My campus boyfriend dumped me for being broke- MP Naisula Lesuuda

Former journalist Naisula Lesuuda is the current Membuytuuer of Parliament for Samburu West constituency and a women’s rights activist. She talks about her life in campus:

What is your alma mater?

I was certain that I wanted to pursue journalism while in high school and made a pact with my father that if I improved mathematics, score he would take me to the campus of my choice. I performed well, and even though my father didn’t have enough funds to take me to Daystar, which was my first choice he sold all his cows for me to pursue a degree in communication and community development (at Daystar).

Why communication?

I enjoyed listening to news presenters on radio and was fairly good in public speaking and excelled in extracurricular activities like drama, music festivals and did very well in languages. Besides, the fact that my dad is a reverend and would allow me to speak to the congregation in church and whenever he travelled sharpened my communication skills.

How was it at Daystar?

I experienced culture shock. The only time I came to Nairobi was when I used to go for Bible camps which was a different set up from being in campus. There were cliques, outrageous fashion and the urban rich kids to contend with. I was a quiet student who had one friend at a time. Most of my peers today wonder how I ever joined politics and became so vocal. To date, even though I am social, I avoid cliques.

What were you known for in campus?

I enjoyed playing badminton and I got an award for the sports lady of the year. I also joined clubs and groups that I loved like Afrizo, but was more a dancer than a singer.

What was your favourite and worst unit?                   

Communication and Culture, Electronic Media and Broadcast presentations were my favourite. I probably enjoyed them because of because of the lecturers who taught them. I am not a fan of anything to do with statistics and math, so I disliked Statistics for Communication Research.

How did you balance social life and books?

It was just a matter of doing the right thing at the right time. I am not a morning person so I would ensure that I studied late at night.

Did you have side hustles?

No. My dad was very clear that he had taken me to school to study so I had to focus on just that.

Best and worst moments in campus

My best moment was graduating because it wasn’t easy for me and over time I got a scholarship, dubbed work study, as I was like a prefect of my hostel. I got bursaries and the fact that I was able to complete the fees, made me happy. My worst moment was my dating experience. My first attempt at dating did not work out because my boyfriend made it clear to my face that I had nothing to offer him because I was not from the same social class. He went to date another lady from the same social class as his. You just don’t forget such an experience.

What did that dating experience teach you?

Looking at other people who dated and got married to those they dated in campus, I learnt that you can’t use one person’s experience to say that dating doesn’t work. Everyone’s experience is different and special.

Last word to those in campus

Just enjoy it and make the most out of it. You’ll miss that moment for it never comes back.