By WAMACHE ANDREW 

As a child, I believed that every family carries the same tension in the air. Unspoken and unpredictable, I thought raised voices were normal and slamming of doors was part of everyday life.

 I grew up believing that conflict was a threat to my existence rather than a part of communication. To this day, edged memories still haunt me. There are invisible bruises that I could only feel by myself. I assumed my father's temper was a thunderstorm that I must hide from. 

It felt painful to see my mother's tears. It felt like it was heartbreak. I felt that I beared the responsibility to help her but she clinged on to her marriage. At that particular moment, there was nothing i could do rather to face my father's rage.

 When the day transformed it was as if nothing had happened. This  showed the normalization of fear in our homestead. The violence became part of life and I became an expert in reading the room. There was hardly any peaceful days in the  homestead .

I learned a lot how my mother desperately tried  to hold on to the marriage. I did not understand if it was love or desperation. As I grew up,  I learned it happens in many homes. It is only hidden and not wanted to be spoken about. My home became vigilante tensioned by only the sound of the door.

Time elapsed, the inevitable decision faced by my mother was decided. She left. To heal. Slowly, she realized that love should not hurt. She chose voice over silence. I was happy for her because all this time I wanted to stand for her but I couldn't. I was glad she redefined her strength.

I remember the violence was not only physical. It came in form of harsh words, control, emotional manipulation and it it pained my heart. I sympathized with my mother on how unbearable it was to cope with it. For me, school was my only refuge yet even there I carried home with me. I struggled with poor concentration and I felt envy to students who spoke highly of their parents.

As I grew older, I realized violence is not love. Today I speak not just as a survivor but a someone who understands the lasting impact of Gender Based Violence.Telling my story is part of the healing process but it is not easy to let go but today. 

The Silence of my own home is different silence of harmony. Peace under safe space. Perhaps sharing this story  can help those in similar situations reclaim their voice and not suffer in silence.

In conclusion, I remind you that everybody has a voice. Gender based violence has changed in the modern world. Both men and women are abused and suffer. Say no to Gender Based Violence before it is too late.

The Writer is a Second Year BA Journalism and Mass Communication Student at Chuka University 

By DAMACKLINE ONDICHO

Imagine growing up in a family where every ordinary day carries the possibility of an emergency. Where a simple walk to work, a climb up a tree or a drive down the road can suddenly turn into a hospital visit. For my family, that has been our reality for years.

My father has lived with epilepsy for long. It is a condition that has shaped not only his life, but also the lives of everyone around him. Epilepsy does not simply bring epileptic attacks, it brings fear, uncertainty and at times deep emotional pain. For us, it has meant hospital corridors, sleepless nights and learning responsibility earlier than most children do.

My father is a mechanic, owning a small spare parts store and he is the sole breadwinner of our family. He is a husband and a father of three , myself and my two younger sisters. I am now at university, my second sister is in Form Three, and the youngest is in Grade Nine. But our journey to this point has not been easy.

There were times when my father would be involved in accidents caused by sudden epileptic attacks. Often, he would not even remember what had happened. When he got injured, he would be admitted to hospital and my mother would have to stay by his side. That left us at home alone, learning to cook, clean and look after one another in ways children are rarely prepared for.

I still remember the August holiday of 2023. My father climbed a tree to pick avocados. Moments later, he fell. He broke his leg so badly that doctors had to insert a metal plate during surgery. For weeks, our mother remained in hospital with him. At home, we tried to be brave. But spending two weeks without seeing either parent is not something any child easily forgets.

Epilepsy does not only attack the body, it also attacks the spirit. My father has been a patient in many hospitals not because the disease worsened, but because of injuries sustained during epileptic attacks. Falling anywhere, anytime, without warning, is a heavy burden to carry.

There were moments when he would lose hope and question his own worth. “What is the importance of living when you live with pain every day?” he once asked. After going for a casual job and failing to reach his destination because he collapsed on the way, he began to doubt himself even more. At times he would ask, “How can I be a useful and hardworking person like this?”

Even when we tried to comfort him, the frustration lingered. After his surgery, he began taking phenobarbital to control the epileptic attacks. The medication helped, but recovery was slow. Staying at home for months, unable to work, made him short-tempered and withdrawn. It was difficult for him to accept that his body could no longer function the way it once had.

Six months later, he started walking again slowly, with a limp, using crutches. But he was smiling. It was not the walk of a defeated man. It was the walk of someone who had survived.

Gradually, life began to stabilize. My father learned to accept himself as a person living with epilepsy. He became more careful and more disciplined with his medication. Though the disease remains unpredictable, he has developed resilience. And as a family, so have we.

Growing up in such circumstances has taught me lessons no textbook could ever provide. I have learned responsibility, patience and empathy. I have learned that strength is not measured by physical ability alone, but by the courage to continue despite limitations.

Epilepsy is often misunderstood in our communities. Some see it as a curse or something to fear. But it is a medical condition that requires understanding, proper treatment and emotional support. Families living with it need encouragement, not discrimination.

Today, as a university student, I carry my father’s story with pride. His journey has shaped my determination to succeed. Where I am today is not just for me , it is for the man who kept standing up after every fall.

Living with epilepsy in the family means living with uncertainty. But it also means living with courage. Sometimes courage is simply choosing to rise again, even when you know you might fall.

The Writer is a Second Year BA Journalism and Mass Communication Student at Chuka University 

By VICTORIA JUMA 

As the cost of living rises and financial support becomes increasingly uncertain, many Kenyan university students are turning to the thriving second-hand clothing trade to sustain themselves while pursuing their education.

At dawn in Nairobi’s bustling Gikomba Market, sellers navigate the narrow pathways stacked with tightly wrapped bales of second-hand clothes. The air fills with the sounds of bargaining, rustling fabrics and the occasional cheer when someone discovers a fashionable gem hidden among the piles.

Among the seasoned traders are an unexpected group of entrepreneurs and university students. In a few hours, many of them will be seated in lecture halls attending classes. But before lectures begin, they are already working, selecting jackets, jeans and shirts they hope to resell later in the day to fellow students on campus.

Across universities in Kenya, selling mitumba imported second-hand clothing has quietly become one of the most common side hustles among students trying to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Turning Necessity into Opportunity

University life often comes with financial pressure. Rent, food, transport and learning materials can quickly stretch students' budgets beyond their limits.

Even for students who receive financial support from parents or government loans, delays or limited funding often leave them searching for additional sources of income.

According to research by the global survey firm GeoPoll, about 71% of Kenyan youth engage in side hustles to supplement their income, highlighting a growing culture of entrepreneurship among young people aged between 18 and 35.

Within universities, this trend has become increasingly visible. Students are running small businesses ranging from photography and baking to online freelancing. Yet mitumba trading stands out because of its accessibility.

With just a few thousand shillings, a student can buy a small batch of clothes and sell them at a profit. For many young traders, identifying fashionable pieces such as oversized jackets, vintage denim and branded sportswear has become part of the business.

“Students want to look stylish but most cannot afford clothes from high-end fashion stores,” says Brian Mwangi, a third-year university student who sells thrifted jackets and hoodies on campus. “Mitumba allows them to dress stylishly without spending too much.”

Global conversations about sustainable fashion have also contributed to the popularity of thrift clothing, making second-hand outfits not only affordable but also socially acceptable among young consumers.

A Student’s Hustle Story

For Faith Mutua, a second-year communication student, selling mitumba began as a simple way to solve a pressing problem that is rent.

“I realised the money I was getting from home could not cover all the expenses,” Mutua says. “After paying rent and buying food, there was almost nothing left.”

Mutua started small, buying a few trendy ladies tops and dresses from  the Chuka local  market using KSh2,000 she had saved. She washed and ironed them before posting photos on her WhatsApp status. Within a few days, most of the clothes were sold.

Encouraged by the demand, she later began sourcing more fashionable pieces from Nairobi’s Gikomba Market, one of the country’s largest hubs for second-hand clothing.

Today, she sells jackets, vintage jeans and hoodies to fellow students, sometimes making enough profit to cover all her expenses. “Balancing business and school is not always easy,” she says. “But the hustle helps me avoid constantly asking my parents for money.”

Beyond the financial benefits, Mutua says the experience has also taught her practical skills such as budgeting, marketing and customer relations, lessons she believes will remain valuable long after graduation.

Balancing Books and Business

Despite its advantages, running a small business while pursuing a university degree is challenging. Student traders often divide their time between attending lectures, sourcing new stock and marketing their products.

A typical day might involve morning classes, afternoon trips to markets and evening hours spent advertising clothes online or delivering orders around campus. The balancing act becomes even more challenging during exam periods when academic responsibilities increase.Yet many students say the hustle is worth the effort.

Apart from generating income, running a small business equips them with practical skills such as negotiation, budgeting and time management. “These are things you don’t learn in class,” says Mwangi. “But they help you understand how business really works.”

The popularity of mitumba trading among students also reflects the broader importance of the second-hand clothing industry in Kenya. According to research by the Institute of Economic Affairs, the sector supports more than two million livelihoods in the country, making it one of the largest sources of employment in the informal economy.

At the same time, youth unemployment remains a major challenge. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that young people aged between 18 and 34 make up a significant share of the country’s unemployed population, pushing many to explore entrepreneurial paths.

As evening settles over university campuses, a few students remain outside hostels arranging thrifted jackets and dresses neatly on small racks, hoping to make one more sale before the day ends. Their stalls may be modest, but the determination behind them is unmistakable.

Moving between lecture halls during the day and mitumba racks in the evening, these students represent a generation navigating economic uncertainty with creativity and resilience proving that sometimes the path to opportunity begins with something as simple as a second-hand shirt.

The Writer is a Second Year BA Journalism and Mass Communication,  Chuka University 

By STEPHEN OMONDI OCHIENG 

Second Year BA Journalism and Mass Communication Student,  Chuka University 

The every day lives of Kenyans today has its fair share of stress, problems and tragedy yet in all this chaos, absurdly enough humour doesn't just provide entertainment, it comes as a survival tool; an anchor to reality if I may call it.

 Faced with so many stressful uncertainties such as the rising cost of living, unemployment, political tension and the pressure and responsibilities that adulthood presents in this digital age how does the average Kenyan cope? From the commonly known memes posted on statuses either on WhatsApp, Instagram or X to TikTok skits, reels and even sarcastic voice overs, a majority of the nation finds solace in this kind of humour. Despair and frustrations have been replaced by this unique type of humour. A simple doomscrolling on your TikTok or Instagram reels and suddenly someone seems less tense even able to crack a joke. 

The meme culture

Spontaneous, edgy and controversial yet the fastest form of humour embodied by witty images ,reaction images, funny captions ,edits and stickers flood social media. Joke take less time to spread than actual news in today's world .Controversial political decisions, or like the much recently witnessed floods in the Nairobi CBD later christened the SeaBD , Sink-apo instead of Singapore by citizens are turned from something negative to a strangely communal topic. Nationwide jokes and laughs are shared regardless of the situation one is in momentarily releasing the tension as an aftermath of the situation. 

Healing side of TikTok

 Kenyan creators work on perfecting the art of comedic commentary in platform such as TikTok where it's not new to come across short skits about campus lifestyles, being broke, toxic friendships and even campus expectations and reality. These videos gain traction and tend to have ten of thousands of likes sometimes even in the hundreds of thousands. Realism or satire when creating content about meals to survive on as a university student and other content bring out humour that despite it's painful appearance brings about relatability to it's intended audience. TikTokers such as Mluo, Mogambi and Crazy Kennar are the most widely known examples today, turning everyday frustrations into relatable and comedic content that shouts " that's literally my everyday life. . . " The comment section makes it feel less lonely knowing it's not just you out there.

 Tragedy's humour

Satire has become a trigger response for controversies, scandals and national tragedies. This doesn't necessarily mean we don't care but it turns deep frustrations and emotional exhaustion into humour because self pity sometimes makes coping harder. To avoid being overwhelmed by difficult realities we turn to comedy. Instead of long debates or posts, a single meme response, sticker or joke can say all our opinions on heavy or emotional topics indirectly. Collective digital community coping. 

Humour is a shared cultural experience nowadays. A joke takes off, relatability brings in thousands of Kenyans each adding their own twists to the meme or video resulting into something much larger than individual comedy but collective therapy through reposts and anticipated comment section response. This type of humour though isn't just a Gen Z thing but it has been going on for generations now with the most nostalgic one being the XYZ show's run. It isn't uncommon to see media stations apply this humour on it content, The likes of NTV' s The Trend hosted by Amina Abdi is another well known example.

 The balance between reality and humour

 It is a given that humour can't solve problems and others may argue that turning everything into a joke can distract from serious conversations about mental health, unemployment or bad governance. But for many young Kenyans, humour isn't about ignoring problems but rather surviving them. A meme cannot fix the situation but it may make a stressful day feel a little lighter. 

The Oxford dictionary names this type of situation Gallows humour referencing the act of someone joking while standing at the gallows-once used for public hangings the worst possible moment for humour. The dictionary describes this type of dark humour as humour that treats serious, frightening or painful situations in a joking or satirical manner. If anything, this should be seen that resilience isn't always serious, dramatic or straightforward. Sometimes it is masked in sarcastic tweets, TikTok skits or just a perfectly timed meme. 

Behind this laughter is a generation coping with real challenges in their own way while not allowing our joy to be taken away. In a storm of problems, the Gen Z will still find a way to laugh. You don't need to scroll too long through Kenyan social media to see this clearly.

By MUKAMI BRENDAH

Second Year Student Pursing Journalism and Mass Communication Degree,  Chuka University 

What should be a time for learning, friendship, and building the future is slowly turning into a period of fear and tragedy. Across universities, cases of students killing themselves  or being killed by their partners  in toxic relationships are on the rise, raising serious concerns among parents, lecturers, and society at large.

Most students today are entering relationships where they are not valued or respected. Instead of genuine love, some relationships are built on pressure, material gain, and unrealistic expectations. In such situations, partners tend to force issues, demand too much from each other, and react violently when things do not go their way.

One of the major contributors to this problem is social media pressure. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are filled with pictures and videos of couples displaying luxurious lifestyles and “perfect” relationships. As a result, many students feel the need to imitate what they see online, even when they are not emotionally or financially ready for relationships.

Because of this pressure, some students enter relationships based on lust, money, or status rather than genuine love and understanding. When such relationships fail to meet expectations, conflicts arise, sometimes escalating into dangerous situations that can lead to violence.

Peer pressure also plays a big role. Some students fear being left out when their friends are in relationships. Instead of waiting for the right person, they rush into relationships just to fit in with their peers. This often leads to toxic relationships where partners feel trapped and frustrated.This may led them to being in a relationship with 'wababa or mmamas', people older than them with even  50 years. This may put them at risk of contracting sexualy transimited diseases and death because when partners to those elderly people discovers it  they may kill the student so that the family my remain intact.

According to Jackson Kituu, a third-year student at Chuka University, online dating has also contributed to the increase in violent incidents among university students. Many young people now meet through dating apps and social media platforms without knowing each other personally.

“In most cases, the information shared online is not honest or transparent,” says Kituu. “When people finally meet physically, they may realize the person is not who they expected.” This disappointment sometimes leads to arguments, mistrust, and in extreme cases, violence.

In some tragic situations, conflicts arise when one partner refuses to meet the expectations of the other. For example, a man who has spent money on a woman may expect certain favors in return. When the woman refuses, anger and frustration can escalate, sometimes leading to deadly consequences.

I believe it is important for young people to understand that relationships should be built on respect, honesty, and genuine care, not pressure or material gain. Students should take time to know themselves and focus on their education and personal growth before rushing into relationships. We must also learn to walk away from toxic situations and seek help when conflicts escalate, because no relationship is worth losing a life.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

The County Government of Embu has been ordered to recover KSh 10.1 million from the officer who unlawfully authorized the withdrawal from the County Industrial Aggregation Park (CAIP) account.

According to a report of the County Assembly Public Accounts Committee, the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member in Charge of Finance and Economic Planning Prof. Joe Kamaria is required to submit evidence of recovery of the funds to the legislature within 90 days, failure to which he will be surcharged the full amount Pursuant to Article 226(5) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

In a Motion moved by Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Swaleh (Kirimari MCA), the report that was unanimously adopted by the County Assembly observed that sum of KSh 10,167,300 borrowed from the Special Purpose Account was not refunded and that no supporting documents were provided to the Committee to demonstrate how the money was spent.

The Committee further noted that there was no budgetary provision for the expenditure, which was not regularized in accordance with Section 149(1) of the Public Finance Management. Act, Cap 412B, which requires that all public resources are used in a lawful, authorised, and accountable manner. The report declared that the amount cannot be classified as a pending bill.

Further, the report has demanded that the Head of Treasury should ensure that the outstanding imprest amounting to KSh 21.7 million is recovered within 30 days in accordance with the provisions of regulation 93 of the Public Finance (County Government) Reguldtions, and evidence of recovery submitted to the County Assembly.

This comes after the Office of the Auditor General’s review of the County Imprest Register revealed outstanding imprest of KSh 21,768,240 issued between July 2023 and June 2025 which had not been surrendered or accounted for, contrary to the law, which stipulates that a holder of a temporary imprest shall account for or surrender the Imprest within seven (7) working days after returning to the duty station.

In addition, the report found that some officers illegally held multiple imprests before the surrender of previous issues contrary to Regulation 93(4)(b) of the Public Finance Management County Governments) Regulations, 2015.

The CEC Member for Finance and Economic Planning is also required to reconcile and reconstruct all documents relating to the KSh 500 million County Industrial Aggregation Park and submit them to the Auditor General for audit review, failure to which he will be held liable under Section 53 of the Public Audit Act, 2015.

This followed the Auditor General’s flagging of unsupported payments in respect of the County Industrial Aggregation Park. The Embu County Revenue Fund financial statements reflected receipts KSh186 million from the CAIP Fund. Audit review of the CAIP Fund bank statements reflect payments and transfers of KSh 219,554,655 from the bank account during the year under review. 

However, tender documents, payment vouchers, project files, bid documents and financing agreement of the Embu CAIP were not provided for audit review. Management indicated that the tender documents been burnt during the 2024 Gen-Z demonstrations in Embu Town.

Consequently, procurement documents, including tender documents, project files and bid documents, were not availed to the Auditor General and also to the Committee. Additionally, no evidence was availed to the Committee to confirm that the documents were destroyed during the arson attack by demonstrators and no evidence was provided to demonstrate that management had made any attempt to reconstruct the burnt documents.

THE CAMPUS ECONOMY: ‘MJENGO’

Are Comrades Boycotting Classes or the Economy is Pushing them Out ?

By BRIAN KIBET 

Chuka University 2nd Year Media Student 

At sunrise in Chuka, students trickle into  lecture halls with notebooks tucked under their arms, exchanging sleepy greetings before lessons begin. A few streets away from the institutions’ gates, a minority group of ‘’comrades’ balance wheelbarrows of sand before grabbing a shovel to mix cement. As a good number climb scaffold, other’s hands are covered in dust as their backs bend under the weight of bricks. 

This is an emerging phenomenon across Kenyan campuses today; where students skip lectures to make quick cash from employers who demand long hours of physical labour. For most of them, the decision is survival rather than rebellion; a boycott against hunger if you will. 

The Price

Those from poor socioeconomic backgrounds often begin the dream of higher education with sacrifice. Their parents sell livestock, take loans or even combine family resources to raise tuition fees because the admission letter is a household victory. But once the degree journey kicks off, survival becomes less guaranteed. Rent, food, internet bundles, printing assignments, transport, and personal necessities quickly pile up. Within weeks, the small allowance most of them receive disappears.

Speaking to one Kevin, pursuing an Engineering career, he openly described how he occasionally works at nearby construction sites with quiet honesty. “Some times my parents manage to pay the fees,” he said. “But they cannot send money for everything else. If I don’t work, I don’t eat.”

Campus Life

University life carries social expectations that many students are unprepared for. Relationships, social status, and the desire to fit into the culture often come with financial costs. Most of them admit to feeling the pressure to pay for meals, transport, or small luxuries in their relationships. 

In some cases, these students find themselves supporting partners and even helping raise children. These burdens rarely appear in academic reports, but they shape how students spend their course period in school. 

The “Sherehe Economy”

Weekend parties, nightlife, and social gatherings promise an escape from academic stress at a cost. Most of my fellow young scholars fall into cycles of a drug habit that demand constant financial support at these events. To sustain these acquired tastes, they resort to ‘M​jengo’, a synonymous to hard labor. It pays immediately but at the cost of education during graduation,  where they barely pass as most of them drop out. For most of them, university is the first time they manage money independently. Few arrive equipped with the skills needed to budget, plan expenses and prioritize necessities. 

Practical Solutions

Today’s students have access to freelance writing, graphic design, coding, digital marketing, online tutoring, and content creation. With the right training and support, these platforms provide flexible income without forcing students to skip lectures. Nonetheless, the student president at KMTC Kilifi recently convinced the institution to install pool tables on campus, turning recreation into a sustainable revenue stream. The money generated now funds a welfare program that provides weekly meals to struggling nurses. Hence, this initiative shows that solutions only require creativity and empathy. Furthermore, most of our parents are ignorant to the broader financial demands of campus life. Therefore,  orientation programs and regular update will help them understand the true cost of student life and encourage closer follow-up on academic progress.

Dusty Dreams

The sight of a university student carrying bricks under the scorching sun is a story about dreams colliding with reality. Every student working at a ‘mjengo’ once walked into a lecture hall with hope of a degree, a career, and a future that would lift their families out of hardship. But when survival is uncertain, even the strongest dreams die. Still, beneath graveyards of these dreams at the construction sites, some of these intellectuals still believe in the power of education. The real question then becomes whether the school systems will enable them to remain in class long enough to wear the honorary hat.

By WESLEY ORIWO

Second Year BA Journalism and Mass Communication Student,  Chuka University 

It begins as it often does, in the quiet hours. The 4 a.m stare at a ceiling board strained with the anxieties of a thousand headlines. The weight of a tuition fee that feels heavier than the books it paid for. The crushing silence of a phone that won't ring , a stark reminder of the loneliness that thrives in a crowd of 20,000 students.

This is not the university experience captured in glossy brochures. There are no smiling faces here, no triumphant graduation gowns. This is the other campus , the one hidden in plain sight, echoing not with laughter but with a deafening silence . It is in these hallways , in these hostels and behind these brave faces that Kenya's universities are facing a crisis that their are ill-equiped to handle ; a full -blown mental health emergency.

For a very long time, we have romanticised the hustle and stigmatized the struggle. Students are told to man up or to pray about it as if depression and anxiety are demons that can be exorcised by sheer willpower. The result is a generation suffering in solitude , their pain masked by the pursuit of a degree that society tells them is the only ticket to a decent life.

The statistics paint a grim picture. A 2019 study by the Kenya Institute of Management in partnership with the Africa Mental Health Foundation reveals that one in four university students shows symptoms of depression. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, counsellors in both public and private universities report a tripling of students seeking help.

More recent research from the Technical University of Mombasa confirms that depression is a significant global mental health issue affecting countless individuals, with severe consequences including suicide. The study highlights students reporting financial struggles are at a higher risk for mental health problems emphasizing the need to address mental health in young adult populations, particularly among those of lower socio-economic status. 

These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. In 2023 alone, over 150 students deaths were reported across universities, colleges and polytechnics in Kenya. The causes vary from suicide and love triangles to violent crimes and unresolved murders. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among university students with academic pressures, financial struggles and personal conflicts contributing significantly to students' mental distress.

On February 24, 2026 , the body of Dickson Mutinda , a second year business management student at Moi University's Annex campus in Kesses , was found hanging on a truss in his room at Sugumanga shopping centre. His roommates had left him in the room and gone for afternoon classes. When they returned, they found the door locked from inside. Forcing it open, they discovered Mutinda dead. He left a suicide note , his final words ,"I could not keep fighting". 

On April 22, 2025, students at the University of Nairobi woke up to a nightmare. Dennis Kamunya, a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery third year student was found dead at the bottom of the main campus swimming pool. Before his death, Kamunya had posted farewell messages on his social media pages. On WhatsApp, he wrote, " At the bottom of the pool. Down where the water is silent and deep. I rest where bubbles and secrets sleep. I didn't mean to cause a fuss or offence, but better to drown than live forever tense". On his X account, he added, " Even though anxiety, depression and drug addiction kicked my ass , I still count myself lucky". 

The University of Nairobi Students Association described him as a "bright and promising student, known for his dedication to his studies, his warmth and his quiet strength". In their condolence message they issued a plea , " As a community of future healthcare providers, we must continue to normalise open conversations about mental wellbeing, checking in on each other and seeking help when we need it. No one should have to struggle in silence ".

At the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, two students reportedly died by suicide after missing inn the graduation list. a brutal reminder of how academic pressure can become lethal.

Research identifies clear patterns behind students' mental health crises. A study examining depression among university students found that relationship problems and family issues accounted for 24.75% and 19.80% of student suicides respectively. Academic failure or pressure, financial difficulties, alcohol and substance misuse and depression are consistently cited as leading factors.

I want to say this is not a call to pamper students but it is a call to equip them . A university's duty of care cannot end at the lecture hall door. It must extend to the mind that is meant to absorb knowledge. This requires a radical shift in approach. It is not enough to have one overworked counsellor for 10,000 students. I am not an expert on mental health issues but we need a strategy to overcome these things.

First, de-stigmatization must be a core curriculum. Mental health literacy should be taught alongside communication skills. We must normalise conversations about stress and anxiety from the very first week of orientation, making it clear that seeking help is a sign of strength and not weakness.

Second, we must train our gatekeepers. Lecturers, hostel wardens and even fellow students should be equipped with basic mental health first -aid skills. They need to recognise the signs , the sudden withdrawals , the drop in grades , the cries of help disguised as jokes and know how to respond with compassion and not with punishment.

Third, we need to built a community, not just facilities. A mental health care is useless if students are afraid to walk into it. Universities must foster peer support networks ,safe spaces where students can share their burdens without judgement. Sometimes the most powerful therapy is knowing you are not alone.

As Dennis Kamunya wrote his final message, " The greatest thing about my life was that I got to learn evolution. I belonged to one of the few generations that got to know and possibly why we are here ". He knew why he was here . He understood his place in the world but understanding alone could not save him.

The " silent crisis in the hallways" is a test of our national character. It asks whether we value our product, the graduate, more than the person. As a country, we pour billions into higher education, hoping to build the next generation of leaders , innovators and doctors but we are building them on a foundation of sand.

The mind of a student is not a machine to be programmed for exams. It is a garden, and right now , in the hallowed halls of universities, too many of these gardens are withering in the dark. It is time to open the windows , let in the light and finally tend to the souls we claim to be educating. The future of our nation depends on it . 

If you are a student struggling with mental health challenges, please reach out to your university's counselling department or call the Kenya Red Cross toll-free suicide prevention hotline: 1199. You are not alone.