HISTORY OF KISII UNIVERSITY PRESS

Kisii University Press (KUP) is an association of Kisii University media students with a core aim to gather, process, package and disseminate information from within and without the institution and to help sharpen the students’ prowess in the journalism informative role.

The association was started around the year 2008 under the brand, Kisii University Media Students Association but became active in 2010 with the efforts of Abuga Makori. The members (who had the same goal) then elected their officials with Collince Kayubs as the president (Chairperson) of the association.

They then drafted a constitution which was adopted in the month of October the same year - 2010 changing the name of the association from Kisii University Media Students association to Kisii University Press (KUP).

The association though did not engage in serious journalistic activities until late 2013 when they produced the first journalistic magazine publication dubbed “The Campus Blitz.”

After the publication, the association became dormant till September 2014 when one of the staunch members of the association, Sammy Khisa convened a meeting to revive the association.

With the help of the then department of Media COD (chair of department) Ms. Catherine Wambui, the association came back to the limelight with massive registration of new members.

The former was then elected as the president of the association with Omolo Odanga being his deputy while Collince Oliech was elected the Organizing secretary among other senior posts.

A month later after the Kisii University cultural week coverage, the association was facing another nightmare, mismanagement of funds and using the association for self-interest.

This then led to the resignation of the two top officials, Khisa and Oliech and according to section 6 A (i) of the associations’ constitution, Odanga ceremoniously occupied the top seat.

Early 2015, the association produced their second major publication, The Campus Blaze Volume one. This was a rebrand of the previous publication which is vibrant and had an unmatchable journalistic touch.

The editorial team was headed by Innocent Tsalwa and assisted by other 4 subs, the five are astute journalists gifted with the prowess to fine tune and give forwarded stories from the scribes a more interesting touch of glamour before publication. The five were elected in accordance to section 4(vi) of the KUP constitution

The editors are concisely assisted by two Graphic designers, Matheka Ndambuki and Otieno Lawrence. The duo lays down the dummy and ensure the graphical arrangement of the articles are appealing to the eye. The latter is also the cartoonist and poet of the publication.

The terms of the editorial team are however limited and expires by the end of the academic year but can be renewed in accordance to section 4.iv.e of the KUP constitution.

A year down the line and the association is having bragging rights within the institution as the most vibrant association with every publication it releases becoming a dossier and agenda setting issues within the institution.

The membership is overwhelming from scribes to scholars with every individual including the top administrators within the institution yearning to associate with the association.

Current Leadership                             

Omolo Odanga – President

Ikazi Faith           - Deputy President

Lidya Chepkirui - Sec gen

Obuchunju Henix – Org sec

Mwaniki Stephen – Treasurer

Otieno Lawrence – Publicity

The content in this article will be edited whenever any change may arise.