ELDERS OF MOI UNIVERSITY

Adams (parody) tells me that he has lost appetite as far as matters-academic are
concerned. It don’t get it, why? Because these are the same guys who’d nearly bring down School of HRD’s fence down in the name of eyeing the front-seat. That was long time ago when Abraham was still Abram, that era when Homo sapiens were still Erecting. Those were the days when they (we) were still freshaz.

It’s been long. I remember nostalgically when I was certain to meet Marani (parody) along the academic highway either to or from the library. These days, we shake hands once a week only when I visit mabs on Saturdays. He told me he is ‘prioritizing’. That’s what it means by being an elder. Now a tenth of their Golden Jubilee since elders stepped their foot in Moi university (the best university in Kenya), others have not yet being taught some fourth year courses. That’s what it mean by being an elder ‘of a special kind’. Others graduated last year.

Someone shared a joke in a Whatsapp group that ‘fourth years in Moi must date one another – grandparents on #OneSide’. Clearly it depicts the fact they are grannies. The trees they planted during first year are being cut down, and with another lecturer’s strike knocking, will we will be having elders or villagers? “Mimi kama fourth year, form ni kung’ara na kupiga njaro tu!” a friend of mine cracked (as a fourth year I’m only concerned being smart and having fun, nothing more). For most of my confrere (elders), that analogy of lecture-ni-saa-ngapi vanished mysteriously. Those days when the lecturer would come to find scholars already settled in class waiting took a different route. It’s no longer classes these days. I will bet my hand-out that’s what it mean by being an elder. And by the way, its not even their fault. Last minute rush is what defines them. No apologies!

Being an elder comes with lost or lots of changes. Maybe or maybe not a lot comes in handy. No longer interested in anything, “Hawa watoto wanapiga kelele wasifanye tuende nyumbani kwasababu ya siasa. Tutawatandika viboko,” an elder living past mabatini said (woe unto those juniors if we
are sent home because of elections). When did the rain start beating us! Or is it that being an elder – I understand – means you need to set your priorities right? Though I admire the sense of courage affixed to our elders. They are hardly concerned with anyone. They will walk boldly along the academic highway with their Sukuma wiki in their hand. If by any chance he forgot to wash his face and came to class; it is none of your business. Whether his/her attire is funny to you, it doesn’t bother them. Modesty is not in their vocabulary. Their steps lacks calculation. Those make ups and caricatures are no longer their stuff. They don’t have to impress you. Its not mandatory. And if they do, you won’t rhyme with any of them any way! Wewe jipe shughuli.

Being an elder isn’t an easy thing. Most came but in reality some didn’t make it.  Those who are have made it either by grace or discipline. Some are still shocked they made it. Elders: these are students who are well-informed about what life is. They will account for every shilling. Very responsible, down to earth, a dont-care attitude, genuine and of course a bit old (fossil).

You cannot play around with her feelings. She is interested with a hand in marriage not campus infatuation or even your thick/thin wallet. They have money. They have been hustling for more than six years now. They are ready to settle. They are focused because they are simply elders, nothing more; Period!