THE KIMATHI CULTURAL WEEK

THE KIMATHI CULTURAL WEEK

Students displaying the cultural attires at the university's Student Centre.

It was pomp and color as the mightiful culture week event was officially opened on Monday with the occasion graced by the KUCTSO chairman, Kabutu Peter.The highly expectant ‘freshers’ maintained the daily dress code as their zeal and anxiety to witness their maiden culture week in the university could not be compromised, as their actions clearly displayed their thoughts. Indeed the freshmen had dedicated themselves to full participation in the eventful week as most of them garnered the daily awards.

Bill Shankly, a legendary football manager once stated, and I quote,” IfI were a road sweeper then my street would have been the cleanest in the borough.”From the daily unfolding of events within the week, it seemed like the contestants of the daily awards, on merit of the best dressed, were emulating Bill as they worked excellently hard to pocket a cash prize of ‘punch’ through donning the attire of the day, entertaining the jubilant crowd with superb dances.

The magnificent Kimathi university fraternity showed its prowess in promoting the ‘green culture’ whose pace was set by the late Prof.Wangari Mathai as they planted a number of trees within the Arbedares game reserve thanks to the brilliant idea by the organizing team. As the days of the week elapsed, the event gained not only increasing support but also much attention from the non-interested comrades.It saw several students turn up at the Student Centre to support, whoever on their view, deserved an accolade for their best performances.

However, the selection of winners was accompanied by much controversies. A number of students dimmed the judges of being biased and centered on self-interest. But the symbolism of money bestrides good and boundaries evil, so anything was expected and this is a factor that was so significant in the various competitions held. The event saw many elites come together to enhance the importance of promoting peace, unity, health and cultural diversity: this being the backbone of the cultural week, through delivering public talks and lectures to the entire university community.

The students in their upfront endeavor to improve sanitation as a major health factor, organized a successful town cleaning process in Nyeri town: the university setting. This sounded like a ‘trumpet’ call to the entire community to help improve sanitation as the country spearheads towards attaining vision 2030.

The climax of the cultural week almost hit a deadlock after the Friday events stalled. However, the massive crowd that attended the DJ face-off to witness the skillful university DJs showcase epic music mix performances, was a perfect indicatorof the high spirits among the comrades being revived. Marking the colorful end of the event was the gala night.Many students from diverse cultural backgrounds exhibited the untold part of their cultures right at the catholic hall. Why did it end too soon? That was the rhetorical question for many as the decks and turntables were finally bundled up as the music dwindled off.

Will the community arise to the call for unity raised by various elites during this much coveted cultural week event? It is our responsibility as students to display the brilliance that we justified during the gratifying climax of the event, to help shun tribalism and disunity within the country.

by: Ndemo Kevin.