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Staying Single in Campus Leads to Academic Excellence

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By HELLEN MUSILI 

According to my personal observations around university while interacting with comrades, I have concluded that this issue of campus marriage often goes unnoticed or misunderstood in the whirlwind of campus life.
 I am here to share with you the empowering choice of embracing single life in terms of sexual relationships in university. I am exploring the profound benefits of not engaging in sexual relationships during this school time since can enlighten or destroy your life forever. 

We live in an era where the pressure to be in relationship sometimes feels overwhelming. But the truth is, staying single and not rushing into sexual relationships in campus is not only empowering, but also a decision that can preserve your mental, emotional and academic wellbeing. We all know that love and relationships are powerful and beautiful but I will tell you why sometimes choosing to remain single can be the best decision for your growth and success.

Let us take a moment to reflect on our experiences and the emotions we feel or we felt when we were in a relationship. Compare with the emotions we feel when we are navigating campus life including ups and downs. You know the pressure to fit in, the desire for companionship, the sweet and constant stories about relationships where not beauty or roughness of face is considered in a relationship but at least someone just to be engaged and other social expectations that seem to insist we must find a partner.
In the midst of it all, it can feel lonely or strange if you choose not to engage in these romantic relationships, as if you are missing out. 

However, I ask you to consider the emotional toll these relationships can take, especially if they are not healthy or if you are not ready for them. Think about the heartbreaks, the fights, the jealousy and the distraction from your own life purpose. Think about the times when the focus and concerns shift from your own goal to someone else’s emotional needs leaving you exhausted or emotionally disturbed and the way love partners always need concern and commitment claiming as part of life.

Think about the high levels of stress that come with balancing both academic deadlines and demands of a relationship. It is vivid that emotional stress of relationship conflicts can negatively impact cognitive function or ability to think faster leading to a decrease in performance. In deep research you will find that students in a relationship have lower thinking capacity than those who are single. This suggests that, while love can be uplifting, it can also be a source of distraction and emotional disturbance during a time when you should be focused on your future. Some may think that being in relationship is also focusing in finding future, yeah, but at the right time but not while shaping a career.

How will it be when we talk about sexual relationships specifically? There is an added layer of potential risks and complications. Sex while seemingly harmless can lead to physical, emotional and psychological consequences. Unprotected sex can lead to sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. Just imagine differing just because of a tiny mistake to go and bring up a fatherless child, why fatherless, because after being impregnated, they dump you. Fear men.

Both of these can have long-term effects on your health and education. These physical consequences are often accompanied by guilt, regret, strained friendship and the mental energy spent managing those feelings could be better used for self-improvement and academic success. That is why you hear many cases of suicide all over in campuses just because of dating.

Moreover, engaging in sexual relationships without a genuine connection or emotional maturity leads to evil behaviors and actions where you find when lovers separate, instead of moving on with life, they end up killing each other through stabbing with knives leading to painful death. This hurts because parents mostly invest in their children who attend higher learning institutions. This too kills dreams and fills graves with great and sharp minds.

I am trying to mean that when you enter a romantic relationship during your time in campus, you are not only adding someone to your life but also a new set of responsibilities, another unit of study, emotions and challenges. For example, it distracts you from academics. Relationship in campus can be huge distractions. Instead of focusing on coursework, projects and building a future, comrades spend their energy navigating romantic problems or trying to maintain the relationship.

In addition, young relationships often bring about emotional dependency. You may find yourself relying on your partner for emotional stability where it is vital to cultivate emotional independence especially during this dating period. Just imagine someone finding comfort in you in this world of campus. Someone expecting you take him or her outing especially during Valentine period or else the Lovers' Day. I hope you understand what happens mostly to campus students. It is the day that we record various murder cases, take many to hospitals and others squander their school fees just to try to maintain the relationships. 

I stand still and rooted to the ground going against sexual and romantic relationships in campus. I urge you to consider the empowering choice of remaining single in campus. It is not about rejecting love; it is about embracing the opportunity to focus on yourself, your goals and your future. Single life allows you to build a foundation of emotional and academic strength that will enable you become a great person in future.
By avoiding the distractions and dangers that come with these relationships, you are giving yourself a gift to grow and succeed. Remember, love will be waiting for you but now the best kind of love you can give yourself is commitment to your personal growth and peace of mind focusing on your tomorrow.

The Writer is a Student in Chuka University pursuing Journalism and Mass Communication Degree 

The Downside of Being Popular

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By PETER KAMAU

Popularity can be defined as the state of being widely admired or well-liked by many people. From the past centuries till now, popularity is one of the many things, we as human beings strive to achieve in our lives.
Popular personalities get most favourable reviews.|FILE 

Be it during the medieval times through kings who raided and ruled over kingdoms to attain rule and popularity from the people in those kingdoms, or during this modern era, through followers, subscribers and even fans, for idols and celebrities, popularity is one of the lesser talked attainments of people today. So, is it really a blessing or not?

Popularity has various advantages and disadvantages, which through it determines if it becomes a blessing (good thing to an individual) or a curse (potential bad thing to an individual). Some of these advantages of popularity include:
Popularity leads to stronger social connections and helps to reduce loneliness. Popular well-liked people have a large network of friends and supporters who they can depend on to provide them with a sense of belonging and companionship which helps reduce loneliness in their lives.

Popularity also leads to greater opportunities since through being liked and respected, popular individuals can gain access to great opportunities such as employment offers, access to social events through exclusive party invitations and leadership roles and positions, which may lead to faster career development since many popular people today such as popular Tiktokers and celebrities are seen as a social capital due to their friends and supporters.

However, this popularity has a lot of negative aspects, which are usually not talked more about, since most people seem to see the positive aspects, such as getting special privileges that an ordinary person would not get access to, and the affection popular people get based on their talents and usually good looks.

Some of these negative aspects or downsides include: Popular people especially celebrities such as globally known singers, famous actors, popular influencers and streamers over time usually have little to no privacy in their lives. This occurs since although a lot of people are attracted to the popular people, within these people include bad people such as stalkers, fake friends and obsessed people, who in most cases reveal sensitive information of popular people, which over time results to these popular people having little or no privacy in their day to day lives.

Many popular people also suffer from high expectations from their supporters, such as fans of popular singers and musicians. In many cases in life today, people supporting famous or popular people usually place the popular person in a stereotype which has its own rules and expectations, which usually lead to stress and mental breakdown of the popular people who fear to lose their fans. 

An example of this can be seen through popular actors who are stereotyped based on the role they played, that is, actors who act well as villains are sometimes depicted to be villainous in real life.

Most popular people also face fake and superficial relationships. This occurs since over time, this type of friendship between popular and unpopular people, can turn into a transactional one whereby the unpopular friend relies excessively on the popular friend, who in most cases, has to endure it  to prevent the friendship from collapsing, and over time, this may lead to loneliness of the popular person since although he or she may have a lot of friends and connections, they may have few people who they may actually rely on.

Another negative issue that most popular people face may be blackmailing. This may be financial, emotional, physical or at times even sexual blackmail. This may arise from friends of these popular people, their managers, or even through online users who may gather sensitive information on the popular individual, and threaten them to gain what they want. This occurs usually when the famous people who are on their ‘highest’ are threatened with information that may ruin their popularity and career and in many cases this blackmailing which should be stopped, usually works since they do not want their lives horribly ruined.

Popular people also face discrimination, if they do anything morally unacceptable even if they are speaking their own opinions, which when compared to an unpopular person, the same opinions would be seen as acceptable. For example, if an unpopular person were to accidentally hit a person, this action may be seen as easily forgivable, but if the same action were to be done by a popular person, it may lead to scandals and discrimination even from the same people who initially supported them.

Lastly, popularity may lead to identity crisis mainly of the popular people since many of the popular people usually adopt an identity to please their fans and supporters. For example, a narcissistic person may adopt a good personality such a charming and hardworking person, in order to gain more followers and supporters on social media platforms. Over time, this may lead to an identity crisis since the popular person may confuse their true self (as narcissistic) with their acting persona (as a charming person) which may lead to mental health issues such as personality disorders, if not dealt with accordingly. 

Fame and popularity have benefits such as special privileges and opportunities and large friend networks. However, it has its disadvantages such as discrimination, mental health issues and even blackmailing, therefore, one should consider both its negative and positive aspects when thinking of attaining popularity.

The Writer is a Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies Degree Student in Chuka University

Catholic Church in Embu Condemns Politicians' Conduct

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By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The Catholic Church in Embu County has strongly condemned the conduct of some Kenyan politicians, accusing them of promoting insults and abandoning their responsibility to serve the public.
Father Joseph Kirimi addressing congregants at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Embu town.  MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka


Speaking during a Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Assumption Parish, father Joseph Kirimi delivered a sharp rebuke, saying many leaders no longer deserve to be called “Honorable” because of their behavior in public.

Father Kirimi noted that the conduct of the politicians is a risk to the country as we approach next year's general election. “Some of our leaders have lost the moral ground. When you listen to them, you wonder whether they still deserve the title ‘Honorable’,” Father  Kirimi told congregants.

He lamented that politics have increasingly turned into a contest of insults rather than a platform for ideas and development. “Politics today has become a competition of who can insult others better. This is not what the people voted for,” he said.

Father  Kirimi who also serves the University of Embu chaplain reminded elected leaders that citizens entrusted them with power to improve lives, not to engage in endless verbal battles. “You were chosen to bring development, to improve our economy, to build classrooms, and to support our university students not to trade insults,” he emphasized.

He warned that the language used by politicians is negatively affecting families and shaping the wrong values among young people. “Parents are now afraid to watch television with their children because they don’t know when a leader will begin using foul language. This is a sad situation,” he noted.

 Kirimi also raised alarm over rising insecurity in Embu, accusing some politicians of interfering with justice by defending suspected criminals. “When wrongdoers are arrested, some leaders rush to demand their release, claiming they are their voters. This is making our communities unsafe,” he said.

He called on politicians to forgive one another and begin a new chapter focused on unity and service. “Let leaders forgive each other and start with a clean slate. Compete in doing good for the people,” he urged.

Man Swept Away by Flooded River in Kitui West

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A middle-aged man was swept away by flooded Ithekethe river in Kitui West constituency. The incident happened on Friday night at around 9.30pm, according to Kaui senior chief Thomas Munyao.
Senator Enoch Wambua speaks at the banks of Ithekethe river on Saturday.|MWINGI TIMES

Government officials and Kenya Red Cross staff recovered the man's motorbike but his body was still missing by the time we went to press. The rider was travelling from Kabati market to Tulia.

The local administrator warned residents to avoid crossing flooded rivers. "During rain seasons, avoid crossing flooded rivers.  If you must cross, wait for water to subside or ask for accommodation at a neighbour's home", said Senior Chief Thomas Munyao. 
The point at Ithekethe River where the boda boda man was swept away.|MWINGI TIMES 

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua echoed the chief's warning lamenting that last year there were two similar accidents reported in the same area. He promised locals that he will collaborate with the national and county governments to ensure the river has erected guard rails to ease transport.  

"If you find Ithekethe river flooded, don't enter it even if you know how to swim. The river carries many objects including logs which can hit you and you end up drowning.  It is better to go home and explain to parents why you were late than us looking for your body after you are swept away by waters."
Recovered motor bike.|MWINGI TIMES 

STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Street Food Revolution

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By HELLEN MUSILI 

Student,  Chuka University 

Bachelor of Arts Degree, Journalism and Mass Communication 

Food is sacred from its preparation to its consumption. Food does not only satisfy our hunger but it nourishes our bodies. It is the essential fuel for our bodies and it has many benefits, from providing our bodies with nutrients to sustaining us with energy, food has a whole lot of importance in our bodies. 
Food also boosts our emotions. After getting satisfied, your overall mood is simply uplifted and many people get peaceful at such.  Auguste quotes that good food is the foundation of genuine happiness. Families have notably used this moments of sharing meals to strengthen their bonds and have great moments around the dining place.

Away from the normal static home dining settings kinetic kitchens have now emerged. They are not only locomotive but also richly appealing in greatness curated from their savory menu. The art of street food begins back in the ancient urban civilization age. Different products such as bread and fish were sold on the streets to satisfy the economic needs of the seller and needs of his customers according to Medium’s history of street food in the ancient China .

The art of street food has been spread all over nations with developments in different countries like The United States of America, where street food festivals are held annually. In Arizona( USA) February is not just a month, but also a time for the annual Street Eats Food Truck Festival which sparks in the wide areas of Scottsdale. This is a premier culinary event, conducted in over 50 trucks, with a great and mastery array of dishes . 

A good festival goes hand in hand with good food without forgetting the spice of quality music. Cooking demonstrations are also carried out in this event. A wide number of families and friends attend to not only enjoy, but also learn of new dishes and their preparation procedures. The culture has been spread equally across different countries through to Africa.

In countries like Kenya and Uganda, street food is bussing and it is  a common snack for people preferably in the evenings after their daily engagements. Kenya’s street food is not only economically oriented but in a wider perspective a thrill satisfier. The diversification of street food in Kenya make it a very interesting field of food paradise. From sizzling nyama choma and mishikaki joints to smokies and eggs, roasted and boiled maize, and ice cream joints all this consist of the popular choices on the street food menu in Kenya.

You can’t miss the aroma of mishikaki skewers grilling on street corners, or the smell of mutura calling out hungry passersby. 

Evening skies are flooded with nice aromas and huge smoke from the grills of these street food which is a culture. Every of your desired street food is up for grabs at a simple and cheaper price. Recruitment for new members into the street food industry happens with one visit and one bite only. One can never miss a perfect match for their needs in savory  street foods. The industry of street food is pacing fast with a wide interest from students in the Universities who are the major promoters of such markets.

 University students are fully invested in promoting such markets from the limitations of lack of the desire and time to cook and also the deliciousness served with every bite of their local street food. A popular street food among university students is the “smocha” which is a combination of the traditional chapati roulette on smokies with kachumbari and a finishing sauce of either tomato sauce or “choma sauce”. Smocha is widely loved among students and Kenyans in general and it can be served with a cold drink or fresh juice. 

The prices of street foods also make the foods very favorable for everyone to have a bite at the convenience of their pocket. Innovation is normally a catalyst of success in any business. Kenyan street foods are reimagined every day with new inventions and different combinations of food being discovered daily.

As street food culture keeps developing and improving, we realize that its not just about the food , its about the experience .Street food in Kenya is about community engagement, sharing stories and laughs with strangers. This is also a moment to pause from the daily engagements of work and unwind in a spectacular manner. 

Street foods also act as major appetizers for most people before they sit for their supper. Across all the counties of Kenya there are different street food options and ideas and all this reflect a diverse culture from Kenya. Meals are no longer confined to the basic delicacies prepared in different homes but also around the curiosity of new tastes and bites in the streets .The prices of street food also make it very favorable for everyone to take a bite at the convenience of their pocket.
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