respect and indeed personal relationship he had with the Late Dr. Solomon Nzyuko. As he led the Daystar family during a memorial service in honor of the fallen hero, the Daystar University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro went ahead to attest that his biggest adviser and soldier, now departed, was a man who never sat at the periphery. He adamantly chose the center even in the heat of the moment. “I have lost a very close person to my center in running daystar.” He grieves despite being consoled by the words of Macbeth in the Poem “Do Not Cry For Me Today”.
The VC Prof. Ayiro remembering Dr. Nzyuko. PHOTO | Frank Oyosa | Involvement Newspaper
But who was this man? A man who despite his absence, the testimonies accentuate his already eloquent presence even to those who never knew him. For all it is worth, Dr. Solomon Nzyuko was a family man, an elder in the church council, a member of the Daystar University Senate, Director of the DLPDI, an accomplished scholar, a valuable researcher, and above all, a development-oriented transformative leader. Yet it is not these titles that make him a man too difficult to let go! It is the foundations he built, the change he oversaw, the people he inspired, and the lives he touched. It is the impact he has left behind and of course the contagious smile. The tributes visualize a man who tenaciously dedicated his time to leave a legacy of service to humanity. In them, you get to open your eyes to see Dr. Nzyuko for who he truly was, and how his life was a sure demonstration of what it means to live a life of purpose, with love, care, and a worthy cause to make the world a better place.
He established a home at Daystar in both his developmental journey as well as the Christian life. He was a devoted and dedicated Daystarian who was at peace with the University’s biblical principles, Christian values, and servant leadership ideals. He inspired many students and colleagues along the patch of Christ. “As a man of God who was deeply dependent on Christ, Solomon inspired me a lot in the way he would pray,” recollected Dr. Kennedy On’garo, Dean School of Human and Social Sciences. Equally, his commitment to students’ success compelled him to dig deep and establish the root cause of any student’s poor performance, expertly addressing it with solutions that always hid in the bible. And at home, his family had gladly learned to accept his busy schedule including late-night sessions going through students’ theses, early morning meetings with the VC, running other activities related to students’ scholarly work, and managing DLPDI’s programs among other personal errands.
Some of the Daystar staff attending the memorial service. PHOTO | Frank Oyosa | Involvement Newspaper
Undeniably, in a world full of ordinary people, Dr. Nzyuko chose to be extraordinary with wisdom-filled leadership. Indeed, he matched his biblical namesake. He intentionally made a decision to be a dependable person with unmatched problem-solving skills, that even in his hospital bed he would still be depended on to offer solutions. A man who never led by words but by actions. “He never told me how to love my wife; he showed me how to do it,” his brother Ben confessed. It is this kind of leadership that saw him traverse the continent, overseeing many successful community projects he initiated. Equally, his success is attributed to his open-mindedness, embracing inclusive consultation, and objectively listening to everyone as a valuable contributor.
Being a man with such a legacy, it is neither shocking for the family to confess not to have any regret for who he was whatsoever nor would they ask for anything more or better from him. Despite his busy schedule, he was the best version of a husband, father, and sibling. He loved his family unconditionally and was always available whenever they needed him. His sin Enock fondly remembered the happy moments they would play scrabble as a family. “Whenever we would be getting to the tail end of the game and he is just about to place the final letters before he beats us all he would say ‘Count your losses.’” Of course, he won more often, thanks to his linguistic prowess. His superb command of the English language was the inspiration behind Enock’s communication career path. To Grace, his father was mum-dad and was always open to talk about things that otherwise seem uncomfortable for father-daughter conversations. And to Mama Miriam, he was everything else but more importantly a strong prayer partner who always empathized and knelt down with her. However, even with all the love, mediocrity, ignorance, and pretense were vocabularies he wouldn’t tolerate.
Dr. Nzyuko’s family members being prayed for by those in attendance. PHOTO | Frank Oyosa | Involvement Newspaper
Indeed, Dr. Nzyuko touched so many and he will forever be a part of all those he interacted with. As a faithful steward who was intentional, deliberate, and ready to serve, his strong influence and legacy will last a lifetime and the golden moments he leaves behind forever cherished. He truly lived his purpose and fulfilled what God expected of him, even though he was not finished yet owing to the many projects that were still in the pipeline. All in all, even as he watches his people from above, his smile and companionship will be greatly missed. And now what remains of us is to embrace his life’s lesson and say adios as we wait to be united with him in the afterlife.
Hivi leo katika makala ya Dau La Elimu na Frank Otieno kwenye runinga ya KTN, Naibu Chansela wa chuo kikuu cha Daystar,Profesa Laban Ayiro pamwe na Mhadhiri wa chuo kikuu cha Moi,Profesa Violet Naanyu na Profesa Lukoye Atwoli wa chuo kikuu cha Aga Khan walichangia pakubwa katika mjadala wa Elimu Ya Utatuzi Masuala (Problem based learning) na kusisitiza kuwa, mfumo huu wa elimu una faida nyingi sana katika maisha ya mwanafunzi.
Elimu ya utatuzi masuala ni mfumo wa elimu unaolenga kutengeneza binadamu anayeweza kutatua matatizo mbalimbali ya kijamii,anayeweza kujimudu maishani na mwenye maadlili yanayoweza kutegemewa nchini na ulimwenguni.
Profesa Laban Ayiro alisisitiza kuwa chuo kikuu cha Daystar kimeshachukua mkondo huu wa mafunzo na kusema,”Katika chuo cha Daystar Walimu huwa wanaenda madarasani ,wanawapa wanafunzi maswali na kuwaaacha wajadiliane na kutatua matatizo mbalimbali kisha kusahihisha matokeo yao kwani nia yetu ni kutoa wanafunzi walio kamili baada ya kumaliza masomo yao katika chuo kikuu cha Dasystar”.
Vilevile,wenza wake Profesa Ayiro walisisitiza kuwa,mfumo huu wa elimu unaweza kuwa wa manufaa zaidi japo walimu pamwe na serikali yetu ya Kenya itatilia mkazo na kuhakikisha kuwa mfumo huu wa elimu umetiliwa maanani na kila mwalimu kutumia mfumo huu kuwaelimisha wanafunzi vyuoni.
Aidha ,jopo hili la wataalam wa Elimu lilisisitiza kuwa,kuna haja kubwa sana ya walimu kunolewa zaidi na kufunzwa mfumo mpya wa elimu ili nao pia waweze kuwafunza wanafunzi vyuoni kwani walimu wa sasa walifunzwa mfumo tofauti wa enzi zao. Imekuwa changamoto kubwa sana kwa walimu hawa kuwafunza wanafunzi kutumia huu mfumo mpya wa elimu.Fauka ya hayo,Profesa Violet Naanyu alisisitiza kuwa elimu huwa ni safari kwani huwa kuna mwanzo na huwa kuna lengo kuu la mwanafunzi anaposoma na mwalimu anapofunza. Kwa hiyo,Violet alilonga kuwa kuna umuhimu wa walimu kuwa na ushirikiano na wanafunzi ili pamoja waweze kukamilisha ‘safari’ ya elimu aisee! Kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa .
Kaditama,wataalam hawa walitoa maoni yao na kusema kuwa ,japo tunataka mfumo huu wa elimu kutufaidi ifaavyo, itabidi viongozi wa vyuo wafunzwe mbinu mpya ya uongozi. Viongozi wawe wanaokubali maendeleo na kuhakikisha kuwa maendeleo tofauti yanatekelezwa katika vyuo wanavyosimamia.
Wakufunzi nao wawe tayari kujadiliana na kukosoana na wanafunzi wasiwe na akili ya kufikiri kuwa ni wao pekee wanaojua yote. Wanafunzi pia walihimizwa kuwa na bidii za mchwa na wawe watu wa kutaka kujua mengi, wafanye utafiti na kutumia utafiti huo kutatua matatizo mbalimbali.
Kwa uhahika,mjadala huu ulikuwa na mafunzo chungu nzima na ni ombi langu kuwa wewe kama msomaji wangu utaweza kuyatilia maanani yaliyosemwa na wataalam na kuhakikisha kuwa, polepole na kwa uhakika unakubali mfumo mpya wa elimu kwani mfumo huu una manufaa kadha wa kadha.
Use the link above to access the Involvement Newspaper issue 239 which features a range of articles written by our writers to ensure that you stay informed on News within and outside Daystar.
Just like the then US Secretary of State George Marshall unveiled America’s unilateral aid to Europe in what is popularly known as The Marshal Plan, so did Daystar University Vice-Chancellor Prof Laban Ayiro, unveil The Marshal Plan to his Post Graduate students! Well, don’t get it twisted. While the contents and intentions of Marshall’s Marshal plan are pretty obvious, Prof Ayiro’s Marshal Plan is nothing close to that.
His recently launched plan is a genuine roadmap that will see all post-graduate students complete their studies on time regardless of the setbacks they may encounter. Coming in at a time when the University was not in its best shape, the VC was disturbed by the high number of post-graduate students pending graduation due to some unavoidable, and well…some avoidable circumstances, way after the 2 years for postgraduate programs elapsed. It is this reality that triggered him to initiate the plan, his dedication and drive to restore the glory of Daystar deer to his heart, and vocal in his voice, his diction, and his actions!
Kicking off with a post-graduate students’ re-registration exercise to keep, the VC has committed not only his time but resources to this course. He is adamant that all post-graduate students who are on hold or are done with their coursework MUST graduate by December 2021, and going forward, other post-graduate students must graduate within the 2 years.
“This is a course that is deep in my heart and I will go out of my way to see that we reach the promised land.” The conviction with which these words are articulated is enough to dispel any doubt while his track record proves him right, and his deep-rooted faith and trust in God back him up. He is keen to reiterate Daystar University’s Christian foundational values as his guiding principles, and acknowledge the weight of the task ahead often asking God to go before him and his team including the students.
Interestingly, even though he is surrounded by a team of dedicated Research and Post Graduate studies directorate led by Sr. Prof. Agnes Lando, the VC’s transformational leadership style forbids him from making demands while at the back seat!
He considers this mission a top-notch priority that his schedule has been made flexible enough to accommodate regular meetings with students, to respond to their concerns and thesis queries. He has in the past facilitated various forums aimed at assisting them to refine their thesis, referring to errors he picked by sampling several submissions. Furthermore, these sessions are about to become weekly activities and not even the impact of Covid-19 on physical meetings can derail them nor the ultimate vision. And as if this is not all, he is part of the supervisors currently supervising two Masters and 2 Ph.D. students.
Meanwhile, in other offices, Sr. Prof. Lando and her team are ever busy attending to students’ matters and ensuring communication is smooth, timely, and relevant. A clear indication that the journey to the promised land is indeed on the right track. Being the administrator of the Post Graduate students’ Telegram forum, she is ever communicating an important update or responding to students’ concerns.
One wonders if she does sleep. More surprisingly is the promptness, wisdom, and decorum with which she responds to even the most controversial or insulting concern and question. Now meetings have gone online and it’s in her docket to ensure that communication reaches the intended participants on time, the necessary materials are ready for the meetings, chair the meetings and share the materials. And with some students unable to attend the meetings, she is responsible for recording and sharing the video. Yet this is just a quarter of her workload!
A screengrab of The VC conducting a virtual session on developing a Literature Review – Frank Oyosa
Well, she has to do it right? But then she is only human and there is only so much she can take yeah! surprisingly, although we may want to pity her and her team, the only pity she is willing to take is students playing their part. All that is asked of them is to be available when called upon, to fulfill their financial obligations, and to support the plan by any means possible. If that is too much to ask, the VC is not hesitant “…to consider anyone who is not committed to the marshal plan an anti-Daystar.” However as is human nature, some of us have to be pushed even if it is for our benefit, and the post Graduate directorate has dedicated herself to doing just that.
Meanwhile, the students being the key stakeholders and beneficiaries of this initiative, are obliged to raise concerns they hope to be addressed in a timely and mutually benefiting manner. Thence, besides other concerns, the question of paying extra costs such as activity fee, printing fee and technology fee among others when such services are no longer available have been raised. Other concerns have been re-activation fees for students on hold some of whom have excess fees and removal of or not offering concentration courses in some semesters. Remarkably, the concerned departments have tried their best to respond, and commit to listening to special individual cases.
Screenshots of interaction between the students and Sr. Prof. Lando on Telegram – Frank Oyosa
It would be impractical not to acknowledge the efforts the directorate is putting in this initiative regardless of the apparent challenges. Likewise, with the VC securing a 1-year amnesty period from the senate for students on hold to graduate, and the online thesis management system in its final stages of the trial, we are obliged to recognize that things are indeed taking shape and they will be better when concerns are addressed and we cooperate.
Meanwhile “…until the day dawns, and the daystar arises in your hearts,” the journey continues.
