Category: Features

By Shirlene Omondi

[shirleneomondi@gmail.com]

The highly anticipated fun day had finally arrived, and the enthusiasm among Daystar students was palpable. This annual event provides a platform for students to come together, socialize, and have a great time. Much like the previous year, it was hosted at Paradise Gardens along Kiambu Road, with Newton Kamuyu, the Secretary General, taking the lead in organizing.

The event was graced by popular artists, such as Ethan Muziki, whose performance won over the hearts of many, and the beloved Kenyan Gengetone music group, Buruklyn Boys, who concluded the festivities with an unforgettable performance. There was also alot of fun activities such as horse riding and bouncing Castle, among others.

However, the day was not without its issues, particularly for students transiting from the  Athi River Campus. They were unexpectedly required to pay for transportation, contrary to prior promises, which understandably caused disappointment and frustration. Students had been informed earlier that transportation to and from the venue would be provided free of charge.

Another concern was the absence of food provided by the organizers during the event, which was contrary to students’ expectations. Traditionally, students have been provided with food, in addition to the option of purchasing from vendors offering various food items and snacks. Despite vendors being present, the high food prices left some students hungry or with unsatisfactory snacks, diminishing their ability to fully enjoy the day of dancing and singing.

This unfortunate situation stemmed from the assumption that students were not required to pay for this event, unlike previous years when a Ksh 200 entry fee was standard. These issues led to a series of questions among students, raising concerns particularly among those from Athi River Campus, who appeared to be the most affected. As it is known, majority of students from Athi Campus are government sponsored students who might be struggling financially especially with the hiking economy.

While many are inclined to hold the Secretary General accountable, the President also faced scrutiny. Some students claimed to have raised the issue with him, but his response was perceived as vague and unsatisfactory. The idea of students being charged for transport and also expected to pay for their own meals was distressing as they had to dig deeper into their pockets. The day concluded with a chaotic scene of students complaining about  the unexpected transportation charges and disputes over buses.

In light of these incidents,it is crucial for the organisers to address these concerns,ensure transparent communication,and uphold the welfare and satisfaction of all students attending such events.Despite its small hiccups,the event was successful and positive feedback was given by some students.

By Dephine Mutinda

Daystar University’s 2023 Culture Week, themed ‘Unity in Diversity, celebrated the harmonious blend of Kenyan-Community cultures from October 24th to 26th, creating a vast, yet vibrant tapestry of unity and love.

The event’s opening ceremony took place at the PAC, graced by the presence of the Vice Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro, The Dean of Students REV Mutinda Musyimi, among other faculty members and students, as the cake cutting took place. This annual event, organised by the Daystar University Students Association committee aimed to promote unity and mutual understanding among the Daystar community by showcasing the rich of cultures that make up the institution that is honoured to host over fifty five nationalities.

The three day celebration kicked off with the “Ankara wear” on October 24th, where the University was an explosion of colour as students, staff, and faculty embraced their African roots with the different prints. This prints symbolised the cultural richness of the African continent. The pride that we all hold for our heritage was evident on every individuals face and courageous adorned self’s. The day featured a live cooking of different traditional meals, eating, dancing, photography and dancing sessions.

This beautiful day was followed by the career wear themed day, where students were encouraged to present their various careers by dressing in professional attires. This was a moment for students to visualize their future selves, while encouraging them to work hard to actually get there. Remaining tribes got to do their live cooking, as trivia questions were being thrown around with and colors being splash into the air.

Alongside the career day was the back to school theme where a step was taken back to memories of schooldays. A celebration of perseverance, memories, friendships and growth. The differently dressed students and staff in their old high school wears brought about a dejavu feeling.

Last but not the least was the vintage wear that was on the 26^th, kick started by the Old school music filling the air. The timelessness of fashion was highly highlighted on this day, reminding us of the importance of preserving history.

The climax of Daystar University’s Culture Week 2023 was the highly anticipated Gala Night, held on the evening of October 26^th at the Amphy theatre. The event celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Kenya, showcasing traditional dances, music, and fashion. Dancers from various Kenyan tribes wowed the audience with their captivating performances, underlining the country’s diverse and vibrant traditions.

{Emmanuel Locato, left and Hillary Semeyan, right}

The Gala Night also featured a stunning fashion show on traditional African attire. Models walked down the runway, showcasing the endless possibilities of African fashion through their creative wears. The highlight of the Gala Night was the crowning of Mr. and Miss Culture 2023. The winners, Hillary Semeyan and Emmanuel Lokato stood out for their embodiment of the university’s values of cultural appreciation, unity, and Creativity. They stand to serve as the cultural ambassadors for Daystar University throughout the academic year.

Daystar University’s Culture Week 2023 was a huge success compared to previous years. “These years culture week had more meaning to us, especially because the organizers ensured most people participated. It was not only about the Kenyan cultures that we have, but also the Daystar Community Culture, showcasing things that we love and enjoy doing as a community. Our cultures are diverse and uniquely beautiful. There is so much about each culture that we can barely exhaust. Each day is a learning experience and this has been an amazing one” Emmanuel Amani a student said.

As the event came to a close, every activity presented a lasting impression of the cultural riches that Daystar University and Kenya as a whole has to offer.

By: Shirlene Omondi

[shirleneomondi@gmail.com]

In a bizarre incident that has left the nation baffled, a video featuring high school girls from St. Theresa Eregi Girls in Kakamega has gone viral on social media. The footage shows a group of girls in their distinctive blue uniforms, their limbs trembling, and emitting strange noises, reminiscent of zombies.

While this occurrence has garnered significant attention, there has been no clear communication regarding what is genuinely happening to these girls. Theories abound, with some suggesting mass hysteria, while others lean towards a more spiritual explanation.

It’s important to note that the school is located in Africa, specifically in the western region of Kenya, which has seen its fair share of unusual happenings, according to numerous netizens. Additionally, health experts have remained baffled, unable to determine the root cause of the girls’ bizarre behavior despite conducting various tests on blood samples.

So, what precisely is mass hysteria or mass psychogenic illness? According to experts, it refers to an outbreak of unusual and atypical behaviors, thoughts, feelings, or health symptoms experienced by a group of people. Those afflicted by mass hysteria often share a common belief that something specific has triggered their symptoms and may possess an exaggerated fear of a threat, whether real or imaginary. Historically, “hysteria” was a term applied to a wide range of mental and physical health symptoms experienced predominantly by women, occasionally leading to the involuntary hospitalization of individuals without actual health issues.

Several factors can trigger or exacerbate hysteria, including a strict school environment, communal grief, tense interpersonal relationships, or life in a secluded community, especially one governed by a strict religious faith that punishes deviations. Considering that the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams are looming on the horizon, and the pressure on Kenyan high school students during this period is well-known, it’s plausible to wonder whether the stress of impending exams could be a contributing factor or if there’s a spiritual dimension to this enigma.

Reflecting on a similar incident, students from a Malaysian school once claimed to see ‘dark figures’ within their school premises. Even some teachers eventually asserted that they could sense a mysterious presence. This phenomenon persisted until approximately 100 students became convinced that they were witnessing apparitions. The situation escalated to the point where spiritual healers and even witches were summoned to “purify” the school, after which things returned to normal. To this day, the true nature of what transpired remains a baffling mystery. Could this parallel the situation at St. Theresa’s Girls?

As for the St. Theresa’s Girls, no conclusive answers have emerged. Despite tests conducted by health experts from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the cause remains unknown. The entire nation, especially concerned parents and intrigued netizens, waits anxiously for an explanation.

Is it just stress-induced hysteria, a spiritual occurrence, or something far beyond our understanding? The mystery deepens, leaving us all in suspense, wondering about the inexplicable events haunting these schoolgirls.

By Samuel White

Don’t you just hate it when someone chews so loudly, or someone is talking and food particles are flying off their mouth and you just don’t know how to politely ask? Well, this is the article for them. You might want to share this with them and ask, “Don’t you think this is cool?” This is not just for them but also for us looking to be sophisticated, and you never know when good etiquette can make a good name for you.

To start us off, there are two types of formal dining that one should know about; American style and Continental (European) style of dining. The two are kind of the same, and the difference comes where, in American style, once you cut your food with your knife, you are to place it down and switch the fork to your right hand and repeat the process till you are done with your meal. In continental style, the fork and the knife stay on the same hands(fork on your left and knife on your right hands respectively) till you are done with your meal.

Let us now get into the process of when you arrive at an event or dinner party or generally at home with family, till the table is set.

When invited to an event or dinner party or something of the sort, note that, you should arrive on time, not too early-in that, if they are behind on schedule, they would not be embarrassed and you would not join the preparation party- and call in advance when you know you are going to be late.

When at a brunch, for example, and there is food and drinks, avoid crowding your hand. Get food and eat and once done, get a glass or a cup of a drink. Always keep one hand free. When drinking, if you must have an alcoholic drink, drink in moderation. This shows respect to the hosts and you can drive or leave for home safely.

Another important thing to note is that you should always place your bags, purses, sunglasses and any other accessories on an empty chair or on the floor next to you, never on the table. Your elbows should also be below the table.

When sat at a table, you want to put your napkin on your lap and it remains on your laps throughout the meal. If you need to be excused, you should place the napkin on the chair you are sat on, never on the table top. Only when a host places the napkin on the table are you allowed to place yours on the table. When the host does this, it signifies the end of the meal.

Unless you are by yourself, one is advised to order food that is easy to eat and not messy. For example, one can order steak, rather than non-steak. This makes it easier to converse at the table and one does not struggle with the food.

It is typically polite to always wait for everyone to be served so that one can start eating. The only exception for this is when whoever has not been served asks for you to do so.

At a table, when presented with a number of utensils, make sure to start from outside and work your way in. For example, if you have two forks provided, start with the one on the outside as you progress inward. Make sure to also not talk with your utensils for example, pointing at someone with a knife. If it is a self-service at a table, make sure to pass food to your right. If you are the first one serving, offer some to the person on your left, then serve yourself and pass it to the right. When asked to pass something from the table, never pause to use it before passing it on. It is rude and un-classy.

During a meal, it is advisable to eat slowly and take a few and small bites at a time. Chew then with your mouth closed and do not talk with food in your mouth. Avoid slurping or blowing soup or hot drinks, instead, with a spoon, stroke gently till it cools or wait for it to cool.

It might sound cliché but it is advisable not to clean your plate, it is polite to leave some food on the plate. When you are done eating place your cutlery in a 10,4 o’clock position. This signifies that you are done and the waiter or the waitress will come to pick your plate. In the case of unformal dining, just leave the plate on the table and your host will take care of it.

Congratulations, now you know of the dining etiquette. Now go out there and conquer the world. Remember, nobody was born perfect so you can practice and soon enough it will come to you naturally.

[Photo courtesy of IGP]

By Dennis Mungai

An embattled governor’s Senate hearing revealed just how “backward” people are in some parts of the country. To devalue and dehumanize someone to the point of seeing them as sexual objects just shows how low the bar has fallen, if it was existent in the first place. For eons this has been the sad narrative women have had to go through in the hands of society, mostly men and apparently, the more things change the more they remain the same.

It has become a constant fight, with the men on one hand trying to put down women who genuinely want to be better versions of themselves, and on the other hand, women doing whatever it takes just to prove a point. How many times have we read stories of how ladies worked their way to the top, and when they eventually succeed, show up on interviews talking of how they overcame so many obstacles just to get there?

If you analyse keenly, a majority of these challenges are set by men. Women would not have to be termed as “warriors” or “survivors” if there wasn’t a fight in the first place. In the workplace, school, and the society in general,  some men feel intimidated when women are successful. Hence they try and stifle their progress in life by any means necessary. When this fails, they try to attack them from the top. This is when one hears statements such as “she slept her way to the top job in the company” or “she was given that post just because she’s pretty.”

We need to nip this in the bud. They say one cannot start climbing a tree from the top, neither does uprooting it. We need to address the underlying issues behind such statements, thoughts and stereotypes.  It is inhuman for someone in this day and age to still think that all women should do in society is be “child- bearers”.

It’s all a mentality. Men need to unlearn some of these ideas that were fed to us when we were growing up. Even today in some communities, there are certain parts of an animal that a lady should not eat, or certain places women should not be found. These are some of the ideas that are still being circulated around.

Exposure is very important in curbing this menace. Basic education is a foreign concept to some of the people purporting such ideas. Youths today call it “kienyeji mentality”. Travel the world, read books, associate with people who have more helpful knowledge than you. Ask questions if need be. It is sad, though, that even the most learned of individuals still have such misogynistic behavior. Women have to work twice as hard just to reach a man’s level. This should not be the case. They should be treated just as equally as men. The fact that a lady can go to school, learn, get a job and make her own money without having sexual relations with the CEO or compromising her values is basis enough for them to be spared of the harsh criticism they face day in day out.

Successful nations have been led  by women. Key government parastatals have been led by women before. Of course there is the argument that women are trying to overthrow men as the head of the society. People who have such ideas should realize that these two are independent of each other. Why would a lady vying for a political seat make the male competitor feel threatened? She is just looking for an opportunity to lead as you are. Once we start seeing them as fellow humans and not people of the opposite gender, the backwardness witnessed recently would be a thing of the past.

By Tabitha Museo

The opening of a water plant marked a major advancement for Daystar University’s commitment to sustainability and the wellbeing of its students. Professor Laban Ayiro, the Vice Chancellor, led the initiative and was present to commemorate its launch.

With its state-of-the-art equipment, the water treatment facility guarantees that the water provided to the campus community is of the purest quality and satisfies all safety regulations. The plant’s architecture ensures a steady and dependable supply of water by processing and purifying water from the school’s borehole.

The initiative’s most noteworthy effects have been seen in the students’ financial situation. Now that they have access to drinkable, clean water on campus, students don’t have to set aside money for bottled water. For many, this has resulted in real savings, enabling them to reallocate money toward other requirements, like personal and educational ones. “I do not have to walk all the way to the shops outside school to get fresh water, ‘’ Julian a fourth-year student said.

The student body has expressed strong support for the water plant’s financial relief and convenience. Julian Tallam, a fourth-year law student, expressed her gratitude saying, “This water plant is a game-changer for us.” Every week, we used to spend a large sum of money on bottled water. We may now use that money for other necessities like education.”

Furthermore, the greater availability of clean water has resulted in a considerable increase in students’ hydration levels. With the scorching sun a regular aspect of the region, being appropriately hydrated is critical for the students’ well-being and performance. The water plant has reduced the need for students to carry heavy bottles across campus, assuring a steady supply of fresh water to keep them refreshed and attentive throughout the day.

As the sun continues to shine on the Daystar University campus, students may take comfort in the realization that access to safe, inexpensive water is no longer an issue. Daystar University establishes a commendable precedent in establishing a sustainable and healthy educational ecosystem with this landmark achievement.

By Samuel Owino

The current war between Israel and Palestine has history that dates back to 1967.  Israel, during that war in 1967, captured the West Bank, Gaza and east of Jerusalem. The Palestinians want all of the three territories for their future state. There have been no peace talks in over a decade and this brings us to today in which they have gotten the world’s attention. Wars always have severe consequences and one of the consequences is that disruption of education is often ignored.

War-tone areas affects children’s education in so many ways. For example, the school infrastructure is destroyed during the times of war. When the war is done, the students don’t have a school to go back to. This puts the children in distress while the nation faces financial problems as they have to build back the country. Most political organizations or governments do not care for the welfare of their children and their education. This therefore results in major number of school drop outs as they don’t even have a physical place to learn.

Sometimes the school infrastructure remains standing or the children can use what they have left. The other problem could be the access to school materials. In most cases, civilians and business people shun away from visiting a place that has recently experienced war. These areas therefore are starved from the resources that they depend on for a comeback or resources from developed and major cities or countries. Even when they are willing to provide goods and services, they have to invest in security that most of the time is vulnerable to exploitation. Roads too are also affected as war usually leaves a place impossible to navigate. The people that would pass by means of foot or any motor find it a major challenge.

Girls are also affected during the war and after the war. The girls and women are the most vulnerable during times of war. Girls are likely to get married off at an early age, sometimes to cater for the financial needs of the family. The mature women are also at a risk as they are vulnerable to rape or trafficking along with the younger girls. These activities disrupt the education of the women and the girl child. The boy child is not safe too. The boys are mostly forced to join rebel groups and revolutionary movements. They are likely not to go back to school after joining these armies.

We are all humans who have emotions and are always affected and shaped by the events we go through. War can be traumatic to residents of a war tone area. When a war ends, the residents are usually scarred or traumatized that normal, day to day activities requires more effort and support. In war, there are no counselors or the counselors available could be traumatized too. This makes it very hard even for those that go back to school unable to concentrate in class. Students and teachers tend to be more cautious to incoming danger than what they are being taught or teaching.

This is therefore a call to peace between Israel and Palestine and any other warring countries. The solution is provision for better educational facilities that can raise our boys and girls to be policy makers, lawyers, diplomats and negotiators that avoid war or handle war in the future in more responsible way.

{Photo courtesy of ThoughtCo}

By Samwel Owino

In recent years, talks about female education has been on the rise. Non-Governmental Organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank, have come together to ensure that more and more women are educated. Women’s education has led to the rise of various movements like feminism that have opened doors for their inclusivity in most sectors like the sciences and sports and many others that are generally dominated by men.

Even though women’s education and empowerment has been and considered in most countries around the world, some countries still have “oppressive” systems that are looked down upon. Is women empowerment really the best idea and should everyone start thinking about it? In this article we take a look at some of the advantages of women empowerment and education.

Increased literacy is the most obvious one. Countries with higher literacy rates show positive results in terms of development and economic growth. In most African countries women are not prioritized in education, if they are educated, they join the literate people and are considered literate. If women are considered in this bracket of literary persons, a country or region will most likely develop faster because of a large number of literate persons. Literacy also helps people navigate unfortunate situations. For example, most bread winners in Africa are men, who mostly die early and leave their wealth with their wives and children. In this situation if the wife and the children are educated, they can manage the wealth and even improve from it.

Statistics by World Bank suggest that a girl who completes primary school is very likely to avoid a HIV contraction. The World Bank therefore refers to education as a “window of hope.” Education equips women with the knowledge and understanding on topics such as safe sex, sanitation procedures and their general well-being. These topics are desensitized in most African homes and with this ignorance, the consequences are harsh, quite literally especially to young girls. Education also helps to prevent early marriages of girls. This is a common thing in Africa, in which case, the family does this to support the male’s education instead or even to feed the family.

Families that have an educated mother tend to survive longer.  In the case of uneducated women, they would not know how to take care of an infant in ways such as immunization for the infant. For educated women, they have an income that they can use to support the family. Due to this, the family survives longer as such things like vaccination that one should be keen on during the early years of a child is taken care of. Even with the rise of many single mothers in Africa, the educated women can take care of the family with ease or they are at a better position than an uneducated woman.

Political representation for women is also another important factor to consider on why female education is important. Women’s rights are better known to them than to men. A political representative would help empower them more and even their needs can be met better improve a country in the global cause for gender equality. Political representation has been an effective tool in the recent years, in Kenya ,for example, we have seen women rise in politics like Hon. Gladys Wanga, beat Evans Kidero, in the Homa Bay county, gubernatorial seat. The women at the top political seats give women the motivation and direction to pursue their dreams.

Sex trafficking would reduce in a significant rate if women get an education. Sex trafficking exploits poverty and greed for wealth in that sex traffickers would approach families with women or young girls and promise them a better future and life abroad only to end up in the sex trafficking business. Some families have greed for wealth and therefore sell their girls to slavery. Education helps to control the out-of-control business in that the women can provide for themselves a better future and can also lift up other women who are in the same situation as them.

Education for women is important and should be taken into serious consideration. The percentage of women in the world is more than that of men. If less of them are educated, then it means there is a small percentage of  people in the world who are educated. This is a disservice in terms of solving some of the world’s biggest problems.

The former president of the United States, Barrack Obama said while addressing the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, “The future must not belong to those who bully women. It must be shaped by girls who go to school and those who stand for a world where our daughters can live their dreams just like our sons.” We therefore ought to live by these words and strive to create a world where women feel respected and appreciated.

BOOK REVIEW: MAKING CENTS: REAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PERSONAL FINANCE

BY: WACEKE NDUATI OMANGA

By: Nicole Waweru.

Email: wanjirunicole28@gmail.com

The author of this book, Waceke Nduati, is a name that is familiar to many if not all. She is the founder and entrepreneurship coach of Centonomy Limited of which she is also the lead trainer. The book talks to us about managing our finances, how to create a budget, the importance of investing, and how to manage debt, just to name a few things. It has a total of seven chapters and in each, the author spills a lot of dos and don’ts on what to do with money and how we can all strive for financial freedom.

In this book, Waceke uses real-life experiences and people who share their struggles with money and from these stories, we get to see how they were able to learn from their problems and grow. One of my favorite characters in the book was Douglas. I felt connected to him because I could relate to him more than the rest. He grew up in a home where talking about money was taboo and believed that money was only managed by his parents. However, his family was bad at making financial choices and he, therefore, grew up believing that ‘his family, his people were bad at handling money.’

After high school, he started a business that was successful at the time. However, he would always spend the profits on himself and his friends and at the end of the day, had dissipated all his money. He carried this behavior on to when he got a well-paying job and was fully independent and he would find himself in the same hole over and over again. His answer to this was to believe that he had fulfilled his prophecy of ‘being bad with money like his family.’

The personal ordeals mentioned in the book are like a slap in the face because they cause you to reflect on how you use your money and how to make better choices moving forward. Chapter 2, ‘Gucci and Versace for your body-o’, really opened my mind since it talks about spending on lifestyle. The main message Waceke tries to put across in this chapter is not to let other people pressure you to a lifestyle that you know very well you cannot live up to.

The engaging part of this book is also very refreshing. After each chapter, there is a reflection page with questions that relate to the chapter. This to me was a good move for this book; the questions help you analyze your relationship with money deeply.

Back to Douglas, when he started working, he would earn a monthly salary of 150K. He rented out an apartment worth 16K a month and only furnished it with a bed, TV, radio and three cups of tea. He would then spend the rest of his salary every month in bars and would quickly blow through his salary.

The author teaches us how to understand what drives our spending behavior and this will in turn allow us to consciously catch ourselves when we make unhealthy choices that are damaging to our financial progress. The book also has a personal workbook and templates of a budget, assets, and liabilities.

I would recommend this book to anyone who would want to have a deeper understanding of how to manage their money on a long and short-term basis. I think it is important that we create a community where talking about money is not uncomfortable or taboo.

Is this one of those books which you quickly read and shelf? No. It needs a lot of concentration to be able to understand all the concepts that Waceke has laid out in the book. I would highly recommend that you read it with a pen and paper so that you can scribble down any key points or calculations that you might need to do. The technicality is what makes the book worth your time… or money, you decide.

The overall rating is 9/10.

END.