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Author: Invo

  • Students Embrace Online Campaigning Ahead of Elections

    by Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Daystar University is about to hold its student body elections this semester and candidates have resorted to campaigning online in order to gather support.

    This is because the Daystar University Student’s Association (DUSA) elections have come at a time when online learning is dominant in the university, and only a few students are at the campuses for physical classes.

    As a result of this, the elections will be conducted online so that students can vote from wherever they are.

    Since elections were announced, students vying began working on their online presence, by creating WhatsApp groups and urging supporters to join. Currently, a student at Daystar right now, could be a participant in at least three different campaign groups.

    Unsurprisingly, these groups also include the opposition and their supporters, who in most cases, are among the first few to join the groups when created. According to reports, the purpose of this is to spy on the competitor or try to lure their supporters to join the opposing team.

    Candidates have also resorted to creating posters that contain their profile and manifestos, to share widely online. Moreover, a few campaign videos have also been posted on various groups and platforms.

    Some candidates have pointed out that online campaigning has birthed cyberbullying and down talking in the campaign groups, and this has become a concern.

    “Cyberbullying and keyboard warriors are a nuisance as some people always critic everything one does, but I guess that comes with leadership,” said Ian Agina, a DUSA presidential candidate.

    Others however have embraced the challenge of online campaigning, despite its many shortcomings.

    “This is my first time to be in politics so it has been a challenge, but I am enjoying the ride,” said Aaron Kituku, a student eyeing a seat at the Congress. “It has been a wonderful experience and a new thing for me. I’m just flowing with everything.”

    Students have however pointed out that the elections have lost their vigor and are dull compared to those of other years. This could be due to the fact that the final list of approved applicants has not been shared yet, therefore candidates are reluctant to go all in while campaigning.

    Previously, during election period, the campuses would be filled with posters and banners of different teams, as well as rallies here and there. For example, in the main campus, there would be times whereby candidates would campaign to students at the cafeteria during meal times.

    Outgoing DUSA team during one of their campaigns in 2017, at the Nairobi Campus – Aloys Otieno

    Moreover, the PAC grounds were dressed in huge banners that had pictures of candidates and their manifestos.

    There would also be presidential debates held on the campuses that caused a lot of excitement among students, making the whole experience memorable.

    Due to lack of elections for four years in the University, some students have graduated or are yet to graduate, without ever witnessing a physical election in Daystar. Moreover, others who have had interest in vying previously, can no longer do so since their time in the university is up.

    The postponement of student elections was as a result of a strike that occurred in 2017, against poor management of the university. For a while now, the school has operated without a student body and this left many grievances unmet.

    Fortunately, these grievances have made great campaign strategies for this semester’s aspiring candidates.

    The news of the elections was welcomed excitedly as it signified a return to normalcy in terms of university life and campus affairs.

    The elections are scheduled to take place on the 11th week of this semester, following amendments to have them earlier in order to accommodate the new trimester calendar.

  • Culture Corner: Polygyny among the Maasai of Kenya

    By Hilmelda Tenkeu

    (hilmeldatenkeu@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail Photo Courtesy of theconversation.com

    It is not inconceivable that the average Maasai man marries three women or even more. That is in fact what is expected of him, as long as he has the financial capacity and ability to cater to them and the offspring of that union. The Maasai are the most well-known and recognized indigenous ethnic group in East Africa.

    Group of Maasai Men . Photo Courtesy of exploring-africa.com

    They live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley. Their population in Kenya is expected to be about one million and counting. Despite civilization and western cultural influences, the Maasai are widely known for clinging to their traditional way of life. It’s common to see them in their traditional dress, even in the streets of the cities.

    The culture of the Maasai is mainly based on their cattle. From them, they obtain everything they need: meat, milk, and blood. Another aspect of culture among the Maasai is polygyny. They account for the majority of polygynous marriages in Kenya but from the look of things, the culture might evolve and change

    The Maasai culture is predominantly patriarchal, and that is why a girl’s childhood is dominated by a strict avoidance, and fear, of her father and other men. Her marriage prospects and her family’s reputation hinge on her ability to develop an acute sense of respect. She is socialized to accept her subservience to her future husband.

    This is one of the reasons for which polygyny is still practiced among the Maasai. The girl is taught to respect the man and even fear him.

    Back in the day, women did not have a say in the choice of their husbands but as time goes, culture evolves. Now, a woman can choose whom she wants to marry, bearing in mind that she will be joined by another woman as the marriage journey goes on.

    These women have grown up in polygynous homes and, that is what they know to be the best form of marriage. It is not essentially a practice to be abhorred, so far, there have not been major complaints.

    The practice is organized and respects certain norms that have been established and followed through to date. When a young Maasai man is ripe for marriage (usually around 25 years old), he marries the lady he has been wooing (if both families have no objection). This young girl is habitually around 15 years of age and knows the fellow. Before the young man marries, he makes sure he is financially secured to look after this family that he is about to start.

    This aligns with the general thought in the African society that a man is responsible for his family. He is the sole provider for his family and has to make sure nobody lacks. The upbringing of the boy child in the Maasai community ensures this is followed .

    Whereas the girl is always with her mother and other ladies, learning how to cook, look good, take care of herself and her future household, the boy child is with his father, the other men, or herding cattle. He has to learn to be a man, handle disputes amongst many wives and always provide for his family no matter how large it gets.

    The boy child grows up taking care of cattle and other livestock. By the time he has been circumcised and is learning the ways of marriage, his father gives him his own cattle and he begins to take care of these and multiply, such that his own family never lacks.

    This is one of the reasons for which polygyny is considered good by many cultures in Africa and the world at large. Yaayai, the first wife of a Maasai polygynous marriage has been interviewed by a popular and certified youtuber on the topic of polygyny.

    To the question why do the Maasai practice polygyny, she says “the Maasai have many wives because it is good… many wives bear many daughters from whose bride prices the family gets cows and this adds the family wealth.”. “I liked it a lot when the second wife came in, I was very happy. Even when the third was brought in… we live happily together… no we are not jealous of each other, we live together, cook together, take care of the children together”, she adds.

    A Maasai Man and his wives. Photo courtesy of bbc.com

    Whereas Yaayai welcomed her co-wives, Josephine another first wife to a Maasai man says she looked for her two co-wives. After about ten years with her husband, she found him a second wife “to help her take over “, she says. Then, a third who was strong enough “to take care of their husband, since the two of us are already tired with children”., she adds. Here, the first wife found the others and we understand that she wanted help in the chores, taking care of the children, and satisfying her husband. Her husband has to be satisfied: no matter what that entails.

    Yaayai explains this further when she says “I like my husband to have other wives so that we can be together. For example, in the afternoon like now, sitting outside together with my co-wives. We talk, we spend time together, even without our husband… whatever you were raised with, that’s what becomes your truth. That is why we don’t want our husbands, only to have one wife.”

    Talking about the next generation and polygyny among the Maasai is quite sad for Yaayai. “Young people don’t want to follow this tradition anymore; I can see that they will stop doing it because it shows that they don’t want to be in polygynous marriages anymore.

    The world is changing… people have come to know many things and many Maasais want to dilute our culture”, she laments. There is no single definition of a happy marriage. Yaayai, Josephine together with their co-wives say they are happy in their marriages and prefer polygyny to Monogamy.

    Another person from a different culture will never understand why she would share her husband with another woman. In other cultures, two men can marry and two women too.

    It is the diversity of cultures that makes the world a beautiful place to live in and like Yaayai says, “whatever you were raised with, that is what becomes your truth”. Let our different truths, not disqualify another’s.

  • Two Students in Athi River Campus Test Positive for Covid-19

    by Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Daystar Athi River Campus main gate – Emmanuel Laguma

    Two students from Daystar main campus in Athi River have tested positive for coronavirus.

    According to a memo sent out to the school on Friday from the DVC Finance office, the two students have gone home to seek medical attention and their contacts traced and informed.

    DVC Finance Dr. Muturi Wachira has noted negligence among members of the institution in observing Covid-19 protocols such as wearing of masks correctly, washing of hands and social distancing.

    “It has been noted with great concern, that some of our students, faculty and staff are not very keen to observe the laid out Covid-19 protocols,” read the memo.

    Dr. Wachira has called on the University to adhere to the Ministry of Health guidelines in order to prevent infection and spread of the virus.

    The University has put in measures against Covid-19 such as sanitization stations, handwashing tanks and temperature checks. Moreover, high traffic areas such as hostels and meeting rooms are regularly fumigated.

    A major fumigation exercise has been scheduled to take place this weekend at the Athi River campus.

  • Political Gatherings Main Cause of rise in Covid-19 Infections – Uhuru

    By Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    President Uhuru Kenyatta delivering the 14th National Address on Covid-19 in the country – PSCU

    President Uhuru Kenyatta has today banned all public gatherings for 30 days effective, midnight on Friday.

    The president noted that the rise in cases of Covid-19 seen in the last few weeks were fueled by political gatherings.

    The Head of State added that the restrictions will be extended if infections do not reduce, and apply to everyone regardless of their political or social standing.

    In his national address, the President added that burials should be conducted within 72 hours of death, and funeral and wedding attendees are limited to 100 people.

    The nationwide curfew has also been extended for a further 60 days, with bars and restaurants ordered to close at 9pm.

    Today marks a year since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Kenya.

    The country has recently seen a sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 infections, and on Wednesday the Health ministry termed it as a third wave.

    However, vaccination programs have so far been launched and over 4,000 people have received their first jabs of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

    Among those vaccinated are healthcare workers and people in uniform as they are on the frontline of battling the pandemic.

    President Kenyatta in his address, lauded Kenyans for their resilience against the effects of the pandemic that greatly impacted the economy.

    “As much as our nation was wounded, it remains unbowed,” said Kenyatta, “Instead of giving into the shocks of lockdowns, businesses have reengineered their business models, responding to shocks.”

  • Falcons win derby against City

    By Muhanguzi Tola

    tolakofa1@gmail.com

    Falcons side celebrate scoring a goal in league match.

    A goal in each half earned Daystar falcons a coveted win against arch rivals Daystar City in a friendly derby played yesterday at the Bethel grounds in Athi River.

    The rejuvenated falcons’ side recorded back to back wins for the first time since the start of the new season, following their FKF triumph over UNOA Sports on Sunday.

    The game that ended 2-1 saw captain Barrack Khaseke continue with his excellent form, netting a second half goal after coming in as a substitute in the first half. The goal is his third in a span of 5 days, having netted a brace during the win against UNOA sports.

    Team manager Walter Nalwa has assured Falcon’s fans of a win come Saturday, when the team plays its second FKF match.

    “The Athi River team has numbers, and the players have the necessary skills. If we could have more playing time, we’d have scored more goals but we won, and are expecting to win a league match tomorrow,” stated Walter.

    He further urged fans to show up in large numbers for the FKF match to be played at 3pm at the Bethel grounds on Saturday.

    “…everyone who is on campus kindly avail yourselves and cheer your team. We win, Daystar wins,” continued the manager.

    The team will be hoping for the return of forward Gian Gaile, who was sidelined with a groin injury picked up in Sunday’s league game.

    Daystar City’s consolation goal was scored in the second half by former Falcon’s full-back Phegan Indeche, netting a superb goal following a defensive error. Sitting bottom of the KUSA rankings, the team’s poor run of form progresses, as they continue the search for their first victory of the season.

  • Professor Wangari Maathai: A Legend, an Icon

    In honor of Black History Month (February), the Involvement Newspaper will be featuring African leaders, heroes, and activists in a bid to remember their contributions towards a better Africa.

    By: Nicholas Kweyu (nicholaskweyu99@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of potentash.com

    Professor Wangari Muta Maathai was born on April 1st 1940 in Nyeri. She went to Loreto High School and graduated in 1959. On a scholarship scheme known as the “Kennedy Airlift”, she went on to study biological sciences at the Benedictine College in Kansas. Following this, she got a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburg. Upon her return to a newly independent Kenya, she earned her PhD in 1971 from the University of Nairobi becoming the first woman in East and Central Africa to attain a doctorate. She died in 2011 at the age of 71 following a long struggle with ovarian cancer.

    The famous activist was involved in humanitarian and environmental groups such as the National Council of Women of Kenya which she joined in 1976. Here, she interacted with rural women who lamented on the social and environmental conditions affecting poorer Kenyans. She developed a community-based tree planting scheme that grew into the Green Belt Movement (GBM) in 1977. This movement has facilitated the planting of more than 51 million trees in Kenya. The GBM also works towards poverty reduction as it trains women in skills such as beekeeping and forestry; the preservation of land is therefore accompanied by a source of income. The movement’s activism spurred similar initiatives in other African countries including Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

    Another of the professor’s contributions to environmental conservation was her adamant resistance to government plans to erect a 62-story skyscraper in Nairobi’s Uhuru Park in the 1980s. This saw her get beaten, tear-gassed and thrown into then-President Daniel Arap Moi’s notorious underground cells.
    “Every person who has ever achieved anything has been knocked down many times. But all of them picked themselves up and kept going, and that is what I have always tried to do,” she once said.

    Wangari Maathai protesting against a skyscrapper being built in Uhuru park. Photo courtesy of fatumavoice.org

    This was only one of several instances of the humanitarian’s challenging of President Moi. She was among those who championed a multi-party system and democracy in the backdrop of Moi’s dictatorial rule. She also, at the risk of her life, consistently spoke out about human rights injustices perpetrated by Moi’s government; with the help of Bishop Ndingi Mwana a’ Nzeki, she even disguised herself during a government crackdown on human rights activists to deliver a speech on the injustices of the Rift Valley conflicts in the 1990s. Wangari Maathai also participated in a hunger strike to pressure the government to release political prisoners.

    Her tremendous efforts resulted in her being the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her “contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.” Later in 2009, she was named the United Nations Messenger of Peace in recognition of her deep commitment to the environment.

    To this day, we celebrate Wangari Maathai Day- renamed from Africa Environment day in 2012- every 3rd of March which focuses on celebrating Wangari Maathai’s commitment to environmental responsibility, peace and justice.

  • Yaa Asantewaa: The Warrior Queen

    In honor of Black History Month, the Involvement Newspaper will be featuring African leaders, heroes, and activists in a bid to remember their contributions towards a better Africa.

    By: Sharon Jerotich (jerotichsharon096@gmail.com)

    Photo courtesy of breathlist.com

    The year is 1840 and the subject of awe is Nana Yaa Asantewaa. She was born in the Asante Kingdom which is modern-day Ghana. She was Asona royalty from the Besease clan in Central Ghana and was of the Edweso stool clan. Sister to Kwasi Afrane- Ruler of the Edweso and wife to Owusu Kabwena- the seventh King of Asante. She was later bestowed upon the honour of queen mother by her brother, Kwasi Afrane.

    Yaa was not just royalty because of her bloodline. The way she led her life supported her royalty status. It is recorded that even as she was growing up, she was interested in local administration. Yaa’s rise to power started with the arrest of the king, the queen-mother, and almost every other leader of the Asante Kingdom. She was forced to act as regent on behalf of the queen mother. She attended meetings and represented her people, the Edweso. This she did with bravery.

    It is recorded that she once uttered these words, “If you, men of Asante will not go forward, then we will. I shall call upon my fellow women. We will fight until the last of us falls on the battlefield.” This came after the chiefs in the Asante Kingdom had begun to lose hope in their fight for the golden stool (a symbol of unity in the Asante Kingdom). With these words, she gave the chiefs the will to fight once again.

    For her heroism and leadership, Yaa Asanetwaa paid the price. She was banished to Seychelles where she lived as a prisoner until she died in 1921. However, to this day she is remembered not only in Ghana but in the rest of the world as someone who fought to preserve the freedom of the Asante people. She also inspired subsequent nationalist movements among Ghana and the rest of the Gold Coast which led to the freedom of Ghana in 1957, the first country in sub- Saharan Africa to attain independence.

    The emancipation of Ghana instigated a series of nationalist movements in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon all of which attained independence by the year 1960.

    Aside from her political contributions, Yaa Asanetwaa has been a subject of inspiration for many African Feminist Movements. She was mother, guardian to her grandchild, farmer and took up leadership roles upon the passing of her brother and imprisonment of her grandchild- Kofi Tene.

  • Feminism is Empowering Women, not Threatening Men

    By Neema Oloo

    (oloojneema@gmail.com)

    Drawing of women from different races to emphasize variety – Listuguj

    International Women’s Day is a celebration that occurs annually on March 8, to honour the struggles of women worldwide, appreciating their political, social and cultural achievements.

    Women all over the world have fought to conquer the odds to be great and this is seen from the likes of Kamala Harris, Melinda Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chimamanda Ngozi.

    Powerful women also include our sisters, aunties, colleagues, daughters and wives who wake up everyday to take care of us.

    This year, in honor of our wonderful women, I urge us all to be feminists. Feminism is the belief and advocacy of political, economic and equality of the sexes through organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.

    Chimamanda Ngozi, a Nigerian writer, was once asked, “Why a feminist? Why not just a believer in human rights?” and she responded,  “Because that would be dishonest. Feminism is, of course, part of human rights in general, but to choose the vague expression human rights is to deny the specific and particular problem of gender.”

    Drawing of women from different races putting their hands together to symbolize unity – Envoys

    Addressing the issue of gender is often avoided and uncomfortable but is a discussion we need to have more often.

    Feminism should not threaten men because empowerment of women has nothing to do with the men being inferior or losing their ground. It is about providing fair ground for both sexes.

    Women should be judged by what they bring to the table and not on the basis of being a woman. Just like Chimamanda Ngozi advocates, “If we criticize X in a woman and fail to criticize X in men, then you do not have a problem with X, you have a problem with women.”

    Everyone’s goal should be to ensure that the word feminism is no longer needed. That there will be equality and equity for the woman regardless of whatever door she walks through.

    Let us love and care for our women. Let us fight for them as hard as they fight to nurture and care for us. Happy international Women’s Day, be a feminist!

  • What it Takes to Run for Student Council in Daystar

    by Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Photo Courtesy of Alignment.org

    Elections for the Daystar University Student Association (DUSA) are around the corner and nominations are currently ongoing.

    The student body consists of two organs; the student council and the University congress. This article elaborates on what makes a student eligible to run for the council in accordance to the final DUSA Constitution of 2019 that includes the recent amendments.

    According to the constitution, the student council is made up of the chairperson of the association, vice chair and secretary – academic affairs, general secretary, treasurer, campus secretaries and the ISADU (International Students Association of Daystar University) chairperson and minority representatives.

    Firstly, to run for any of the mentioned positions, one must be a mature “born-again Christian” who demonstrates leadership and integrity. This means that students from other religions that are not Christian, specifically “born again”, cannot run for council.

    Secondly, any interested student who has ever been to the disciplinary committee shouldn’t bother vying for a seat. This is because the rules require the student to have a “good standing in the community” and not have broken any university rules.

    It is also stated that the students should have the recommendation of the Chaplain to ensure the they meet the constitutional requirement concerning the code of conduct.

    The constitution further requires any student intending to vie to have completed at least one academic year and show reasonable proof that they will be available to serve during their term in office. Alternatively, they must be left with at least one full academic year, exclusive of their practicum.

    Moreover, the student running must have a cumulative GPA of more than 2.5, for undergraduate and diploma students, and more than 3.25 for postgraduate students. They therefore require the approval the university’s registrar to certify that they have met these minimum academic requirements.

    The document goes ahead to state that the student running will not be discriminated against based on their race, sex, nationality, age or Church denomination. International students are free to run for any council seat and are not only limited to the ISADU position.

    Furthermore, the person vying for treasurer’s seat is required to have credible supporting evidence of skills in basic accounting. Lastly, the aspiring candidate must also get approval from an outgoing DUSA executive.

    Nominations and application for the DUSA body end on Tuesday and elections are set to be held on the eleventh week of the semester.

    Previously elections were held annually on the fourteenth weeks but was changed to eleventh in the new amendments to accommodate the trimester calendar. Consequently, qualified nominees will be announced by the presiding officer on the ninth week.

  • DCCC Health Awareness Week a Success

    by Winnie Barake

    (winnemoraa6232@gmail.com)

    Students getting check-ups during Health Awareness Week at the DUSA Park in the main campus at Athi River – Saddam

    Daystar Compassion and Care Centre (DCCC) organized and ran a health awareness week at the DUSA park in the main campus in Athi River.

    The health week ran from Monday to Friday and lasted for an entire day every day. The program was out to make students aware of their health situation, and included both physical and mental health checkups.

    This year, the team partnered with Equity Afia and Nairobi Women’s Hospital to provide free checkups that included, HIV testing, optical, dental, high blood pressure and BMI tests.

    Consultants from the service providers also gave additional information, to those who wanted to know more about taking good care of their personal health.

    DCCC Vice President with Equity Afia service providers – Saddam

    HIV/AIDS testing and consultation registered the highest number of turnouts from students, out of all other check-ups available.

    The service providers commended Daystar for organizing the program and encouraging students to avail themselves for the tests. They further urged the institution to conduct health weeks at least twice a semester for the good of the students.

    DCCC is a student body that is focused on providing holistic health to the Daystar fraternity and the community as a whole.

    The group purposes to help students with psychosocial and health challenges through support groups that are held on a weekly basis.

    DCCC Coordinator and Service Providers – Saddam