According to the United Nations reports, fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas are by far the largest contributors to the global climate change, accounting for over 75% of the global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions.

As greenhouse gas emissions blanket the earth, they trap the sun's heat. This leads to global warming and climate change. Other causes include; deforestation which reduces the planet's ability to absorb CO2 increasing global temperatures, decomposing organic waste in landfills which generates methane emissions.

Bound to the echoes of the choices we made, chained to the paths our own hands have laid. No fate to blame, no winds that conspire - only the sparks that we struck into fire and therefore we must suffer the consequences of our actions.

Some of the impacts of climate change include warming temperatures, changes in precipitation, increases in the frequency and intensity of some extreme weather events and rising sea levels.

These impacts threaten our health by affecting the food that we eat, the water that we drink, the air that we breath and the weather that we experience.

Moving forward we must tread with care and thought each day to avoid our own hands from leading us astray. Climate change if created can also be controlled but we can only do so by taking action into our hands.

We can first at our homes by saving energy. This is because much of our electricity and heat are powered by coal, oil and gas which contribute to CO² emissions. Changing your home's source of energy would also contribute greatly, renewable sources such as wind and solar are much environmental friendly.

Throw away less food, purchase only what you need, use what you buy and compost any leftovers. This is because when food rots in a landfill, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Promote sustainable agriculture and land use. This can be done by reducing deforestation, by protecting and restoring forests, using regenerative agriculture, reducing fertiliser overuse and minimizing food waste.

Avoiding climate change entirely is no longer possible, but we can slow its progress and mitigate its effects by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to changes that are environmental friendly.

As a Gen Z and a student on campus, I use and I am involved with using AI tools. Using AI has made it easier, from brainstorming research to assignments, as we just have the answer with a click.

Looking back at a Swahili saying, 'baniyani mbaya, kiatu chake dawa,' gives a blurred picture of the future balance between the good and the bad in AI.

Being a student of this technological age, it’s an advantage to have hands-on experience in the ability of AI tools —This helps in brainstorming, research, writing, personalized learning, and content generation — AI has been a vital tool in my academics. Not failing to notice what is on the other side.

"It depends. Copying directly from an AI would constitute cheating, in the same way copying from any human would also be cheating. How does one know if a piece of work is AI-generated or human-written? - AI uses the same grammar, vocabulary, and same writing style as humans, run over ChatGPT, print it out and we are done.” These were the words of one of the group members, and I had to convince them of the AI detector tool so we could discuss the assignment. 

This reflects the side of "Baniyani mbaya."

“AI has been somewhat beneficial to me in that it gives instant feedback on questions asked and provides me with a variety of information from which I can choose the one that’s favorable to me. On the other hand, AI has a negative impact on a person’s critical thinking and the ability of a person to develop his or her answers as AI provides everything. 

Also, AI reduces the attention span of an individual as answers are given right on the spot” says Clement Muchiri – A Fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student.

On the contrary, the lecturers show divided opinions on AI tools. Some may boast that rather than developing critical thinking and independent problem-solving in students, they make students overly dependent upon artificial intelligence. Suppose anything is always given to them by an AI? In that case, they won't develop a deeper understanding of complex academic works, particularly content-generation tools like language models, which may make them take shortcuts or even produce shallow works rather than work harder or engage better with the subject matter. 

Others support the AI-based tutoring system, “It provides additional academic support outside class. These systems can help reinforce concepts and offer instant clarification for students, especially in large classes where individual attention may be limited. Concerns are students might misuse AI for dishonest practices, such as using AI to generate essays or cheat in assignments.

 While AI tools such as Turnitin can detect some forms of cheating, they may not always catch sophisticated attempts, leading to a potential loss of academic integrity. I believe that AI should complement, not replace, human thinking ability". William Abala - An alumnae of Chuka University, a first-class degree holder in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Interestingly, the other side weighs the challenges when it comes to use in education and operational efficiencies on campuses.

Stakeholders shall have open dialogue on these matters so that the merits of AI can be harnessed and side effects can be minimized. 

For the AI realm of the future of education, ethics, and innovations will be in a fine balance. But the big question remains: Are our institutions prepared enough to steer away from AI malpractices?

According to Rose, her passion not only for teaching and coaching but also interacting with young people by giving guidance and growth and mostly helping the disabled in the community. 

Rose was involved in a car accident four years back causing huge damage on her lower limps which lead her to using crutches as form of mobility and support. For Rose, her situation does not limit her and see it as a barrier but unique perception that fuels more passion to education “I think people like me have unique strength and capabilities”, she narrates.

Access to university is a right for all people.  However, access to higher education for people with disability has its challenges. 

In recent years, higher education has placed greater emphasis on equality, diversity, commitment to create an inclusive and accessible environment.  Disabled students remain systematically disadvantaged compared to the non-disabled. 

Her friends help her carry bag stuff between classes and she sometimes do it for herself. It is pretty much impossible to do without terribleness.

 The amount of effort and pain her arms tire by swinging with crutches is evident. “I have to leave class early or late to avoid crowds that create risk of being knocked”. Her lecturers have been so supportive as they understand her situation by  providing accommodation such as allowing extra time to get to class because some structures have no access to elevators.

Beyond physical challenges, Rose also faces social complexities of university life.  “Initial awkwardness “as she calls it. “Students sometimes stare or are unsure how to interact with me “but when they get to know me it’s just like any other friendship as she has opportunities to make friends who understand her condition, making crutch friends and go for racing leagues. 

She never lets her disability define her. She is just Rose, a brilliant student and great friend. “I want to use my knowledge and experience to educate for greater inclusion and accessibility”. 

Her focus and ambition are beyond university to support students with disability.” Students living with disabilities have talents and deserve the opportunities to reach their full potentials. “Obstacles navigated with courage and grace, sounds that carries a message of hope.

The impact of brutality against women is devastating, both for the individuals who experience it and for society as a whole. Victims of brutality often suffer from physical injuries, mental health problems, and social isolation. They may also experience economic hardships as they may be unable to work or support themselves and their families.

Brutality against women is often perpetrated by intimate partners, family members, or other individuals known to the victim. It can also be perpetrated by strangers, such as in cases of sexual assault or harassment. In some cases, brutality against women is perpetrated by state actors, such as in cases of torture or enforced disappearance.

The causes of brutality against women are complex and multifaceted. They include patriarchal attitudes and gender stereotypes, economic inequality and power imbalances in society. In some cases, brutality against women is perpetuated by systemic and institutional factors, such as discriminatory laws and policies.

To address brutality against women, it is essential that we work to change societal attitudes and gender norms that perpetuate violence and discrimination. This includes promoting gender equality and challenging harmful gender stereotypes. It is also important to provide support and protection for victims of brutality, including access to healthcare, legal assistance, and social services.

In conclusion, brutality against women is a pervasive and deeply troubling issue that affects women around the world. It is essential that we work to address this issue and promote gender equality and justice for all.

Then came COVID-19. The pandemic struck hard, bringing sporting activities to an abrupt halt. Training halls emptied, tournaments were canceled and players were forced into isolation. The energy that once fueled football fields and karate dojos fizzled out, leaving behind a void that no online session could fill.

As campuses slowly reopened, coaches and players faced a daunting task: reclaiming their lost glory. But the sporting landscape had changed. Fitness levels had plummeted, competition structures were altered, and mental resilience was put to the ultimate test.

This is the story of how two of the most popular sports in Kenyan campuses—football and karate—adapted, struggled, and ultimately began their journey to revival.

Before the pandemic, football was the heartbeat of Kenyan universities. Crowds of students gathered at fields, their voices echoing in support of their teams. But when COVID-19 hit, everything stopped.

For months, players could not train together. Fitness levels dropped, and when restrictions were finally eased, many students had already moved on to other commitments. “I almost quit football,” admitted Brian Otieno, a winger for Chuka University’s football team. “It felt like we had been abandoned. When we returned, it wasn’t the same anymore.”

Karate, too, suffered immensely. Unlike football, which allows some level of independent training, karate relies heavily on in-person practice—sparring, kata (forms), and kumite (combat). Without access to dojos, students had to make do with virtual tutorials and solo drills. The result? A sharp decline in technique, timing, and precision.

“I struggled with my blocks and counterattacks when we resumed training,” said Lucy Mwikali, a second-degree black belt from Kenyatta University. “Months without practice made me feel like I was starting from scratch.”

Universities now faced a difficult reality: their once-thriving sports programs were on the verge of collapse.

Beyond the physical toll, the pandemic left a deep psychological impact on student-athletes. For many, sports were an escape—a stress reliever in the midst of academic pressures. But isolation changed everything.

The absence of regular training sessions led to loneliness and frustration. Players who had built their identities around their sport suddenly found themselves struggling to cope. Stamina and flexibility, once their strongest assets, had weakened.

“The hardest part wasn’t just the loss of fitness,” said James Mutua, a football coach at Moi University. “It was watching my players lose motivation. Some never returned after the pandemic.”

In university sports, competition is everything. It fuels growth, builds character, and keeps the fire of ambition burning.