"Carol Weds Timo in a Simple but Colourful Wedding"

Carol caused a spur in her social media page when she responded to Timo's quest of intimacy that would later lead to marriage between them. Timo, who has heavily praised his manly prowess, took to social media last week to try and highlight the reasons why he felt that Carol could be the only fish in his dish. Among the reasons highlited was the contentious issue of money. Timo believes that she might help him fix his dwindling financial hopes. Our generous and always ready to help online family was excited and some had already given their promises of material help if she would consent to the request and take him down the isle. What the majority waited to hear was a single statement: "Carol Weds Timo in a Simple but Colourful Wedding" The supposed bride responded dutifully and lovingly. But to the disappointed of many, she humbly declined and went ahead to give her advice to Timo. She however refused to disclose the reasons behind her decision.

2020, BBI's Year!

Dutiful Kenyans gathered in the BOMAS of Kenya in an expectant and jubilant mood hoping, against hopes, that the BBI document that would be launched later on that day by the president and his noble brother would help in solving many historical injustices that our country has been facing. This hope died the very minute our own Junnet got hold of the microphone. But this is a story for another day. Citizens started interrogating the document the way they were advised by their peace- loving president but if you were keen then you saw something sinister. The big brother was not amused. This became open when ODM, chama cha mama, ndugu na baba, publicly declared that they will be at peace with a powerful prime minister. All these views are politically instigated and one may wonder why we need these document so much to an extent of forgetting the basics which are imperative for the development of this country. To everyone's surprise, the taskforce's term has been extended and now a powerful politician in this country has the guts of telling us how 2020 will be a year set aside for BBI at the expense of development.

About life and luck

ADVERSITY AT UNIVERSITY © Victor Ochieng' I was fond of this joke. That during my university days. I had a certain close relative. Whom I used to text. I have not eaten for three days. She kept quiet. I am sick. She kept quiet. I have died. She also kept quiet. Mine, was an admission to what Napoleon Hill in his book titled 'Think and Grow Rich' calls — The University of Hard Knocks. When I pen about my sorrows and lamentations at the university. That does not mean that I am a jail bird, a long-serving prisoner of the ugly past. I don't dwell on the past. I just use the past as a reference. For how can we appreciate light without darkness? There is that past life that we should let go. Like I once suffered rejection when I was an egg, before I became a cock. I struggled with that. But at one point in time. I let bygones be bygones. For somewhere I read in the scrolls of the seer called Isaiah: "Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing." Sometimes, I love the past because today is the daughter of yesterday. But Margaret Atieno Ogola once said: "Yesterday is not today, and today is not tomorrow; each day rises fresh from Were — the God of the eye of the rising sun." After securing admission at the university in Kikuyu land. I went out to the nearest Shopping Centre. Rented a humble house. This was at Thogoto. It is a small centre in Kiambu County that started to grow and glow when the late Rev. Watson with his sweetheart established a missionary base there. Missionaries sent there by the Church of Scotland just called the place Thogoto. But it turned out to be a mouthful to the natives, the offspring of Gikuyu and Mumbi that were autochthonous to this place. They simply twisted Scotland to Thogoto. This is the lush land that hosts the two great Alliances. It is here that hell paid me a courtesy visit. I was bitten and bruised by life. Like gold I went through the fiery furnace. But like Meshack, Shadrack and Abednego, I was not razed down by the ferocious flames of fire. It happened that way because I was with the Sun, Son of man. Those who have tested the bitter bit of university life are part of this story. Life can squeeze you. Life can smash you. And reduce you into small smithereens. Life can steal beauty from you, and leave you ugly like sin. Though they say, no pain, no gain. But truth be told no one in this world of life and death likes to be pinched by pangs of pain. Pain steals peace from people. Pain can make you grow thin like a toothpick. It is pain that removes the shine and sheen on the skin. Pain makes people look pale like death. At the university, I knew the voice of hunger pangs. We were with a friend called Januarius Pesa. A young man with a thin frame like Mahatma Gandhi. His home was in those sides of Seme in Kisumu; where there is a stone on top of another stone — Kit Mikayi. For us, we did not know this thing they call three square meals per day. For even affording a meal was like asking for a blood donation from a mosquito. There was this pastor that came to our rescue. Personally, I was at the verge of despair. I had deffered several semesters. My house rent had piled up like an active volcano. The old landlord threatened to kick me out of his cubes. But those are the days I prayed like never before. Those are the days that the lyrics of the hymn 'Close To Thee' were common on my lithe lips of clay. It is interesting how suffering make people draw near to God. Then God also edges closer to to the crown of His creation. Pastor Ismael Mbula, of the Free Pentecostal Church, is the one that fed me the way ravens fed Elijah in the wilderness. The pious Taita man with a nut-brown skin tone was 'employed' by the Church. He hardly cooked in his house which was within the church compound. We waited for relief food from the children's home owned by this church. The home was called Nuru Africa. I remember fondly, how the pastor gave us a condition. For us to share the meal in the evening, we had to help him in his pastoral work. So, some of us at that painful point in life, we served God with zeal and zest, mixed with conviction. May God in His great grace forgive us. For all in all, we might have been driven by many motives, but He still had mercy on us. He healed our sin-sick-souls. I gathered courage. I edged to the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor. I went there incessantly but the cold-blooded Secretary did not allow me to meet Professor Gatara Timothy Henry. But like that widow in the 18th Chapter of the Gospel of Saint Luke. I just kept on going there. When all my efforts bore no fruits. I read Proverbs 18:16 : "A man's gift makes room for him. It brings him before great men." God gave me an idea. A brilliant idea. I weaved a 1,000 words. Used a different door. Used a small chunk under the door to drop the words weaved well by a wordsmith. The professor with a poetic mind, read the piece. Because my contacts were there, he gave me a significant phone call. I met this person with a pleasant personality. He was mighty in knowledge and eloquent like Apollos. He had a deep voice with a baritone tone. We talked at a graphic length. He had mercy on me. He paid part of my fee. And footed my bills before his tenure came to an abrupt end. When he left. I felt bereft. I went back to the black hole. This time round, I went down the trenches. But still could see a yellow ray of light. A flicker of hope. As Wilfred D. Best aptly put it : "Hope is the only good which is common to all men." When the world says 'give up!' 'Die!' Hope whispers back 'Cheer up!' In the tombs of despair. In the muddy swamps of grief. In the brink of giving up. In the dark tunnel. In the vile valley of the shadow of death. There is a flicker of hope. Hope springs eternal in the human bosom. Hope is the last thing that should die in a person. The good book has these wise words : And hope never disappoints. Hope propelled me. One chilly morning. After doing my devotion in the varsity chapel. I waited for the Vice Chancellor. In a jiffy. A silvery Mercedes Benz zoomed into the university premises. The professor of Medicine alighted. Professor Paul Mungai Mbugua, was a towering figure who loved to smile. I gave him a firm handshake. As I looked at him straight on the face. "Professor, I have something brief to share with you." "Yes, my son, you can share. Let's walk to my office." We tip-toed to his office. We ambled at academic angles. Books tucked under our armpits. The lion and the cub sat there. I shared my woes and worries. As the professor nodded his heavy head that housed a big brain. Accurate rumours went that he was looking for the antidote and cure for HIV/AIDS. The hair on his hefty head was well-manicured and close-cropped. His PhD was a real Doctorate in Philosophy. Not Permanent Head Damage. Not Poor Hair Distribution. We became close-knit friends. We met every morning to read the Bible, pray and have some brief academic conversation. Sometimes during weekends, we went out with the professor. He took me to see other places where he lectured like the University of Nairobi. He showed me his businesses. He sowed seeds of academia and scholarship in my mortal mind. Then one good thing he did for me. He loved and cherished my style of writing. He used to read my articles with glad glee. He also gave me writing assignments. One day, he held my hand. We went to the library to meet the senior librarian. A short stout lady who spoke excellent English. The VC asked the lady to assign me one of the rooms meant for master's and PhD students. There was a good computer there. So, I went there everyday, locked myself there even for six hours, to strengthen my writing muscle. It was the time I came up with a manuscript of my first self-help book titled 'From Obstacles To Miracles'.

Focus on Poetry

Poetry has become one of the most poorly performed aspect of Literature over the years. Regardless of the fact that poetry borrows highly from our Oral Traditions, many students shy away from reading and talking about poetry both in our secondary schools and universities. In high school, students preparing to face K.C.S.E examinations are simply turned off by the mention of poetry. They have dismal performance and however much a teacher would try to encourage them, there will be little or no change at all. The students seem to have made their mind about this particular subject. Simply put, the zeal is dying. I foresee a situation where poetry will be an optional field of study in our secondary schools as it is in the universities. The main question remains: why is it challenging to study and understand this ever beautiful aspect of Literature? There must be someone to blame for this. We cannot entirely say that the KICD has failed to design the English syllabus in a way that will make students active participants rather than recipients of an already rigid material. But still, they have to bear this blame, partly. Our teachers, also, must have their share of this bitter cake. They have strongly failed to show their dear learners that poetry, like any other aspect of Literature, is simple and students can therefore perform it well in the exams. Last but not least, the students have also literally refused to read. They take almost everything for granted. This should not be the case with poetry. The above notwithstanding, we can still revive this beautiful aspect of Literature. The aesthetics of poetry can be regained if all the stakeholders come together and start operating as a whole. The KICD to review the syllabus, teachers to focus more on the performance aspects of poetry and the students to love, court and marry poetry.

2019 KCSE RESULTS

Here is a list of top 100 schools as per their mean scores
KCSE 2019 RANKING SCHOOL MEAN GRADE COUNTY
1. Kenya High 10.467 Nairobi
2. Kapsabet Boys 10. 11 Nandi
3. Kisima Mixed 10.05 Nyandaru
4. Alliance High 10.019 Kiambu
5. Mary Hill Girls 9.92 Kiambu
6. Alliance Girls 9.92 Kiambu
7. Strathmore School 9.88 Nairobi
8. Moi High School Kabarak 9.88 Nakuru
9. Mang’u High 9.868 Kiambu
10. Light Academy 9.84 Nairobi
11. Anestar Boys High 9.7 Nakuru
12. Moi Girls Eldoret 9.65 Uasin Gishu
13. Pangani Girls 9.56 Nairobi
14. Nairobi School 9.55 Nairobi
15. Kianda Schoo 9.53 Nairobi
16. Nakuru Girls 9.52 Nakuru
17. St. Brigid’s Kiminini 9.4 Trans Nzoia
18. Murang’a High 9.2733 Murang’a
19. Riara Springs 9.2 Nairobi
20. Friends School Kamusinga 9.1608 Bungoma
21. Moi Tea Girls Sec. 9.16 Kericho
22. Maseno School 9.09 Kisumu
23. Kipsigis Girls Sec. 9.08 Kericho
24. Sheik Khalifa 9.01 Mombasa
25. Kagumo High 8.99 Nyeri
26. Bishop Gatimu Ngandu 8.962 Nyeri
27. Sagero Adventist National 8.927 Trans Nzoia
28. Maranda High 8.90628 Siaya
29. Pope Benedict Seminary 8.9 Kisii
30. Bunyore Girls 8.8925 Vihiga
31. Litein High School 8.84 Kericho
32. Agoro Sare 8.834 Homa Ba
33. Nakuru Boys High 8.81 Nakuru
34. Damacrest Academy 8.8 Kiambu
35. Baricho High 8.8 Kirinyiga
36. Light Academy 8.72 Mombasa
37. Limuru Girls 8.7 Kiambu
38. Kanga High 8.7 Migori
39. Meru School 8.7 Meru
40. Machakos School 8.6207 Machako
41. Mudasa Academy 8.62 Vihiga
42. Mary Mother Of Grace 8.62 Laikipia
43. Kiage Tumaini 8.6 Kisii
44. Kitui School 8.5878 Kitui
45. Asumbi Girls 8.58519 Homa Ba
46. Karima Girls High 8.58 Nyandaru
47. Kahuha Girls 8.53 Murang’a
48. Nkubu High 8.5 Meru
49. Carmel Girls 8.5 Machako
50. Kisasi Boys 8.47 Kitui
51. Moi Girls Mbiruri 8.405 Embu
52. Preciuos Blood Riruta 8.4 Nairobi
53. Moi Forces Lanet 8.4 Nakuru
54. Mbita High 8.4 Homa Ba
55. Karura Sda 8.4 Nairobi
56. Kabare Girls 8.4 Kirinyiga
57. Kisii School 8.4 Kisii
58. St. Mary’s Igoji 8.37 Meru
59. Sacho High School 8.36 Baringo
60. Metkei Girls 8.34 Elgeyo Marakwet
61. Njiri School 8.33 Murang’a
62. Elburgon Secondary 8.33 Nakuru
63. Chogoria Girls 8.31 Tharaka Nithi
64. Mutira Girls 8.3 Kirinyaga
65. Moi Siongiroi Girls 8.3 Bomet
66. Lugulu Girls High 8.2578 Bungoma
67. Memon Academy 8.2 Mombasa
68. Kyeni Girls 8.2 Embu
69. Muthale Girls 8.102 Kitui
70. Tengecha Girls High 8.1 Kericho
71. St. Mary’s Boys Nyeri 8.1 Nyeri
72. Qubaa Muslim 8.1 Mombasa
73. Kathiani Girls 8.1 Machako
74. St. Francis Misyani 8.06 Machako
75. Baringo High School 8.06 Baringo
76. Makueni Boys 8.054 Makueni
77. St. Anthony Boys 8.01 Trans Nzoia
78. Nyambaria High 8.01 Nyamira
79. Kangaru Girls 8.01 Embu
80. Mahiga Girls 8 Nyeri
81. Elite Girls 8 Laikipia
82. St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale 7.92 Trans Nzoia
83. Sacred Heart Roret Girl 7.9 Kericho
84. Orero Boys 7.9 Homa Ba
85. Kapsabet Girls 7.9 Nandi
86. Istiqama Academy 7.9 Mombasa
87. Graceland Girls 7.83 Laikipia
88. Nanyuki High School 7.82 Laikipia
89. Naivasha Girls 7.82 Nakuru
90. St. Peter’s Nyakemincha 7.8 Nyamira
91. Pioneer Girls 7.8 Murang’a
92. Ndalani Sec. 7.8 Machako
93. Kiurani Boys 7.8 Thara Nithi
94. Kiaguthu Boys 7.8 Murang’a
95. Mugoiri Girls 7.7928 Murang;A
96. Tenwek High School 7.79 Bomet
97. St. Patrick’s Iten 7.79 Elgeyo Marakwet
98. Kaplong Girls High School 7.79 Bomet
99. Chavakali Boys 7.756 Vihiga
100. Thika High 7.74 Kiambu

Educational Inequality

Have you ever asked yourself why there is too big difference in academic performance at national exams?
These could be the reasons.

Reasons why the sub county Day schools cannot perform better:

1. They are schools left for the poor and rejects from others schools.

2. Due to number 1 above, the parents cannot support the school programs whatsoever.

3. The parents in those schools know a lot of politics. They import their village and clan politics to the school.

4. Those schools have 3 TSC teachers. The rest are on BOM who are de-motivated due to poor pay. And in some schools, the said teachers are not paid during the holidays.

5. There is high level of teacher turn over. A class can be taught by 5 different teachers in a year.

6. The whole staff is demotivated on many grounds.

7. The students in those schools are affected by their own external environment. They engage in early sex relationships leading to early pregnancies hence babies, others do drugs.

8. Most of the learners in those schools don't live with their parents. Most live with their grandparents, and other relatives. Others live alone in some rentals, which are brothels and used to do drugs.

9. The schools have underdeveloped infrustructure. No laboratory. No lab technician. No adequate materials.

10. In some instances, the gate man doubles up as a teacher of CRE and the Burser.

11. Male learners are also in the Boda Boda business, or working in the construction industry.

12. In those schools, there is one teacher of Mathematics from F1 to F4. The same teacher is also the HoD Sciences, class teacher of F4, HoD Games, HoD Clubs, HoD Exams etc. And you may think the teacher is Powerful and controls lots of FINANCES, NO. The powers of money and authority reside with the principal.

13. The principal, in some instances, walks with the kitchen keys.

14. The support staff is badly underpaid for overworking.

Christmas is not about Christianity

On 25th December, all and sundry will be celebrating a great day. A day when our saviour, Jesus of Nazareth was born. But have you ever asked yourself why everyone seems to be celebrating this day? Is it because they are christians?
Your guess on the truth of the matter is as good as mine. Jesus once said to his disciples to go out and win as many souls as possible and this is the basis of Christianity; not Christmas.