THE UNTOLD STORY OF A DETERMINED 'SOLDIER'
My week was longer than usual. I began by loosing the room keys belonging to a friend, my assignments were catching up with me, the final examinations were around the corner yet I was not prepared and my school identity card decided to get lost at that point. There were all kinds of pressure from everywhere. After days of harassment at the school gate I finally decide to visit the student development office and ask for a replacement. The man behind the desk was busy doing his work as I presented my predicaments. His seriousness and the way he asked questions almost made me want to give up on the whole thing.
Behind the tall frame and alto voice at the Daystar University sports lays a tenacious hardworking man who has been at the helm of the sports office for the last fifteen years. The department he works for is the student affairs. He is a man of intimidating physique yet so humble. Welcome to the world of John ‘Mudavadi’Yidah, Daystar assistant sports and recreational officer.
‘Muda’ as many refer to him is a man with a serious face, many who encounter him for the first time always have something new to say about him. I personally thought he did not have a welcoming face but others who interact wit him on a personal level would differ with me.Mr.Yidah is quick to point out that Muda is not his nickname but his great grandfathers name. I was quick to notice that he speaks fluent Luo although his tribe is Luhya.He explains that his grandmother is Luo but since his mother was brought up in Migori he had to learn Luhya.His birth place was Nandi hills where his father was working in a tea company. At one point in his life he lived in Tiriki where he was able to polish his Luo.
‘Muda’ did his high school in Samoei secondary school from form one to form two. The Luhya-Kalenjin clash of 1978 prompted their family to move to Western where he joined Senende boys in Khamisi constituency and completed his form four. He later joined St.Patrick and did his form five and six. After high school ‘Muda’ joined the National Youth Service. A relative convinced him to join the Kenya Army; he was recruited under the Military Intelligent Corpse. He served in the army throughout the coup and he later left voluntarily to find greener pastures. His service in the military could be part of the reason why this man is no nonsense. During the whole interview I could not make him smile at the slightest joke.
His work at Daystar began immediately after he was done with the army. In the year 1995, he applied for a position in the campus and landed himself in the sports department. He admits his most memorable moment is when he joined the school because there was a high level of transparency in the school. The members of staff had to mark time for some time because the school was going through a financial strain. This issue raised the ire of many but nothing was done.Proffesor Nguru was inaugurated as the new vice chancellor and he tried to spread the cake. He motivated the staff to work hard and provided a good job environment for everyone
Mr.Yidah has seen three vice chancellors in Daystar and has been together with the students for a long time. The sports department in Daystar has not been very successful due to the issue of leadership.’Muda’acknowledges the fact that Daystar is a Christian school and in fact he is a staunch Christian himself. Daystar wants to disintegrate itself from other campuses and ignore what is happening in the outside world. He says the only way the issue will be solved is the leadership style will change. Incase there is a tournament the money should be released immediately, those given the money should also be accountable for hoe they have used it.
The best time in his office is with the class of 2004.The sports team excelled in all the sports including, soccer, rugby, hockey, tennis and basketball. The government in Daystar gave the sports department both moral and financial support. The vice chancellor and other leaders in office would go to the field and watch the players practice, the coaches were available to guide the players and the whole team was united. “Unity determines the strength of any group” Mr. John kept on repeating. The year 2004 had the most intake of new students because it painted a good image for the campus.
Mr.Yidah also recalls the visit of Martin Luther to Daystar in 2008.He wanted to market Daystar therefore proposed a tournament in order for the school to be known. At that time the teams were flying high and he was assured his move was going to be successful.Proffessor Nguru, Reverend Kinoti and many others gave money from kitty. The whole initiative was a success to the school and to those who participated.
Amidst his busy lifestyle Muda still finds time for his family .Mr. Yidah is married to one wife and has two children. His first born has just completed his undergraduate studies at Moi University Eldoret. The last born is on his last year in high school. All in all Mr. Yidah’s affection for his family is unquestionable. This is evident by the family photo he cherishes dearly at the desk of his office.
‘Muda’is somebody one is bound to meet in their time in Daystar, especially if one is engaged in co-curricular activities. His peers respect him and look up to him as a veteran whose experience is bar none. On my own individual encounter, ‘Muda’ I can say is a man who is patient and accommodative yet quite firm in his value systems that may strike him as a military man. We parted ways with him offering a gem of wisdom in the words “Life is not a struggle; the grass is always greener on the other side. Do what you have to do perfectly.’’ Thus in a nutshell I tend to believe you have to dig for the well before you become thirsty. (1032)
My week was longer than usual. I began by loosing the room keys belonging to a friend, my assignments were catching up with me, the final examinations were around the corner yet I was not prepared and my school identity card decided to get lost at that point. There were all kinds of pressure from everywhere. After days of harassment at the school gate I finally decide to visit the student development office and ask for a replacement. The man behind the desk was busy doing his work as I presented my predicaments. His seriousness and the way he asked questions almost made me want to give up on the whole thing.
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| 'Muda' at the office doing his thing |
Behind the tall frame and alto voice at the Daystar University sports lays a tenacious hardworking man who has been at the helm of the sports office for the last fifteen years. The department he works for is the student affairs. He is a man of intimidating physique yet so humble. Welcome to the world of John ‘Mudavadi’Yidah, Daystar assistant sports and recreational officer.
‘Muda’ as many refer to him is a man with a serious face, many who encounter him for the first time always have something new to say about him. I personally thought he did not have a welcoming face but others who interact wit him on a personal level would differ with me.Mr.Yidah is quick to point out that Muda is not his nickname but his great grandfathers name. I was quick to notice that he speaks fluent Luo although his tribe is Luhya.He explains that his grandmother is Luo but since his mother was brought up in Migori he had to learn Luhya.His birth place was Nandi hills where his father was working in a tea company. At one point in his life he lived in Tiriki where he was able to polish his Luo.
‘Muda’ did his high school in Samoei secondary school from form one to form two. The Luhya-Kalenjin clash of 1978 prompted their family to move to Western where he joined Senende boys in Khamisi constituency and completed his form four. He later joined St.Patrick and did his form five and six. After high school ‘Muda’ joined the National Youth Service. A relative convinced him to join the Kenya Army; he was recruited under the Military Intelligent Corpse. He served in the army throughout the coup and he later left voluntarily to find greener pastures. His service in the military could be part of the reason why this man is no nonsense. During the whole interview I could not make him smile at the slightest joke.
 |
| At the office where he spends most of the day |
His work at Daystar began immediately after he was done with the army. In the year 1995, he applied for a position in the campus and landed himself in the sports department. He admits his most memorable moment is when he joined the school because there was a high level of transparency in the school. The members of staff had to mark time for some time because the school was going through a financial strain. This issue raised the ire of many but nothing was done.Proffesor Nguru was inaugurated as the new vice chancellor and he tried to spread the cake. He motivated the staff to work hard and provided a good job environment for everyone
Mr.Yidah has seen three vice chancellors in Daystar and has been together with the students for a long time. The sports department in Daystar has not been very successful due to the issue of leadership.’Muda’acknowledges the fact that Daystar is a Christian school and in fact he is a staunch Christian himself. Daystar wants to disintegrate itself from other campuses and ignore what is happening in the outside world. He says the only way the issue will be solved is the leadership style will change. Incase there is a tournament the money should be released immediately, those given the money should also be accountable for hoe they have used it.
The best time in his office is with the class of 2004.The sports team excelled in all the sports including, soccer, rugby, hockey, tennis and basketball. The government in Daystar gave the sports department both moral and financial support. The vice chancellor and other leaders in office would go to the field and watch the players practice, the coaches were available to guide the players and the whole team was united. “Unity determines the strength of any group” Mr. John kept on repeating. The year 2004 had the most intake of new students because it painted a good image for the campus.
Mr.Yidah also recalls the visit of Martin Luther to Daystar in 2008.He wanted to market Daystar therefore proposed a tournament in order for the school to be known. At that time the teams were flying high and he was assured his move was going to be successful.Proffessor Nguru, Reverend Kinoti and many others gave money from kitty. The whole initiative was a success to the school and to those who participated.
Amidst his busy lifestyle Muda still finds time for his family .Mr. Yidah is married to one wife and has two children. His first born has just completed his undergraduate studies at Moi University Eldoret. The last born is on his last year in high school. All in all Mr. Yidah’s affection for his family is unquestionable. This is evident by the family photo he cherishes dearly at the desk of his office.
‘Muda’is somebody one is bound to meet in their time in Daystar, especially if one is engaged in co-curricular activities. His peers respect him and look up to him as a veteran whose experience is bar none. On my own individual encounter, ‘Muda’ I can say is a man who is patient and accommodative yet quite firm in his value systems that may strike him as a military man. We parted ways with him offering a gem of wisdom in the words “Life is not a struggle; the grass is always greener on the other side. Do what you have to do perfectly.’’ Thus in a nutshell I tend to believe you have to dig for the well before you become thirsty. (1032)
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