Category: Uncategorized

By Sumaya Hussein

(husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Neema Oloo

(oloojneema@gmail.com)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Sumaya Hussein

(husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Winnie Barake

(winnemoraa6232@gmail.com)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Fatiha Shabir

(fatihashabz@gmail.com)

Daystar University on Thursday launched the School Anthem and School Flag at a joint launch event held at the main campus in Athi River.

The event was attended by the university founder Dr. Donald Smith, Vice Chancellor Prof Laban Ayiro, DVC ARSA Prof. Faith Nguru, members of the Board, Senate, faculty, students and staff.

The Dean of the School of Communication, Prof. Levi Obonyo, introduced the School Anthem saying it embodies the themes of love, unity, peace, liberty and servant leadership.

“The importance of the anthem really struck me recently when I visited other universities and seeing the entire community rallying together in the words of the anthem that stirred their spirits as they moved forth to pursue the purpose of the university,” said Prof Levi Obonyo.

The words of the anthem were put together by the Department of Language and Performing Arts, together with Dr. Evelyn Ogari. The Anthem was performed for the first time during the launch event by the Daystar Music students.

The University flag which was unveiled by the Corporate Affairs department, features the Daystar Coat of Arms (Crest) which is second to the logo. The star symbol was conceptualized by the founders Dr. Donald Smith and his wife, Mrs. Faye Smith, to signify beginning.

“The flag fortifies the aspirations of the founders of this university. We are fortifying the existence of this institution by having this flag,” Prof Laban Ayiro stated. “Daystar is now pronouncing itself and Daystar plans to remain standing.”

The flag will be compulsory and every Daystar Vehicle will have a sticker of the flag. The sports team will also get one they will carry when they go out to sports events.

The university has also produced a variety of corporate merchandise items which “carry the spirit of the flag and Anthem.” They include T-shirts, bandannas, capes, ties and keyholders.

Students and staff are encouraged to purchase the merchandise, wear them and embrace the Daystar spirit.

by Sumaya Hussein

(husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

Daystar University on Thursday launched a redefined Strategic Plan that includes the university’s goals and vision for the next five years.

The August 2020 to July 2025 Strategic Plan was unveiled in a joint launch event held at the Athi River campus, where the school flag, anthem, new gym and apiary were also launched.

The process of the strategic plan was a result of self-examination and engagement with stakeholders who were involved to challenge the status quo to accommodate the new way of life brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

By 2025, the University plans to double its research output, strengthen the quality of programs offered and sustain entrepreneurial culture to diversify sources of income for the university.

The plan also intends to exhibit prudent financial management and stabilize the financial viability of the university. It also includes expansion of the institution’s national and international presence through alliances, as well as fostering an organizational culture that nurtures the next generation of leadership.

“We are asking our trustees, the company, the council, the management and the Daystar community to embrace this document, and we shall have a special team to see to its implementation,” said Prof. Laban Ayiro after the official unveiling of the Strategic Plan.

DVC ARSA, Prof. Faith Nguru mentioned that the plan is a faith-based plan that will help to “see and to be sure of what we hope for and to be certain of what we do not see.”

The university has already began implementing the strategic plan through activities such as construction of the perimeter wall in the Athi River campus, beautification of both campuses and building and equipping the communication studios.

Other activities include refurbishment of the school gym, commissioning of the school apiary and introduction of an automated and integrated ERP system for efficient service delivery.

The university is also planning to switch to solar energy to save on electricity bills and become involved in environmental conservation.

Members of the institution can acquire a copy of the strategic plan to read through and commit to ensuring the university achieves the stated goals.

By: Sumaya Hussein

(husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

Kenya received the first batch of Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines on Tuesday night at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.

The 1.02 million doses of the vaccine were transported by UNICEF as part of the COVAX initiative which aims to provide equitable access to the vaccines to low-income countries.

The vaccines arrived on a Qatar Airways flight which was met at JKIA by senior government officials including the Health CS Mutahi Kagwe and representatives of UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO).

“This is a historic day for Kenya, marking an important milestone in our fight against COVID-19,” said CS Kagwe, “I would like to thank UNICEF, WHO and GAVI for their support in procuring and transporting these life-saving vaccines and the Kenyan people for their cooperation over the past 11.5 months.”

CS Kagwe further added that the vaccines will be moved to stores in Athi River for onward distribution to counties and public hospitals ahead of vaccination.

Priority will be given to the 400,000 health workers before others in the frontline like teachers, police and people with underlying conditions are vaccinated.

Kenya had ordered 24 million doses of the vaccine, enough for 20 per cent of the country’s population. The Gavi Alliance however said that it will supply a few doses first, to cover frontline workers and vulnerable people.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine requires two doses that will be given four weeks apart, to prompt the immune system into fighting off the coronavirus. The combination of the two does is said to give a 62% efficacy.

The first consignment of a million doses is part of an initial allocation to Kenya of 3.56 million doses.

Kenya hopes to vaccinate about 16 million people by end of the year and suppress the virus with vaccines from Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson.