Redeem MUSO's Sovereignity.

Campus is now live with MUSO politics. Soon the 26th SGC will be dissolved and that means the office will be void prompting need for new leaders. Many comrades have shown interest in various dockets in the incoming 27th SGC. Though the campaigns have not officially kicked off, it is known which comrades are aspiring for which dockets. Everybody has his or her own opinion on the performance of the outgoing 26th SGC. Most comrades believe that they failed the students while others think they did all they could for the students.

Those we remember Mr. Mwamburi Mwangombe will always recall his statement during the dissolution of the 25th SGC. When he said that the comrades will miss his leadership, a section of those present at the function booed him. Does the 26th SGC compare favourably with the 25th SGC in terms of performance? Has much changed positively? In the reign of the 25th SGC, flow of information from the Administration and the SGC was commendable. Weekly updates from MUSO were always posted on the main notice board at the students’ centre. There was The Illuminator which MUSO used to update students of its activities, but what remained of The Illuminator when the 26th SGC took office? After a heated disagreement among the directors the publication underwent a natural death.

Where could we have messed? Do the students have a hand in the failure of the outgoing SGC?

Solving students' problems is not all about attacking the University's Administration by mere words. That does no good to the students, instead coming up with ways of convincing the Administration to look into the affairs of the students would be the best way out. when students vote in MUSO directors, they always give them the mandate to make the University Administration aware of the needs of students and find solutions to those needs.

After witnessing the performance of the 26th SGC, campaigns by aspirants full of attacks on the administration without stating how they will make the administration understand and solve the students' problems will be of no importantance to the students. The outgoing SGC gave the comrades alot of hopes with their activist campaigns. Ironically it turned out that the same SGC made the comrades feel no need of having MUSO. Some comrades now believe they can survive in this campus without the now turned toothless students' governing body. When Technology students went on rampage in 2011, it took the efforts of Mwamburi and his team to convince the administration to let the students back from the indefinate vocation they had been given.

Those aspiring to serve in the incoming SGC should know that the student fraternity need solutions to their problems and this takes more than dog whistling politics to redeem students' trust in MUSO. It is a humble responsibility of the incoming SGC to redeem MUSO's Sovereignity.

Competence: Public Vs Private University Graduates

Recent research done on the competence of graduates from public and private university have given those from private universities a due advantage in the job market. The research may have some weight in it but I fail to understand whether it is true across all the courses. This makes me wonder how those who got high grades in KCSE get to be outdone by those who got average grades. If the research is something to believe then there is something wrong somewhere or some people have failed to undertake their responsibilities. Is it not true that public universities have the best brains from all over the country? Could it be that these good brains are being wasted in public universities? Many reasons have been given for the deteriorating standards in public universities. Less commitment by both lecturers and students, insufficient academic facilities among others. Does this apply to all courses? Generalising that students from public universities are less competent as compared to those from private universities could be propagating a lie. Many recent graduates from public universities have been doing well in their jobs. Does the research put them into consideration?
Lets take a look at the recent media probe on those doctors who have put the lives of Kenyans at a risk. If somebody could tell me whether they did medicine in public or private universities then probably we could have a clear picture of the reality. I have no doubts where the fake doctors did their degrees but has anybody come out to condemn the institutions where that natured them? Some will say it is unethical to do so. Does that mean that putting the lives of Kenyans at risk is ethical? The painful truth is that universities are admitting students for courses that are beyond their academic abilities. We all appreciate that private universities offer those who were unable to obtain JAB cut off points but offering them courses that are beyond their academic ability. Though it may be sceptical but I fail to understand how one who can deal with complex biology in medicine when the simple secondary school biology was a problem understanding. Could it be logical for one to comfortably tackle the complex physics in an Engineering course when the simple physics in high school was an uphill task?  The instances of collapsing buildings under construction supervised by incompetent Engineersand loss of lives in the hands of these incompetent doctor is a clear evidence of the effects of undertaking degree courses beyond one’s academic ability.
Though every student in a public university would agree that there is great need for changes and improvements in those institutions, generalising that students from private universities are more competent as compared to their counterparts from public universities holds little water especially in some courses.
Recent research done on the competence of graduates from public and private university have given those from private universities a due advantage in the job market. The research may have some weight in it but I fail to understand whether it is true across all the courses. This makes me wonder how those who got high grades in KCSE get to be outdone by those who got average grades. If the research is something to believe then there is something wrong somewhere or some people have failed to undertake their responsibilities. Is it not true that public universities have the best brains from all over the country? Could it be that these good brains are being wasted in public universities? Many reasons have been given for the deteriorating standards in public universities. Less commitment by both lecturers and students, insufficient academic facilities among others. Does this apply to all courses? Generalising that students from public universities are less competent as compared to those from private universities could be propagating a lie. Many recent graduates from public universities have been doing well in their jobs. Does the research put them into consideration?
Lets take a look at the recent media probe on those doctors who have put the lives of Kenyans at a risk. If somebody could tell me whether they did medicine in public or private universities then probably we could have a clear picture of the reality. I have no doubts where the fake doctors did their degrees but has anybody come out to condemn the institutions where that natured them? Some will say it is unethical to do so. Does that mean that putting the lives of Kenyans at risk is ethical? The painful truth is that universities are admitting students for courses that are beyond their academic abilities. We all appreciate that private universities offer those who were unable to obtain JAB cut off points but offering them courses that are beyond their academic ability. Though it may be sceptical but I fail to understand how one who can deal with complex biology in medicine when the simple secondary school biology was a problem understanding. Could it be logical for one to comfortably tackle the complex physics in an Engineering course when the simple physics in high school was an uphill task?  The instances of collapsing buildings under construction supervised by incompetent Engineersand loss of lives in the hands of these incompetent doctor is a clear evidence of the effects of undertaking degree courses beyond one’s academic ability.
Though every student in a public university would agree that there is great need for changes and improvements in those institutions, generalising that students from private universities are more competent as compared to their counterparts from public universities holds little water especially in some courses.

MARK MY WORDS ASPIRANTS

Wining MUSO elections is not as easy as taking a walk in kesses falls. There is a lot that encompasses the voting process. In the past MUSO elections it has been evident that is possible to lose ground at the last minute of the campaign process. For the aspirants who are not aware of the impact of cross fires on their success should re-strategize to avoid disappointments. The cross-fires can either build one’s chances of making it through or totally derail the efforts of winning the support of comrades. If one wants to know how delicate the cross-fires are, one needs to reflect back on what befell a MUSO chair aspirant in the previous MUSO elections. This brings into play the issue of wisdom in answering questions from comrades, careless and vague answers will downplay one’s strength in the completion.
At this point in time is when one should totally be aware that his/her past life in this campus is a vital contributor in winning the confidence of the comrades. It would be of great wisdom to ensure that your integrity is not questionable. Students will not wish to entrust their affairs with untrustworthy leaders. The people you chose as your campaigners will also determine the support you are likely to get from the comrades. Choosing an ‘enemy of the people’ as your campaigner would be a worse political suicide for one’s political ambition.
Coming up with policies that can only be achieved in 20 years time will neither be of benefit to the comrades nor the aspirants. Such policies will only make one lose grip in the competition. Students are not interested in fallacies but achievable promises that directly touch on their current welfare.
Speaking ill of other aspirants is one killer issue that one should put into consideration because it may not bring forth pleasant results. The comrades are not interested in dog whistling politics but how one will handle their welfare. No comrade has time for a leader who is always found of shifting blames instead of taking responsibility.
Taking in mind what opinion makers in this campus say is very important. Ignoring their comments will be like treading towards a cliff with full knowledge of the pending dangers. One may not like them but their comments or views can greatly help one in strategizing or gapping the fall outs.
Endorsements based on ethnic divisions is not a guarantee of wining in the upcoming elections, it is a double edged sword that can either build one or kill the chances of winning depending on the prevailing circumstances. This is a delicate issue that aspirants need to give careful considerations so that it doesn’t work against them.

GLOBAL WARMING

       According to Macmillan English Dictionary for advanced learners, global warming refers to the slow increase in the temperature of the earth caused partly by greenhouse effect increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect has generally been caused by human activities that have led to production of greenhouse gases. The gasses have increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.   Industrial applications such as foam production, chemical manufacturing produce greenhouse gas emissions such as hydrofluorocarbons.

       Global warming has adverse effects on the environment. The effects include widespread decrease in snow and ice extent, sea level rise, glacier retreat and extreme changes in climate. With the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, the earth’s temperature has greatly increased. This has led to great amounts of ice caps at the North Pole and South Pole to melt, letting all the fresh water flow into the ocean. This has eventually led to increase in sea levels. Parts of coastal lands submerged because of the increased of the sea level. According to research published in Nature, the low-lying coastal areas will flood and may get submerged. This means that a number of people might be displaced.

        With the high temperatures, the melted ice evaporates and then condenses to form clouds. This then leads to a heavy down pour that may lead to floods. The recent flood across Kenya is as a good example of a result of climate change caused by global warming. In dry areas it is worse because the rate of evaporation is likely to threaten plant life because of the scarce water. This in turn leads to drought. Since plants will not do well in these areas the inhabitants will face a drop in food production since crops are not able to adapt to the extreme conditions.

          The climatic changes have had a great impact on the plants and animal life. Since some plants and animals respond gradually to changes in climate, they have not been able to adapt to the changes. Some are reducing in number while others are becoming extinct. The forests are reducing in size because some species of trees are unable to withstand the conditions and are dying.  The forest cover has generally reduced and controlling the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been a great challenge.  Aquatic life has also been greatly affected by the climatic changes. Just like some tree species, some species of aquatic plants and animals have become extinct. Other aquatic animals are migrating to other areas. Human life has also faced a threat with the increased health hazards. The high temperatures have prompted to breakout of many illnesses Cancer being the most recent.

          Global warming has caused more harm than good. Many countries across the globe are working on ways to control it. The effects of global warming clearly depict how life is at risk on the Earth. Without corrective measures being put in place it is likely that the situation may get out of hand. There is need for all the nations to implement The Kyoto Protocol so as to realize the benefits that would counter the rate of global warming.   

References

Changnon, Stanley A.; Bell, Gerald D. (2000). El Niño, 1997–1998: The Climate Event of the Century. London: Oxford University Press.

Bello, David (2009). "Global Warming Reverses Long-Term Arctic Cooling". Scientific American. Retrieved 16 May 2013.

Kaufman, D.; Schneider, D.; McKay, N.; Ammann, C.; Bradley, R.; Briffa, K.; Miller, G.; Otto-Bliesner, B. et al. (2009). "Recent warming reverses long-term arctic cooling". Science 325 (5945): 1236–1239.

Weart, Spencer (2008). "The Carbon Dioxide Greenhouse Effect". The Discovery of Global Warming. American Institute of Physics. Retrieved 16 May 2013.

OUR CULTURE; OUR HERITAGE, OUR PRIDE

Forth is coming the most adored culture week in Moi University. We all appreciate the fact that we have diverse and each and every one of us subscribes to a specific culture. In the Swahili setting ,the so called wahenga were purported to have said ‘Mtupa mila ni mtumwa’ (One who abandons his/her culture is a slave.)  This diversity in culture is the prestige and pride of our beloved nation, Kenya. This is a sign of the rich heritage that our motherland possesses

Yes the cultures are different depending on the different communities we have, but this is not to create a divide among the communities. In fact what identifies Kenya as a nation internationally is our rich and diverse culture? No culture is superior to another but each culture has some element of uniqueness.

The forth coming culture week is a great opportunity for the students to appreciate their culture as Moi university fraternity. There is no group that does not subscribe to any culture. Everybody has some way of life that he/she can boast of as their culture. Despite all this, we still have the obligation of maintaining our unity.

 "No culture is superior to another but each culture has some element of uniqueness."

Yes we have a diverse culture but we still share one very important thing-the Kenyan culture. Our motherland, Kenya, boasts as one of the countries in the world that has communities that have dearly upheld their culture. The culture has been made free from the western culture.

This is the best time for the scholars to take a lead and use this function to emphasize the need for unity. There is a lot that we are likely to learn from this day. It therefore calls for us to fully participate in the function.

One major lesson that I have come to learn is that embracing your culture is not permittivity as some assume that to be. Many developed countries have displayed a great deal the pride drawn from having unique cultures. Countries like China, Italy, and Japan which are more developed than our country dearly value their culture and have drawn much pride from that. This clearly displays the fact that embracing our culture is not permittivity. Our culture is our heritage and pride. Have a lovely cultural week. Wont you?