I think all public universities in Kenya host "Freshaz night", but they have distinct titles to refer to this eventful day. It is the second most awaited day after the MR & MISS Campus, note the graduation day comes third.
All the notice boards and walls were awash with these colorful posters that were very eye-catching. The mix of colors was artistically done that the shape, pattern, and the mood of the panting was really advertising an adventure to come. The stippling and shading elicited an entopic graphomania making the artifact to qualify for an exhibition week in Louvre or Denver art museum. With all my freshness, my eyes staid glued to the posters as i admired the beautiful work of design. Additionally, the message on the poster lingered in my mind over and over again. Why is it called a freshas night? Does it mean we will be stripped and whipped like "monos' in high school? Why was everyone curious and talking of this day?
It did not take long before my questions got answered, perfectly. It was on a Friday evening and i could see the school arena situated just in-front of the assemble hall being pimped. A stage was mounted and lights were being fixed, all sort of music machinery and gadgets were being set. There were an array of activities but it was clear that there was going to be hell of a party in the school.
As darkness settled in, there were numerous echoes of one, one one two, one two, three mic testing. I had only seen such kind of preparation in our village crusades, but i could hear secular music play, clearly this was something far from a crusade. During the day, several groups of people went round the campus convincing the freshas to embrace their night in numbers. It did not take long before the event started, the DJ was up to his A-game. "Up-coming artists rocked the arena, though they made us tired by this common phrase, "mikono juu, mikono juu ya hewa" (hands-up in the air) and they never told us to put them down. A residential comedian and a musician were present and gave a jaw-dropping performance.
That is when the third years and fourth years guys arrived smelling like a winery or a cheap liquor store, totally drunk. They staggered all the way to the arena scrambling for the innocent freshmen ladies. They argued loudly and took them off their seats by force. They did it so greedily and exerted fear among us. I was shocked to hear someone grab my hand. "No this is a mistake, i am a man", i thought. Who was this confusing me to a lady?
With all the confusion i stood up and found out it was a lady. She was a third year student from her looks, but she was just irresistible just like Kensauce. She requested me to accompany her since the event had been disrupted. who can let down such an offer?, i obliged with a huge giggle. She had covered herself with the 'Masaai shuka", putted on lipstick at night and looked so welcoming. I had seen her on one or two occasions in the institution. It dawned on me that she was also in a haunt for a FRESHA...Ponyoka na fresha they said.....to be continued.
