Prof Fredrick Onyango, former Maseno University VC laid to rest

Finally the former Prof Fredrick Ngawo Onyango , Maseno University VC has been laid to rest at Uriri District, Migori County.

Onyango who raised the profile of Maseno University during his decade long reign as VC which ended on 2011 was eulogised as an academic giant and a maverick administrator by mourners.

“Prof Onyango was a consummate person and a honest administrator who has a firm believe in the role of technology in life which saw him add Information Technology as a compulsory unit in Maseno” Prof Dominic Makawiti, the current university VC said.

 “He steered the university from its humble beginning to touch lives of thousands of alumni students. He served the nation well which made him win the Silver Star of Kenya ward by the head of state in 1993” Makawiti who took the baton from the late don as he served as his assistant during his reign said.

The late don died on 11^th last month aged 72 years after a brave fight with cancer. He collapsed in a Kisumu hotel and was later pronounced dead when he was taken to Aga Khan Hospital.

Apart from being the VC at Maseno, Onyango held several positions and lectured from 1969 in Universities of Dar es Salaam, Nairobi and Kenyatta. 

Equally he was a member of other bodies like Kenya Academy of Science (FKNAS), Solar Energy Society of Africa (SESA) and the first African professor to elected in Associate of the International Center of Theoretical Physcis (ICTP) based in Trieste, Italy.

Onyango started his schooling at Pe-hill in Awendo district before proceeding to University off Nairobi where he majored in Mathematics and Physics. He got his masters from University of Uppsala in Sweden, doctorate and Phd in Solid State physics from University of London, UK.

Prof Onyango had three wives, Valeria, Jasmine and Halima, and left behind nine children.

“He was a great person who spoke his mind even though it offended people in a quest to be on top off what he did in his profession. We will miss him as a father of the family” Valeria told mourners.

His children eulogised him as a hardworking, responsible and caring father who enjoyed playing golf and soccer and had time for his family.

©Manuel Odeny, 2012

Mr & Miss Maseno University 2010 finally goes down

Tense: Aspirants waiting for results

Charity Kiarie and Steve Njuguna are the new Miss and Mr. Maseno 2010/2011.

The two emerged winners in a tightly contested event at the Graduation Square on Saturday evening and will replace Jackline Maina and Harrison Okemo.

The competition attracted 10 models from female category and male category as well. Another category was the flex which also attracted 10 body builders. Steven Ochieng’ retained his title.

“I will like to thank the students and my fans for their support. I hope to work with them closely to enlighten the world by portraying the varsity image positively” Said Charity contested last year’s event but never made to the top five.

Pauline Olouch, the second runners up for the crown congratulated Charity and said she didn’t fully agree with the results.

The new Mr. Maseno University, Steve Njuguna said the crown will help propel his modeling career and told The Burning Splint he is ready for the task.

“I would like to thank all my supporters especially my girlfriend Ruth Muthoni of Kabarak University” he said.

The second runners up Ibrahim Mohammed said he was satisfied with the second position and congratulated the winners.

Immediate former Mr. Maseno, Harrison Okemo congratulated the winners saying the modeling skills had gone a notch higher especially like the free modeling where straws, bottles, condoms and banana fibers were used.

Edward Omondi the 08/09 Mr. Maseno who worked closely with the varsity Public Relations office observed that the models were experienced.

“I could not easily predict the outcome since all 20 models and 10 flexxers were experienced and talented.”

 The same sentiments were shared by Gildah Nyamongo and Orlando Geoffrey who trained female models and flexxers respectively.

Susan Osage a Zain Kenya model. Adan Mohammed of House of Funk and Mr. Olivier of Versatile models judged 20 participants of Mr. and Miss Maseno crown. Former Mr. Kisumu Victor Nakhisa judged the body builders.

Sponsors

This year’s event was sponsored by Coca Cola, Zain, EABL, Co-operative bank, Versatile models and Pambo school of dressing and beauty in Kisumu. According to Joel Omino, one of the event organizers, the Vice chancellor made a special contribution amounting to Kshs. 100,000.

Eliakim Lolgisio, the Entertainment Director confirmed that SOMU paid Ksh. 162,000, Cop-operative bank Kshs. 8,000 while House of funk DJs outfit donated Ksh. 12,000.

“Other material like tents, T-shirts, phones and modems were donated by Zain and other sponsors,” Said Eliakim.

The two could not confirm if winners will get laptops as stipulated since Standard Charted bank withdrew Ksh. 200,000 sponsorship hours before the event.

“Although Stan Chart has been the varsity’s bank they said they could not see the benefit of sponsoring the event.

Though the Pulse magazine refused to show up after attending Mr. and Miss Moi University event, the occasion however was a success.

DJ Enzyme of M.O.B partnered with four House of Funk jockeys to entertain revelers.

Local rappers Dr. Ivy, Bob, UjoC and Kevoh gave superb performances. In addition, Dance troupes Extremists, Salsa, Muge, Maomond and Peter Gumbo show casted their talents on the stage amidst applauds from the crowd.

Nonini thrills the audience

Nonini got on the stage at 1.04 am and gave an entertaining performance for 30minutes before the results were announced.

Genge artist Nonini, entertaining guests.

The 28 years musician was paid Ksh. 70,000. With 10,000 of the amount paid for his air ticket. He blazed the crowd with hits like Manzi wa Nairobi, Genge na Bongo feat Juma Nature, Geroro, Viletafanya, We kamu and Si lazima which left the audience breathless.

The dancehall sensation Kushoto Kulia and Mgenge done with the P-Unit crew excited the charged crowd. The Crowd were lost as they tried to follow songs from new album Godfather wa Genge.

The articles was published in Equator Weekly (March 15-23, 2010), The Informant and The Oracle (2009-2010)all publications of Maseno University/Kenya 

Maseno university: Lions roar to be scholary giants as the Zain team emerges top.

The Lions scholarly club emerges top during this years SOMU academic quiz night by knocking out other 7 contestants.

The 29th October 2009 event that took place at Hindocha Hall saw the Lions made of second years Bernard Musembi, Ismail Abdulkadir and Mohammed Hussein knock BA – second runners up – with 80 points.

“The battle was tough but we are satisfied with the second position.” Said Peter Kapingazi who lead the BA third years group made of Ibrahim Kimathi and Brian Kibet.

The first round saw Evolution knock Wolves with 640 points to 160, BA thrashed Freshmen with 120 points. Another team H39 escaped narrowly against Fulls with 40 points while Bombers failed to fuse against Lions when they were beaten 480 to 560 points.

The second round saw BA and Lions proceed to finals by knocking Evolution and H39 respectively. Evolution and BA match was hotly contested with BA coming from behind to win by only two questions. Meanwhile H39 was easily floored by Lions with point margin of 270.

Semi final was an anticlimax when H39 representing a room in New Sunrise easily left Evolution to bag number three position with a cash tag of Ksh. 4500.

The BA won Ksh. 6,000 while the indomitable lions went home with Ksh. 7,500.

This year’s quiz was unique since software used by Zain Africa challenge was tried though it brought technological hitches which delayed the competition.

“The contestants were given the experience of Zain challenge by having the questions chosen at random and they were timed” Said James Wambua the SOMU director of academics.

Mr. Wambua attributed the low turnout to the time of the semester when students were but congratulated the contestant groups which brought a high competition as brains clashed for the ultimate prize.

Kevin Ogoro who was a presenter and the chairman of University Scholars gave the Lions a chance to sharpen their wits with the Zain African finalist made up of Sammy Ogeto, Whitney Njiru, Chris Musafu and Paul Oguda.
The Zain challenge team brought the Lions to their heels by wining with 980 points to 320.

Mr. Ogoro , a former Zain Africa challenge participant when Maseno lost to Egerton by missing 60 points at national level, lauded this years Zain Africa challenge team and coaches them on sharpness required as questions are answered in seconds.

“This year’s elimination was highly challengimg as participants scored highly.” Said John Mark Rukungu who was in charge of the process “the final four where chosen from a list of 198 participants through three written exams and standup questions drawn from current affairs, history, geography, greek mythology amongst others.”

The first round on Thursday 24, Sep 09 which required candidates to answer 84 questions in 20 minutes, at an average of four questions per minute, saw only 62 to qualify for round two.

The second round 5 days later saw further elimination before the four were picked from a stand up oral exam.

Although sponsored by Zain Limited Dr. Olela, the dean of students said the varsity provided laptops, modems and equipments in aiding the team. In addition Ongaki Harriet and Ngugi Joshua who were in top six will be sponsored by the University for the sake of continuity.

The team will leave for Sarova Panafric hotel on 11th November this year where the challenge will take place as from 12th -13th of the same month.

Maseno team will battle it out with other Kenyans and countries like Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leon and Zambia in the battle of brains.

(For Equator Weekly and The Informant

A poem, Ecstasy of being Published; Sunday Standard, Sunday Nation.

When the journalism bug bites and the urge to write unquenchable, a young writer always find it hard to believe on his pieces.

Most time unedited pieces done solely with little assistance from peers who find writing boring, I resolved to find some other quarters. I sent a series of my poems to different newspapers and Magazines.

Always I could not afford to follow up on publications due to financial ditches. Among the newspapers and magazines I did send my poems and articles are The Drum, True love, Nation and The literary discourse in Saturday Standards.

I still wonder when and where this poem appeared but some three readers found it uplifting enough to write back to me. They become my first comments and gave me energy and self esteem to write on and start my blog.

Buoyed by the comment i published my poems on the poem hunter internationally. I have received further comments from readers worldwide.

My maiden comment, or advise to be precise, was from :Esther Wanyoike who recommended Power of the Written Word. The was to help me as a poet.. The regards were sent on Thursday, July 31, 2008

The second more interactive mail was from a Mt. Kenya University diploma student Esther Mwaurah. It was more vivacious. I received it on Monday, August 4, 2008.

"Hi! Surprise, my name is Esther; I happened to peruse on the newspaper(never knew which) and found a poem you wrote, Am a big fan of poets and wish to congratulate you on a job well done."

on October 6, 2008 David Kamwela from Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania wished me luck:

"Hello! Manuel, I have read your poem In that Village of Mine. It was a very nice poem i can say your are really a poet. i love your work. Wish you all best in these mail of mine."

Ms Mwaurah wished me good day and told me to keep in touch. I did albeit with glee.for both of them. Of the three only Esther Mwaurah replied back. We exchanged a series of mail till she excused herself to concentrate on her exams.

The three comments bolstered my self esteem and i refer to them to get the strength and inspiration to write. Am indebted to the three,.

My Early Days at Maseno University

Perhaps the first day and the early days at Maseno University will always be marked in my life as the dearest. I remember I insisted on coming from home on my own amid worried looks from my parents who according to me were only raising a storm in the tea cup.

With enough rumors of freedom and the institution where anyone was treated by everybody as an adult I couldn’t belittle myself to be escorted as a form one student.

On alighting from a matatu which had defied all Michuki laws; the first thing that struck me as odd was when I was directed from College campus main gate which in my mind was the university and directed to Siriba campus which I found strange due to the grinning monkeys swinging aimlessly on branches.

All around me other students trudged like drunkards carrying big suitcases to their respective halls of registration, I moved to the monument of Siriba campus where Arts and Social Sciences students were registering.

Among the first days I frequented the Campus Palace for the bottle to shekilegi to the tunes because the money from home and the interested-rated one from HELB made me ride in cloud number nine.

Looking back, I remember how we could show-off the palm toys irrespective of either it was first hand or tenth-hand from seedy backstreets of Nairobi.

 I was left at loose because my simu ya tochi a.k.a Nokia 1100 which made my cousins take ‘photos’ cuddling it was a thousand staircases down the others.

I was quickly integrated to the university slang where ‘freshers’ were being ‘ponyokwad’ with, ’resit’ was a term for failure and ‘exile’ was when your roommate ask you for time out to have a behind closed door meeting with a female student.

My early days were fun filled and we always joke a bout it my buddies.