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  • VC Rewards Worship Team During Prayer Day

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi

    The Vice-Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro, has gifted members of the worship team Ksh1000 each for properly conducting the prayer day held on Thursday 21st January 2021, at the main campus.

    Members awarded include University Chaplain Reverend Steven Nduto, assistant Chaplains Josphat Musili and Pastor Rachel Ngugi, Eva Muholo chair of the worship team, music directors Mike Muchiri and Joel Mwendwa, choirmaster, the pianist Hesbon Orange, the bassist Grace Wangare, drummer Sidney Kamwana, Joel Mumo and June Mwangi.

    Bassist Grace Wangare playing the background music during the sermons. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi

    “I am very proud of you and I’m not exaggerating that, but I am particularly proud of Grace because I have never seen a lady playing a guitar here,” said Prof Ayiro. He went on to call the members on to the stage to “bless them” and give them “something small so they can buy simsim”. “I don’t know whether there is simsim here, if the simsim is a sausage that’s up to you, if it is chips…” he said before handing each of the members on stage the shinning notes. Still, in his spirit of appreciation, the VC added that the Chaplaincy team should take a trip to visit Israel on a pilgrimage.

    Prof. Laban Ayiro handing out rewards to the worship team. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi.

    University Chaplain, Reverend Steven Nduto, thanked the VC on behalf of the worship team, for awarding them. “I want to thank you again for the simsim, on behalf of everybody else who received that, we want to say thank you for that consideration and we pray it continues like that,” said Rev. Nduto cheerfully, “And also thank you for promising that the Chaplains need to go to Israel, we’ll be watching that space graciously,” he added.

    VC Prof Laban Ayiro and University Founder Dr Don Smith. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi,

    The prayer day was held at Amphitheatre and streamed online on the Daystar University Live YouTube channel, with the theme being “Turning to God”. The ceremony was attended by the University founder Dr Don Smith, both DVCs Prof. Faith Nguru and Dr Muturi Wachira, Finance manager Phyllis Mutua, HR Manager Pius Muia together with other members of the faculty, staff and students.

    Students bowing their heads in prayer. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi

    The prayer day was closed with the assistant Chaplain Josphat Musili leading the school into taking the Holy Communion and the University founder Dr Don Smith, praying for the entire institution.

    Assistant Chaplain, Josphat Musili leads the University in prayers. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi.

  • Billions of Kenyan Shillings lost to Graft Daily

    By: Joy Ng’ethe (Shiku3joy@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of kenyans.co.ke

    Kenyans have expressed their outrage over remarks made by the president on 18th January during an interview when he confessed that Kenya loses up to 2 billion shillings daily to graft. The president made these remarks when he was being interviewed on various Kikuyu radio stations.

    The angered citizens took their frustrations to social media expressing their distaste in the state of affairs as revealed by the man who had promised to fight corruption in his manifesto.
    Some users are quoted as saying, “I like how in Kenya we talk about 2 Billion shillings like its 20 bob”. Another user commented, “No, Mr President. I cannot allow people to eat Kshs. 2 billion each day while paying MORE THAN 50% of my income in taxes. If that amount of theft (over Kshs. 700 billion a year) was extinguished, Kenya could soon have a budget surplus!”

    The president went ahead to emphasize the importance of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) as well as defending the high cost of the referendum. He mentioned that the money needed for the referendum would probably be less compared to the amount of money lost to graft daily.

    Considering that the Kenyan debt is set to account for 69.8% of the country’s GDP by 2023, the rage expressed by the citizens is highly justified. The Kenyan debt to foreign countries currently stands at almost seven trillion with the expected addition of one trillion Kenyan shillings to the debt for the financial year 21/22. Given that 2 billion is lost to graft daily, it would take Kenya about one and a half years to repay her debts from this amount lost on a daily.

    Disclaimer: This calculation does not take into account the country’s earnings rather is using the amount mentioned by the president lost to his corrupt government. The president ended his remarks by saying that he is set on fulfilling his remaining goals for the next year he is in power.

  • Joe Biden Inaugurated as the 46th US President

    By: Theresa Mwawanga (theresamwawanga@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of ROBERTO SCHMIDT, AFP via Getty Images

    A new dawn in the U.S.A set to start today as President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are set to be inaugurated in Washington DC.

    78-year-old Joseph R Biden Jr will serve as the country’s 46th President alongside Vice President-elect, 56-year-old, Kamala Harris, who is the current Senator of California. Kamala Harris will become the first female Vice President and the first Black American and first person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president in American history.

    The inauguration was announced after a duly constitutional process was finalized by a joint session of Congress. The Democratic nominee will take over from the incumbent President, Donald Trump. President-elect Biden won with 306 electoral votes surpassing the 270-threshold.

    President Joe Biden (Left) and Vice President Kamala Harris (Right) after winning the US election.
    Photo courtesy of OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

    The incumbent republican President, Donald Trump, lost to Biden with 232 electoral college votes however is still settled on not conceding defeat. Security has been tightened in Washington DC ahead of the upcoming inauguration. This was consequently of horrors of chaos, that saw demonstrators taking over Capitol Hill, hindering confirmation of Biden’s electro college win by Congress, for a while. In the speech he gave after scooping the presidential victory, Biden assured Americans that his era will focus on uniting and not dividing states. Finding ways to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, building prosperity, improving family health care, root out systemic racism and ensure climate safety.

    On Wednesday, Joe Biden signed an executive order in the Oval office, after taking an oath to be the 46th US President, ending the controversial Muslim travel ban that was introduced by his predecessor, Donald Trump. Biden proclaimed that the US “was built on a foundation of religious freedom and tolerance, a principle enshrined” in the US constitution.

    “Our national security will be enhanced by revoking the Executive Order and Proclamations,” said Biden before requesting all American embassies and consulates to act accordingly with the end of the Travel Ban.

  • DUSA President Eyes Nairobi Governor Seat

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Aloys Otieno

    The incumbent Daystar University Students’ Association (DUSA) President, Aloys Lavern Otieno, is vying for the Nairobi governor seat on an independent ticket.

    Following the impeachment of Mike Sonko, the DUSA president states that there wasn’t a better candidate among the contesters, hence the decision to vie for the seat. “I made that choice, consulted one or two friends and before I even told my family, I went to get the nomination papers,” said Aloys.

    Mr Otieno has served as Daystar President since 2017, after developing interest in politics in 2016 when he was a member of another candidate’s campaign team. Still a master’s student, he says he does not feel as if he is taking a huge leap by vying for county governorship despite being referred to naïve. “It was the same thing (in Daystar), I wasn’t the most popular candidate when I first vied for the (presidency) seat. A lot of people actually advised me to go for a lower position like sports secretary, but I chose to go for the presidency and I won,” said Aloys.

    He went on to add that he is merely chasing his dreams and there will be no loss whether or not he wins. “I think I would have gained so many lessons that I can take with me towards whatever position I choose to go for next,” added Aloys.

    Aloys Lavern during his graduation in 2020. Photo courtesy of Aloys Otieno.

    With a strong team of youth backing him including Daystarians, Aloys mentioned that he is vying for the seat for the greater good of the county. Being a Nairobian, he says he has seen what the city is lacking and what it can “gain by having a great and a competent leader“.

    His symbol is the Wi-Fi symbol that resonates well with today’s generation and, according to him, the Wi-Fi bars signify progress, which has been his hashtag ever since he joined politics. Moreover, after serving in the ODM youth league for about three years, he has built a network of young leaders around Nairobi who will help with his campaign.

    Aloys’ manifesto comprises of four major things which are: waste management, promoting youth and women enterprises, education empowerment and, women and girl empowerment through providing free sanitary pads. To the surprise of many, Aloys says he is not at all intimidated by the other candidates competing for the same seat. “That’s the beauty of being an underdog, the pressure is not on you, it’s on the other candidates,” he said confidently, “I feel no pressure at all,”.

    Aloys says he is grateful for the support the school has given him, with the VC and lecturers reaching out to him and advising him. “The Vice-Chancellor has been a mentor in leadership ever since he took over Daystar, so, he is one person whom I know I can look to for help,” he said. Vice-Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro had expressed his support for Aloys during the Parents’ welcome tea on orientation week, saying he made him “very proud” and he was “pleasantly shocked” when he heard the news.

    Current Daystar President, Aloys Lavern Otieno. Photo courtesy of Aloys Otieno.

    Jonah Karanja, the Daystar outgoing social welfare secretary, says Aloys’ decision to vie poses a challenge to the youth “to take power from the older generation.” “Aloys going for the gubernatorial seat will mean so many youths will start vying for various positions across the government,” he said, “So, I fully endorse him and call upon my fellow leaders and youths across the country and Nairobi to come out and support Aloys and challenge the system,” added Karanja.

    After serving as school President for three years, Aloys says one thing Daystar has taught him is servant leadership. This, he says, reminds him that however much power he has, his main agenda will always be to serve.

  • Museveni Declared Uganda Presidential Election Winner

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Citizen TV

    Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been declared the winner of Uganda’s presidential election with 5,851,037 (58.64%) of the total electoral votes. Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, came in second with 3,475,298 (34.83%) of the total votes. Museveni who has ruled Uganda since 1986, now going for his sixth term, is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

    Bobi Wine had on Friday claimed that the election had seen “widespread fraud and violence”, but he remained positive as votes were counted under an internet blackout.
    “Despite the widespread fraud and violence experienced across the country earlier today, the picture still looks good. Thank you, Uganda for turning up and voting in record numbers,” Wine tweeted shortly after internet was restored.

    Opposition Maestro, Bobi Wine. Photo courtesy of Amnesty.

    Moreover, he went ahead to say that there was ballot stuffing and his party agents had in some places been beaten and chased away from polling stations.
    “Whatever is being declared is a complete sham we reject it and we dissociate ourselves with it,” added Wine on Friday, promising to provide video evidence once the internet was restored.
    He, however, did not give details about his accusations which contradicted the government’s account that the Thursday’s vote had been peaceful with no major cases of violence reported.

    The Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation in Uganda also noted that they were impressed with the peaceful conduct exhibited on Thursday during voting. “We saw an extremely well-organized election exercise with people very orderly waiting to cast their votes and everything went on very peacefully. We are impressed…the (Electoral Commission) presiding officers were very professional,” Ambassador Pacifici said.

    The election took place with no major international observer mission aside from the African Union, with the United States saying too many of its staff were denied permission to monitor the vote.
    Biometric polling machines were used at 34,000 polling stations. Once past the biometric verification, voters were directed to three ballot boxes to vote for their district level, parliamentary, and presidential candidates.

    Police had advised people not to go out to celebrate or protest after results are announced citing draconian COVID-19 rules that were regularly used to crack down on the opposition.

  • Supermodel Naomi Campbell, Appointed As Magical Kenya’s International Tourism Ambassador

    By: Daniel Nyaga (danielnyaga.dn@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of The Star by Oliver Valenta

    In a bid to help Kenya regain its spot top tourism destination, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife announced Naomi Campbell as Magical Kenya’s International Tourism Ambassador on Tuesday.
    .

    Tourism CS Najib Balala explained the appointment saying, “We welcome the exciting news that Naomi Campbell will advocate for tourism and travel internationally for the magical Kenya brand”.

    Her appointment caused a frenzy online as on Twitter (K.O.T) went on to criticise the decision to appoint her instead of appointing a Kenyan. However, Mr Balala was quick to respond to the criticism posting on Twitter stating, “Naomi Campbell will be Magical Kenya’s International Tourism Ambassador. That doesn’t take away from our domestic market, it only strengthens it.”

    Tourism CS Najib Balala and Naomi Campbell Taking a selfie after sealing the deal
    Photo courtesy of BBC News


    The Tourism CS believes this appointment will help Kenya gain more tourists as the International supermodel possesses a large following on her social media platforms with over 13 million followers.

    The tourism industry has greatly suffered due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Tourism Research Institute released data showing the number of tourists who visited Kenya fell by 72% between January and October 2020. As a result, there was a loss of revenue totalling Ksh 110 billion ($1.1 billion) during the said period. The tourism industry in Kenya contributes to 8.8 per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product annually.

  • Museveni Shuts Down Social Media Ahead of Election Day

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of pmldaily

    Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has shut down social media two days before the country heads to the polls.

    Museveni has accused Facebook and unnamed outside groups of “arrogance” after it removed Ugandan accounts linked to his re-election campaign.
    “That social channel you are talking about, if it is going to operate in Uganda, it should be used equitably by everybody who wants to use it,” said President Museveni, during a National address on Tuesday.

    He added that he was “sure the government has closed social media” and apologized to Ugandans for what he called an inconvenience.

    Earlier, Uganda’s communications regulator has ordered internet services providers to shut down social media and messaging services. Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Irene Sewankambo, ordered telecommunications companies to “immediately suspend any access and use” of social media and online messaging platforms. The list of banned social media sites include Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Viber.

    This came as Bobi Wine, Museveni’s challenger, said police had raided his home and beat two security guards.
    Bobi Wine, a popular singer and politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, said the raid on his compound happened while he was doing an interview with Kenya’s Hot 96 FM radio station.
    “I have to end the interview because I can see soldiers beating my security guards,” he said.
    Patrick Onyango, police spokesman for the capital Kampala, denied Bobi Wine’s home had been raided or that anyone was arrested. “We were just rearranging our security posture in the area near his home, specifically removing some checkpoints,” said Onyango.

    Ugandan Opposition figure head, Bobi Wine. Photo courtesy of AFP.

    At 38, Bobi Wine who is half the age of Museveni has attracted a large following among young people in the nation who make up 80% of the population.
    He is consideredto be the frontrunner among 10 candidates challenging the former rebel leader who seized power in 1986.
    Bobi Wine and other leading opposition candidates said they had launched a concerted effort to protect against vote rigging at polling stations.
    They are urging protestors to stay within 100 metres of polling stations rather than return home as the electoral commission is demanding. This is likely to lead to confrontations with security forces.

  • Daystar Ramps Up Covid Protocols Ahead of Physical classes

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)


    Daystar University campuses have improved on Covid-19 protocols previously set up in the school, in preparation for physical classes of the January 2021 semester.


    Measures taken include setting up isolation rooms in both campuses, remarking classrooms and public places for social distancing, setting up temperature checks, handwashing and sanitization stations.

    Handwashing stations at Athi River Campus. Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Laguma.

    “We have isolation rooms in both campuses and we have doctors and medical personnel. We are ready and prepared, and we have done our best as a University,” said Pius Muia, Senior Human Resource Manager.


    Masks will also be provided in the campuses for those unable to obtain. With the protocols in place, the main campus in Athi River can accommodate 1,500 students while the Valley Road campus can take 600 students.


    “We had many of them saying the preferred face to face, and we wondered about the reasons and we agreed on who will be face to face,” said Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Faith Nguru, during the freshmen parents’ welcome on Monday.

    Social distancing in lecture rooms. Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Laguma.

    Currently, the University is offering blended learning whereby both physical and online classes will be ongoing. A survey that was conducted by the school revealed that more students preferred face to face learning over online learning.

    Students from the school of communication can also make arrangements in groups to use the studios in the campuses. Those undertaking online classes have the privilege of choosing their units from both the Athi River and Nairobi campuses, which include day and evening classes.

    Sanitizer station in Athi River campus. Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Laguma.

    Students set to resume for physical classes this January include those taking nursing and science-based courses. The rest will study online but have access to the facilities in both campuses such as the libraries and labs.


    Both physical and online classes are set to begin on January 11, 2021. Orientation of new students was conducted physically with strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

  • January 2021 Freshmen Matriculated into Daystar University

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Moses Wafula


    Freshmen of January 2021 semester were officially matriculated into the University on Wednesday, in a ceremony held at the Daystar main campus in Athi River. The matriculation ceremony signifies the formal entry of freshmen into the University by taking a matriculation oath.

    Those in attendance during the Matriculation ceremony were the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Laban Ayiro, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs and Research, Prof. Faith Nguru, as well as other members of the faculties and staff.

    Freshmen taking the matriculation pledge. Photo courtesy of Moses Wafula

    The VC and DVC led the freshmen into taking the pledge, thereby officially admitting them as students of Daystar University.
    “With the authority given to me by the University Council, I hereby admit you to pursue the courses in the discipline of your calling,” said the VC Prof Ayiro.
    “This (oath) will initiate you to formally become a student of this great University, and doing so also comes with a number of responsibilities, the most important being your obligation to contribute for the realization of the University’s mission and vision, as well as your own mission and vision,” said DVC Prof. Nguru to the freshmen.

    This semester’s freshmen will be among the first to experience a different learning approach that is problem-based and collaborative learning. The new teaching method introduced by the VC Prof. Ayiro, aims to produce students who are problem solvers. “The Daystar you are coming into is a Daystar that aspires to teach the way Harvard, Stanford and Oxford University teaches,” said Prof Ayiro during the matriculation ceremony.

    Photo courtesy of Moses Wafula.

    Currently, the University is offering blended learning whereby classes are partly physical and partly online. Covid-19 protocols have been ramped up in both campuses ahead of physical classes and include handwashing and sanitization points, isolation rooms and social-distance markings in classrooms and public places.

  • Biden, Harris certified as winners of 2020 US elections amidst pro-Trump Protests

    By: Valyne Laibuta (vklaibuta@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of nbcnews.com

    The US Congress certified that President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris, are the victors of the 2020 US elections. US congress confirmed the results today despite the delays caused by pro-Trump supporters who stormed and occupied Capitol building in Washington DC on Wednesday, 6th January 2020 to disrupt the final election count. 

    The Capitol riot was President Donald Trump’s last efforts to halt the certification of the election results after spewing false claims of election fraud in a weeklong campaign. Despite inciting the riots, President Trump released a statement earlier today agreeing to respect the election results. The statement came shortly after Congress certified the results earlier today. 

    “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,” stated Trump. 

    A Trump supporter pictured sitting in Nancy Pelosi’s office during the Capitol Protests. Photo courtesy of arkansasonline.com

    US leaders and world leaders alike have condemned the Capitol riots that were instigated by Trump’s baseless claims. President-elect Joe Biden denounced the riot and called protesters “extremists” and stated that the violence the protesters have caused is “an assault on the citadel of liberty the Capitol itself. An assault on the people’s representatives and the Capitol Hill police sworn to protect them … An assault on the rule of law … An assault on the most sacred of American undertakings: The doing of the people’s business.”

    Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, told Russian News agencies that the US electoral system does not meet “modern democratic standards”.

    “This is largely the reason for the split in society now observed in the United States”, added Zakharova. 

    Protesters outside Capitol building during Congress proceedings. Photo courtesy of Spencer Platt/Getty Images.

    Washington DC Mayor, Muriel Bowser, extended a state of emergency for 15 days after the Capitol protests left at least 4 people dead and 14 police officers injured. Mayor Bowser decided “to extend the state of emergency to ensure peace and security through the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris”.