invo.nyarango.me

Blog

  • THE VERVET MONKEYS

    By Nyokabi Ng’ang’a

    Leshnyokabi@gmail.com

    Thumbnail Photo Courtesy of ecr.co.za

    “Common to Daystar University, the Grivet monkey, scientifically known as Cercopithecus aethiops- meaning Ethiopian long-tailed monkey, can be easily identified through their ebony-black face.”

    How they Look

    Vervet Monkeys are primates predominant within the Sub-Saharan region. They have an ; Olive-green coat on their outer build and a furry white covering, with a bluish-green layering of the skin, on their torso.

    Scientifically, Vervet monkeys are referred to as Chlorocebus pygerythrus. It is registered that there are six sub-species of the Vervet Monkeys in the world, with the East African region carrying the bulk of the Grivet sub-specie. Common to Daystar University, the Grivet monkey, scientifically known as Cercopithecus aethiops– meaning Ethiopian long-tailed monkey, can be easily identified through their ebony-black face.

    This black hue can also be found on their tail and limb tips. However, unlike the adults, new-born Grivets, have a pink-coloration on their faces and a black coat. Generally, it takes 3-4 months, per records, for a newly born Vervet monkey to gain adult coloration. To identify a female Vervet monkey from a male Vervet monkey, one can mainly use size and reproductive organs as their two determinants.

    Male Vervet monkeys are heavily built-in size weighing between 5-10kgs, whereas the females are recorded to weigh between 3-5kgs. In addition, the male Vervet monkeys can be identified through their turquoise-colored scrotum and their red phallic object, whereas the females can be identified through their two elongated mammae on their chest.

    How they live

    The Vervet monkeys live in troops, which consist of nearly fifty individuals. These troops are led by an Alpha male whose prowess, likeability and scrotum color are a plus in his rule. For a male to rule the troop, they have to contest for the seat and just like any other monkey troop, they have to please the leading females of the troop- who more often than not, become his harem.

    In leading a troop, the Alpha male is expected to keep watch for the safety of all individuals, especially from predators main of which include: Leopards, Chimpanzees, Eagles and Hyenas, and that there are enough food grounds for everyone. The life of an Alpha male is one characterized with comfort- from the constant grooming he receives from the female Vervs -; and contestations from other male Vervs, whether from outside or inside his troop, who are in search for a troop to lead.

    It is stated that the bluer the scrotum of a Vervet male monkey is, the higher are his chances of dominance in a troop. The female Vervet monkeys, on the other hand, are responsible for the grooming and nurturing the young ones of the troop. They also play a huge role in determining their troop leader.

    Living routine

    The daily routine of the Vervet Monkeys is characterized by eating and grooming. As omnivorous eaters, the Vervet monkeys are spoilt for choice with their food picks, ranging from tubers to cereals, vegetable crops, fruits, bird eggs and chicks. To pass time, the Vervet monkeys engage in grooming sessions, which are mainly conducted by the females of the troop. These sessions are essential in creating tight-bonds and a sense of community within the troop.

    To communicate, Vervet monkeys use squeaky sounds and grunts to pass their messages to one another. These sounds relay different emotions; from the expressions of anger to the thrills of joy and grunts of pain and warning; and not forgetting, instigations of fights.

    Male Vervet monkey walking
    Photo courtesy of animalspot.net

    Important to note, as per routine and records, Vervet monkeys usually have an annual, in some cases biannual, mass mating season. This season takes place in April and June, as per given records, with the assurance of having ample food for the troop after the rainy season. Speaking of which, a stable water supply, in addition to temperate settings and dry savannah is the perfect choice of habitation for the Vervet monkeys.

    How safe are they?

    According to a released report by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) in 2008, the Vervets were listed as a least concern due to their widespread and stable populace. Albeit, their existence is one that is threatened due to the constant developing human-wildlife conflict.

    The Vervets are closely associated to pests, as they are known for raiding people’s farms and houses hence driving many to kill, stone and even eat them. However, there are better wildlife-saving ways such as using dogs, in which one can keep them off from their homesteads and farms, aside from killing and eating them.

    Fun facts

    Vervet monkeys:

    Can live up to 30 years.

    Have the same subset and number of teeth as humans.

    Have elongated canines that can approximately reach a height of 3.2 cm.

    Have eyes, which are gifted with color-vision, enabling them to source out for palatable grubs and to safeguard themselves against predators.

    Are diurnal in nature, implying their eyesight is impaired at night, hence they seek refuge in trees and roof tops in a measure to avert predation.

    Have cheek pouches used for storing food.

  • Finland Named World’s Happiest Country

    By: Baraka Mboya

    (Barakamboya700@gmail.com)

    People sun bathing while others are ski during a sunny winter day in Finland – AP

    Finland has been named the happiest country by the World Happiness Report for the fourth time. The UN- sponsored report asked people from 149 countries to rate their own happiness and also used factors such economic strength, social support, life expectancy, freedom of choice and generosity to rank the countries.

    From the report, Nordic countries appear top of the list, while war hit countries and few Sub-Saharan African countries appear at the end of the list.

    What makes Finland the happiest country?

    The Finns hot and steamy saunas. With an estimation of 3.3 million, there are enough steam rooms for one per person.

    Their love for metal rock bands with the most popular being HIM, Nightwish and children of Bodom.

    Moreover, Finland’s wild reindeer, the Northern light and if lucky, Santa Claus, are both a tourist and local attraction.

    American teacher Brianna Owen commented on Finland’s state of happiness and said, “I think everything in this society is set up for people to be successful, starting with university and transportation that works really well.”

    Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland were also on the top five, while Togo had the biggest gain, moving 17 places up. From the report, Burundi is the least happy country to be in.

    The study also found that the happiest countries also had the happiest immigrants. “The most striking finding of the report is the remarkable consistency between the happiness of immigrants and the locally born,” said John Helliwell, co- editor of the report.

    The average result is the country’s score ranging from Finland’s 7.6 to Burundi’s 2.9. The report also uses statistics to explain why one country is happier than another.

  • Daystar Community Protest in Night Standoff with Lorry Drivers

    By: Scott Muriuki

    (scottimuriuki@gmail.com)

    Daystar community angered by reckless driving of lorries – Scott Muriuki

    The local community around Daystar University including students rallied together on Friday night outside the school gate and set up roadblocks to prevent lorries from passing.

    This action was taken after a section of residents who were walking along the road almost got hit by one of the lorries.

    This also comes after the residents recently protested to have the lorries stopped from using the road, citing over speeding, overloading and reckless driving.

    Local police arrived at the scene to disband the crowd as well as to remove the roadblocks that they said were illegally set up.

    Officer Commanding Police Post, John Mutua, assured the protestors that their issues had been raised to the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) and that they would be addressed soon.

    Daniel Mutisya Nzioki, who was the community’s representative, said that they had become “tired of the reckless driving done by the lorry drivers” who were endangering the lives of the locals.

    Apart from damaging vehicles, motorists complained that the sand being poured on the tarmac road makes it difficult to drive.

    The residents and students from Daystar demanded that the lorries be stopped from using the road especially since they are not allowed to.

    They also complained that the road limits were not adhered to since the lorries go against the speed and weight limit of the road.

    Motorists and boda boda operators alike complained about the speed the lorries drove at especially at corners and on the rough roads.

    After about two hours of confrontation, the lorry drivers were finally able to resume their operations.  

    Roadblocks set up few metres from Daystar main gate to stop construction lorries from passing – Scott Muriuki

  • ECD hold meeting with DUSA Aspirants

    By Muhanguzi Tola

    tolakofa1@gmail.com

    DUSA council and congress aspirants pose for a picture with the Electoral Board

    The Electoral Commission of Daystar (ECD) today held a meeting with DUSA council and congress aspirants at the Athi River campus to address election guidelines.

    Among the issues addressed in the meeting chaired by ECD CEO Michael Mwanza were voter bribery, character defamation during the campaign period, the calendar of events and voter education on the upcoming elections.

    The commission promised to send out communication on how the whole voting process shall be conducted. This is necessitated by the ‘silence of the constitution’ in critical aspects such as how the congress votes for the Governor’s seat aspirants.

    “We will liaise with the current DUSA officials on the constitution amendments then send out information to students explaining how voting will be done,” said Michael Mwanza.

    The commission has also released a calendar of events for the voting process. According to it, the campaign period that was scheduled to begin yesterday will take seven days after which congress elections immediately begin.

    However, the commission has revised the calendar, making changes to the campaign period, which is now scheduled to begin on March 19.

    The commission will also spearhead a debate session next week where the aspirants will air out their manifesto and address questions from students.

    ECD Board members. From Left- Commissioner Peter Sidika, Vice chair Elizabeth Waudo and CEO Michael Mwanza

    The commissioner’s vice-chair- Elizabeth Waudo, who was also in attendance, commended the team for the smooth two-day vetting process that took place at the Athi- River campus.

    “The vetting was competitive and aspirants were up to per. For some, it was the GPA that disqualified them while others had not completed the mandated hours,” said Elizabeth.

    The vice chair further promised students a free and fair election process which shall involve all the required parties.

    “As the committee, we believe in accountability and fairness, and that is how we shall conduct the process,” continued Elizabeth.

    However, the commission’s handling of the elections and vetting process was questioned during the meeting. Among the issues raised by the aspirants include disqualification of aspirants who had all the necessary requirements, DUSA’s direct involvement in the electoral process and the lack of clarity in constitution matters.

    “I don’t understand why a sitting government should be part of an electoral process. For a free and fair process, we should disassociate DUSA from elections completely,” said Ian Agina, an aspirant vying for the council chair seat.

    DUSA Council Chair aspirants. From left- Ian Agisa and Marco Laboso

  • Tanzania President John Magufuli Dies at 61

    By Neema Oloo

    (oloojneema@gmail.com)

    The late President John Pombe Magufuli died while receiving treatment in hospital on March 17, 2021

    Tanzanian President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli died on Wednesday at around 6pm while undergoing treatment.

    This comes after he suffered of a long-term abnormal heart rhythm disease, Chronic Atrial Fibrillation, which he has lived with for over 10 years.

    Vice President Samia Suluhu announced that burial preparations are underway and the country will go into a 14-day mourning period with the national flag raised on half-mast. She takes over as President- Elect of the nation, becoming the first female president in the region.

    The 61-year-old was admitted at the Mzena hospital under the care of doctors from the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac hospital in Dar es salaam.

    His first admission to hospital was on March 6, at the Mzena hospital after which he was released to resume his duties as the President.

    Magufuli was again rushed to Mzena Hospital on March 14 after feeling unwell.

    Speculations about his where abouts got to a rise after his disappearance from the public for over two weeks. He was last seen in public on February 27, during the swearing in of a new Chief Secretary at State house in Dar es salaam.

    Magufuli’s demise comes barely a year after being re-elected as Tanzania’s 5th president, following the general elections on 28th October 2020.

    Samia Suluhu will be required to take over as the Head of State as per the Tanzanian constitution.

    Zitto Kabwe, opposition leader said that the nation will remember him for his development of the country.

    The late president Magufuli downplayed the intensity of Covid 19 and instead urged Tanzanians to pray and use steam inhalation to protect themselves from the virus. The country stopped publicizing infection numbers in April 2020, according the The New Humanitarian.

    The fallen leader will be remembered for his astute leadership and his devoted fight of corruption in the country.

  • Cs Magoha Warns Students against Using Face Masks to Cheat During Exams

    By: Nicholas Kweyu

    (nicholaskweyu99@gmail.com)

    Education Cs George Magoha speaking at Kwale County where he received a title deed for the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic – Citizen Digital

    With national examinations set to begin on Monday, Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, has warned candidates against using facemasks to cheat.

    This comes after the ministry of education received intelligent reports that some sly students were planning to cheat by writing answers on the inside of their face masks.

    Magoha has therefore directed that facemasks be subjected to intense scrutiny and security before one can access the examination halls.

    “There are some people cheating the students to write everything inside the masks. I’m going to ask all centre managers that all students must remove their masks before entering exam rooms. So, let no student waste his/her time writing things inside the mask, they’re supposed to prevent you from corona. If we catch you, we’re not going to be very merciful with you,” said Cs Magoha, while speaking in Kwale county.

    He has specifically called out Migori and Kisii counties as “the headquarters of exam cheating” and has said that these two regions are on the Ministry of Education’s radar.

    “I am telling you, you are planning to do certain things, and we’re watching you. Try and you will see,” said Prof. Magoha.

    The Education CS has lamented that examination cheating is an unhealthy trend that candidates should avoid and that they should genuinely work hard in order to achieve excellence.

    Magoha has also expressed that other cases of examination cheating, impersonations, leakages and other irregularities will not be tolerated.

  • Mavoko Residents Angered by Reckless Lorry Drivers

    By Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Residents of Mavoko area set up roadblocks to block lorries from using the Daystar road – Alex Mwangi

    Residents in Mavoko have complained about the carelessness of lorry drivers seen using the Daystar road. This comes a day after a boda boda rider was killed in an accident with a lorry, on the Devik-Daystar route.

    At around 11am this morning, roadblocks were set up on the tarmac stretch to restrict lorries from passing. Members of the community demanded that the lorries be stopped from using the route, especially since they are not supposed to.

    The residents and students from Daystar also noted that the lorries are usually overloaded and driven recklessly, posing a threat to the safety of pedestrians on the road.

    Officer Commanding Police Post, John Mutua, was present at the road blocks and was seen to be in communication with residents.

    “We are trying to sort the issue, and we have sent them to KeNHA (Kenya National Highways Authority) so that what needs to be done is understood,” said Sgt. Mutua.

    OCPP Mutua removing the roadblocks to let vehicles through – Alex Mwangi

    The community is also concerned over the damages the lorries cause on the newly constructed tarmac road, that was built to carry up to 10tonnes. The vehicles however, overload to weigh more than 20tonnes, despite there being a road sign indicating the weight limit.

    Those responsible for constructing the road say the lorries should adhere to the weight limit to avoid destroying the tarmac.

    “If they can reduce their tonnes, it would be better because we have put road signs showing the amount they should carry,” said the foreman, Dennis Odhiambo.

    The boda boda riders have also expressed their dissatisfaction of sharing the route with the lorries. Apart from damaged roads, they complain about accidents that occur between lorries and riders.

    Two riders have died already, and one of them was laid to rest on Saturday. Another broke his leg after colliding with a lorry.

    A few lorries were turned backed today at the roadblocks however, this did not last long since the road was reopened a little while later.

    Part of the Daystar stretch damaged by overloaded lorries – Alex Mwangi

  • A Feminist and Activist: Funmilayo Ransome Kuti

    In honor of black History month (February – Both Men and women ) and Women’s History Month (March- Women Only), the Involvement Newspaper will be featuring African leaders,heroes ,activists in a bid to remember their contributions towards a better Africa.

    By Evelyne Syombua

    (issyombua@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail Photo Courtesy Pinterest.com

    Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti was a teacher, political campaigner and was involved in women’s rights activism and traditional aristocrat . She was seen as the doyenne of female rights in Nigeria, gaining her the moniker “Lioness of Lisabi” for her political activism.

    Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, original name Frances Abigail Olufunmilayo Thomas, also called Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti was born on October 25, 1900, Abeokuta, Egbaland [now in Nigeria]. She was born to Yoruba parents (Chief Daniel Olumeyuwa Thomas (a returned slave) and Lucretia Phyllis Omoyeni Adeosolu of the Jibolu-Taiwo family)who were were Christians. She attended Abeokuta Grammar School (a secondary school), from 1914 to 1917 in which she was the first female.

     She taught briefly at the school after which she studied in England (1919–23), where she dropped her English names and shortened her Yoruba name to Funmilayo and she discovered socialism and anti-colonialism.When she resumed teaching at Abeokuta, she married Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, a clergyman and teacher, in 1925. She was the first African woman to drive a car.

    Having being brought up by parents who valued education, she became associated with some of the most important anti-colonial educational movements in Nigeria and West Africa, and fought tirelessly to further women’s access to education and political representation. In reaction to the racism she encountered in Britain, she dropped her Christian name, Frances Abigail by the time of her return.

    Her career in feminist activism begun in 1932 when she founded the Abeokuta Ladies Club (ALC). Membership was mostly Western-educated and working-class women and she expanded it in 1944 to include market women. In 1946 the ALC became the Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU), and membership was expanded for it to begin working against injustice and the exploitation of market women.

    Lioness of Lisabi :Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. Photo Courtesy of eplangelibrary.wordpress.com

    At first, the AWU campaigned  against price controls, which drastically limited the incomes of market women, and for fair treatment of market women by the government. The union also protested a special tax on women imposed by the local ruler, Sir Ladapo Ademola II. As from 1947 the organization led large demonstrations against Ademola’s government, which led to his temporary abdication in 1949.Greater educational opportunities for women and girls, the enforcement of sanitary regulations, and the provision of health care and other social services for women were among the union’s broader goals.Raising living standards for women and ultimately eliminating the causes of poverty was Ransome-Kuti’s intention to pursue these activities.

    Over 100,000 Abeokuta women worked together to provide social welfare services and to pursue a gender-conscious agenda. The AWU expanded to the Nigerian Women’s Union (NWU) in 1949 a national organization and became known at the Federation of Nigerian Women’s Societies (FNWS) in 1953.The FNWS was dedicated to addressing the concerns of all Nigerian women and improving their position in society, including education, suffrage, health care, and other social services.

    She also served several terms on the local council of Abeokuta between 1949 and 1960. Though unsuccessful, she ran for a seat in 1951 in the regional assembly as the candidate of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), which she had helped found in 1944. The FNWS became associated with the Women’s International Democratic Federation, in 1953 and Ransome-Kuti was elected a vice president of the organization. After which she subsequently lectured in several countries on the conditions of Nigerian women. In 1959, she ran for the assembly as an independent candidate, after the NCNC rejected her bid for a second candidacy , This led to the splitting of the NCNC vote and ensured the opposing party’s victory.

    The consequences for her action were expulsion from the NCNC and she formed her own party, the Commoners’ People’s Party, which was disbanded one year later. By collapsing of her CPP party one year later, her political influence in Nigeria and her following among women in Abeokuta had declined significantly.

    For her to feel like she belonged to the Yoruba Culture, she changed her surname to Anikulapo-Kuti in the early 1970s . The family property in Lagos ,which Fela had transformed into a commune that he called the Kalakuta Republic, was stormed by 1,000 soldiers in 1977. She was dragged by her hair and thrown out a second-story window by the soldiers during the assault.  She died of complications from her injuries the following year.

    “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a pioneering nationalist who fought against British colonialism and a cultural nationalist…a pioneer African feminist and a human rights activist who was tireless in her campaigns for women’s rights and for economic, political, and social justice. She was an educator who gave a voice to the voiceless and education to the uneducated.” – Oxford Dictionary of African Biography.

  • Teenagers Develop App to Curb Plastic Pollution

    By Fatiha Shabir

    (fatihashabz@gmail.com)

    Plastic Pollution in Lake Victoria, Kisumu – Nation

    Two teenagers in Kisumu have developed a mobile app that can help in plastic management, in order to curb pollution in Lake Victoria.

    The app was developed by 15-year old Michelle Muchilwa and her 13-year old brother Jeremy, after the two witnessed the alarming drop of fishes in Lake Victoria.

    The reduction is said to be because of excessive plastic waste in and around the lake region.

    The app of the two teenagers is aimed towards incorporating the younger generation into the fight against pollution.

    “There is a major issue in Kenya where our youth are not connected to their natural spaces,” said Michelle. “As the youth, it is our time to go out and decide what we want our future to look like. Do I want Kenya to be a place with a dead Lake Victoria or do I want it to be a country that managed to develop without destroying its natural resources?”

    The application upon its release, will have an interactive interphase where the user will provide their details and also provide information on the number and type of plastic that they have collected in their specific location.

    The app would also guide and direct its users to the nearest recycling plant to ensure proper waste management of the plastic collected.

    The app is still in the developing stages and is set to be available on downloading sites by January 2022.

    The app is hoped to help reduce the number of plastics found in Lake Victoria. Moreover, it is hoped that the development will be embraced by Kenyans to aid in the fight against plastic pollution.

  • Covid-19 Vaccination for Teachers begins Countrywide

    By Sharon Cherono

    (jerotichsharon096@gmail.com)

    TSC CEO Nancy Macharia receives her Covid-19 vaccine at TSC headquarters on March 11 – Samson Wire, The Standard

    The Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on Thursday, launched the Covid-19 vaccination drive for teachers countrywide.

    The first phase of the inoculation will include teachers who fall between the age of 50 years and above and those with underlying conditions.

    The voluntary vaccination process will be conducted in the 575 centres for vaccination which include private, public and mission hospitals in all counties.

    Special attention will be given to the 227,679 teachers who have been vetted and approved to administer the national examinations as either supervisors or invigilators. They are required to have undergone the vaccination process before the start of the exams.

    The TSC CEO, Nancy Macharia who was the first to receive the jab said, “The government has made the right decision to protect over 330,671 public school teachers and 158,000 teachers working in private schools,”

    Since the first case of Covid-19 was reported in Kenya, 41 teachers and 3 members of the TSC Secretariat have succumbed to the virus. Therefore, the roll out of the vaccine to teachers has been described as timely with the Health Ministry identifying them as frontline workers.

    Dr. Willis Akhwale from the MOH says that everything is in place and he would like to assure teachers that the vaccine is safe and that it saves lives.