On joining the echelons of the so-called higher education in 2006, I was really fired up to join Campus media. I had a graph drawn of the possible paths I would explore in order to make an impact on the same. Looking back now, after reaching the peak I so desired, I can comfortably offer some insights on what I’ve discovered about the campus media. More so, the continued silence that has rocked the campus media scene – with few sounds made here and there by fired up student journalist intent on reviving.
See, in the 1990s, campus media was very nascent, promising and was creating ripples even beyond the campus walls. Case study in particular is University of Nairobi- where student politics and activism was at its peak. From the 70’s (before and after) UoN and Kenyatta University has produced a generous crop of politicians who cut their teeth on the student politics arena. Hon. James Orengo, Kabando wa Kabando, Former Machakos Town Member of Parliament Jonesmus Kikuyu and many others not accommodated in this list who have made a mark in the politics arena in Kenya and beyond. As a result of the power that pulsated from the student governments, there was need to create a fourth estate which sought to cover the proceedings. This led to the rise of such student publications as The Anvil in the Nairobi University. I cannot ignore the host of so-called gutter press publications which, in their spirited dispensation of ‘filth’, made a significant impact on the campus scene.
The (gutter) publications which were published overnight, pinned on noticed boards led to the rise of the so-called ‘Media Moguls’. Their trades was at the pick during student elections. Candidates would ‘buy’ out a publication to smear dirt on opponents and sometimes, burn ones dreams ambitious with fatuous blows. Or how would you bounce abck when every one on campus has heard of your attempt to rape some hostel cleaner? Such was the extent of slander.
The 90s was the peak of such, as the publications even highlight matters even on the national scale. Of course, this would revolve around politics, and this being the Moi Era (or Error) it did not auger well with the administration as well as Moi moles that were omnipresent on campus in those days. They received threats, and some threats did come true. Others lived through the times and emerged as journalists of repute on the mainstream media.
Come the millenium, and it bug hit. This was the time when the country was gearing up for a change in the political landscape. No longer were there die-hard activists, opposed to the government of the day like in the 90s. Either they had been silenced and their seeds smashed for good, or the fruits of their labour was ripening. On the campus scene, babies born in the early 80s were making their way into campus and there are a few notable examples who took after the fire-eating student politicians bred in Moi’s Era. But what about campus media?
Well, the concept of campus magazine picked up at around this time. Thus came the up magazines such as The Campuserian – a magazine that aimed at consolidating the campus life of all universities in Kenya. It was made up articles from campuses as Moi University, UoN, K.U., Daystar University. J.K.U.A.T. etc and the like.
I’ll focus on how the campus media has grown after the entrance of campus magazines in the next post.
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