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University Of Nairobi Students spotted  in one of the night clubs in town. CREDIT:KenyaPoa
My mum is always ranting about the lifestyle of most university students. She constantly says, “this is not the university we used to be”. I often tell her that anatuonea. I don’t know how many people share the same sentiments as her. Trust me most folks do.
I stopped to wonder- why do most people think from this perspective? There are reasons here and there. I mean campus life has evolved over time. The kind of evolution as the early man. Still remember that history stuff- hell yeah I do.
Look at that from this point of view:

  1. There was no killing each other because of some love triangle. Love is becoming a costly affair in campus.
  2. There were no sponsors. The people who make those “goals” be achieved. I mean the iphone goals.

    READ ALSO: Stand with the transgender community in Kenya.
  3. There were no stupid sex parties in the name of civilisation. Those parties that are all about getting high and twerking.
  4. There was no cohabiting. You lived together only when you were pronounced as man and wife.
  5. Girls did not dress skimpily to show those "legs for days" and be viewed as “sexy”. 

 Gone are the days of notion- dress in clothes that tight enough to show that you are a woman but loose enough to show that you are a lady.

Now that’s it. Life has changed. Unfortunately on the flip side. But as I always say if it is what is termed as civilisation, I’ll remain the village girl I have always been.

BY: : Mercy Simatwo

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Image extracted from the Talented fashionista Jackson Irungu, 
commonly known as Lady Jay, Facebook page.
Back in the day, i would dream, just as we all had dreams, some of growing to become, doctors, pilots, engineers and all that. Hahaha some of us even wanted to grow to become watchmen because of the custom of watchmen being armed, hahaha and we would really fantasize in that and be really proud to mention. As a matter of fact, most of those guys today are soldiers, askaris and others watchmen for real. I am not hating on watchies by the way. 

Now, for me, things weren't that way, I always wanted to grow into an activist for human rights. I felt like the world was unfair to some and I thought I could become a fortress for them. I felt like at some point I needed to help people leave the zone they have been imprisoned in, the zone of inferiority. Ranging from the disabled, the poor, the out casts way to the transgender. There is still light at the end of the tunnel though coz hey, I just turned 20 yesterday. Today I will talk about the transgender.

 READ ALSO: Critique Constructively and in an objective Manner.

Until today, like we all know our culture has never opened its arms for the transgender. They have ever been viewed as abnormal beings, they openly are segregated. 

Gender inclinations are not a thing we define, the fact that we are born with our sexual organs varied apart from the hermaphrodites, does not define our sexuality. Most people should be able to define their sexuality at least by the age of 15. 

The likes of Audrey Mbugua, Joji Baro formerly George Baraza are suffering depression, discrimination, hate, back bites, rejection, restricted freedom, no recognition by society, government and at its worst society, family and friends. Their situation has made society dehumanize them and accord no value to their sexuality. Remember the 2015 summit held in Kenya when our president demonized gayism, that our cultural script does not let that? 

 READ ALSO: It's time we bid farewell to MTU WETU factor

I am not gay mark you, but I am human and understand that not every human will be equal to the majority. Sexuality should not be a factor in according rights and neither should it be used to gauge whether society will or not embrace a particular group of people. I should perhaps founder a "stand with the transgender" initiative and let every human express themselves as they wish because as such, it is actually high time we realised the gravity of this kind of living and recognised other human beings' scripts. 


Big up America, you are such a role model.

By: Bornice Jeptoo 

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CREDIT: satwordsdaily.com
Wise people speak because they have something to say while stupid people because they have to say something. Sometimes it is just better to shut up if you have nothing constructive to say.

I was added to this Facebook group(name withheld). Without my consent of course. It happens to everyone, right? So I decided to sit back and see what the group had to offer. It is a group that is anti-government. I have no problem with that. Remember that freedom of expression is even provided for in our constitution. My problem comes in with the kind of insults leveled up against some leaders in government.

 READ ALSO: Communication Could help manage rampage in public universities
Why don’t people critique constructively. Condemn the injustices, the corruption e.t.c. but in an objective manner. At times people hate for no good reason. Why are they so angry with the world? I don’t have time to hate, I better focus on the things that are worthy of my time.
The concept of being entitled to an opinion is not directly proportional to hating. Ever logged into your Facebook or Twitter and you bump into so much hate that you are left speechless? That happens to me all of the time. We keep on hating and in the long run we are on the losing end.
Try asking yourself if what you post will elicit negativity before clicking on “send’. Let’s spread some positive vibes. Positivity for life. Leaving you with this as food for thought:
People tend to be generous when sharing their nonsense, fear and ignorance. And while they seem quite eager to feed you with their negativity, please remember that sometimes the diet we need to be on is a spiritual and emotional one. Be cautious with what you feed your mind and soul. Fuel yourself with positivity and let that fuel propel you into positive action.”~Steve Maraboli
#TEAMPOSITIVITY
By: Mercy Simatwo

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UoN students set Sonu offices a blaze on April 4, 2016 while protesting against the re-election of Babu Owino as the student union's chairman. Photo Credit: Nation Media Group

I woke up this morning to some hashtag #SaveUON. Am like-save them from what? So students were striking because of someone overstaying in power. The typical African way. You become president for life. Anyway that's a story for another day.

I don't want to fault anybody. It isn't my type of game. The University of Nairobi is not the first university to go on rampage. Have you ever asked yourself why students choose to go that direction? I”ll tell you for free- it is the only language the administration understands. Violence is not the best way to handle issues but when negotiations fail what else are they supposed to do?

Of course am not with those rascals who strike because of power blackouts or hike in fare by 5 bob. Those ones are nincompoops who don't want to study. In UON for instance, the institution should come up with regulations on vieing for elections. Something like limiting terms for leaders so that there are no leaders for life.

The comrades should strike without any destruction of property. Like what has someone passing at the highway have to do with your problems? What has a trader who is going about their hustle have to do with you? I remember someone tweeting that he will never employ a UON graduate because of what they did to his car during one of their strikes. The public won't have a good image of you for pete’s sake.

Institutions of higher learning, especially public ones, should open channels of communication with their students. This is because in the long run these strikes will damage their reputation. Communication has been neglected in the past but I can assure you that it works.


By: Mercy Simatwo

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Image: Standardmedia group.
Over the weekend I read a piece and someone was arguing that behind every great fortune lies a great crime. What crossed my mind is the several corruption scandals in the country. It reminded me of an expose that John Allan Namu did on KTN last night dubbed “Kanjo Kingdom.”
Police officers illegally milk a fortune from traders and hawkers. John Allan Namu further broke down the figures by saying that the amount of money Kanjo Kingdom acollects in bribes is enough to pay school fees for 811,000 students for 1 year. They make quite a fortune. And this is just free money. It feels like someone earns 10 bob and pays a bribe of 12 bob. A hardworking Kenyan has to pay the price.
READ ALSO:It's time we bid farewell to MTU WETU factor.
Lately it feels that everyone is just out to make money. Integrity is not as paramount as such. People get into public office and despite the fact that they are paid so well, they loot millions. It totally pisses me off that tax payers money is being misused. We thought devolution was going to be the ultimate game changer but it feels like it is our downfall. Looks like most importantly corruption was devolved.
If millions of money were not being looted, the standards of living would be better. What would be the situation if money set aside would be used for a constructive purpose? Some legislators act like the money belongs to them. Hello, that is taxpayers money.
READ ALSO: Why LOVE has proved to be a costly affair in Kenyan Universities
Okay. Its Monday. I don't want to be angry and bitter at the beginning of the week. Enjoy your week people. God bless.

By: Mercy Simatwo

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"Tribalism blind the mind and soul."~ Dr. Mohammed Faig
I was working on this assignment about intercultural communication and I came across the concept of ethnocentrism. It is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one’s own culture. It has something to do with feeling that one’s culture is more superior to another.
What rings a bell in my mind is the various ethnic groups in Kenya. There are over 42 tribes. In terms of cultures we are so rich but the problem comes in with the mtu wetu factor. Am sure you can relate to what am alluding here.
Someone is suspended in government because of looting cash and people start speculating that it is because they come from a certain ethnic background. An appointment is made and people feel that people from certain ethnic groups should have been appointed instead.
READ ALSO: An open letter to all ladies - The Boy child
It is not the best kind of mentality to have. We, as Kenyans, should think beyond ethnic affiliations. Perhaps it about time our voting method even took a different turn. Let’s vote quality people over their ethnic groups. We need to rethink on this now more than ever given that we are approaching an election year.
The Mtu wetu factor should be a thing of the past. It is slowly destroying us. It is making us to lag behind in terms of social, political and economic developments. Its about time we bid adieu to this barbaric mentality.
By: Mercy Simatwo

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Ignore the boy child today and court an uncertain future.
To all women out there,

Happy International Women’s Day! As you celebrate the gains and steps made towards the empowering of the woman in today’s society, I choose to air a voice; a silent cry at the backdrop of Gender equality. At the start of the millennium, the UN Millennium Declaration set out the 3rd goal as “Promotion of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment,” a calling answered by many to the letter and whose achievements are beyond comparison. However, there has been little to show in some quarters where the woman still languishes in ignorance, being discriminated against, facing violence and retrogressive cultural practices such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation; a case where I believe a lot remains to be done in order to salvage and uplift this particular woman.

Also See: The Role Of Women in Environmental Conservation

Ladies, the above achievements have shadowed the cry I choose to air today: the silent cry of the boy child. A debate will emanate as to why this cry should be listened to at all. In a nutshell I’ll answer that. Our tomorrow’s society needs an empowered population in respect of nature’s dualism. The cliché on “empowering a woman is empowering a society,” has to be re-thought. Dear Women, you need empowered sons, brothers, husbands and in its entirety an empowered boy-child.

The theme: “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for Gender Equality,” is a call to devote solid funding, courageous advocacy and unbending political will to achieve gender equality around the world. This, I strongly believe, is a call to consider both genders alike.



Ignore the boy child today and court an uncertain future; we need a balanced approach to empower both genders. There would be no greater investment in our common future than achieving gender equity and equality.

Yours,

For the boy-child,

Big Brother Burugu Babu,
International Relations Scholar/Diplomacy Scholar/Social Entrepreneur/Poet/Public Speaker

Do you think our society is ignoring the plight of a boy child? Kindly share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Ten 'commandments' for Campus Lovers
1. Don’t Take Things Too Serious.

Remember the Cindy Lauper song, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”? Well, it turns out she was right. College freshman is in their first steps away from home. Dating just makes school fun for some people. So, please don’t take things so seriously. It’s okay if you don’t have a good morning message every morning or lunch dates in the afternoon. Just sit back and enjoy the ride of dating in this first semester of college.

2.Find Free Time

Free time is going to be most of the time depending on credit hours and work schedules. Sit down with your mate and schedule a time for just you and him/her to hang out. Use this free time to go on dates, study, or just walk around campus. Whatever floats your make sure you have special time for that special someone.

3.Enjoy Your Own Friends

While #2 is very true. It is also very important to enjoy your friends outside of your mate. The college experience is all about having great friends. Don’t get so consumed in your relationship that you forget to enjoy yourself. Go party or to the football games without your mate a few times. By doing this you are creating your own identity.

4.Don’t Solely Be Friends With Your Mates Friends

Please understand that your mates friends are your mates friends FIRST. They will always have their friends back before yours. Don’t get too close to him/hers friends. You don’t want to be the clingy one in the relationship, your mates friends will talk about you. This is where #3 kicks in. Spending time with your own friends relieves conflict. For example, spending the night in your “bae” dorm every night for 3 nights could get annoying to their roommate. Because you’re in college everybody is in close corners with each others. People need people to sit with at lunch, go shopping with, and even dorm sizes are tight. So don’t be that person that thinks their mates best friend is also their best  friend.

5.Understand College Budget 

Being in college comes with a lot of discounts. Ladies, don’t get offended when your mate takes you to Kshs 120 bowling night. Yes, you are worth more than that, but money is funny in college. Understand your mates struggle. If you can be with him/her in their broke time, then they’ll keep you around for their rich time. Just be patient for your rides to the most prestigious hotel in Nairobi. It’ll come soon enough.

6.The first Semester Is Crucial – STUDY!

People say “If you can make it through the first year of college, you can make it through all four years.” The statement has a lot of truth to it but first get through the first semester. You don’t want to be the one that fail’s college. Show up to class and study. Passing your classes is priority before your relationship. College cost too much to fail.

7.Don’t Judge   

Judging a book by its cover is fairly easy. For instance, there may be a guy who says he wants to be a doctor yet you look at his lifestyle and attire and wouldn’t dare let him operate on you. Understand that people like to be free away from home. Just because they act or dress a certain kind of way doesn’t mean they aren’t smart or relationship material. Accept people for who they are. You’ll will never know what you find deep down inside.

8.Define Netflix and Chill

In 2016, we are in a Netflix and chill state. Netflix in the dorm with some popcorn sounds like a nice time. However, everybody knows Netflix and chill dates aren’t Netflix and chill. Sometimes it can be used for code for something completely different. So before chilling with potential bae ask what kind of Netflix and Chill is this?

9.Follow Visitation Laws

Campuses have laws that specify times for visitors, especially of the opposite sex. Some schools don’t allow overnight visitation or visitation after a certain time. If caught pass their designated times a fine could be put on you and your partner. Just stay on the safe side and avoid the fine. Follow your schools rules!

10. Do You!

College is about finding yourself. Do just that. Enjoy your alone time and your bae time. Get to know what you do and don’t like. Just do you!

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