NEWSROUND PRESS:CAMPUS LIFE, A MODEL OF NATIONAL COHENSION.

By Nyakoni Agnes Nyaboke


At the height of post election violence, it was hard to fathom the genesis of what almost became genocide for Kenya. Although the bloodletting began on the premise of stolen elections, the anarchy was almost generating a momentum of its own fuelled by tribal intolerance.
Flash forward, two years down the road, the war wounds seem to have healed. In fact, just recently Kenya underwent a rebirth, during which her people witnessed the promulgation of a new constitution. How is it that fate could shift gears so dramatically within such a short period? Well, to say the least the story is so Kenyan.

My idea of a university is probably as skewed as the idea of civilization to a forgotten village tribe in the Amazon. Where else would you expect to begin to understand the concept of unity in diversity apart from the university? It is a place to socialize, to express free thought, to have fun and engage the power of mob psychology once in a while-no one gets blamed when it was a clear case of collective responsibility.
The academic view however, is not as intriguing as many have been made to believe. This has been proven over time by the jubilation generated after classes fail to take off because of an absentee lecturer. Furthermore, the library is usually a favorite destination, once in a semester when the end of semester examinations threaten the unprepared with impending failure. However between attending lectures and sitting for examinations, the interlude characterizes true campus life and the thrill that comes with it. Most people like to call it social life.
Various social activities in campus have been put in place to ensure every possible outlet of youthful energy is exploited. For the agile, there is salsa to excite the muscles or a game of rugby, basketball or football. For the laid back types the cheering squad is always an enticing pastime.


There is also the possibility of a few hours to spare on ones favorite club and society. These range from regional clubs with members from similar localities, to broad range clubs such as
SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) and the Christian union for the so called “heaven bound.” For the less cautious a few hours at the pub and a few bottles of alcohol creates a much needed laxative effect.
In campus, romantic relationships form regardless of social, religious, cultural or ethnic divides
It is interesting to point out that the most compelling argument of any university student is the prospect of being able to manage one’s own life without undue supervision. This is usually summed up by one word - freedom. According to Dennis Mayeku, a student, the thrill of being in campus is mostly because of ‘the freedom to make your own choices.’ This ranges from the choice of career to the friends one chooses to associate with.
In campus, romantic relationships form regardless of social, religious, cultural or ethnic divides. Friendships blossom with a promise of longevity. At this point an unspoken bond of affection, free of any judgment or negative criticism develops. The syllables on ones name are never an issue; whether it be Merie’ng, Tesot, Wasike, Omondi or Isaboke the fact that we are all contemporaries and peers with a common vision at that is all that matters. Once this identity is clear to every university lad and lass the alliance is solidified to provide a platform for greater bargains.
(The writer is a third year Media Science student in the school of Information Sciences)