Activate Yourself by Watiri Mwangi

A difference is often made by one person who is fed up and is willing to act.

I love my sleep like Garfield loves lasagna, well maybe not as much. So dreams are the focal point of my sleep, sometimes good dreams sometimes nightmares. However, it has reached a point that I want to make my dreams a reality. So maybe I tell myself to go back to sleep so that I can live my dream again. However, I am constantly haunted by my dream for a better and brighter Kenya. It is quite disheartening and disappointing to wake up to a different Kenya, so I turn the sheets and continue to dream. Reality, as it is has become such a painful excursion that I do not wish to relive. Every person resonates to Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream. I look at my motherland and home Kenya and envision multiple opportunities for its growth and opportunity.

Whenever I share this I am condemned and shaken with the reality that majority of us have resigned to the status quo. The all too common statements and counter statements that ‘You can’t change the system’ are the inflictions I undergo because of my ‘wild notions. ’ I am told that my dreams and visions for a better Kenya are a mirage, unreal. People have become so focused on the status that is ‘reality’, rising inflation, high fuel costs, poverty, corruption and negative ethnicity are the order. Issues such as corruption and negative ethnicity have become the disorder that is the order of the day. However, everything seems to stoop to a grinding halt when I envision a better Kenya but the constant backlash hits me harder. That I should face reality and accept the status quo makes me even more resilient. Resilience becomes an all new driving force, an engine that drives my need for change.

Art like this, in the streets of Nairobi, is slowly being accepted as a form of activism by both the public and the authorities

No one ever changed the course of history by accepting the status quo. I am switching from dreaming to a new dimension of realization, the realization of my dreams. The realization that all this can be understated as mere political theory and illusion is mine to behold. This is particularly with the increasing polarization that is product of ethnic politics. Everyone seems to accept the sharp schism that engulfs the Kenyan national fabric. All that people state in their hypocrisy is the all too common statement, ‘We Are One.’ It seems that all we do as a country is talk, talks after talks are the norm. No one wants to act, walk the talk rather, the fear of challenging the reality that is negative ethnicity. I chose to start with myself to realize the Kenya I want.

 I chose to defy the status quo. 

I make a conscious choice to be part of a movement, a movement for positive change. It is the responsibility of every individual Kenya to actively participate in the Change that we want. To make this conscious choice of not just talking about issues but also acting to influence policy issues. Providing positive criticism through activism is one of the main approaches to be undertaken. I chose to dream no more but to undertake a new course of action, activism to the change movement. The back stops with every Kenyan individual towards holding the Kenyan leadership accountable, ensuring a system of checks and balances. Activism as a movement becomes the new approach for us to consciously effect the change we want in Kenya. Activate yourself today.

This blogpost was compiled by Watiri Mwangi. She is one of the founding members of BAMU and is a third year Political Science student.

DETAINED DESTINY by Adienge Jack

In the words of Marx and Engels, “it is not a question of what this or that proletariat, or even the whole proletariat at the moment regards as its aim. It is a question of what the proletariat is, and what, in accordance with this being, it will historically be compelled to do. Its aim and historical action is visibly and irrevocably foreshadowed in its own life situation as well as the whole organization of bourgeois society today”, (Marx and Engels 1845, workers iv. 37)

For Marx and subsequently for the Marxist- Leninists, the class only was a class to the extent that it displayed its essential characteristics. It had to be united on at least a national scale, organized and articulate and speaking with just one voice. Above all, the process of class formation was the process through which all the divisions that had hitherto impeded the growth of solidarity and awareness of common purpose were progressively overcome. Back home, the current ills of mankind, the tragic misfortunes that fill the Kenyan history books, the political blunders, the failures of our leaders, have arisen merely from lack of anchors of  man’s political hopes and the ark of his society and most regrettably, due to poverty ideas. Ours is a crop of leaders who have taken up several obviously wrong people and ran their heads very hard against wrong ideas and persisted in trying to fit the circumstances to the ideas instead of trying to extract ideas from the circumstances. That is why in this home of ours, the concepts of freedom and equality are not properly understood, and so democracy, reason, merit and adaptability aren’t achievable, at least for now, and this is the heart of darkness. 

It is against this backdrop that I believe that our nation does not need “either or” solutions but rather “as well as” solutions. This is why I still insist that there are only two fundamental ways through which it is possible to consider the role of democracy in Kenya. First, through the participation “from below” of large sections of the population in non-cooperation events; this will explore the political and social identity of these collective argents- crowds, classes parties, occupational groups- analyze their beliefs, interests and expectations and attempts to define the part which they will pay in building a better Kenya. 

Secondly through focusing on the procedures and instruments upon which a modern democracy can be achieved; by looking at the way in which the current political system is defined in constitutional terms, considering its legislation, institutions and their functioning…Without the above two, our destiny remains detained.

Fashion Killer by Orawo Olave

Wikipedia’s definition of Fashion is a popular style of practice especially in clothing, footwear, accessories, make up, body piercing or furniture. The best of pieces are displayed in the great run ways worldwide.

Fashion is an art that is dynamic. New trends emerge while some recur from back in the day with splashes of modernization.  Fashion is diverse ranging from apparels and accessories to interior design.

Fashion trend setters for a while now have been celebrities; but this is turning not to be the case after all. The young and the restless generation have embraced fashion in both its most elegant grace to the weirdest ideas. Do you know who sets the trend right now if not me…it definitely is you?

The poster to the most recent Insigne fashion event

Maseno University is one of the greatest artistic hubs in Kenya. Talking of art, it hosts the best of upcoming classy and classical fashionistas and designers. Insigne-Maseno is one of the most influential Fashion clubs that give platform for new fashion trends. Through its multiple fashion events, Insigne-Maseno has brought to surface the next big designers who showcase their works at the events.  Some of the Events Organized by insigne include:

   1.   Runway of Eden

   2.   Qikoi & Qinywaji

   3.   Masquerade

   4.   Blackmosi

Street fashion is also now common in fashion statements. Everyone’s personality is best expressed by their dressing. Creative people tend to dare new ideas some not even thought of, these are the fashion statements which make some of the latest hitting trends in the fashion sphere.

There are entrepreneurs who have taken up fashion as an income generator. In fact it is a multibillion dollar business.

Who is your favorite designer? Is it your signature scent or your characteristic wardrobe? Everyone has a sense of fashion, whether the diva or the tom boy. There are those who spend ages dressing up while some do not have to think even for a while about it. At the end of a cool shower, we all step out to face the world confident that we look good.

The Bloggers Association of Maseno University Sets a New Record by Elizabeth Muthama

The saying that change begins with you is not cliché as on 15^th June 2014 the Bloggers Association of Maseno University initiated it by organizing an interfaculty conversation forum. Students from different faculties were invited to Ongea Hub’s forum where they discussed issues in their fields of study including: the scope of their course, the prospects of the job market and the influence of the internet and technology on their study and jobs.

The forum brought together students from the Political Science, Media, Special Education, Medicine and Surgery departments. Medicine and Surgery probably stood out not only as the only department where students take the largest number of units per academic year but also as the field whose jobs prospects are most likely the brightest: as Arthur Chweya put it “trained doctors will never tarmac there are ready jobs waiting for them”. Jack Adienge who was representing the Political Science department found himself in a catch 22 situation when pundits present in the session disagreed with him regarding the job definition of Political Science graduates. It was clear that Political Science graduates have to convince the job market that they have a vital role to play in the policy making and consultancy worlds.

The media students also had a rough time convincing people present that their job market is not infringed by individuals who are not trained journalists. The Ongea Hub forum presented the attendees with a special opportunity not only to understand what goes on in other classes but also learn interesting facts, this experience was best brought by Vane Nyambati who revealed incredible facts about special needs education and sealed it with a touching personal story.

The future for special education trained teachers according to Vane Nyambati is just as bright as that of the doctors, but unlike the many people doctors will have to attend to, these teachers can only have a maximum of 6, 6 and 10 students of the body impaired, brail and sign language in a class respectively. Vane Nyambati was inspired to study special education by her sister who due to ailment lost her hearing and gradually speaking abilities, but not her spectacular talents in athletics and singing.

After the conversation that lasted at least 3 hours every individual in attendance confessed to getting a new perspective on jobs market and content of study in other disciplines, Ongea hub is a brain-child of the Bloggers Association of Maseno University and it aims to bring together thinkers to discuss academic, social, political and economic issues: this was the third Ongea session and many more are in the pipeline.

This article was compiled by Elizabeth Muthama. She is a member of BAMU and is a third year Development Studies student.

Unsung Heroes By Watiri Mwangi

Unhappy, the land that is in need of heroes.

To many, heroes are iconized individuals who have been the hallmark of humanity. They create an overbearing illusion of an absence of human flaws. On a global scale, the list entails Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa. Unknown to many, every society has its own set of heroes and heroines. They are the regular John and Jane Doe, lady living down the street or the man treading down the road.  However, what remains significantly mysterious are their acts of heroism and the numerous lives they save.

They live amongst us, with no aliases or titles performing small selfless acts. Their acts remain unceremonial, unnoticed even but they have changed lives and made an invaluable difference in society. History only seems to highlight the role played by individuals who are widely acclaimed for their actions. However, unknown to many are individuals like Maria Feodorvna, wife to Tsar Alexander who altered a death sentence with the stroke of a comma. This saved the life of a prisoner on death sentence.

Today, they are the men and women who employ their limited resources, skills and talents to transform the Kenyan society. I seek to target these individuals and tell of their heroism and extraordinary acts of humility. To highlight the issues that are affecting the Kenyan society and individuals who have opted not to resonate to the status quo and transform society. Individuals who in the face of adversity and opposition have risen above these obstacles to perform an extra ordinary feat. They stand for their chosen cause not expecting to be thanked, rewarded or even recognized.

In a society where big names reign, our truest and most invaluable heroes tend to be anonymous. Individuals who are virtuous, self-motivated and little-known prove to be our unsung heroes. These are the teachers, doctors, firemen, honest officers, social workers, mothers, fathers, single parents, foster parents, volunteer-hard workers at unglamorous, lonely, regular and underpaid jobs. They affirm the verb that is hero, they are the unsung heroes.

UnSung Heroes: WanaKenya

This blogpost was prepared by Watiri Mwangi, a political science student and one of the founding members if BAMU.

Don’t Stare; Just Wave by Rhoda Wakaria

Staring is rude; Very rude. Which of these would you prefer: someone looking at you like you owe them something or someone looking at you like you are from Mars? I think the former is less offensive. You could owe someone something but you cannot possibly be an alien. Okay, Earth is just next to Mars in the solar system but at least all the bald heads around are not all that skinny. Sadly, some people just can’t stop staring.

Have you ever received that stare that scares the shit out of you? A total stranger digging his eyes so deep into you that you start second guessing yourself? You double-check your fly, you change your walking style to make it as ‘normal’ as possible(though you don’t even know what normal is anymore), you even breathe into your hands to confirm it’s not your breath either. Shit man! Someone making you so uncomfortable until you wish it was some big stinging boil on your butt instead.

I have a friend who when you give her those piercing eyes she returns the favour until you give up. I am not that kind of person. I will always avoid eye contact. Not because I’m scared or something…I’m not even shy. I mean; how can I be shy 24hrs…all around the clock? Nah nah…I will tell you why. First, I am very creative (that’s not up for discussion please…indeed I amJ). The moment our eyes lock, I already have a million and one ideas in my head. Maybe I’m even looking at my reflection in your eyes or thinking of how you would look without the eye sockets. Most of the time I’m trying to read your mind but since I’m not paranormal I’m probably thinking for you; giving you ideas. I could burst out laughing any minute especially when I give you ideas like suddenly breaking into Waichukucha dance in a board meeting. Probably because you had your earphones on and you forgot you are the only one who can hear that Waichukucha. Ha-ha wicked!

Anyway, I’m not so cool with awkward moments. When someone stares at you so much without saying a damn word it kind of gets awkward.At times I’ll just smile at you, if you still stare blankly I wave at you and if you still do that thing I now struggle with two options; picking a really big stone and smashing your face or punching your stomach with…well, both of my fists (coz one of ‘em might feel like a sting; just a stingL)

What’s my point here? Staring aint all that cool. When you get tempted to do it just do something less creepy like waving vigorously at the person with a grin from ear to ear. Yea that’s also creepy as hell but it’s definitely less creepy than sticking your eyes out on someone for more than a minute. Like a zombie; a dumb zombie. Next time you meet one in this profession of staring just stick out your tongue and do that ‘hands-on-the-ears’ face that scares kids away. You’ll scare the shit out of them heheheheJ.

Hasta la vista!        

This blogpost was prepared by Rhoda Wakaria. She is a member of BAMU and is a media student. This is her on twitter.

It Does Not Fit by Orawo Olave

Her heart belonged in the jungle, for her spirit was cold and her conscience wild. It took her quite some time to finally realize she would only see the last day of her life if she broke through the glass of normalcy.

Her curves were a sight worth lust but she belonged to no specific man. At night she’d give herself away to a stranger, a friend or a random combo of the two. Money was never part of the trade, well if it was, then just a bonus it was.

In a single moment of intimacy, be a kiss, a caress or an all the way, she caught glimpse of acceptance, one she lacked before that moment and would go missing just after.

 The society, she was told was be her family, had rules to abide to, but she found them too stringent. She strolled the streets alone with a dark cloud hanging over her head. She had a favorite path she took every late night, through the forest, the park and yet another forest.

An iceberg for a heart, she unchained herself from the world that barred her from her dreams of being free. She found peace in spending quiet nights at the grave yard. She mingled with the departed because they judged her less if at all they did. The living had branded her a whore, a witch, the she devil, everything but nice, calm and beautiful.

Each day she lived inhumanly, she had a human dream. That one day she will find a place she’d belong. Deep down a tiny flame still lit because she was born human but Dr. Life’s experiment on her in the little lab called earth turned her to a mini devil.

A woman with a body without a heart, the society called her a man’s object. To kids from their parents, she was the perfect example of what not to be. An outcast in a family of her own flesh and blood. Her sun rose from the west designed to burn her silk skin.

Despite her days being darker than her nights, a beaming smile disguised it all. She had learned to live like a criminal since the world was one big law court. A cold heart does not mean she doesn’t have that one man she’d want to notice her.

Message from OOGAM

Life is short, no time for dry runs, give it you all already. The world will judge you but you will not be sentenced.

This blogpost was prepared by Orawo Olave. She is one of the founding members of BAMU and is an avid blogger, a vocalist, a media student and above all a lover of life.

THE BEAUTIFUL TALE OF INSIGNE MASENO

From the eyes of many people they are the long awaited game changers, but from the eyes of a fervent Fatma Nguo the leader of the group of 8, they are just Insigne whose sole mission is to promote talent in Maseno University.

girls posing at the premier insigne event: Runway of Eden

Norah, a model in the Runway of Eden

Brian (right), a designer and two ladies at the Masquerade Party

The first impression Fatma Nguo gives me on our interview in one of Maseno’s gardens is one of an ordinary young lady who is just in Maseno to study, get great grades and head back home and it’s when I begin to interview her about insigne group that I realize there is more than meets the eye.

Beth (left) and a model strutting on the runway at the Masquerade Party

 
Insigne was conceived at a friendship gathering when Fatma and her friends were talking about fashion and events in Maseno. The idea of event organising sounded like such a huge responsibility but nevertheless they decided to give it a try. Exactly one year after they launched Insigne, the group today prides itself in being the first to organize a masquerade party in Maseno. The group attracts talent ranging from: runway modelling, graphic designers, advertisers to Djs. A model flaunts a designer Kitenge at one of the events Insigne’s mission is ‘To promote talent’ and true, to this talented persons in Maseno and beyond have met their dreams through it. Fatma tells me of a Maseno based designer whose kitenge t-shirts sold out after an insigne event.

Some of the people in attendance in the masquerade party.

more from masquerade party

The group’s excellence has attracted the insatiable appetite of corporate companies to advertise. Independently they have gotten a node from the Coca-Cola, Samsung and Orange who have branded some of their events. Some companies have found themselves fighting to have their name beside Insigne’s, “Coca-Cola and Pepsi were fighting for us. At first we walked out of Coca-Cola because they were too serious about their brand than ours, they later followed us. We had to drop Pepsi”, Fatma told me about the fuss they have created in Maseno.

photo session at the Second Insigne event: The Masquerade party

 The success story born out of sweat and tears of equal measure however has not been without challenges, event organizing according to Fatma brings with it so much pressure as everything has to be perfect. Sometimes it’s too much that they take time out to scream at each other and some members have opted to quit but Fatma continues to lead the firm. The insigne group has already set the bar so high, they have already changed their story and Maseno’s story but the truth is they just got started. Event organising for them is beyond events now and more of touching people’s hearts and with such will for excelling the sky cannot even be the limit.

most recent Insigne event: Blackmosi

the details on Insigne were compiled by Liz, a member of B.A.M.U.