Danger exposure in Moi University

M

oi University proofs to be a dangerous place for human survival as days goes by. Yesterday at 9 pm in the morning, members of hostel barracks fled for their lives when flames erupted from the main switch.

The housekeeper in that hostel made arrangements to switch off power from that area resulting to power outages the whole day and night. The cause of the fire had not been established but chances are that the red and black wires could have intertwined leading to the flames. This occurred after a transformer exploded near C houses last week, this had led to a whole day power outage in the Moi University and its neighborhood before it was repaired.

Students in Moi University main campus now live in fear. They claim that their lives have been put to danger by frequent incidences caused by electricity. Mid last year two rooms in hostel M were ablaze. The occupants had all gone to class during the time of the disaster occurrence. Students in the neighbourhood realized what had transpired after seeing smoke emanate from the two rooms. They did all they can to salvage the situation by breaking the doors. Water was the only available ‘weapon’ to use in discouraging the fire spread at that moment.

Disaster management and preparedness in Moi University is very poor. The fire extinguishers available are rarely checked. Such equipments are insufficient. There are only two to three fire extinguishers in a three storey building. The administration rarely conducts the sensitisation programs to students and workers on how to react in times of disaster occurrence. Students are scarcely taught how to use the fire extinguisher. Nobody knows whether the cylinders are functioning.

It is a high time that the University considers the issue of electricity usage in Moi University. Electricians employed ought to go around daily checking on the wiring and the operation of the circuit breakers and the switch boxes. The habit of checking on the electricity circulation when demand for help arises should be avoided. They ought to understand that their mandate is to ensure continuous and safe electricity supply in their operation.

INNOCENT BUT SUFFERING

Yesterday night, students from Soweto hostels got angry after being left hungry the whole day. Power outage had had occurred since 7.30 am in the morning till 8pm when they decided to take actions in their hands.

It all started with whistle and screams that trumpeted the situation across the campus. Everybody in Moi University understands what that means unless one has visited the place for the first time then such kind of shouts will make one shrink. They shouted all kinds of names to the accommodations director. They felt that he had failed to perform his duty well and that’s why they were suffering. Someone must listen to their grievances. As per the notice, the power was supposed to be back as at 5pm.

After screaming for about an hour and realizing that no one cared for them, they decided to raise their voices higher and move out of their rooms. Where were they going? What were they going to do? What are they going to do? One could wonder as the noise proceeded towards the megabytes. It’s like they had planned to eat all the edible products in the place. They moved like hungry vultures scaring the attendance at the place. They had to run for their lives lest they are killed by the angry crowd.

The shop attendance had nothing to do with power. They are business men who are trying to make the ends meet. Selling the snacks is what they do for a living, they do their best to ensure that they put something in their tables in the evening at yet students are willing to destroy that hard work and sacrifice in a twinkle of an eye. Nevertheless the stalls provide for them quality services at their doorsteps. What do they gain for ruining people’s life? They need to think twice before they act.