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Category: Opinion

  • AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MONEY

    By Stephanie Kampire

    stephanierwicha200394@daystar.ac.ke

    Fenty Beauty was launched in Kenya on Thursday 26th May 2022 at the Social House Lavington, Nairobi.

    This famous brand is partly owned by a renowned musician, Rihanna Robyn. She has focused on a range of traditionally hard to match skin tones, developing formulas that work for all skin types, and pinpointing universal shades. Her aim, above all, is to inspire: “Makeup is there for you to have fun with. It should never feel like pressure. It should never feel like a uniform. Feel free to take chances, and take risks, and dare to do something new or different.”

    This dazzling and beautiful launch was graced with appearances from Kenya’s creative industry, which generated quite a buzz on social media as fellow Kenyans talked about how they were dressed.

    Today, Fenty Beauty is one of the most popular and successful brands in the world. Forbes has estimated that the bulk of the musician’s fortune which is around $1.4 billion, specifically comes from the value of Fenty Beauty which she has 50% ownership of. The company itself is worth $2.8 billion making her the wealthiest female musician in the world.

    Rihanna has clearly shown the world that limitations to the music industry are present and that it is possible to make money through makeup. She has become a vivid inspiration to upcoming brands in the world and especially here in Africa. It is safe to say that many makeup brands have come up and have made as much money as Fenty Beauty, but in my opinion, none of them have addressed a need such as this; having traditional makeup for hard to match skin tones. This make up line has made its consumers feel bold and beautiful regardless of the imperfections on their skin.

    The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics valued these products at Ksh. 100 Billion. I also acknowledge the growth of the industry in the current local market of Kenya. We have our very own Suzie Beauty, Joanna K cosmetics, and also Huddah Cosmetics. What is evident in all these brands is that the influence they have on the public as youtubers and content creators has helped them establish businesses that are clearly generating quite an amount of profit. This is the same for the Chief Executive Officer of Fenty Beauty, Rihanna. She has used her musical career and her effect on people to establish a business that has put her on the map as one of among the wealthiest artists in the world.

    Opportunities to make money are found in the influence that we have on the people in our spheres. The Bible says that your gift will make room for you, I beg to add that your influence executed in a wise way can create wealth for you and opportunities for the unemployed.

    In whatever field we may find ourselves in, think about how to make money from it other than wallowing in the sense that we are living in a poor economy that has absolutely no way to be successful.

  • Feminism is not out to Fight the Male Gender

    By Neema Oloo

    #I can do it myself # I don’t need a man #Miss Independent #I can pay my own bills and many more are some of the misused and misinterpreted phrases.

    Let us start with ladies, you know the ones with wigs past their wash date, heels that are past their feet-life, lipstick from the dark streets of Nairobi, and their phones filled with numerous unanswered texts asking if we are still on Friday.

    Woe unto you if you open the door for one and she gives you the lecture about how she can do it herself.

    These are just but a few misguided concepts on feminism. What exactly does it mean to be a feminist?

    Feminism according to Forbes is the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. It is embedded in the belief that both women and men should have equality.

    It does not advocate for sameness because ‘same’ does not mean equal. We cannot be the same because we have different physical and emotional capabilities attributed to how nature designed for us to be.

    Why then should we talk about feminism? Simply because it advocates for equal rights (a fair operating ground).

    From time immemorial women have suffered the injustice of inequality. Men were allowed to go to school, men get higher salaries as compared to their female colleagues doing the same job, many communities disregard the opinion of women because they view them as children or weak.

    Hue and cry by the boychild saying that women’s rights have been over-emphasized. It’s like a race that started and due to the patriarchal benefits the boychild has enjoyed over the centuries the girl child has to do much more to catch up.

    “Some people ask: Why the word feminist? Why not just say you are a believer in human rights, or something like that?” 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 problem of gender. It would be pretending that it is not women who have, for centuries, been excluded. It would be a way of denying that the problem of gender targets women- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

    Feminism does not presuppose any hidden matriarchal agenda; it is not out to fight the male gender. It is not a battle of power rather a move to lift the female gender up to the same pedestal as men.

  • A or 400-mark Score: Not A Ticket to Success.


    By Evelyne Syombua
    (Issyombua@gmail.com)


    Thumbnail Photo Courtesy of standardmedia.co.ke

    Just like the previous cases over the years, the announcement of the KCSE results on the 10th of May was crowned with joy, sadness, and celebration. As usual the top performing students and the top performing schools were listed .

    But why only celebrate the A students and those who scored above C+? Why list the top-performing schools and the poor-performing ones? And what are we doing about the latter?


    Well, for the longest time, good grades have been an honor to all students, parents, and teachers. The top scorers have become the country’s obsession and pride.


    Since the establishment of the 8:4:4 system, every year after the release of KCPE and KCSE results, the media space has been used to discuss the top students, top schools, the number of A’s, those who qualified for university, and the list is endless.


    Meanwhile, as best performers are applauded , the silent group of those who scored below C+ are forgotten and left feeling disoriented and less appreciated.


    Out of the 747,161 students who sat the 2020 KCSE exam, only 143,000 students scored a C+ and above. In a culture that prizes good grades over everything else, over 600,000 students would be considered “failures “.


    As students, teachers, parents, and the entire country, we have been made to believe the lie that the foundation to a successful life is in scoring above a C+. Yet the truth is it takes more than a “good grade “.

    This notion that only the academically gifted are the ones that will succeed in life has and continues to damage thousands of young Kenyans who, despite their best efforts, are still not considered worthy because of their ‘poor performance’.


    Do not get me wrong, I am firm believer that hard work should be rewarded. Awarding the best performers such as those who score good grades in certain subjects with badges among other forms of awards in school, gives them a feeling of recognition and appreciation.


    However, we must also actively think about the other learners who give their best yet do not manage to the pass mark stipulated considering their gifts, circumstances, and resources. As teachers and parents we compare our learners to those who are academically gifted with statements like “Why did you not perform like so and so? If only you could be doing what so and so does then you could score a good marks or better than her”. Without realizing it does more emotional damage than physical.


    For instance, when the pandemic struck the country early last year, not all learners could access the virtual learning platforms hence disadvantaging them over those who easily accessed these platforms. Likewise, not all students are academically gifted therefore scoring a D or an E should not be a measure of a learner’s intelligence.


    The truth is not all successful people got good grades let alone finishing their studies. Therefore as we acknowledge the importance of good academic performance, we should also not forget that in the current society, there is more to success than having a “good grade”.


    Let us shift our focus beyond school life, what kind of individuals do these learners become. What values did they pick up along the way? Did they become more compassionate and empathetic individuals? Did they discover their talents and gifts along the way? Did they sharpen their leadership skills?


    To quote Dr. Trish Hatch, “ What if we moved away from a single test supposed to determine one’s future college/career options and embraced self-awareness and self-assessment, career exploration, goal setting, and action planning instead? What if we exposed students to as many career options as possible and move away from the ‘known’ limiting careers? Aren’t all careers important for the well-being of society? “


    Most of the students end up stigmatized when looked at as failures simply because of their poor performance. And it gets worse when they do not end up in careers that society has branded important. This is one of the contributions of a large number of criminals and laggards who consider themselves as society rejects and life’s failures.


    It is time we accepted that not all students are academically gifted and disabuse ourselves of this culture where we use an individual’s ‘D’ grade against them in the future. Statements like ‘She/he cannot do the job because she/he is a D student’ or “we cannot hire you because of your D grade “ need to be eroded, because they only add to the already exploded problem.


    The country stands to gain a lot economically when it promotes career diversity by allowing students to choose professions matching their interests, skills, and abilities. Because each one of us has something to offer academic qualifications notwithstanding.

    It is prudent that as a country we rethink our definition of a “successful student”.

  • New Dawn for students as council takes oath

    By Muhanguzi Tola

    tolakofa1@gmail.com

    Mrs Jane Irungu dedicates the DUSA student council 2021-2022 to God. PHOTO| Daystar University

    The newly elected council was on April 20 sworn in, to place them in the saddle of power, and usher in a new era for the student body.

    Team forward, as it’s known, is tasked with leading the students’ association and ensure that the recently launched strategic plan positively impacts students. The Marco Laboso led team has big shoes to fill- it’s predecessor having  successfully initiated a new dawn that brought with it Prof. Laban Ayiro. It is an undisputable fact that the team ascends to the helm of the association during a tough period of time, but with the right mindset and policies, can achieve great heights.

    The president, Marco, assured students of his readiness to serve them, promising to do so diligently. This is vital for a university that has experienced a vacuum in student leadership, due to tensions, changes and a severe pandemic. As the students’ leader, he will oversee the day-to-day operations of the council, and represent the interests of the association at the senate.

    Daystar is an institution anchored on a history of servant leadership- as the VC has continuously shown. Students should be at the center of this government. Top in the priority list should be to promote their spiritual, intellectual and physical growth through the power bestowed unto you by the congress. Instill a culture of unity among students, and come up with ways that will push them to achieve self- actualization.

    Echoing novelist Ken Kesey, you don’t lead by telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case.

    The new government has to make a clean break with the past, and work on leaving a mark through good leadership and innovative ideas. We have an opportunity to craft a future of hope and progress. However, this will only be achieved through courageous leadership, and the ability to actualise new, bold ideas. As you take your seat on the high table, bring with you unique ideas and a sense of individuality to foster development agendas for the association.

  • How to make good leaders in the current society

    By Raphael Mutuku

    ra4celeb20@gmail.com

    A leader is a reflection of the society he or she leads. PHOTO | Thinking Maps

    People are a clear reflection of their leaders’ actions, meaning that in a society, a leader is a picture of the people he or she is representing. Leadership should involve translating vision into reality and producing more leaders instead of followers.

    Take a look at our leaders- those chosen and those who work their way through leading positions. How they use resources is a clear reflection of the values and norms that are embraced in that particular society.

    If the society is corrupt, its leaders will definitely follow suit. We blame our leaders for being corrupt while we have embraced the vice. Corruption is being normalised, as it starts from the grassroots. Most people engage in activities such as bribery, unknowingly making corruption a norm in the society.

    The basis of corruption in reference of the Bible is the heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things…” (Jeremiah 17:9).

    The only way to better our society is to teach and embrace good virtues. Loyalty, bravery and truth lead this list. These three virtues are so important in every aspect of life. Our society has been embracing and raising deceitful and greedy people. We live in a society where it’s a man eat man affair, everybody for his own and God for us all. If we raise generations in strict observance of the three main virtues and teach them good values then we will have good leaders and a vision that will easily get actualised.

    Due to dishonesty and greed, we live in a society where resources are allocated in favor of particular people and not the citizen who needs to be served. Good leadership is one that is built in Christian values and the three main virtues.   

  • What Students Expect from the Congress

    By: Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    DUSA aspirants pose for a photo with ECD officials

    Election of the congress members, despite many challenges, was successfully held on Friday to Saturday, and winners were declared on Sunday.

    Their first order of business as the newly elected congress, will be to elect the Daystar University Students Association (DUSA) council, and this will take place on Tuesday from 10am-1pm.

    Each school in the university has entrusted the congress members to represent their interests, and this plays a big role for the members in choosing the right people to take up positions in the council.

    These positions include the DUSA Chair and Deputy Chair, Secretary General, Treasurer, the Campus secretaries and the International Student’s representative/ISADU Chair.

    Even before the election of the congress, students had several times urged aspiring candidates to act with diligence, and avoid being swayed by the different camps, once they win the election.

    This message has been further emphasized by the students after the Electoral Commission of Daystar (ECD) announced the winners of the congress.

    “It is an opportunity that you’ve been trusted with by the students and not an opportunity for you to be compromised to vote for specific rogue candidates who have appetite for power and no interests to serve the students of Daystar,” said Evans Owino, Class Representative for the School of Law, while addressing elected congress members in various campaign groups on WhatsApp.

    Mr. Owino went ahead to urge all congressmen to “act independently” and elect the best leaders for Daystar. This is just but a representation of what all students expect from the congress members.

    The new system of electoral college votes took many students by surprise, and did not sit well with most, as they still prefer voting for their leaders themselves.

    “I feel like it’s not fair. We should have been allowed to vote for our leaders because they won’t lead the conference only but the people,” said a concerned student who opted for anonymity.

    The duty of the congress therefore becomes heavier as all eyes are on them and any form of dishonesty will surely not be tolerated.

    The elections for this semester are a milestone for the university being the first election in four years, and also, the first ever election under the phase of the new dawn. Moreover, it will be the first election in Daystar that will use the electoral colleges system.

    It is therefore crucial to begin on a strong and positive note, and not one that will later compromise students of Daystar.

    Members of congress should acknowledge the trust and power bestowed on to them by students, and vote wisely for their leaders, since they are not voting for themselves, but are voting on behalf of the entire school.

  • Adhere to DUSA Constitution for competent elections

    By Editorial

    The recently conducted vetting process for the DUSA Council and Congress aspirants has sparked debates over the inclusion of the outgoing council members. Article 8 of the student constitution gives a clear indication that the Electoral Commission shall conduct all activities related or incidental to an election.

    The participation of the incumbent council led by Aloys Otieno raises fundamental constitutional questions, placing ECD’s eligibility and competence under scrutiny. Aloys was accompanied by two of his colleagues- Arnold Bazenge and Jonah Karanja in what presidential candidate Ian Agina termed as unfair during an interview with Involvement Newspaper.

    Provisions in the constitution allow a sitting council to only participate in appointing members of the ECD, after which it resumes its official duties for the remainder of its term. Having been dormant in student affairs for over a year, the council’s sudden interest in the elections raises eyebrows.

    Having chosen an electoral commission to conduct the process, it is time for the council to sit back and let it perform its duties. Let the events that led to the cancellation of the 2019 election not be repeated. Students trust the people you put in place to lead them to a new dawn- prove to them that you made the right choice.

    These being the first elections since the incorporation of the new constitution, they act as a litmus test for the commission, with fair representation and equality of vote highly expected. Students expect nothing short of this- neither do we.

    The commission should uphold its mandate as stipulated in the constitution, and ensure that the forthcoming elections are conducted without interference from anyone not part of it- be it students, faculty or administration.