THE 12TH INTERNATIONAL EDITION FOR RADIO COMMEMORATION

THE 12TH INTERNATIONAL EDITION FOR RADIO COMMEMORATION. 

To honor the unique capacity of radio to bring people together and share critical information, member states of UNESCO proclaimed February 13th as World Radio Day during the organization's 36th summit in 2011. The main objective of World Radio Day is to increase public and media awareness of radio. 

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Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian electrical engineer and scholar, invented radio for the first time in 1895. Since then, it has been used to disseminate information to the general public worldwide, including remote locations. In comparison to other forms of communication, it continues to be a reliable source because of its accessibility and low cost. As a result, it is among the most widely used forms of communication because it is not affected by factors like a lack of electricity or internet connectivity that could reduce its audience.

Radio and Peace was the focus of the 12th annual World Radio Day. The emphasis was on radio's function as a stand-alone tool for promoting peace. Through the dissemination of information, radio creates a space where societal disputes can be addressed and peace improved. Kenya's public, private, and community radio stations continue to be crucial in connecting the nation's leadership with its citizens and allowing them to express their opinions on social, political, and economic matters that could have an impact on how the nation develops.

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The Executive director of the Association of Media Women in Kenya, Patience Nyange in her speech stated that AMWIK recognizes the unique power of national and community radio in bringing people together. “Throughout the implementation of our programs in various thematic areas, we use radio listening groups to provide educational content and programs that improve literacy, addresses issues like FGM, sexual harassment, women empowerment and improving life skills, she said. She further added that radio contributes to the advancement of women’s right as it not only has empowered them but also equipped them to challenge gender stereotypes. 

Radio continues to develop as technology advances, with the rise of internet radios that allow information to be delivered from the convenience of people's mobile phones. Furthermore, as the information communicated is limited to audio, radio has proven to be more reliable than other channels of communication in generating ethical shows that do not promote immorality through the content that it airs.

According to the Media Council of Kenya's annual state of media report from 2021, radio consumption is at 74%, down from 84% in 2019 due to factors such as weak frequencies that need to be addressed for its effectiveness in preventing conflict and promoting conflict resolution techniques.

In order to ensure that peace prevails in Kenya and the rest of the globe, radio should be used appropriately as an instrument for peace promotion.

MY TRAJECTORY.

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A Campus at the Kenyan coast? Mombasa to be precise! oh heavens! I literally can’t wait! Having passion for media and its surrounding studies, I’ve always wanted to make my long-life dream come to pass. “The great Technical University of Mombasa”, excitement kicking start at the mention of that name. "Just the right place to be”, my dad would say. Soliloquy being a daily routine and now that I am here, oh well, might as well have been given a manual for handling expectations before enrolling in university.

I had a pretty rough beginning, but, just like everyone else, I was thrilled to join university. “Freedom” is what kept me going at that time. Being away from my parents, I had to call the shots on my own thus having a sudden urge to push myself out of my shell and convert my weaknesses to strengths.

This current chapter of my life took quite a drastically interesting turn. The first usual phase, being a freshman was the most memorable. I juggled many new experiences. New friends, new living situations, new activities, new classes and new teachers, not forgetting the available facilities which I made/still make use of for the betterment of myself and my career as well.

Working my way through the pros and cons of university life, I force myself to grow up, become self-sufficient and live independently while networking with my peers from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Mastering the art of time management often comes in handy to me at all times. Being the icing on the cake, it helps me to balance deadlines, lectures, societies and a social life and it sure does pay off since it is one of the key factors to leading an exemplary life in campus.

While trying to cope with school life and everything revolving around it, its normal to encounter a variety of obstacles along the way. Not to mention but a few, living with roommates, adjusting to a new environment and homesickness came knocking at my door. Since there are many students that live in the hostels throughout the school year, the school cannot possibly afford to make each hostel into a holiday inn suite. Lack of air conditioning being a major problem. The heat and humidity are just unbearable and hard to adjust into, considering the location of the school. Sleepless nights, constant sweating and dehydration being the norm.

Some of the few helpful tactics I had to teach myself in order to have a smooth life in university include:

1. Developing a  budget- With this I am able to separate wants from needs by identifying expenses that must be paid i.e. food

2. Starting a meal plan – this enables me to learn portion control, eat healthy, save time, save money. It also gives me more time to study rather than fret about what my next meal is going to be.

3. Developing quick reading skills – this enables me to grasp content a lot faster and also cut down time spent on reading and understanding. Additionally, it helps me to vocalize the words in my mind as I read.

4. Asking for help when I need it – This normalizes that at some time we require help and support from one another thus facilitating better performance for ourselves and others hence improving connection and culture.

It might not meet your average depiction of a good university experience, but to me, it is by far the greatest, with immense acknowledgement to the achievements I have made ever since I enrolled. Truly, ENDEAVOR and ACHIEVE.

 

 

 

OPERATION OKOA KENYA’s ECONOMY.

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To accomplish its goals and move the nation forward, a country needs the involvement of young people. According to a World Bank study, youth make up around 75% of the population in Kenya. By involving them in the country's Sustainable Development goal, Kenya would experience an increase in economic activity and property values, which will boost the country's productivity and competitiveness.

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Despite Kenya's unreliable economic indicators, instances of youth empowerment by a variety of local groups, including knowledge development, personal development training sessions and programs, coaching, and socio-civic involvement, have shown to be a game-changer for Kenya's economy. In order to benefit the nation's economy, the youth have effectively applied the knowledge they have acquired across a variety of sectors.

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Youths, as an economic force that can both drive and create demand for goods and services in the rising digital economy, have made improving labor productivity a piece of cake. The usage of the digital economy has contributed to improve people's living standards through the creation of online content by influencers and the driving of various jobs in online platforms such as Jumia, resulting in cultural diversity which in turn enhances higher economic prosperity of the country.

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The youth have been able to do the following thanks to job possibilities and economic literacy:

1. Create products and designs

GDP growth results from turning a good that meets consumer demand into an economical good and increasing its output while utilizing raw materials without compromising the quality of those materials or the selling price of that quality.

2. Sell services

They accomplish this by providing the general people with necessities like healthcare, education, transportation, etc., which enables them to make money that is utilized to pay taxes.

3. Remit taxes

The Kenyan government collects taxes from the youth through the sale of goods and services, which is how they are able to meet their budgetary needs and provide the public with critical services.

4. Make purchasing decisions

One of the most important parts of the economy is played by young people. They make choices about the kinds of economic goods or services to purchase just like everyone else. This alone encourages a nation's economy to grow.

5. Promote a range of goods and services

A consumer economy is driven by marketing, which advertises products and services to potential customers. Successful marketing tactics used by a company result in more tax collections and eventually greater economic growth.

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6. Cut costs

A wise piece of advice is to save money since it enables young people to make new investments, manufacture new capital products, and maintain economic growth. The economy recovers considerably more quickly when people are able to deal with financial distress.

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Kenya's economy and the country as a whole will benefit from more youth participation and sufficient preparation.

MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH BIODIVERSITY.

                         Photo: courtesy of NewYork Times

Long-term changes in weather patterns has proven to be a major danger to biodiversity (animals, plants, fungi and micro-organisms). It has damaged countless ecosystems around the planet, causing species extinction, more intense storms, greater temperatures, increased drought, and health hazards, among other things. Climate and biodiversity are often linked. It frequently has a negative impact because the climatic changes are caused by human activities such as industrialization, as well as natural factors such as variations in solar activity, volcanic activity, and changes in the earth's orbit, among many others, whereas biodiversity strives to ensure climate stabilization.

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Despite the prevailing circumstances, biodiversity still remains a critical aspect in maintaining climate mitigation, which in turn results in the creation of an ecofriendly environment. In the efforts to protect biodiversity, climate change can also be minimized by reducing the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere through a process known as  the carbon cycle, and later on incorporating it into living things. Through the carbon cycle, plants, in this case, acquire carbon through photosynthesis and later on pass it on to animals (human beings) in the form of carbohydrates.

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On the other hand, ecosystems such as forests (trees) contribute to climate stability by replenishing ground water supplies as a result of moisture retained in the roots and stems of the trees and recycling water vapor back into the sky, resulting in rainfall. This is frequently beneficial during times of drought.

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 Forests (trees) are one of the most important components in climate stability. They aid in the prevention of the following:

1. Wildfires: Planting of Mediterranean cypress trees in the Mediterranean region as they act as natural firebreaks

2. Heatwaves: Replacing air conditioning with tree planting for a cooler climate helps to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere.

3. Coastal flooding: Planting mangroves and coral reefs will help lessen the likelihood of seawater intruding into land.

4. Sandstorms: By preventing deforestation and planting more trees, desertification will reduce hence no room for sand storms.

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The world as a whole will benefit in all imaginable ways (social and economic) as ecosystems will change for the better thanks to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) efforts to adopt the economy-based adaptation strategy where biodiversity functions as a defense tool against climate change.

RELEVANCE OF KPA TO MOMBASA PORT AND HER INHABITANTS.

 

Ports act as crucial transportation nodes that help transfer goods, including the supply of raw materials, and components to enterprises in nearby towns and on international markets.

The Port of Mombasa, one of Kenya's main ports, serves as a hub for the country's economy by generating income from international trade, which includes imports and exports both to and from Kenya. The Kilindini Harbour, which makes up the bulk of the port of Mombasa, the old port, port Reitz, and port Tudor comprise the four sectors of the port. It is essential since it not only makes the country's maritime trade easier but also benefits the East African region strategically.

Additionally, though owned by the Government of Kenya,  the Port of Mombasa is managed by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), a strategic profit-making parastatal in Kenya whose mandate is to provide, maintain, operate, and regulate all port services and facilities along the coast of Kenya.

Employees and owners of companies that provide port-related services, companies that supply goods and services, shippers of goods who use the port because it offers lower transportation costs or greater convenience, and local residents who can access a wide range of goods and services are all beneficiaries in terms of the economy from Mombasa's port.

As a result of the expansion in the variety of goods and services available in national marketplaces, Kenya, in this case, Mombasa inhabitants, have been exposed to new lifestyles and ideas through Kenya Ports of Authority's (KPA) participation in international enterprises.

Furthermore, it has made it possible for small business owners to conduct their everyday operations while navigating the port with ease.

Kenya Ports of Authority (KPA) was able to expand the six-lane concrete Kipevu road which has increased the capacity of the ports by improving in and out flow of traffic, and achieving other economic benefits, such as reduced congestion and quick gate clearance, thanks to Trade Mark East Africa, which provided a two billion shilling grant to KPA.

The people of Mombasa benefit from the port's income through nature-based tourism (cruising and sailing), being home to some of the richest marine ecosystems which attract international visitors to the country through imports and exports I.e machinery and agricultural produce.

In addition, KPA and Japan International Cooperation Agency started implementing the Dongo Kundu resettlement plan (Special Economic Zone), which aims to encourage Mombasa's private sectors to establish industries on the land they would gain from the project. This proved to be one method of generating employment, which would help to lower crime rates and raise people's standard of living.

Though not most will agree with this, education attainment is also a crucial factor of economic success because literate personnel will be occupying the job market for the effectiveness of a particular job opportunity as they would be offering skilled labor to that particular firm. KPA invests heavily in education through partnering with various school institutions (Shimo la Tewa Boys High School) for the betterment and improvement of school infrastructure to enable a conducive learning environment for the students.

It is with the ongoing development of the port and its services, that the Country’s economy will vastly be recognized globally, now, and the years to come, as KPA strongly plans on efficiently harnessing the blue economy.

DISTURBING FACTS ABOUT CAMPUS RELATIONSHIPS.

Naturally, human beings, in this case, students, believe life is better shared or lived when they are emotionally and physically connected with each other, therefore, they establish relationships ( romantic, friendship, and acquaintanceship) with their peers. When joining campus, they are often thrilled about what their next chapter in life would entail and who would get their “fair share” of everything.

Without carefully analyzing the type of people they let in their lives, they end up accommodating toxic people in the guise of friends and partners, who later on pose a threat to their mental well-being. Some of them become toxic without intending to, while others deliberately find solace in doing so, in the name of vengeance for the agony they had endured in their previous relationships.

Toxic relationships are, therefore, characterized by a set of actions that stem from the toxic thoughts and emotions of the people involved. According to a Daily Mail survey, over 60% of people are still in toxic relationships. Toxicity may not always develop as a result of both parties' conduct; occasionally, people acting in this manner are unaware of the harm their toxic trait causes to others.

Some students often get into relationships with the intent to obtain emotional support to cope with schoolwork pressure, while others do so for financial, sexual, frequently referred to as "Friends With Benefits (FWB)," pressure group, fame, replacement, and tasting purposes. The saddest thing is that victims of toxic relationships either deliberately disregard red flags or just do not know how to distinguish the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy relationship.

As a result, the toxic social environment becomes a health hazard to students, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression. It may also lead to isolating them from other more empowering and supportive relationships, pessimism, low self-esteem, neglect of self-care practices, insecurity, paranoia, helplessness, and even suicide.

To terminate toxic relationships, individuals must surround themselves with people who support them throughout, be intentional in their daily pursuits, work on having open communication, show true love, and hold room for others' growth, among other things.

 

 

CHALLENGES OF MANHOOD IN GEN Z.

                                        

September 29th, 2022.

Some would assert brashly that it is only fair, aiming to support the adage "what goes around comes around." Women were treated like trash decades back. Exposed to a variety of cultural beliefs that not only made their lives intolerable but also put them in danger in every sense. It is safe to say that the Western culture introduced by the Europeans improved the lives of African women because it eliminated the archaic and barbaric African culture that denied women fair and equal treatment to their male counterparts.

Since then, women's empowerment has gained popularity. The "movement" has spread like the wind around the world. I may boldly declare, "I am proud to be a woman," without fear of ridicule or judgment from others. The "cherry on top" of feminism is now the presence of women at decision-making tables. What an accomplishment that the Kenyan government goes above and beyond to support girls in school by providing feminine products! Feminism itself has been misconstrued for disliking males and many women grow up with that mindset and resentment, believing that equity only pertains to them.

In the midst of all of this, men suffer in silence in the name of those attempting to "debunk toxic masculinity." They have been brainwashed into believing that asking for assistance would imply that they are weak. Their contributions are no longer valued by society. In Kenya, unlike with women, there are no rules solely governing men's safety, which is OK because men are "masculine enough" to take care of things on their own. You might wonder why guys would even need to be protected. Even while men are often thought to be the primary perpetrators of numerous crimes, which is accurate according to a study on domestic violence (ONS, 2020B), they often experience some abuse from their female counterparts most often because of what the general public assumes, “cases of male abuse sound so implausible.” 

Men no longer have the voice to advocate for themselves in today's society. They are accused of being misogynists as they try to defend themselves. Instead, they are connected to crimes that they can't even defend themselves from since, “no one would be willing to defend a male who was accused of offending a woman in any way because the judgment would always go in the woman's favor,” all this brought about by the stereotypes against them. 

The idea that women are their own worst adversaries while men are not, amuses me. Due to ignorance or simple fear of the unknown, most men are unwilling to assist other guys. They frequently overlook the fact that their alliance would enable them to achieve the long-awaited breakthrough. 

Both men and women must work together for advancement if gender equity is to be improved in Kenya and around the world. To do this, they must raise awareness of the value of equity and justice, develop tactics, and see to it that these plans are implemented to enhance their efficacy.