Category: Features

BY TRACY KAVAI, nyaberakavai@gmmail.com

 

Nairobi, September 23, 2024 – Daystar University is launching its 2024 Career Fair and Recruitment Drive, aimed at helping students transition from academia to the corporate world.

 

The week-long event, running from September 23rd to 27th, is organized by the Placement and International Relations Office in partnership with the Graduation Committee and The Education Collaborative.

 

This year’s theme, “Seamless Transition from Campus to the Corporate World, “reflects the event’s focus on equipping students with essential skills for entering the job market. The grand finale will take place on Friday, September 27th, at the DAC Auditorium on the Nairobi Campus, with plenary sessions, panel discussions, CV reviews, and live recruitment opportunities from 9 AM to 5 PM.

 

Throughout the week, the fair will feature various in-person and virtual sessions tailored to enhance students’ job search, employability, and interviewing skills. Students will participate in one-on-one sessions with HR professionals to receive personalized CV reviews, LinkedIn profile creation assistance, and advice on using technology such as AI in virtual interviews and remote work.

 

The fair is not just limited to physical events. A virtual session, scheduled for Wednesday, September 4th, provided guidance on CV and cover letter writing, helping students develop a professional edge ahead of the main event.

 

The final day, Friday, September 27th, will include networking opportunities with recruiters, interview presentations, and workshops on workplace soft skills and other life skills essential for career growth. The event aims to connect students directly with employers, fostering talent identification and acquisition.

 

In addition to helping students, the long-term goal of the Career Fair is to raise awareness of the university’s career services and the resources available to support both students and employers in their career advancement.

 

This event is an invaluable opportunity for students to gain insights into navigating the corporate landscape and sharpen their professional skills in areas such as email etiquette, managing online presence, and exploring remote job opportunities.

 

Students, especially those graduating this year, are encouraged to attend the week-long event and take full advantage of the tools and connections it offers to support their career aspirations.

By: Leeroy Wuone

ACUMEN THE BUSINESS WORLD CAN GAIN FROM MR TATA

Ratan Tata was born in 28 December,1937 into one of India’s most Iconic business families’. Tata was not only known for his business acumen but also for his good deeds within and without the Indian society.

The late Tata was the Chairman emeritus of the Tata Group,he was raised by his grandmother Navajbai Tata after his parents separated when he was ten years old and at seventeen he moved to the United States of America graduating in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture at Cornell University.

Around sixty five percent of TATA GROUP’S profits go into charitable trusts to aid in different societyal needs. Ratan Tata did not just view money as financial success, but also as a tool to address societal change.

In a recent interview with The Indian express Tata expressed the need for creativity and innovativeness for the success of any business. He advised that we should not only be after the value of money but we should look at what the money helped us to do and the contribution we have done in society using money.

“Needs of the country change and differ and creativity needs to adapt itself to meet those needs.Can we make a difference can we be creative and innovative,’’Mr Tata questioned in his recent interview with the Indian express.

Mr Tata has always lived his life by values plastered with humbleness, attentiveness to societal needs, innovation, ethical practices and philanthropy. These main values have propelled a modest Tata through success after serving as chairman of Tata Group and Tata sons Company spanning over two decades. There is a time he held the position of interim chairman from October 2016 to February 2017.

Tata Trusts, one of the largest charitable organizations In India have funded scholarships for students and supported sustainable living projects across India. During the covid 19 pandemic a generous Mr Tata through his company donated Rs 500 crore equivalent to 7.6 billion Kenyan shillings (as per this monthds exchange rate) to fight the covid 19 pandemic. Furthermore he donated fifty million dollars to his alma mater Havard business school where he studied business management for the establishment of an executive centre portraying his belief in nurturing young leaders’ through education in readiness to make the world a better place in future.

Tata medical Centre in Kolkata aims to provide world class treatment to cancer patients,his work has been marked with genuine humility in every individual interaction.His initiatives have left a deep seated impact that will benefit future generations to come especially in India his motherland .

Aatma Ko Sadgati Prapt Ho Mr Ratan Tata.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEPUTY PRESIDENT RIGATHI GACHAGUA IMPEACHED.

BY TRACY KAVAI, nyaberakavai@gmail.com

Nairobi, October 8,2024- In a historic turn of events, Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was impeached by the National Assembly on October 8, 2024, marking the first such impeachment under the 2010 Constitution.

The motion, which garnered overwhelming support, saw 281 members of Parliament vote in favor of his removal, a number far exceeding the required 233 threshold, while 44 MPs opposed the decision.

Gachagua was charged with 11 offenses, including corruption, gross misconduct, and violation of the Constitution. The charges also extended to accusations of undermining the office of the President. These allegations were backed by a public participation exercise that had over 116,000 respondents supporting his impeachment, compared to just over 69,000 who opposed it.

Kibwezi MP Mutuse Mwengi, who spearheaded the motion, delivered a damning breakdown of all 11 charges. His emotional closing remarks appealed to fellow legislators, urging them to act in the interest of justice. While Mutuse’s motion received substantial support, Gachagua was defended by notable allies, including Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina and Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba.

Appearing before Parliament at 5:17 p.m., Gachagua defended himself against the charges. He refuted claims regarding the ownership of properties such as Olive Gardens Hotel and Vipingo Beach Resort, asserting that they belonged to his late brother, former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua. “Like any other Kenyan, the constitution gives me the presumption of innocence in relation to criminal offences until proven otherwise in a court of law,” Gachagua emphasized during his defense.

On the day preceding the vote, Gachagua addressed the nation in a televised press conference, focusing on the KSh 5.2 billion he was accused of amassing. He explained that a significant portion of the assets were inherited from his late brother, for whom he served as the executor of the will. “Today, as I defend myself, I apologize to my late brother for having to share his private will. The properties he worked so tirelessly for… are now being labelled as proceeds of corruption,” he lamented.

The National Assembly Speaker is set to notify the Senate within two days. The Senate will then have 10 days to either confirm or overturn the impeachment, determining Gachagua’s political fate.

 

 

 

By Whitney Ngati

In today’s world, everyone seems to have an opinion, whether it’s positive or negative. But what is the beauty of letting your results speak for themselves? One of the main benefits is avoiding unnecessary opinions. When your dreams are big enough, they might scare not only others but also yourself. As Ellen Johnson Sirleaf once said, “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.”

Pursuing big dreams often invites discouragement or underestimation from others, and sometimes, without realizing it, you may absorb that negativity. If you’re planning something significant, it’s often wise to stay quiet about it. Sharing your plans too early can lead to anxiety because you start worrying about what others will think if things don’t go as planned. Qu壯陽藥
estions like, “What if it doesn’t work out as I expected? What will I tell people? How will I feel if it fails?” can weigh heavily on your mind.

Silence can be your best strategy. By keeping your plans to yourself, you are the only one who truly understands your journey. If things don’t go as planned, you’ll find it easier to accept the outcome because you didn’t announce it to the world.

On the other hand, if things turn out perfectly, those who underestimated you will be silenced. As they say, the best revenge is to become what people never expected you to be. Instead of feeling discouraged by underestimation, use it as motivation. When someone underestimates you, it’s easy to feel down, but the best response is to prove them wrong with your success.

If someone believes you can’t achieve something based on their perception of you, that’s their problem. Let them hold onto their beliefs. You know yourself better, and you have no obligation to change their perception. What matters is using their doubts as a stepping stone and refusing to be defined by negative opinions.

Letting your results speak for themselves not only shields you from unnecessary negativity but also gives you the satisfaction of proving your worth through action rather than words.

By ROSELYN SAMUEL

What can be described as unimaginable has turned into the actual nightmare that 72-year-old Gisèle Pélicot recently disclosed to a French court, putting her story into the hearts of an entire nation. For nearly a decade, Gisèle’s husband, Dominique Pélicot, had secretly kept her drugged, at times inviting over 50 men into their home to commit sexual assault on her while she lay unconscious. What is even more horrific is that her husband recorded each of the assaults, he gathered more than 20,000 video clips from those criminal acts.

Imagine discovering, after years of marriage, that the most trusted person organized such atrocities-using you as an object of violence for others. Such was the reality in the case of Gisèle. It was only with his arrest in 2020 for voyeuristic photos of women in a supermarket that his secret life finally came into focus. Police found video after video on his devices of strangers raping his wife while she lay completely unaware ​(LBC ​)​(TMZ ​). Each of the rapists in these rapes ran from firefighters to journalists, not all being random attackers, many were invited back multiple times. Dominique had created an online network through which he had recruited those men to join in. Some claimed that they thought Gisèle was a willing participant, but Dominique himself said they all knew she was drugged. In his twisted mind, it was a perverse kind of addiction, but there aren’t any words to describe how horrific and betrayed Gisèle has been ​(LBC).

During an emotional testimony in court, Gisèle said, “When you see this woman, drugged, mistreated, dead on a bed-of course the body is not cold, it is warm, but I am like dead”. Words like those cut deep and get right to the point, not only for the violence she endured but for exposing the depth of her suffering. She unknowingly lived in a torturing world wrought by the one she once loved and trusted most ​(TMZ​).  Dominique’s defense tried to insinuate this was somehow a mutual fantasy, but the reality is, that Gisèle did not know about what was happening to her. Worse still, she contracted multiple sexually transmitted diseases from the assaults, adding another layer of horror to an already unfathomable ordeal ​(LBC​) ​(TMZ​).

But this isn’t a legal case purely, this is about those dark, blind spots in human behavior and how trust can break in a split second. It is a reminder that even the people closest to us can keep unimaginable secrets. Gisèle will meet her attackers in court. And it’s not just her crusade for seeing justice done but to piece together every part of her life fragment.

The trial, scheduled to last until December, will not restore what was violently taken from Gisèle, whose trauma will last a lifetime but we hope justice will be served.

 

For further reading on the disturbing case of Gisèle Pélicot and her husband Dominique’s crimes, here are key sources:

• LBC reported on how Dominique Pélicot drugged his wife and invited men to rape her over several years. They also provided details on the men involved and Dominique’s history of abuse.
• You can read more here: (LBC) ps://lbc.co.uk/news/husband-drugged-wife-strangers-rape-france/).
• TMZ covered Gisèle’s emotional testimony and her efforts to reclaim her life after discovering the years of abuse. They also discussed the charges​(TMZ)Dominique and the men involved. Full story available here: TMZ.

By Joe Aura,

Email: aurajoe6@gmail.com

If you could have everything you ever wished for in life, what would you want? The answer to this question reveals more than just desires; it shows what drives us. For young people, this is a crucial time to discover how to use their time and energy in ways that shape their future. This exploration can be both exciting and daunting. In scholarly terms, youth is often defined as a transitional phase from childhood to adulthood, characterized by significant physical, psychological, and social changes.

It is often called the golden period of life, where the world seems ripe for exploration, and endless possibilities are on the horizon. However, the journey through youth isn’t always smooth. It’s a time of identity formation, societal expectations, and a quest for independence—each fraught with significant challenges.

Identity Formation: Who Am I?

The search for identity is a defining characteristic of youth. It is a period when individuals begin asking, “Who am I?” and “Who do I want to become?” This quest for self-discovery is influenced by various factors, including family, culture, peers, and media.

According to literarytrust.org 93.4% of children and young people aged 7 to 18 had at least one role model.The most popular role models were mums (67.4%) and dads (60.2%). More than half of children (52.6%) said that they look up to a YouTuber, while fewer than 2 in 5 looked up to a sibling (38.3%) or teacher (36.5%).

In today’s connected world, young people have access to vast amounts of information and a multitude of role models, both real and virtual. This can be a blessing, providing opportunities for growth and learning beyond one’s immediate environment. However, it can also lead to confusion as they try to navigate the myriad of choices available to them.

This confusion is heightened by societal pressures. The expectations placed on youth to succeed, conform, and excel can be overwhelming. As Sadhguru, a renowned spiritual leader, explains, “You must come out of the trap of ignorance. What is the point of knowledge if it doesn’t enlighten you?” Youth often feel the weight of ignorance as they seek to answer fundamental questions about their identity and place in the world. The challenge lies in moving beyond external expectations to discover and define one’s own path. It’s about coming into alignment with oneself and moving from confusion to clarity.

Societal Expectations: The Weight of the World

The modern world places immense pressure on young people to succeed. They are often expected to achieve academic milestones and career success, leading to unrealistic standards. Social media exacerbates this pressure by emphasizing likes, followers, and the need to maintain a perfect online image.

Although social media allows for global connections and self-expression, it also intensifies feelings of inadequacy as young people constantly compare themselves to others. It happens to you, it happens to me too. Sadhguru addresses this issue, encouraging youth to live with intention rather than being consumed by societal expectations. He emphasizes that their self-worth should not be dictated by others’ perceptions.

The pressure to conform to societal norms can hinder creativity and individuality. Many young people lose touch with their true selves and what truly matters to them while striving to meet external standards, leaving them questioning their place in the world.

The Quest for Freedom

Socrates said “ To find yourself, you must think for yourself”. One of the most important parts of growing up is the journey towards independence. It’s natural for young people to want to make their own decisions, live by their own rules, and find their place in the world. However, becoming independent comes with its own set of challenges.

Financial independence is a major hurdle for many young people today. The increasing costs of education, housing, and living expenses often delay their ability to live on their own. This financial dependence can be frustrating because it conflicts with their desire for control over their own lives.

Aside from financial struggles, there’s also the emotional aspect of gaining independence. Transitioning from adolescence to adulthood requires a shift in mind-set. It means balancing the desire for freedom with the responsibility that comes with it. Sadhguru encourages young people to embrace life and its challenges, reminding them that life is meant to be experienced, not avoided. This perspective can help young people face their challenges as part of their growth and development.

The Role of Education: A Double-Edged Sword

Education plays a crucial role in shaping the lives of young people. It is often seen as the ‘ key to success’ , providing the knowledge and skills needed to navigate an increasingly competitive world. However, the educational system can also be a source of stress and frustration.

The pressure to excel academically can take a toll on young people’s mental health. Constantly striving for high grades, navigating exams, and meeting societal standards can leave little room for creativity and self-exploration. Sadhguru emphasizes that it’s not enough to go through the motions of life—youth must fully engage with the opportunities in front of them. They must balance achievement with personal well-being, ensuring that their pursuit of education also supports their growth as individuals.

The cost of higher education presents another challenge. Many young people find themselves burdened with student loans before they even enter the workforce. This financial strain can limit their ability to pursue their passions and achieve their goals.

Mental Health: The Silent Struggle

In Kenya, mental health issues among youth are also a significant concern. According to a recent survey, over 44.3% of adolescents reported experiencing a mental health problem in the past 12 months, with 12.2% meeting the criteria for a mental disorder. Additionally, 45.9% of Kenyan adolescents showed clinically elevated depression symptoms, and 37.99% exhibited clinically elevated anxiety symptoms.

Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are increasingly common among today’s youth. The pressures of modern life – academic, social, and financial – can have a significant impact on a young person’s mental well-being. Despite this, mental health is often overlooked or stigmatized.

The stigma surrounding mental health can make it difficult for young people to seek help. Sadhguru points out that the greatest obstacle in life is often one’s own mind. He asks, “How profound, extreme, and beautiful is my experience of life?” This question encourages young people to reflect on their inner experiences and find a balance between external achievements and internal well-being.

Breaking down the barriers that prevent young people from addressing their mental health is crucial. Society must create environments where young people feel safe to express their struggles and receive the support they need.

Embracing the Journey

Youth is a transformative period in life. It is a time of discovery, growth, and self-realization. Despite the challenges of identity formation, societal expectations, and the quest for independence, it offers opportunities for building resilience and strength. Sadhguru’s teachings provide a guiding framework for navigating these complexities. He encourages young people to see life as a profound and fleeting experience. Youth is about finding your path in life, embracing the journey with all its ups and downs, and rising to the challenges. But it’s also largely about the people around us (Parent, Guardians, Friends). Franklin D. Roosevelt said it best, “We cannot always build the future for the youth, but we can build our youth for the future”. The future belongs to the youth, and with the right support and encouragement, they have the power to shape it in ways we can only imagine.

 

By Prof. Levi Obonyo

 

 No less than fifteen universities from across Africa convened in Malawi to showcase the potential of media-enhanced courses on migration and their practical applications in addressing the vast demand for higher education on the continent. This initiative is of unprecedented scope.

 

The Dean of the School of Communication, Prof Levi Obonyo, was among the scholars at the three-day Blantyre meeting exploring joint efforts that could be expended towards a collaborative journalism curriculum delivery through e-learning platforms.

 

The Erich-Brost Institute for International Journalism (EBI) at Dortmund University in Germany organised the e-learning conference in Malawi that focused on media coverage of migration in Africa. Dortmund University is leading a three-year EU-funded project called ‘CoMMPASS,’ aimed at developing an e-learning platform for future and practising journalists in African universities.

 

Dortmund University has closely worked with the School of Communication at Daystar University. Dr Jeremiah Nganda, a faculty member in the School, will be travelling to Dortmund later this month on a fully sponsored month-long training on journalism education.

 

Thanks to additional funding from the German Federal Foreign Office, the Malawi conference organisers—Prof. Dr. Susanne Fengler, Professor of International Journalism at Dortmund University and Director of the Erich-Brost Institute, and Dr. Michel Leroy, Project Manager of the Erasmus+ CoMMPASS project—brought together colleagues from all over the continent at MUBAS, the host university in Malawi’s largest city, Blantyre. Delegates came from countries as diverse as Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

 

Over 70 journalism researchers and students from English- and French-speaking African countries participated in the three-day conference alongside representatives from Portuguese- and Kiswahili-speaking nations. The CoMMPASS online course, currently in a test phase in English in Uganda, Burkina Faso, and Malawi, will be more widely available next year in these four languages.

 

Talking to Involvement newspaper, Prof Obonyo said the School of Communication will be keen to participate in a joint curriculum delivery that will expose Daystar communication students to a learning experience involving faculty and students from elsewhere in the continent and beyond.

 

The statistics are telling: Today, 1.4 billion people live on the African continent. According to United Nations projections, this number will nearly double by 2050. This population growth presents enormous challenges to African education systems. By 2030, the number of children and young people under 18 is expected to increase by 170 million.

 

For African nations, this surge means millions of new school and university places will be required quickly. Education is key to the continent’s recovery, which continues to lag behind other regions economically and has been particularly hard hit by global inflation. One figure highlights the scale of the problem: Approximately 100,000 students in Côte d’Ivoire pass their A-levels (baccalauréat) each year—a number nearly equal to the capacity of all the country’s universities combined, both public and private.

 

However, according to studies by the Berlin Institute for Population and Development, resources for school and university education in Africa are stagnating at best and declining in some countries.

 

As the German scholar Prof. Dr. Fengler noted in her keynote address, “Investing in the education of young journalists is paramount for African countries. Particularly given the rapid population growth, Africa’s often politically fragile states are being tested. Jobs and healthcare are becoming even scarcer. Meanwhile, press freedom is restricted in many African countries. Now, more than ever, African nations need a critical public debate on addressing these challenges. This will only be possible if there are enough professionally trained journalists and independent newsrooms. This is where we aim to contribute.”

 

Another keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Sisanda Bukeka Nkoala, from the University of the Western Cape, gave a remarkable speech entitled ‘Embracing Innovation in Higher Education Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Enablers’. Prof. Dr. Nkoala also serves as General Secretary of the African Journalism Education Network (AJEN). This network takes a leading interest in the issue of appropriating these new teaching tools.

 

Thanks to support from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), Dr Girmachew Adugna also shed light on migration trends and the processes/initiatives aimed at regularising and securing migration on the continent. Dr Adugna belongs to the Center for Forced Displacement and Migration Studies at the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

 

In addition to Prof. Fengler and Dr. Leroy, the Erich-Brost Institute was represented by Dr. Merle van Berkum, who is leading a comparative study on migration reporting in countries of origin and destination, and Johanna Mack, editorial director of the European Journalism Observatory based at Dortmund University. The Dortmund team provided conference participants with an in-depth introduction to the structures of the CoMMPASS e-learning portal, which is currently in its test phase and scheduled to go live in 2025.

 

The conference also featured intensive discussions about the varying conditions for e-learning across African countries. While nations like Kenya and Nigeria are digital pioneers, already incorporating digital teaching formats, educators and students in other African countries face challenges such as high internet costs, frequent power outages, and a lack of adequate space for focused online study in cramped living conditions. The African journalism educators exchanged experiences and explored potential solutions to these issues.

 

Project website: https://commpass.org, www.facebook.com/CoMMPASS.org

Report by Leeroy Wuone

 

On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at the amphitheatre, Reverend Josphat Kimacia from the chaplaincy department began his sermon based on the book of Isaiah 40 in front of an enthusiastic audience of Daystar students and staff.

 

“We can get weary at our places of work, you can get weary with your spouse, your parents, your siblings and they can also get very tired of you but the Lord who is everlasting will never grow tired or weary of you”, remarked Reverend Kimacia.

“Even when you struggle with sin(s), then one day you decide to repent, and the next day you find yourself sinning and repenting again, God will never grow tired of you. He strengthens the weary and empowers the weak”, added Reverend Kimacia.

Furthermore, Mr Kimacia continued with a light-hearted grin, “we serve a God who can grow our strength and power, an eternal God whose understanding is beyond explanation. This is a reassuring and comforting reminder, especially during exam periods and even in these trying times when our energy levels begin to drop. From January to December, God’s reign remains unchallenged. He is the same yesterday today and forever.  He requires no broad-based government since He is the government Himself.

Moreover, he reiterated that the word of the Lord declares that the increase of His kingdom and righteous judgment will never cease. Therefore, we should anchor our souls and hearts in this truth and constantly reminding ourselves that “It is well with my soul,” even when life’s challenges press us to the point of questioning, “Is it truly well?”. “Today, we want to affirm that because we have anchored our trust in the everlasting God, it is indeed well with our souls,” Reverend Kimacia encouraged.

Mr Kimacia also gave a comforting reminder to staff and students who were feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities and studies that they are grafted into God, and He is in them, granting them His divine attributes. With confidence in God, even when we feel physically and mentally exhausted, we can find strength in anchoring our faith in the Lord, who never grows tired or weary.

It’s also important to remember Isaiah 40:30, which says, “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.” This verse is relevant to situations like the recent “Nane Nane” protests, where the youth have grown weary of repeating the same actions without seeing change.

Last but not least, Mr Kimacia firmly emphasized that those who place their hope and trust in the Lord, have an inner assurance, a firm belief that sustains them.

Mr. Kimacia concluded his speech by wishing the students success in the exams and future endeavours, “It is my prayer that as we enter this period, we will soar on wings like eagles, we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not faint”.

 

According to Charles Spurgeon “Nothing reflects so much honour on a workman as a trial of his work and its endurance of it. So, it is with God. It honours Him when His saints preserve their integrity.

 

Report by Leeroy Wuone

Email: leeroywuone02@gmail.com

 

On Monday 5^th, August 2024 in a warm afternoon characterized by cheers and laughter at the lecture theatre in Athi-River campus, outgoing Shine FM and Involvement staff team were awarded for their tireless work in keeping us updated on the news and features happening around the campus and the world at large. They truly worked tireless and selflessly, we all applaud their sacrificial service.  Well done team.

As the old team was being awarded and commended for their one-year achievements, the new team for the year 2024 was being handed over. The new team comprise of Samuel Owino who is the news Editor-in-Chief, Nafisa Najma the Nairobi Bureau Chief and Copy Editor, Joshua Ongoro is the new Managing Editor as well as the  Review Editor, Anthony Okumu is the Associate Managing Editor, Dido Halake the PR/Marketing Editor, Faith Kiuta Graphics editor, Tracy Kavai the News Editor, Helga Mbodze the Jamvi editor/Online Editor, Richard Omwango the Sports Editor, Esther Wangechi the Features Editor, Janet Wambua the Opinions Editor  and last but not least is  Benjamin Huegel who takes over as the Photography Editor.

As the new team take over, we are confident that they will be able to deliver more than their previous counterparts. We wish the team the very best of God’s grace and strength.

Mrs. Damaris Kimilu who is the Corporate Affairs and marketing Manager at Daystar University, during the handover ceremony was quoted saying as she commended the outgoing team that, “any Managing Editor in any leading media house and not limited to Kenya media houses would consider you for employment because you have evidence that you were involved in some work while in school”.  She continued to add that, “one of the things we do in Corporate Affairs outside of your media platforms is we decided to give captions to our reporters starting with Mr. Hannington Karanja who is the immediate former Nairobi bureau chief as an example”. This decision was welcomed with cheers and loud of applause by the people present.

“When you are writing do not just write for Involvement only, write as well for Corporate Affairs because we will get your captions and also for Daystar connect magazine which is a serious magazine in the University. Writing will take you places because you have documented evidence that you are a reporter and a published reporter for that fact. These are advantages one should take as you step into office and if you do not others in the classroom or students who are not in the media hub are likely to take advantage of these opportunities that Involvement offer”. Opportunity favor’s the prepared, as a writer, it’s a clear indication that we should always be ready and act swiftly to grab the opportunities availed to us.

Writers were further encouraged to work on their timelines and send their edition to Mrs. Jean Murugi’s office desk on time to prevent Corporate Affairs from doing a substandard job. “We give budget oversight on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor to Involvement and Involvement was the first student media product in the university before Shine FM. The reason why the budget line has always run with the Vice-chancellor is basically because of the historical tradition of where media houses really began”, Mrs. Damaris said.

According to Mrs. Damaris, history and understanding the root of something is paramount to understanding its operations,’ by this she went ahead to ask the team as she giggled, whether they knew the history of the media and where it all started in Daystar”.

After a moment of silence as we all waited to hear the genesis of Media in Daystar, Mrs. Damaris Kimilu finally broke the silence and embarked to enlighten us on the history of Involvement and generally media in the University. She mentioned, to our amusement that the current Dean of the School of Communication, Professor Levi Obonyo was an Ex-Editor in Chief while a student at Daystar University many years ago.  This was quite encouraging to the team.

She added that, the first Involvement Editor in Chief was a Nigerian that is when it was first called the Drum Beat which was also an initiative of the office of the Vice-Chancellor, the then Principal and students led, meaning the students were writing, editing and publishing together with a small set up that was called Public Relations Office.

Mrs. Kimilu continued, “since he who pays the piper calls the tune, we will look in the eye to see if you are following the policies in terms of the content and the things you are reporting. This is not to muzzle you, but to make sure that certain corporate risks that must be taken into account are adhered to, but we are here to support you. Make sure you go to press on time and kindly let it land on Mrs. Jean Murugi’s desk on time so she can have enough lead time to clear it before forwarding it to me.  This will also give me sufficient lead time to also give my feedback on when to proceed to press and print”.

“An extra advantage is working with external service providers like those who print our newspapers. However, it is not easy to find support from leading media houses who have their own printing presses and can print on newsprint a newspaper tabloid that you can be proud of, that is a product that looks similar or close to where you will be working”, she said.   A newsprint is a cheap, low-quality absorbent printing paper made from coarse wood pulp and used chiefly for newspapers.

Mrs. Kimilu further advised that Mrs. Jean Murugi will introduce the writers to the printers as well as visit the press and meet with them, she added that transport to go pick our newspapers will be organized.

She added” we should also take note that the print edition has a sibling, the online edition and Mr. Abdul Shaban, who is ex Involvement editor in chief was at the forefront to register its own online domain “. Mr. Shaban was applauded for this pioneering move.

Mrs. Damaris made a plea for Involvement newspaper domain to still be in the school’s main domain despite their independence. “Reason being we have jumped five positions in the webometrics ranking from position sixteen which has been very difficult moving up and currently we are on our way to position ten”, Mrs. Damaris stated.

In conclusion the Corporate Affairs through Mrs. Damaris Kimilu promised to support where they could, be it in the planning of events, outings, whatever it is they willingly promised to support us to achieve the learning and exposure we are looking for.

we are appreciating the support of corporate affairs department through Mrs. Damaris and look forward to working seamless as a team.

 

1. By Leeroy Wuone. Email: leeroywuone02@gmail.com

Some of the outstanding things you need to know about the institution is that it was initially started by US missionaries Professor Don Smith, the late Mrs Faye Smith and the late South African politician, lawyer, author Dr S.E Motsoko Pheko.

In 1977, the late Dr D. Ray Hostetter, Ph.D. the sixth President of Messiah college met with Professor Don Smith the co-founder of Daystar communications, Dr. Ray Hostetter was inspired by Professor Smith’s mission for Daystar leading to a transformative partnership that played a crucial role in the evolution of international institutions or Christian communication IICC in Daystar university.

Dr. Ray Hostetter served as President of Messiah college from 1964 to 1994. Daystar University got their Charter sometimes in September 1994. His leadership was instrumental in the establishment and success of the partnership with Daystar university college, guided with the collaboration during his formative years.

The late Professor Stephen Talitwala as the founding principal of Daystar university college, later became the first Vice Chancellor when the university transitioned into Daystar university. His vision of leadership was key in establishing the academic credibility of Daystar during his partnership with Messiah college.

Some of the things we need to note and keep in mind, in April 1984 the partnership officially commenced leading to the launch   of a four years degree programme at Daystar University college in collaboration with Messiah college. September 29, 1994 Daystar university college was granted a charter by the government of Kenya officially becoming Daystar university, this milestone marked the conclusion of the partnership as Daystar began awarding its own degrees” he said.

“Thank you for welcoming us to your campus, to your home, ’’said his son Curt Hostetter, who was accompanied by the wife Hoffy Steingrimsdottir. “My wife and I now reside in Reykjavic Iceland, for those who don’t know look it up later where it is” he giggled and continues “it’s a very cold place so if this is your winter that is like the hottest day for us in the summer. This is our first time at Daystar, this is our first time in Kenya, this is our first time in Africa,’’ he said.

“My father was a Christian educator, he spent thirty years of his life as the president of a university in Grantham Pennsylvania, the United States and was dedicated to Christian education. Education was so important to him and we have many students at our campus who come from Africa and my late father thought there would be a better way to do Christian education and he set out to share his Professors with Africa so that’s how the relationship started.

“He was very proud of his relationship with Daystar. I think one of the proudest moments was when Daystar developed a relationship with Messiah college,” said Curt.

“He spoke so often, so fondly of this place. He was here as we have seen many pictures, he was here at the groundbreaking when you  started this campus in Athi-River, he was very proud of  that but I have to say the most proud moment of his life and his relationship with Daystar was in 1994 when  Daystar became independent, when you had your  own Charter to become your  own university.

“The most important thing”, he said to me, “Is these young faces the students  are the most important thing in education so thank you for welcoming us to your home, thank you for welcoming us to your home campus,’’ said the late President’s son Curt Hostetter.

The late Messiah college president, Dr. D Ray Hostetter’s life was composed of Faith, vision and promise. He fulfilled them with humility, integrity and strength and will truly be remembered as a key player in the foundations of our great university, Daystar University.