Mr & Miss University 2013

Mr and Miss University hunt accomplished in style

By Erick Diang’a

The colourful pageant for Mr and Miss Zetech 2013 was held at Nyayo Gymnasium in the evening of Saturday 20th September, 2013. The festival was curtain raised by ZETECH talent search competition winners in various genres including dancing, singing, standup comedy and spoken word finalized a day earlier (September 19). 

ZETECH College’s Mr Robert Onyango of Agriculture House Campus and Valencia Wanjiru of Stanbank Campus were the ultimate winners crowned in this year’s Mr and Miss ZETECH contest. Suleiman Benjamin and Selestine Awuor held the first runners up positions while Song’ony Felix and Aisha Amakia clutched second runners up positions. Former castle bearers, Mr Ashok Sanny and Emaculate Aquinatta handed the shield to the new king and queen ceremoniously marking their one-year term in throne.

To segregate winners from losers, a number of qualifications considered by judges were prioritized according to their (judges’) own rulings. Categories of challenge included: casual wear, career wear, African wear and evening wear. However, that wasn’t a reason for victory, winners had to put on display their intellect by responding to random environmental and societal questions shot by the judges.

This year’s audition attracted interests of 21 contestants who otherwise splendidly exhibited their talents thereby scooping certificates of explicit performances. The gala was characterized by cheerful mood and jubilations from diehard who flocked the party in their hundreds to witness and psyche up participants. The Gymnasium was vibrant with both cameo and floodlights twinkling from all corners as participants choreographed dressed in full fashion fabrics. Happiness befell ZETECH students and staff as they watched despite the rainfall that pounded Nairobi City accompanied by cold- from the look, the latter ceased to find chance to creep into the hall.

The crowd was entertained by renowned Kenyan artistes; Wyre, Willy Paul, Juliani, Habida, Khaligraph and T-Broz. Disc jockey Crème De La Crème (George Njuguna) rocked the house with the latest hit mixes.

All was in good shape with MC Obina Ike Igwee from Easy FM leaving audience in stitches amid performances.

The presiding judges held the session by adjudicating what the contestants deserved at the end of the exercise. Judges foreseeing the event were some of the celebrities with expertise in the field of pageantry. The seven judges were Mr Odah Okello, former World Kenyan 2002-2007; Ms Susan Onyango, Miss Kenya 2011; Ms Martine Kappel from True North Leadership; Mr Erick Omondi, Asian based international model and a performing artist; Mr Kevin Omondi, International Model; Mr Leakey Odera, Director of Pambazuka Entertainment Limited and Ms Leah Tesfamariam, first runners up Miss World Kenya 2011.

The Principal Mr Edwin Wamukoya embraced the performances and urged students to develop their careers through art to earn living. “I pass my sincere gratitude to those who saw it wise to give support to our own students in the contest. I would like to throw challenge to students who overlook social events since they are the sole platforms that link an individual to success. In as much as you engage in class work, take advantage of these events since they may plunk your destiny in better places,” said Mr Wamukoya.

Also present were Chairman ZETECH College Mr Ken Mbiuki, The Academic Registrar Mr Alphas Adoga, Business Development Manager Mr Moses Maina and campus Administration Managers. 

Judges from right: Odadah Okello, Susan Anyango, Martine Kappel, Kevin Omondi,
Erick Omondi, Leakey Odera and Leah Tesfamariam

Male contestants in casual wear

Willy Paul and his crew entertaining the crowd

First runners up Selestine Awuor responding to a question asked by a judge

Artiste Juliani unleashing his latest hit song to fans

Former Mr and Miss Zetech 2012 Emmaculate and Ashok minutes before handing over

Principal Edwin Wamukoya giving a apresent to Mr Zetech 2013, Robert Onyango

Miss Zetech 2013, Valencia (centre) being crowned

Judges 

DJ Creme De La Creme ( George Njuguna) rocking the Nyayo Gymnasium hall

Singer, Habida entertaining the audience

 Comedian also the MC, Obinna Ike Igwee entertaining the crowd 

Judges dance to the tunes from Juliani

Wyre was also in the house

DNA on stage keeping fans awake all night through

Former shield holders pose for their last photo

Social Media

Social Media Sabotaging Real Communication in Modern Society?

By Erick Diang'a
Communication is an element of socialization among people. Not only do people communicate but also animals in waters and on land. Responses exhibited by plants through symbiotic relations suggest that they are in continuous communication with one another and with the surrounding.

Socialization dates back to thousands of years; it was majorly enhanced by communication whose onset is based on theories like the social learning theory in 3500 BC.

Before the introduction of mobile phones in Africa, people communicated authentically thereby promoting social interactions through understanding in-depth reality of ideas. People got psychologically satisfied by seeing the people they communicated with.

"As human beings, our only real method of connection is through authentic communication. Studies show that only 7% of communication is based on the written or verbal word. A whopping 93% is based on nonverbal body language. Indeed, it’s only when we can hear a tone of voice or look into someone’s eyes that we’re able to know when “I’m fine” doesn’t mean they’re fine at all…or when “I’m in” doesn’t mean they’re brought in at all." Says Susan Tardanico, leadership and Communication Executive Coach.

In the modern communication trend where the respondent is heard rather than seen, communicating parties have to create imaginations of; the mood worn by the other, how the partner feels, where he is, his physical reactions to the issue being discussed and other body languages that accompany verbal communications. "The world is a village" but it's ironical to see socialization parting away from the villagers.

Gone were the days when bridegrooms expressed seriousness while negotiating marital issues with the elders. A man had the courage to convince elders how he would be able to shoulder his family burden by ensuring that the bride would be guaranteed what it took to be a woman. Some men of this generation would pick a phone and tell the elders what they think please them (elders); obviously cash. Cash would be the best since he last saw a bull during agriculture lesson and the teacher mentioned tethering. Today’s men cannot hold a bull by its horns, at the same time, would not possibly make a knot on a rope to create a loop that can successfully go round the neck of a docile bull. Reason? We are unsocial.

When messengers were the reliable mode of communication over long distances, the then chiefs were sure that the half-naked runners would represent them (chiefs); no messenger was taken for granted. Chiefs were as well certain of substantial feedback in case no lion smelled the blood of the messenger.

Our fathers carried brown envelopes to prove their confidence before the human resource officers in an interview. The panel scrutinized their papers and their reasoning capabilities. Limited shortcuts in education notwithstanding then, those old folks proved their competence.

They built relationships faster with the interviewers allowing the latter to make instant valid judgements. Bearing in mind that most of the interviews went unrecorded, the face-to-face conversation created deeper link and understanding between the job seeker and the HRO.

Look at the digital regime; telephone interview! What would be the perception as an employer if the person you want to absorb into your company picks your call while not observing any conversation etiquette? The person could be drunk rendering his judgement void; she could be in a stressing situation forcing her to reveal the contrary. It would be hectic to determine whether the interviewee obeys the interview rules. Similarly, it would be hard to ascertain whether an employer is questioning the correct candidate.

Language performance in schools has deteriorated due to intermixing of native and foreign words. In addition, syntax used on cell phones as text messages mystify language utilization. You are likely to receive a text message from high school son chatting, xaxa masa, niko xoxo hapi abt pesa ulinixendia. (Hi mother, I am glad you sent me money). Continuous use of such words may negatively influence creativity in a student’s writing skills.

You recall how superb letter writing carried the day in the past. Letters brought the writer closer to the reader. There was an enormous space for expression of feelings, pens worked better than handset buttons even though the letter could take weeks in the post office prior to reaching the receiver. Overall, what mattered was how bonding the letter was. Unlike phone texts, letters could be kept for further reference.

New age media has emerged with new look of communication hence creating communication friendly atmosphere through the use of social media tools. Social media has reduced the rate at which people visit relatives in the upcountry. Let’s test out the use of Skype in the current communication trend; one would feel successful in the conversation however, inwardly, he would wish to meet the person one on one. Satisfaction in physical contact has never been achieved through the use of facebook, twitter, what’s up, to go, linkedin, twoo, ebuddy, instagram, flickr, picasa , My Space and the rest not mentioned. In the process of using the aforementioned tools, either a computer or a cell phone would be in the company of the users rather than the company of ‘unseen respondent.’

The use of cell phone for instance has been linked with exaggeration of Proximity and distortion of reality. It is currently ordinary to hear a suspected criminal caller lying of his alibi. Away from crime, any phone user, at one moment or another, has lied of his location. The act can completely be severed by physical conversation where the venue is shared.

Mutual trust lingers in the air because it is awkward to distinguish truth from flatter when a message is passed through wireless handsets. Callers have to create doubts before they call to investigate whereabouts of their beloved ones. For instance, it’s possible for an employee to intentionally abscond job to meet his errands after laying excuses to employer that he’s seeking medication in a hospital. Later to coincidentally meet in a local inn a few minutes after the conversation! On the other hand, if the deal succeeds, the possibility of emailing a doctor to forge a sick chit as proof would take less than a minute. Such are the embarrassing scenarios related to technology, cell phones and the new age media.

The digital conversation has gone away with nonverbal communication cues which are closely associated with determination of truth, courage, sincerity, trust and emphasis.

In as much as we enjoy the diverse benefits of modern digital communications tools, let’s give a second thought to the diminishing physical conversations which were the base of proper dialogue and union. Not to forget terrorism activities heightened by advancement in social media. Executions of disastrous attacks and other crimes have recently taken a different direction whereby a detonation can be initiated by the press of a touch-tone phone miles away from the scene.

Health

He Battled Without ‘Shield’ and Returned In Agony

 By Erick Diang'a

Unlike many of his comrades, he was well built and healthy. Many admired his personality, nature and charming smile that propagated nervousness among the feminine gender. He was the kind who featured in most publications-any female freelancer would seek his opinion even on issues he had no knowledge about. Nonetheless, men weren’t in good terms with him because he could make an angel disengage her betrothed partner and lay quietly in his ‘box’. Don kept his ‘box’ full but never bothered to seal it as he still dared for more. 

When he received a phone call from his commanders concerning a battle that he normally confronted in a dark jungle, he packed hurriedly. He wore his best night war clothes, sprayed perfume and smeared oil on his body ready to join the troop. He placed the ‘inseparable gun’ in its sheath and ensured that his two ‘indivisible rubber bullets’ were intact. The ultimate procedure was to gulp a pick-me-up or booster if you like.

The nature of the war compelled him to accomplish the above-mentioned course of action. There were always characteristics considered by the opponents; victors had to be smart in negotiations, charming in appearance and full in the side pockets. Your leather wallet had to prove its worth in content. Additional qualifications would include owning a driving license, a license whose owner possessed a personal jeep. Don was in the front list of this category so he had nothing to worry.

Unfortunately, he committed an irreversible crime. The misdemeanor that resulted to his fate! He forgot to carry his ‘shield’! That was his greatest weakness in his battle life. 

 His misconception was that his rivals were super humans who would subject his life to little harm. The opponents looked friendly and declined to openly disclose their harmful tactics and weapons. In fact, females dominated the rival troop. However, the few men who belonged to that squad acted in a similar way the ladies did; they were lenient to kinds of Don, wore studs, had tattoos all over their skins and some pleated hair. The only difference was that this minority group could offer their rivals cash, body and soul in exchange for ‘homo battle’.

It was time for the soldiers to converge  for a drink (concoction) to pave way for war. At that point in time, the law safeguarding the battle gave all the soldiers the privilege to mingle with their foes. The two conflicting parties were at liberty to exchange contacts, dance together drink together and provoke another intimately.  Tusker, Guinness and their friends were to act as binding concoctions.

Being a Friday, Soldiers filled the camp. Don the warrior loved the ceremony and kept bragging about his fascinations towards female soldiers. The party went on but agitations rose from the abuses thrown by Don under the influence of bottle contents. The rule didn’t allow anyone to engage in fights emanating from anger.  Ironically, the ‘war’ could only take place after creating a relationship through winning one’s heart. In the jungle and its surrounding territories, forcing one to ‘war’ was punishable by law so soldiers chose the right channel to have legitimate and romantic wrestle. Beer spared no table edges. Don ensured that no table exposed its poverty. He justified the poverty eradication by unzipping his leather wallet consequently proving to the counterman his financial might.

The energy required to begin the war was within every soldier. Don chose a female rival soldier and both separated from the rest of the troop. They dashed to a safer site for war to discover their strengths and privacy. Little did he know that the opponent had a lethal weapon that could ruin his health perpetually.  Her weapon was in a permanent and private sheath known best by her.

He forgot his ‘shield’ but he had a few seconds to counterattack. The concoction  charged him and he feared nothing except instant death that he thought less about. No energy and intellect to borrow a shield from friends. No minute to spare since his carcass was burning. He emptied his sheath and shot his woe angrily twice in a row. The opponent cried in pain but he kept pulling the trigger. The two rubber bullets met the target making Don proud of himself. The concoction proved to him that battling without a shield was equally successful. 

They both felt exhausted and laid on the ground. He knew that rubber bullets were not brutal to victims. After all, he used it on a soldier who understood the consequences well.

Trauma befell Don when sober a day after the careless attacks. He couldn’t sleep either, he smelled danger in the air. The charming person decided to visit health professionals to decide on his fate. Counselors advised him to check back after three months for another blood test. Ultimate revelations confirmed that the hidden weapon used by the opponent poisoned him. 

To trim down poison impact, daily dosage was the last resort. He took the advice and requested the UN, WHO and NACADA to preach the use of protections in every battle. Not only did he plead with the organizations to emphasize on protection but also appealed to fighters to be sensitized on healthy approaches to war.

Plight of Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

Dark Encounters of Street Urchins Before Liberation 

By Erick Diang'a

I have been to a number of orphanages to establish the living conditions of children before they are accommodated. Many a times, people have the pleasure to visit such homes to give donations and emotional supports but they fail to query background profile of the victims.

Being a Non Governmental Organization volunteer back in 2007-2010, I acquired some know-how to interact with children to understand their challenges in a positive manner. It starts with designing gestures and wordings to conform to theirs (rapport building). If you incompetently conduct this, your results could be null or based on their imaginations and opinions rather than facts.

These children have been called names: street urchins, chokora, orphans, wanderers, beggars, vagabonds, bastards and so on. Yes, the name could suit an interest but have you tried to comprehend where the names were derived? Whatever your finding, that is where the problem began. Concisely, they are seeking refuge and rescue in response to the misconducts, wrath and evictions facilitated by initial parents or guardians.

When you make an appointment as a group or individual to pay a visit at an orphanage, the children are briefed and kept alert by the caretakers prior to your reception. They would be gathered at a place to clap and welcome you in unison. However, instinct and selflessness will demonstrate to you the sorrow deep within the minor’s faces. If these aforementioned characteristics aren’t engraved in your heart, you might disdain the sufferings inside the orphanage and regard your ‘picnic’ a success because after all you went because you had no errands at home or just wanted to relieve stress or to meet the demands of a company.

 In our current charity tour to Nakuru as an association, we made a stopover at a Children’s Home. A young girl, who sought anonymity, learning tailoring opened her heart and revealed how she fell a victim of incest. None within the association noticed my desire to touch a heart - I secluded myself from the crowd and had adequate objective dialogue with the girl.

 “I came from school one afternoon and picked a bucket to fetch for water downstream. Back from the stream, I found my father seated and asked me why I was late from the river. He suddenly turned wild and ordered me to lie down still. He overpowered me and took off my clothes forcefully. I kept shouting for help but warned me to shut up before he kills me. He had an intercourse with me and locked the door behind him leaving me in the house alone. He was already drunk and I knew he was going for more drinks. At 8PM, I struggled to open the window to escape and ultimately succeeded.  I took off to our neighbor who took me to this children’s home for counseling. To date, father is in police custody and I’m progressing well however only the doctor and I are certain of my HIV status. I was the only child in my family and my mother died in 1994 after refusing to take ARVs. She disclosed her status during a domestic quarrel with my father.” She painfully shared it with me.

That was a testimony amid millions either told or kept secret. Every child in a home has a purpose for belonging to that family irrespective of age, gender, tribe or race. In such situations, acceptance is the only solution to eliminate their trauma and distress for a faster healing of their souls and body.

According to the Manager of the facility, one of the girls was brought to the orphanage by the authorities after her mother attempted to poison her. The mother was taken to prison but the father’s whereabouts has not been established.

 Women Crisis Centre is one of the programmes the facility runs to make certain women have a chance and value in the community. Women forums are held to enlighten sexual health and how to sever the barrier created between them and children in terms of passing sexual information. The centre is also responsible for offering solutions to domestic violence and counseling adults of varied ages.

 When I visited Good Samaritan Children’s Home and Rehabilitation Centre in Mathare Slum years back, I spotted similar episodes. A boy was raised in the streets of Nairobi although his mother wasn’t in a position to take care of his needs so mother advised him to look for a place to stay. The mother had planned to relocate to a far distant town and informed the son of the same.

Some children arrive at the homes while mentally ill. Mama Mercy of Mathare facility told me of a child who fed on her own long call. It was heart touching to realize that she had been to the dangerous and hazardous act for the past years before being rehabilitated. Mama Mercy coached her and she eventually desisted from the act. 

Mitigating HIV/AIDS pandemic among rehabilitated children has been a snag because most childbirth in rural and semi urban areas is carried out at home or on streets. This has consequently thwarted Prevention of Mother To Child HIV Transmissions -PMTCT. HIV testing in the facilities should be a statute and be implemented to enhance the longevity among vulnerable children and youths. 

Children re much social and engaging thus at the end of your visitation, they feel like leaving with you. When she/he stands back watching you go, perhaps mixed feelings rekindle her past ordeals. Maybe her parents were killed in her presence and the happening still fresh in her memory. It’s of essence to promise them a revisit or offer them something that would distract their attention from your departure.