MMUST News Post Vol 3 /Issue 1

Vol 3 Issue 7: 8th to 26th July 2019

Editor’s PenGreetings MMUST Community.

Welcome to the seventh issue of the MMUSTNewsPost. In this edition, we interview Prof.Pontian Okoth; a Professor of History andInternational Relations. Find out why a book hasbeen written in his honor.

We also bring you a feature interview on the newlyopened gymnasium and how it stands to benefityou as an individual. Read about other activitiesthat have been taking place at the University aswell.

We wish to thank you, our readers, for yourcontinuous support, constructive critique andconstant feedback. We wish to reiterate ourcommitment to bringing you quality stories andcoverage of University events and personalities. Wenote that our audience is diverse with varied tastesand preferences. We endeavor to take care of yourpreferences while putting into consideration eachof the different cadres of our audience.

Together, let us tell us stories.

Dorcas Sandra Awuor Wambugu Mary Wangari

Meshack Nyambane

Wilberforce Shiundu

Nashilluh Brendah Kabindio

Interview by Sandra Dorcas Awuor, Mike Omukuba and Nashilluh Brendah Kabindio

Q: Please tell us about yourself.

My name is Prof. Pontian Godfrey Okoth. I am a professor of History andInternational Relations at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology(MMUST), School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance-Department of Peace and Conflict Studies.

Q: You have held a number of administrative and teaching roles in variousinstitutions of higher learning within and outside the country. Please walk usthrough your professional and academic journey.

I graduated from Makerere University, Kampala Uganda with a Bachelor and aconcurrent Diploma in Education in 1978.I was retained at the Department ofHistory because I did very well. I missed First Class by just a mark. In 1980, I went tothe University of Waterloo in Ontario Canada where I got a Masters of Arts inHistory and returned to Makerere as a lecturer where I taught for 3 years. I, then,went for my Doctor in Philosophy (PhD) in Diplomatic History at the University ofCalifornia Los Angeles (UCLA) and returned to Makerere University again, where Iwas promoted to Senior Lecturer in History and appointed Chairman of the HistoryDepartment in 1988.

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In 1991, I was promoted to Associateprofessor of History, still as Chairmanof the Department. In 1995, I decidedto relocate to Maseno University andwas promoted to a full Professor ofHistory and International Relations in1996. I taught, supervised Masters andPhD students. I was also made thepioneer Director of the Centre for theStudy of Lake Victoria and its environs.In 2006, I relocated to Masinde MuliroUniversity of Science and Technology(MMUST) because they had juststarted the Centre for DisasterManagement and HumanitarianAssistance (CDMHA).I taught variouscourses in Peace and Conflict, DisasterManagement, Diplomacy, DiplomaticHistory, Foreign Policy among others.In 2008, I was requested to start aUniversity in Kampala called Lugazi,and I became its first Vice Chancellor.Having set it, MMUST decided to recallme and I came back to the Departmentof Peace and Conflict studies in 2012and I have been here since then. I havegraduated over 70 Masters and PhDstudents.

Q: As a Professor, what are yourachievements so far?

Perhaps the very first is beingChairman of Department, which is nomean achievement. I was also Dean ofFaculty at Makerere University andDirector of the Centre for the Study ofLake Victoria at Maseno. I wasChairman of the Department ofDisaster Intervention andHumanitarian Assistance at CDMHA

before the name was changed toDepartment of Peace and ConflictStudies. I was Vice Chancellor of LugaziUniversity. I have been an externalexaminer for many universities inAfrica including those in this greatrepublic. Actually, next weekend I amgoing to the University of NairobiInstitute of Diplomacy andInternational Studies as an externalexaminer. I have also been an externalexaminer at Jaramogi Oginga OdingaUniversity of Science and Technology(JOOUST), Moi University, Universityof Dar es Salaam, University ofRwanda among others. At themoment, I have over one hundred andfifty (150) publications in form ofbooks authored or edited by me andothers including journal articles in peerreviewed international journals. Imentor both my students and otheracademics. I regard all these asachievements.

Q: What are our current researchinterests as a Professor of History andInternational Relations?

My research interests are based onissues that deal with diplomacy,foreign policy, international relationsgenerally, peace and conflict studies,and security studies. It is because ofthese research activities that Imanaged to produce thosepublications over the years. I havebeen in academia for 41 years now.

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I think that is one of my best journalarticles but best book is called ‘USA,India and Africa during and after theCold War period’. I interrogate andinvestigate issues surrounding whatconstituted the intense rivalry betweenthe USA and Soviet Union popularly,diplomatically and historically known asthe Cold War period. I also examineissues of the post-cold war world order.

Q: Researchers, and universities atlarge, are increasingly protecting theirinventions. Have you ever consideredpatenting your work and why is itimportant to do so?

Patenting is very important inscholarship because if you do researchand make important findings, youshould own them. Otherwise, if you donot do that, your works or ideas will bestolen and essentially you will haveworked for nothing. I cannot say I havepatented any work. It depends onwhether you are typical naturalscientists or social scientist but for us inthe social sciences, copyright is veryimportant. You have to get copyright fora book you publish, journal articles andso, in a way, copyrighting is a form ofpatenting.

Q: Contemporary Africa and theforeseeable World Order,’ is a bookwritten in your honor by your peers inacademia from across the world, whatis the story behind it?

Yes. Well, I was elated by that becausemy peers in academia thought that I hadmade some recognizable academic,scholarly and administrativecontributions to the world of scholarshipand higher education. They thought to

honor me when I am still alive. Normally,that kind of honor is given when we areno longer alive. It is such a great honorfor them to publish a world- wide bookin my honor because of mycontributions.

They called it an accolade and theycalled me an icon in InternationalRelations and Diplomatic History. I washumbled by that. The book talks aboutissues surrounding Africa’s dealings withthe rest of the world in the post-ColdWar period. In a world that isincreasingly multipolar- because afterthe demise of the Soviet Union theworld was unipolar –it was only onesuper power that was in vogue. Butnow, increasingly, there are othercentres of power that are emerging andyou know very well that China is a verystrong candidate for the nextsuperpower.

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The literature around internationalrelations suggests that by 2030, Chinawill be the other new superpower andhow does Africa relate with suchemerging centres of power. There is acentre of power called the BRICS (Brazil,Russia, India, China and South Africa) andthey want to start their own bank to rivalthe World Bank-the InternationalMonetary Fund. It is good to have newcentres of power so that there is no onesingle power that dominates globalaffairs.

Q: Which of your journal paper wouldyou rate as your best and why?

There are a number of them. It would bea tall order for me to identify the best.However, the most recent articlepublished last year around November,called ‘Looking East; Uganda’s EmergingEconomic Diplomacy with the Nations ofthe Pacific Region’. It was published inthe Asian Journal of Social Sciences andHumanities and there I make a case forAfrican countries to show that relationswith the Asian countries is importantnow because it diversifies our diplomaticand economic relations with the newactors rather than keeping on relatingwith traditional powers of the West likethe USA, India, Britain, Germany andFrance.

Q: What are your views on the emergingfocus on research productivity andcollaborative research in Kenyanuniversities?

We need collaborative research. You see,universities are engines of knowledge,they produce knowledge, and they arefactories for ‘manufacturing ‘graduatesand knowledge is very important in thisexercise. Personally, I am a team worker.

I want, especially, to get groups of youngscholars as part of my nurturing exerciseso that they get grounded into theexercise of doing research and not justresearch for its sake. Research that isgoing to be meaningful and positivelytransform Kenya and Africa at large.

In Kenya, right now, we are talking of theBig Four Agenda which cannot just beleft for politicians. Universities mustcome in in a big way to do research andsupport the Big Agenda. There areprojects like the millennial goals whichneed collaborative research. The moreour universities collaborate in theresearch enterprise, the better forproductivity, the economic sphere,enhancement of democracy in thepolitical realm and the better forgeopolitical considerations. And, as youare aware now, there is this newphenomenon of terrorism. Kenya alonecannot handle it that is why Kenya needsto collaborate with its neighbours andeven those far including the USA. Allthese things require research, dueinsights, how to handle and counterterrorism, how to enhance food security,how to realize that industries workbetter and how to reduce corruption.Corruption is a big story, almost on adaily basis.

Q: Do you think that the proposal by theCommission for University Education toestablish a mechanism for accreditingacademic journals will inhibit academicfreedom?

Not at all. It is a step in the right directionbecause some of these journals are‘street’ journals.

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Anybody can just come up with a journalfor money making and not for economicenhancement, therefore, any material oflow quality can be published in suchjournals. There is need to actuallyaccredit the journals for qualityenhancement. I support it.

Q: Academics have, on occasions, beenaccused of doing research for the sakeof research. What are your views on thismatter?

Research for the sake of it is notmeaningful because, to me, the greatestobjective of doing research is totransform society and the lives ofwananchi by taking care of issues thatwill be meaningful for the country. It isnot just doing research because I want apromotion. I think I have hit the ceilingbecause I no longer need a promotionbecause a Professor is the highestechelon of academic position. However,if I have reached that position that is themore reason I should engage inmeaningful research so that now Imentor and nurture the younger scholarswho will be replacing some of us. Someof us are about to retire althoughProfessors normally do not retire really,they just maybe change their ways ofdoing things. But research for the sake ofresearch is not good for any university.There must be meaningful researchesdone to change the lives of our people inKenya, Africa and the world. We are now

interdependent and no country can standon its own that is why we have Chinesebuilding the superhighway. Hopefully,Kenyan engineers and other technocratswill be doing this themselves. But still,even the United States Of America (USA)which is a superpower is still dependingon other countries for certain things suchas gas and recycling of products. TheJapanese, for example, do a lot ofrecycling of products for the USA. Allthese things need quality research whoseproducts can be patented.

Q: Have you ever thought of ormeasured the impact of your work onsociety both immediate and largersociety? If yes what is it and if not whynot?

Yes. Many of my works have been usedand referred to by other establishedscholars, graduate students and even atthe undergraduate levels. If yourpublications are not referred to by yourpeers, then, that is something negativefor you. It means perhaps you are justdoing research for the sake of it whichmay be termed as useless research. Manyof my publications have been referred toin the Research Gate, Google Scholar andyou get feedback on the number ofcolleagues who refer to your publicationand that is good.

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Prof. Okoth (in grey suit) , with fellow Professors Frank Matanga, Fredrick Otieno and Kennedy Onkware , during the launch of the book titled “Peace, Security and Development in 21st Century Africa-Theory and Practice”

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Those research products in terms ofpublications have to make positiveimpact. If it happens that your findingsor research are not being referred tothen you have to rethink the way youconduct your research and how youmake your topic and findings relevant.At MMUST, we have Professors Forumnow and all full Professors are membersof that Forum. We share ideas andimpact each other. Therefore, yourcolleagues should be able to recognizeyour research output.

Q: Research Gate and Google Scholarare fora that have brought scientistsand researchers from differentdisciplines across the world under oneroof. Do you think such fora areimportant in enhancing collaborativeresearch?

They are very important in this modernera because, as researchers andscholars, we have to network. Duringour time, when we wereundergraduates, we were verytraditional. These days we have gadgetslike tablets, smartphones which areimportant vehicles for research. Yourwork is made accessible to everybody allover the world and this way plagiarism isreduced. Plagiarism is a seriousacademic crime.

Q: You have been to more than tenstates in the world. How has your vasttravelling impacted your teaching ofInternational Relations?

It has impacted immensely becauseinternational relations by definitionmeans interaction between or amongcountries. It is good to also know the

foreign policies of various countries sothat they can borrow from one another,what I call positive borrowing. Visitingthese countries, therefore, means youare meeting a diverse array of scholarswho may have different ways ofscholarship which you can learn from.Learning does not stop until one stopsbreathing. Let nobody cheat you thatthey have gotten a PhD, they are a fullprofessor so they have nothing more tolearn. Learning is a continuous process.These travels have not been just for thesake of travelling. They are not justacademic tourism but you meet others,you interact and learn from them andthey also learn from you. It is a kind ofsymbiotic relationship.

Q: Apart from the great research awardfrom Carnegie Corporation of NewYork, what other awards have youreceived?

I just came back from the Holy Land(Jerusalem).Upon my return, I washonoured with the title of JerusalemPilgrim which nobody gets every day. Ihave been honoured with other awardssuch as the Indian Council for CulturalRelations, the Fulbright Scholarshipamong others.

Q:Comment on the ongoing racismclaims against Donald Trump and itseffect on International relations.

I wrote something about Donald Trumpwhen he had just become the 45th

President of USA. First of all, Trump’sascendance to Presidency was a kind ofsurprise for some people because theyexpected what you may call andestablishment person like Hillary Clinton.

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Indeed, Hillary Clinton won by popularvotes but the Electoral College in theUSA determines who wins thePresidency and, perhaps, Clinton did notdo much of her own homework andTrump surprisingly won and wassupported by the military industrialcomplex.

But you see, Trump was from thebusiness world, he did not know muchabout international relations. He was incorporate real estate business and abillionaire but he was also aconservative person. He belongs to theright and was associated with racists.He belongs to the Anglo-Saxon race anddoes not regard other races like LatinAmericans, Asians and he carries that to

the international fora which is not goodfor international relations. He has madeso many blunders. He is veryundiplomatic. All those are not goodqualities of a Head of State like him. In anutshell, in most quarters, he isregarded as a racist.

Q:What is it that people do not knowabout you?

I enforce discipline in whatever I do.Many of our students cannot pay fees,making them to drop out. So if Idiscover bright students, I assist themby paying their fees.

Q:Describe yourself in 3 words.

Strict. Disciplinarian. God loving.

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Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), through theDepartment of Health Promotion and Sports Science, held a Stakeholders’Workshop on Curriculum Review on 22nd July 2019 at the University.

The stakeholders’ workshop is a mandatory step in the universities’ curriculumreview process as required by the Commission for University Education (CUE).The curriculum for Health Promotion and Sports Science, in the School ofPublic Health, Biomedical Sciences and Technology (SPBS&T), has been underreview in order to meet the development needs of the society and align withchanges in the country such as the introduction of the new Competency- BasedCurriculum (CBC).The purpose of the Review is to develop transitionalcurriculum for upgrading, modularize Bachelor of Science (Bsc) and Diplomacurricular, develop occupational standards for Recognition Prior Learning(RPL) certification and create two specialization pathways in the BSccurriculum; Health Promotion and Sports Science.

The Ag DVC (ASA), Dr. Bernadette Sabuni officially opened the stakeholders’workshop on behalf of the Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Asenath Sigot. Dr.Sabunisaid that the stakeholders’ contributions would enrich the curriculum underreview. She added that curriculum review is the right way to do things becausetimes have changed. She commended the newly launched MMUSTgymnasium, adding that people need to do exercises more and eat healthy. Dr.Sabuni also said that there is need for the University to relate with theindustries through respective schools and departments such the HealthPromotion and Sports Science Department.

By Sandra Dorcas Awuor

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Mr. Issah Kweyu, a member of staff inthe Department, presented the draftproposal of the curriculum, givingstakeholders an opportunity to maketheir contributions on it. He said that thecurriculum was first reviewed during a 3-day workshop that involved differentgroups addressing aspects such asreview of the old curriculum, identifyingemployability skills, development ofoccupation standards, core and theirsupport courses, a synopsis which is inline with CUE requirement and finally,examination and evaluation.

Prof. Vincent Onywera, from theDepartment of Physical Education,Exercise and Sports Science at KenyattaUniversity, talked about the globaltrends in physical education, exerciseand sports science. He said that physicalinactivity is the 4th leading risks factorfor global mortality hence the need toadvocate for habitual physical activity.Prof. Onywera said that he wasimpressed by the University’sgymnasium adding that it is wellequipped.

“We need to increase awareness ofhealth benefits of physical activity and

exercise. According to World HealthOrganization (WHO), 3.2 million die as aresult of physical inactivity,” said Prof.Onywera.

He said that the Health Promotion andSports Science curriculum is adequate inform, content and is line with globalpractices, the Presidential Big FourAgenda and the SustainableDevelopment Goals (3).Prof. Onyweraalso talked about the new Competency-Based Curriculum, saying that everyonehas a role to play in its rollout.

Also present was Prof. Abel Toriola fromTshwane University in South Africa. Prof.Toriola said that the proposed draftcurriculum has relevant programmesfocusing on international trends. He alsocommended the vision and missionstatements terming them as ‘good’. Hesaid that students should be trained andequipped with skills to work globally.

Dr. Peter Bukhala, the Chairperson ofDepartment of Health Promotion andSports Science at MMUST gave anoverview of the Department. He saidthat the first three (3) students wereenrolled in 2010 and there are currentlynine (9) PhD and ten (10) MastersStudents with Diploma having thehighest enrollment with nineteen (19)students.

“We are focusing on improving staffdevelopment, providing market drivenprogrammes hence the review,development of facilities throughoutsourcing, more partnerships andacquisitions and increasing studentenrollment,” he said.

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Dr. Bukhala said that the University haspartnered with Body Flex to run thegym. He also said that the gym will helpin treatment through regular exercisesand prevention of lifestyle diseaseamong staff, students and thecommunity at large. He encouragedcollaborative research between staffand students and interschoolcollaborations within the University. Hethanked stakeholders for theircontributions.

Mr. Patrick Chiriswa, a representativefrom KICD (Kenya Institute ofCurriculum Development), commendedthe faculty for the good work notingthat curriculum development is not easybut an ongoing process that begins withneeds assessment. He gave his remarkson the Health Promotion and SportsScience curriculum under review notingthat the units need to clearly revealcompetencies.

“Competencies must be explicit andmeasureable,” he said.

Mr. Chiriswa also suggested renamingof some of the units.

Mr. Stanley Maindi, from the StateDepartment of TVET, talked about theCompetence Based Education andTraining (CBET) Policy Framework. CBETis an outcome based approach to TVETwhich was launched on 24th October2018. He noted the important role ofindustry in provision of industrial data,monitoring standards, providingtraining to students and professionalsamong others.

Some of the recommendations made atthe end of the workshop included;thorough proofreading of the draftcurriculum, sourcing of funds, capturing

of domains of learning in learningoutcomes, development of Centre ofExcellence in training and certification,allocation of time for each unit,consultation with other universities andcolleges, facilities development,certification of reforms and creation oflinks with alumni networks andindustries.

Prof. Edwin Wamukoya assured thestakeholders that the Departmentwould work on the recommendationsmade. Dr. Bukhala expressed hisgratitude to the University for itssupport in making sure thestakeholders’ workshop was a success.

The workshop was closed by Dr. GladysMengich, the Acting Dean School ofPublic Health, Biomedical Sciences andTechnology (SPHBS&T), who gave avote of thanks to the stakeholders fortheir support. She also reiterated thefact that there is need to collaboratewith other Schools such as the School ofMedicine.

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As from 7th to 21st July 2019, the Schoolof Natural Sciences (SONAS), led by theExecutive Dean, Prof. William Shivoga,hosted a team from the University ofVenda (UNIVEN), South Africa. Thiscame due to the existing Memorandumof Understanding between MasindeMuliro University of Science andTechnology and the University of Venda(UNIVEN), South Africa. The team fromUNIVEN comprised of Prof. John Odiyoand Dr. Eduard Stam. They visitedMMUST for a joint collaborativeresearch and supervision ofpostgraduate students as well asfield/laboratory work on river Isiukhu.

In the field, the team, together with anumber of postgraduate students,sampled different sites, namely; Ichina,Ivakale, Kimangeti, Senyende, Shirere,Rosterman, Mwimbatsilo, Shibeye,Mutono and Ekero.

In each site, the following activities werecarried out; Collection of water and sediments

samples Collection of benthic macro

invertebrates Measure of physiochemical

parameters using hydro lab Measuring and estimation of width Measuring of velocity using velocity

meter

Later on, the data was taken to theUniversity Zoology Lab for sorting,identification, analyzing and was thenfed in a database.The climax of the visit was apresentation made by Prof. John Odiyo,the Dean, School of EnvironmentalSciences, UNIVEN. The Professor ofHydrology and Water Resourcesaddressed the issue of ‘GlobalEnvironmental Challenges, Impacts andOpportunities’.“Universal environmental challengeshave become a major problem,” hestated.According to him, these challenges arerelated to climatic change, naturalresources exploitation and associatedissues in waste management and publichealth.“Africa is under pressure from climatestresses and highly vulnerable to theimpact of climate changes,” hecontinued.A 2017 Report from United Nationsstated that there is need for climateaction as it plays a central role inachieving sustainable developmentgoals.

By Wambugu Mary Wangari

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Q: Tell us a little history that led to the establishment of the University Gym.

In 2017, the Department of Health Promotion and Sports Science wrote a proposal to anindividual investor called Body Flex to invest in the University for the purposes of establishing agym to serve both the staff and the community. In 2018, the investor started putting up thestructure. It was, initially, supposed to be at the Star Annex (Town Campus) because of itsproximity to the community. However, the University gave space where it currently is.

Q: What is the name of the Gym?

We are yet to settle on the exact name for the gym. We may probably call it the MMUST BodyFlex Wellness Centre.

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This feature interview focuses on the newly opened gymnasium at the University. We interview Dr. Peter Bukhala, the Chairperson of Department, Health Promotions and Sports Science, under whose jurisdiction the gym (project) falls.

Q: What is the shareholding ratiobetween Body Flex and MMUST?

Body Flex has invested in the structureand the gym machines at an estimatedcost of Kshs 30million. The gym is dividedinto four phases; machine/equipmentsection for body building, aerobics,physiotherapy room and a café. Theproposal was embedded on the 2015/16-2019/20 Strategic Plan on having theUniversity construct a Health, Wellnessand Fitness Centre by July 2017 as part ofits physical infrastructural development.The gym is to serve as a teachinglaboratory for the Department as well asgenerate resources for the University. Theinvestor shall recoup funds utilized in itsestablishment as per the signed five yearMemorandum of Understanding with theUniversity. The Department will receive15% of the profits accruing each year. As aDepartment, we are comfortable with thearrangement because we have a state ofthe art facility to teach sports. MMUST isthe second University in Kenya, afterKenyatta University, to have such a well-equipped teaching facility.

Q: How will the Gym benefit members ofstaff?

One of the things we noted from aresearch we conducted is that quite anumber of University staff are beingrefereed to hospitals for lifestyleconditions like back pains and lethargy.Such conditions can be treated withappropriate exercise. With the advent ofthe gym, we envisage this to drasticallyreduce. As we speak now, the Universityhas saved approximately Kshs 29millionafter referral of therapy cases to the gym.

Initially, we used to conduct theseexercises under not very conventionalspaces/rooms. Now, the gym will help inhandling staff in a much betterenvironment since there is now provisionof a room and machines for continuoussupport. We hope to move staff fromsedentary to active lifestyle through thegym. Therefore, the gym provides theUniversity with an opportunity to reduceon expenditure on some of the conditionsthat can be handled.

The Department is well equipped andstaffed with professionals in gymmanagement. We will give you correct andexpert advice and an entry assessmentreport and carry out a second assessmentmidway. Already, such has been done formembers of staff who have registered.We send nutritional information toregistered members every time. For anychanges to be noticed from the 12th week,one needs to come to the gym three timesa week for 30min a day.

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There were those fears of the gymbeing flooded by students. This is notthe case. Currently, we are working onrenovating a building in the former ASKShowground. It is spacious and hasmore equipment for the students. Theirrates are also cheaper.

Q: How has been the uptake of theGym so far?

The uptake has been good. So far, wehave one hundred (100) registeredmembers of staff. We are expectingmore to come. The reason why manypeople are yet to come in was becausethe gym did not have showers.Currently, though, the water system isin place, showers have been fixed andchanging rooms are in place. Peoplecan come in at any time of the day.Also, the number was small becausemore activities were taking place in theevening where people would exerciseand go home. Now, they can come at6a.m all the way to 8pm. We haveaerobic sessions as from 6am to 7am,lunch hour sessions and two sessions inthe evening. On the gym side, memberscan come in at any time form 7am-8pm.The facility is always open. There iscurrently a room to serve as aphysiotherapy room as we await theconstruction of a proper one.

Q: What is the registration fee?

Members of staff have been offeredhalf the charges given to thecommunity. We charge Kshs 150/- perday, Kshs 2,000 per month and Kshs15,000/- per year. Registration fee canbe paid through Paybill No: at theinitiation and arrangement of individualstaff with the Finance Office, we acceptcheck off system. We also accept

payments in installments, threeinstallments in a year, payable to thistelephone number 0742060116. Webelieve this is affordable for most staff.

For the community, we charge Kshs200/- per day, Kshs 3200/- per monthand Kshs 32,000/- per year. Right now,the number of members from withoutthe University is higher than fromMMUST. Due to this University gym,most of other gyms in Kakamega townhave closed shop because this is morespacious and better equipped.

Q: Do you have any awareness ormarketing interventions in place to getmore people to join?

Yes. Even though staff members areslow in uptake, we have sharedinformation about the gym on theintranet and other social mediaplatforms. From outside the University,we are using word of mouth and alsodistributing flyers to the community inchurches, schools, markets, businesspeople etc. We are receiving quite agood response.

Q: There is currently an influx of ‘LoseWeight Experts’ on social media withinformation on exercise and dieting.What would you say about the idea ofIntermittent Fasting (IF) as a weightlose strategy?

Yes, there are many myths aboutexercise and dieting. From a sportingperspective, however, we say goodhealth practice is not skipping meals.You must eat meals at least three timesa day. However, the meals must bewithin the correct portions.

You must not look like you are havinghunger pangs at any given time. This isbecause, when you are hungry, the bodytries to create the impression that youare starving and so any food you take inis quickly converted to fats and stored tobe used later.When you think that you are using up thefat that was stored by going hungry, thebody actually reacts to that. Therefore,one must eat because it is needed formetabolism and improving healthbecause performance in other areas oflife is dependent on the nutritionalintake. When the body misses out, youmiss out on vitality and performance onother areas go down. You will not addweight when you eat correct portions atthe right time. What needs to be done isto be active in that, once you have eaten,you must be able to expend the excessenergy and food from the system.Q: What is your thought on the currentdetoxification craze?The best detoxification for the body iswater. I am not sure about the truth onthe combinations given for juicing andother concoctions but nutritionists willtell you that the best detox is water.Adequate intake of water purifies bothyour blood and your body system. Thereis a measure of the usual eight glasses ofwater per day on the minimum. Do nottake water because you are thirsty butbecause it is important to improve yourmetabolism.Q: What would you say about walking asa form of exercise as opposed to joggingon the treadmill?Whether brisk walking, running in the fieldor being on the treadmill, they all servethe same purpose. The only difference is

that the gym provides equipment thathelp you to do more at a shorter time. Inthe case of walking, you have to walk forat least 30minutes and walk briskly. Even ifyou walk leisurely, you still expend energythough at a lower rate. For older people,we advise them to take brisk walks asopposed to being on the treadmill as theirjoints may be bruised. We encourageolder people to walk but not run.Q: One of the challenges people facewhen joining gyms is lack of informationon types of exercises and their impact tothe body. What do you say about this?We have different exercises andmachines/equipment for different bodyparts. This advice is not given when onejoins the gym. The problem of some gymsis that instructors do not have the skill tobe able to monitor participants. They arenot adequately trained. As such, some putyou on very high levels of exercise at thebeginning which is what bruises the body.At the MMUST gym, we give youpersonalized training. We run you throughthe equipment that will enable youachieve your goal of joining the gym; thecorrect equipment, correct pace and thecorrect length of time per activity untilyour body picks up. It is only then thatyour body will start experiencing changeand benefiting from exercises.

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Q: Approximately how long does it take tosee any changes in your body system onceyou start exercising?

It takes approximately 8-12weeks to seeany changes in the body. Consistency isimportant and the amount of exercise perday must also be observed. For example, ifyou exercise 30min per day three times aweek, the other days should be engaged inactive recovery as opposed to sleepingand/or eating too much in the pretext thatyou will exercise the next day. Everythingshould be done in moderation. Have activewalks, for example, walk from the office towhere you have packed your vehicle a littlefurther. Walk around to keep the bodymechanismmoving.

Q: How many personnel are at the Gymright now?

We have three staff on a daily basis. Wealso have three students on attachment.There are also staff from the Departmentwho go in every now and then to support interms of personalized attention. If youcome in, you will always find someonethere.

For members of staff, if you want to benefitfrom the gym, do not do what you think youwant to do. Ask the gym instructors toadvice you on what is best for you. You mayend up concentrating on only one area ofyour body yet you may need other exercisesfor cardiovascular endurance, muscle buildup, flexibility activities etc. Each one ofthese machines do different things; thereare those for the legs, strengthening yourarms, others for the tummy and those forthe heart. So, work with the gym attendantto gain what you want.

Q: What are the future plans for the Gym?

In the reviewed Strategic Plan, we have

included the need for putting up aswimming pool for the University and acomplete Health and Wellness Centre. TheUniversity spends a lot of money insending students to Mudasa Academy inVihiga County to learn about swimming.We have already had discussions with theFinance Officer to see whether a budgetcan be approved for the design of aswimming pool. We envisage building anOlympic model swimming pool. This willact as a laboratory for teaching swimmingwhere students will be able to learn more.It will also provide the rest of the students,the community and the children withinKakamega with a spacious, safe and cleanswimming pool unlike what is currentlyprovided in Kakamega. The University willbe able to get money out of this. In theHealth and Wellness Centre, we shallprovide nutritional advice, fitness advice,teach dance, exercise counselling and avariety of other activities.

Parting shot?

I wish to ask members of staff to adapt toan active lifestyle. It is good for them. It ishealthy. Our nature of work is, sometimes,that which makes us overwork and also sita lot. I want to urge them to put priorityon their own health as the first key thingthey need to think about.

As a Department, we are willing and readyto hold mass aerobic sessions, free ofcharge, at the Graduation Square formembers of staff. Such sessions can alsoact as team building efforts for cohesionamong staff. We only require around forty(40) staff members to have such in place.The Departmental staff also have morningroad runs, where a number of staff takepart in, under the guidance of Mr. IssaKweyu.

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A Weekly Digital Publication of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology