Last Sunday afternoon, the legendary Arsenal Football Club was taking on Brentford in the English premier league. One of Arsenal's loyal supporters, a young guy in their classic away shirt of black and gold color scheme was part of a crowd that graced the match around the TV screen at the students' center. The game was exceedingly becoming interesting, especially to Arsenal fans because their side dominated most of the play. As soon as Fabio Viera netted Arsenal's third goal, a notification popped up in the home screen of the guy's mobile phone, cutting short his celebration. It was a notification of a meeting that was scheduled for that afternoon.
A number of county-based student associations were holding their first meetings of the semester that afternoon. Fellow comrades, this is where reasoning comes through. The staunch Arsenal fan had to choose the most important thing to tend to at the moment; either continue watching the fascinating game or attend his county association meeting. The guy was me and yes, I'm a big fan of Arsenal. That afternoon, I had to abandon 'our' game to attend the Kisumu County Moi University students Association (KICOMUSA) meeting.
Since it was my first time being involved in such meetings, I was very naive I didn't know what to expect. Soon, the meeting was roared to life with word of prayer. A brief interlude of speeches was followed by election of a new 'office'. The outgoing chair who retained his seat was a tall, soft-spoken guy who liked his hair short and his beards shiny. He was donning in a fitting maroon coat and a seamless black trouser. I overheard the 'elders' call him Ong'ow Sirkal, a serious chair with a big brain and deep pockets!
After exhaustion of the meeting's agenda, first years who were joining the association for the first time were invited for a treat at the luxurious Megabites eatery. It was already evening. The sun hang on the horizon to our right and our long shadows stretched over the ground as we trooped to Megabites. Well, you are terribly mistaken if you think this was all about food and drinks. It was a way more than that. It turned out to be one of the very best interactive and educative sessions I've attended this year. The objective of the meeting was helping us, the freshers to brace for tough times ahead. We irrigated our throats with sweet tea amid bites of soft layered chapatis as we listened to the humorous pieces of advice from Herbert, a senior comrade, who as he said, had been in the institution for over five years!
"Your home county association is your number one home away from home. You shouldn't suffer when we are here." He told us. Herbert went on to quote an incidence where he met a young lady who spoke the same native language as his. Upon inquiring more about her home county and imploring her to join a County- based students' association, the lady blatantly refused, saying she resides in Nairobi City and was only willing to join an association of Nairobians. Herbert painfully narrated how he tried convincing the young lady that Nairobi is not her native home without success.
Back to you reading this, especially if you are a first year, you are hereby advised to register for membership of your county students association. Well, this is not compulsory but it's for your own good. As hinted above, these associations gives us a sense of belonging, a home we can turn to during difficult times. They also promote diversity and multiculturalism. It makes each one of us feel proud about ourselves, and our cultural heritage. But that's not all. These associations often provide its members with opportunities to take part in leadership roles, hence protecting and promoting democracy in our society. There's no debate whether such associations and organizations' activities look good on your CV. For instance, the outgoing KICOMUSA office becomes the first county-based students' association to issue its leaders certificates of merit. These not only shows your potential employer that you participated in such activities, but also that you are a hardworking person who can handle multiple responsibilities.
Again, most of these associations provide its members opportunities to give back to the society, let's say by visiting children's homes and taking part in environmental cleanup activities. Lastly, you will have fun. You will meet new homies, make new friends, participate in sports, tours, picnics and cultural activities together. And most importantly, this will help expand your social circle. The new students you meet and the friends you make in such associations will help you down the line after campus, when you're looking for a job.
Originally published by The Third Eye, a publication of Moi University Press Club.
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