Online room booking, not an end to corruption

Relief dawned on Moi University students as the institution launched the online room booking system. The system which went live in July 2013 allows students to book rooms online and the relevant offices to approve payments and allocate rooms. This is to ensure transparency in the accounting system.

However, critics have pointed out that its major aim has not been achieved. Even though it is faster and efficient as compared to the long queues and paperwork, the process has been riddled with cases of corruption.

For instance, several junior students claim that they had to bribe the system administrators to secure rooms in senior hostels. Others said that they were allocated rooms that already had occupants. Students even had to dig deeper into their pockets to secure big and sizeable mattresses.

As much as the University is shifting to the digital era, it should also consider the long term effects of the whole process. The room booking exercise needs more streamlining, proper organization and consultation. The administrators also need to revise the booking rules in order to give all students equal opportunities. This can only be achieved through understanding of responsibilities among students, housekeepers and the administration. The online booking system and process is a noble undertaking, however, if the current level of corruption is not addressed the system will end counterproductive.

Editorial

The president of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta is the worst tribalist in the history of Kenya. He has perfected the foundations laid down by his father, the late Mzee Kenyatta. If he does not stop, then Kenya will not heal from ethnic disharmony. We trusted Kibaki in 2002 but he ended up polarizing the country through the same open nepotism that is recurrent in this Jubilee regime. What we need to know is that the Kenya of 21^st century needs a leader who will bring all people together to the table irrespective of tribe. I evoke leaders like Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth, and P.L.O Lumumba to safeguard their political ambitions by telling Uhuru to stop playing the ethnic game. If not, he will completely dent the image of leaders from that community who are the building blocks of this country. After all, a good leader is the one who is in the grave

Raising a healthy infant

One  guide to parenting a healthy toddler is to put in place structures and boundaries. This hastens their development by adding to their confidence and security. To achieve this, parents need to follow the following tips:

Set a routine:  From early on, set a regular time for feeding, playing and sleeping that is suitable for your family set up. This works best for weaned babies as breastfed babies feed on demand about every 2 to 3 hours, making  it harder to follow a fixed routine. Stick to the routine unless the child is unwell.  Ensure the nanny or relatives stick to the schedule to  avoid disrupting the child’s patterns.

Avoid too many changes: Do not start  a new routine when going through a major change like moving house. Children handle change better when  it is introduced in small doses otherwise they get overwhelmed and may be resistant.

Be consistent:   a new thing may not be pleasant to a child. Toddlers crave order and may struggle with change but stick with it if it is ultimately good for them. A lack of structure causes a child fatigue and over-stimulation.

Enhance productivity:  structure allows children time to rest after a long day of activities. This is beneficial for parents as it allows for time for each other. Remember  that structure  is a plus for your baby  as it incorporates order and facilitates proper transition into society.

Family rituals: Rituals give children a sense of belonging and something to look forward to. One ritual is birthdays. Set times to eat, retreat and play together to build lasting memories. Even bath time can be a great way to bond with your child.

Invest in reading: Set reading times with your child when they are alert, well fed and not too tired. Read a story and pray before bedtime and you will be amazed at the impact.

Nature social skills:  allow your child time to connect with other children, be they your friends’  children or  take them to play centers.

Moi University makes a difference

Moi University hit the headlines by clinching position two in this year’s University ranking. This is an improvement as compared to last year where it emerged third. In the report, Moi University overtook Kenyatta University which came third as the University of Nairobi secured the first place.

Speaking during the 30^th graduation ceremony, the chancellor of Moi University Prof Miriam Were said that that was just a beginning. “Everything is possible through determination and hardworking. We are up for big gears”, she said. 

Some of the cited reasons which contributed to this positivity includes improved accommodation. Initially, accommodation was a great challenge in the University. Its partnership with… and the Kenya Vision 2030 has enhanced it to build more Hostels. Besides, it has managed to pay for rental houses at the stage and the surrounding environment. This has enabled it to accommodate the maximum number of students without sending others packing.

 

Hostel M. One of the Kenya vision 2030 project.   |Photo: Ednah Ombaso

Double intake which remains a menace to some Universities like University of Nairobi has been a success in Moi University. For the second time, it was able to admit approximately 4,500 first year students without punishing other groups of students. No group has suffered “further notice”

Moi University houses the Moi University Radio (MU FM) and the Kenya Television Services (KTS). These media, apart from informing, entertaining and educating, offers support to Media students. Students use them in practice, a phenomenon which has made it to produce professionals in that field.

Subsequently, the online room booking which took course on July 23, 2014 has led to a smooth running of the room allocation process and a better accounting system. Corruption, paperwork and long queues has also been reduced.

The exchange program was another contributing factor. The University grants international students an opportunity to study as well as showcasing their culture. This has promoted the cultural diversity and understanding between members. Besides, the University has set up branches all over the country. This has enabled it to gain publicity hence attracting more students in.

This report marks the beginning of a new race for Moi University. “We are working hard to top the list come next year”, said Prof Were. She urged everybody to be responsible as they steer towards vision 2030.

Dispensary runs out of medicine

Moi University dispensary has been hit by a shortage of medicine over the past three weeks. In a private interview with a pharmacist in the dispensary, they have been facing a challenge in issuing medicine especially this cold season where the number of patients is rocketing.

Most students visiting the dispensary claim that they are compelled to wait for up to three hours before they are attended to. “The doctors make themselves busy by arranging and rearranging files, making long calls and loitering around. When they eventually get in, they just look at you and make their usual assumption of oh you have malaria”, exclaimed one student. After a long wait, they get astonished to learn that there is no medicine! They are then prompted to budget for the prescribed medicine and dosage.

One of the waiting rooms in the Moi University Dispensary. |Photo: Ednah

Speaking to the Herald, the dispensary head Mr. Phillip Ololngojine said that they have been persistently sending reports to the concerned administrators, but in vain. “I even called them yesterday and they gave me the obvious answer of waiting”, said Ololngojine. He however blamed the entire dispensary staff of laxity and negligence. That most staff members seem not to be bothered by the situation as long as they are punctual and on duty.

Students’ plea

Students who appear irritated of being given Piriton, Brufen and Amoxyl have asked the administrators to take it as a personal responsibility and set the system on the move. This includes the acquisition of medicine that matches a certain condition. “They need to order disease-specific medicine… Let malaria be malaria and headache be headache”, exclaimed one student. They further advocate for a procedural examination and treatment as compared to the obvious generalization. Modern equipment and a skilled personnel are also the major suggestions.

Once a cobbler, yet to graduate

Looking at Richard Otieno dashing along the pavements of Bondo University College to catch a lecture, one would pass him for a blissful youth with a decent upbringing and education. Hardly can one tell that he, at some point, was a misfit and forced to become a cobbler to make ends meet. His past is now obscured by the appearance of his new life.

Richard was born to a family of two. Their family was very poor, living in a grass-thatched hut in Otange village, Homabay County. They depended on subsistence farming on their small piece of land.Their father who would drink himself to a stupor made their mother desert them. Richard and his brother were left under the care of their grandmother. By then, he was only four.

Having attended a local primary school, he could neither afford a school uniform nor dream of shoes. However, hard work saw him clinch top position in class.

Lack of finance denied him secondary education.  Richarddecided to head to Nairobi in search for greener pastures. He was housed by his uncle, a sole breadwinner, in lucky summer estate.

As time passed by, the uncle fell ill and his condition deteriorated very fast and he succumbed to death. This left Richard disillusioned, numb and in despair. Through all these, one scripture reverberated in his mind “The Lord does not give man a challenge that is beyond him, He makes a through way.”

Richard with no secondary education became a cobbler. Since he could not pay the rent, he sought refuge under the stairs of one of the tall buildings. Going back home was not an option. This place became his house has he had did his work.

As days passed by, it seemed like life was coming to a standstill for him. All life brought to him was pain, misery and suffering. Every time he saw expensive vehicles and elegantly groomed pedestrians going past his stall, (a stone on which he sat on and a makeshift stool for his customers) the agony of his pathetic life ate away his strength. Happy moments seemed to last for secondsbut then he could not even do away with the stony face that had now become part of him. Utter misery, where was God? Were there any second chances in life?

One day Richard heard of private candidates who had sat for KCSE and passed. Being bright and having nothing to lose, he decided to study on his own. He started buying second-hand textbooks and reading them whenever there were no customers. “Every time I picked a book to read, Iwas filled with new hope and inspiration”, he says. It was not long before he was fully engrossed in his studies, sometimes reading till late using the building’s security lights.

After a year, he had completed the secondary school syllabus. He then sought the help of private tutors to tighten up before he could sit for the KCSE exam, bearing in mind that he had never stepped in any high school class. God granted him happiness that lives on to this day. He scored a mean grade of B-(minus). Richard did not have much problem asking for a fundraiser as many were inspired by his story.

He was enrolled into a Teachers’ Training College and completed with a P1 certificate. He got a job at one of the local private academies and worked there for three years before being promoted to be the deputy head teacher.

He is now a part time student at Bondo University College and the future has never seemed brighter. He has a beautiful wife and a proud father of one daughter. Giving inspiration and hope through his story to his students and others has become part and of his life. When asked how he managed to overcome the despair, he simply smiles and says “Only the Lord has the answer. All I know is that He lives and I can attest to that”.