The government of Kenya proposed the Expressway 10 years ago, implemented it in 2019 and now it is almost finished. The expressway, according to the KeNHA (Kenya National Highway Authority), would ease congestion of vehicles and motorists during the peak hours. The Nairobians embraced this project wholeheartedly, knowing very well that at least the infrastructure will have improved as well as they will also benefit from it.

What Kenyans knew about The Expressway before the COVID-19 pandemic;

• The Express Way will provide passage of cargo for the neighboring landlocked countries up to 85%.
• Improve the transport system and connectivity of goods, people and services therefore an increase in the productivity of the nation hence increased GDP.
• The Express Way will improve competitiveness with East African countries, making Nairobi the center of most Business Hubs.
• Reduction of congestion along Mombasa road, Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki Way ( A8 road), enhancing economic vitality and better traffic flow.

“Letter from Africa: How the Nairobi Expressway is changing Kenya’s capital – BBC News” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55995229.amp

What the Expressway is at now during this COVID-19 period; 

Payments

It is expected that every motorists and vehicle make payments via different methods so as to use this 27Km road depending on how many kilometers you will cover. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/infographics/2022-03-22-breakdown-of-expressway-toll-charges/ . The registration and mode of payment; https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/74600-how-use-nairobi-expressway-registration-and-payment-procedure

• Socio economic divide

Priority is given to the wealthy, because they are able to afford the payment set aside by the government, making the common and the rest mwananchi still continue with the congestion during peak hour therefore, unable to benefit from it. “Nairobi’s new expressway may ease traffic woes – but mostly for the wealthy” https://theconversation.com/amp/nairobis-new-expressway-may-ease-traffic-woes-but-mostly-for-the-wealthy-170164

• Debt

The Expressway will be maintained by the Chinese corporation for 27 years, by which the country would have already cleared the debt owed. This implies that, not anytime soon will the common mwananchi afford to use the road of which it is an Infrastructure for everyone to use.

• Environment impact

A Lot of destruction and damage was done to trees along the areas where this road was to pass. Inhabitants of the trees (birds) deprived of their home. As much as the huge trees were cut off, there is no effort in replanting other ones hence causing environmental chaos in the future. “2,500 trees brought down to pave the way for Kenya’s major highway | The East African” https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/2-500-trees-brought-down-pave-way-kenya-s-major-highway-3720416?view=htmlamp

Tuberculosis is termed as the deadliest infectious disease known in the world. A person with TB can infect 10-15 people in a single contact within a year. The government of Kenya, through the ministry of health, come up with different innovation strategies to combat as well as identify persons with TB within the community. Different organizations had to register themselves with KIC-TB as at 2017, give out their proposal and after assessment, they were able to receive funds from the World Health Organization to reach out to people with TB either knowingly or unknowingly.

The main objective of Kenya Innovation Challenge TB Fund (KIC-TB) was to find missing people with TB, develop innovative approaches to accelerate case findings and scale up tools and approaches that have worked well. Other objectives are well defined in https://stoptb-strategicinitiative.org/index.php/2018/08/07/kenya-innovation-challenge-tb-fund-to-find-the-missing-people-with-tb/

During the Covid-19 pandemic, TB took high peak and this was because more attention was given to the Covid-19 virus. Therefore, making the human, financial and economical resources being allocated to the response of Covid-19 in Kenya. This was a major concern globally as stated by the WHO, https://www.who.int/news/item/14-10-2021-tuberculosis-deaths-rise-for-the-first-time-in-more-than-a-decade-due-to-the-covid-19-pandemic

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351472897_Assessing_the_Real-Time_Impact_of_COVID-19_on_TB_and_HIV_Services_The_Experience_and_Response_from_Selected_Health_Facilities_in_Nairobi_Kenya this document gives an overview of the impact of Covid-19 on TB and HIV.

Most people feared to avail themselves for TB testing and scanning simply because they would be isolated as in the case of the Covid-19 patients, bearing in mind the symptoms were almost the same. The USAID supported a mass media campaign reaching millions of people to explain symptoms of TB and encourage individuals to test so as to reduce TB patients being identified during the Covid-19 period.

Today being the world’s tuberculosis day, the main theme as stated by the WHO, World Health Organization is “Invest to end TB. Save a life.” The ministry of health handed an award to Kericho County Referral Hospital for addressing TB disease. https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/kericho-earns-an-award-for-addressing-tb-diseases/

The government of Kenya launched new TB policies in June 30, 2020 https://www.health.go.ke/kenya-launches-new-policies-to-stop-tb-nairobi-tuesday-june-30-2020/. These policies are still being embraced by the citizens of Kenya of which is a good gesture to stop and end TB.

Here are the innovative approaches in Kenya as stated by AMREF to stop the spread of TB:

• Young but effective
• Arobaini initiative
• Ice cream for I-screen
• Smart TB biometric system
• TB self-screening
• Tibika jikinge
• TB screening in matatus
• And much more as explained in detail in https://newsroom.amref.org/innovative-health-services-solutions/2019/08/kenyas-innovative-approaches-to-find-tb-missing-cases/

What comes in your mind when you hear about infrastructure? Probably you can come up with different understanding about it. Infrastructure can simply be defined as, “the physical components of interrelated systems providing services which are essential for sustainability of an economy’s functionality”. Infrastructure is composed of:

a) Transport systems

b) Telecommunications

c) Energy

d) Water supply/irrigation

And many more.

In Kenya, infrastructure is the key determinant of development. For instance, good health, productivity, education and income is determined by the availability and comprehensiveness of infrastructure. Since 2014, the ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has been implementing an ambitious road annuity program that will see the construction of many roads which is rise of success over the years.

Airport infrastructure, Maritime infrastructure, railway and housing infrastructure, urban infrastructure and commercial infrastructure such as hotel have improved over the years increasing the country’s per Capita income GDP. The following link gives an overview of the progress of infrastructure in kenya in terms of market, production and income, “Kenya – Construction and Infrastructure | Privacy Shield” https://www.privacyshield.gov/article?id=Kenya-Construction-and-Infrastructure

During the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure in terms of income went down due to the safety measures that were placed by the government through The Ministry of health council. Reducing the country’s income as well as the productivity of the country. The total number of passenger ( whether air, rail or road ) carried per year drastically dropped. Below is a link with more information on how the COVID-19 affected the transport industry

As much as the COVID-19, affected the infrastructure in Kenya, it can be said that atleast the infrastructure has grown. By vision 2030 Kenya would have met it’s goal to provide sustainability to it’s citizens. During the pandemic, infrastructure in terms of its growth, construction and development was not much affected per say as in terms of income and productivity.

This simply tells you that, the sector of infrastructure is in a better position to increase the country’s GDP. Much needs to be done on the investment part, this is because lack of funds has hindered the success of good infrastructure which when looked into will bring forth the country’s attainability by 2030. What do you think?

Ajira digital program is an initiative created by the government of Kenya in conjunction with the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and youth affairs with an aim to empower young youths to access digital job opportunities and earn a dignified pay within our country. Ajira offers training in Data entry, Transcription, Online writing, Virtual assistant and many more. This initiative was started in the year 2016 and till date it has been a success through which it has undergone different phases over the years. 

The first phase of this program was to create awareness among the youths so that they may embrace the different digital platforms available worldwide and have an in-depth understanding of what is ought to be in these different digital platforms. The second phase was more of training and mentorship. The government spent a lot of resources to make the training fruitful, since it had to hire qualified professionals who would instill knowledge to the trainees as well as provide a conducive environment for both the trainees and trainers and many more. The third phase is now focusing on Digital jobs and platforms. Through this third phase, Ajira has advanced and now offers those different training courses with each trainee having an account with a recommended online platform.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and as of now, the initiative was able to create employment opportunities to both young youths and the elder people in the society. Therefore those who were able to undergo the massive training and mentorship, created an opportunity for themselves in the online space hence able to get a minimum wage at the comfort of their homes. This link provides an interview with the AJIRA DIGITAL PROGRAM director where he states the progress of this initiative.

https://youtu.be/DJiYmoBgiGQ

The government also provides the digital infrastructure required so as to cater for the needs of those who were unable to access these services. The infrastructure includes The ajira digital center where they are installed with laptops, computers and internet connectivity. For those who were unable to afford the daily data, then the initiative provided for them a 10Gb data pass. We also have the Ajira clubs, this initiative focuses in all higher institution learning whereby trainers create awareness to comrades about online space and mentor them until they are able to bid for a job and get clients online by themselves. “Ministry of ICT Launches AJIRA Digital Club to Create More Employment Opportunities” https://biznakenya.com/ajira-digital-club/

Lots of people have benefited from this Government initiative and are now able to earn a living therefore reducing the number of unemployment in our country. Here’s a link on one of the beneficiaries of the AJIRA DIGITAL PROGRAM.

https://youtu.be/fhKU3hZsOS4

Therefore it is evident that ICTs has at least met 60% of its sustainability to the economy of Kenya. This and many more programs are readily available and accessible to everyone hence availability of information services to the citizens of Kenya.

The long awaited release of an internal memo addressing Moi university students’ organisation election met the students with a lot of joy and eagerness at the same time. Much curiosity lied on the question of who was going to run for what seat. Posters of various expected and unexpected candidates started streaming in on the social media platforms. Most students reported earlier to school so as not to be left behind in the organizing committee of their preferred candidates. The semester is so short for the third and second year, but they are not even worried about preparations for their continuous assessment tests ( C.A.T ) and their end of semester exam. Their big worry is to take their candidates to the ballot first. A very interesting scenario!

The campaigns were launched a week to the material day of the election and every candidate was so passionate of impressing their voters with money, music and tongues; provided it is anything pleasing to the eye or ear of the students.

Our friends from the ‘mighty’ regions of western and Nyanza took the campaigns to the peak followed closely by the Rift Valley fellas. This time round what surprised many is that fellas from Central were not so much visible. Is it because their head from the government is almost done with his regime? Maybe or maybe not! What awed many is this standalone guy who seeked for sympathy votes, no committee, no agents, no money, nothing! The ballot will be the judge.

Election day finally arrived and all roads led to the polling station. The aspirants were there with their hired killer suits enticing their voters with sweets but as usual, comrades will vote for rights and cut off the hands that ‘fed’ them during campaigns. The results were finally out to prove the loyal followers and the tongues of the next regime in Moi University. The tyranny of brains had it as some groups with their ‘ Mtu wetu ‘ went home with their hearts sunken.

Successful candidates were carried shoulder high everywhere and at the end of the day everyone retired to their rooms. Surprisingly the standalone guy with sympathy votes took the lead. Who has ever seen a man walk down the aisle of politics alone and marry the seat? All in all brains are expensive and can earn one thrones. The load is now on the elected candidates as we await the appointment of the 32nd students’ governing council.

This is a question posed by Moi University workers , trying to figure out if their vehicles are safe each and every day they park them.

Well the parking lot of the highly ranked people within the administration is quite or let’s say fairly good compared to the other normal workers. Though it is not spacious enough to accommodate the highly ranked persons. For a higher learning institution like this of Moi university then it is expected that the parking area to be more advanced than it is right now.

The other workers within Moi park their vehicles alongside the academic highway. Though the highway has got slots for parking, this encourages moving of vehicles along the highway. Due to this, students are endangered since the vehicles might cause minor accidents. This parking slots being near the student’s highway , in times of strike this vehicles may get damaged making the owners spend a lot to mend them.

Most of the vehicles are also parked under trees. This is dangerous because the trees might fall in an event of strong wind.

The adminstration therefore should set a place that will adequately fit parking vehicles of the workers. It should avoid cases where tree are used as parking slot making it look like an old village while it is an institution of higher learning.

Welcome to Moi university main campus School of Information Sciences, a faculty with difference. Information Science was introduced in 1988 to cater for information needs. Moi university was the founder of this course making it being termed as “Mother of Information Sciences”.

The school offers bachelors, masters and PhD programs in :

* Information technology

*Publishing and Mass media

*Library and Information sciences

*Records and Archives management

The school is located in a serene environment just immediately after Margaret Thacher library, providing a conducive environment for learning among the students.

Lecture halls are well designed with comfortable seats and spacious enough to accommodate students doing the courses in the school.Learning in this lecture halls has been made easier due to availability of projector therefore making the lecture interesting by sometimes use of PowerPoint slide or maybe videos and picture. Learning therefore becomes interesting and fun. The school also offers a lounge whereby students are able to relax or conduct group discussion. Good internet connection also makes it possible for online learning and also easy to download tutorials.

Lounge area.The lecturers offices are just within the premises making them to easily navigate to and fro the lecture halls. The lecturers are friendly hence learning becomes interesting and students can easily mingle with them.

Finally we’ve got the cafeteria where the students and lecturers can quench their thirst and also ease hunger. The cafeteria offers clean good meals at affordable prices hence students can manage to pay the bills.

School cafeteria

Insecurity has been a major problem in moi university main campus. A lot of cases have been reported concerning theft, house breaking, burglary ,robbery with violence and such.

House breaking is a major problem in the university especially for students who live in the hostels. Maybe after one has left his/her room then the concerned people take the chance to break into the room and escape with electrical appliances mostly. How they manage to break into someone’s room without the neighbors noticing is just a mystery.

We also have cases of robbery with violence. You find that due to lack of adequate security lights, then the robbers have a chance to rob students violently what they have at the moment. Most students are ribbed on their way to student centre since the area is too dark making it possible for robbers to do their work.

The university therefore has to put good measures in place so as to reduce the number of insecurity cases among the student.

Some of the measure which need to be put in place include:

1. Ensuring that street lights are adequately kept in each and every corner of the university.

2. The housekeepers in the hostel should be able to keep track of the people who enter and leave the hostels.

3. Security officers ensure that they patrol all over at night.

4. The student should ensure avoid late nights since this will save them from theft therefore reducing insecurity cases

5. The university should therefore enhance a system that ensures a tight security check at the main entrance to the school

With this few measures, then the cases of insecurity will decrease making moi a secure place.

Interested in starting a business within Moi? Here are some of the ideas:

1. Gas refilling business

Students who live in rentals mostly use gas cylinder for preparing their meals. Therefore it is a fast moving business in which one can venture in ,since each and every day there must be someone who need a refill.

2. FAST FOOD

Students will definitely opt for a fast food before taking lunch supper. Fast foods include smokies, kebab, chips ,sausages etc…

3. HAIR DRESSING

Hairdressing comprises of both men and women. This is an ideal business for anyone who is interested in it. It comprises of manicure, pedicure , pleating hair and also shaving for men.

4. BOUTIQUE

Students often like to wear up to date clothes. Such business requires a person who has knowledge on the trending fashion with affordable prices.

5. FRUIT VENDORS

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. This simply means that fruits are crucial for good health. Hence, it is a good business idea. Fruit vendors also blend this fruits to make juice.

There are a lot of ideas out here of businesses one can do. Simply find one that suits you best.

You are within moi university main campus and feel like bored or maybe you need to relax? Then we got your back. Here are some of the areas one can visit:

1. THE FALLS

The falls is just about a few kilometers away from the administration block. The atmosphere in this area is perfect making it favourable to relax and let go. It is one of those favorite places you get the urge of going every now and then.

Different denominations within Moi University vicinity also use this place to conduct baptism as well as worshipping. You will find a group of people have secluded themselves to go and pray since the environment is quiet hence a good time to talk to their God.

2. KESSES DAM

Perfect place to go hiking with your friends, team members ,course mates etc. The compound here is spacious making it possible for playing different games such as football , rugby ,skipping ropes and such. Boating riding is also offered here. It is a good place where one can go and enjoy.

3. OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY.

After have a long lecture, students relax their mind around this place. Good sits are spaciously spaced within the library’s compound. This place is also nice for taking pictures and also students can conduct group discussions around this area.

OTHERS:

We’ve the area outside the adminstration block. There is good internet connection making it a suitable place to relax as one surfs through the net. Also it’s a good place where one can do photography.