University graduation is one big circus.

You have managed to finally get that degree after four years of toiling, rather communally doing the course. It is said that to get a degree in campus is a communal affair, we do CATS together, assignments and finally do the exams together.

“It’s not cheating; it is a communal affair you know.” A student would say when busted in the exam room with that small paper. Some lecturers know this rule, no wonder some ladies who never attend lectures end up getting first class. A communal affair, as far as they know each other.

When graduation day finally comes by, you invite all and the sundry. From friends, enemies, village mates and so on. The village people will organize themselves by hiring a jalopy and begin the journey from Western a day earlier. Food is brought aplenty, from mursik, chicken, and even ugali! Finally, they will arrive in the city to the traffic jam early in the morning. Before you know it the driver is cruising on the wrong lane.

The driver will finally get his way to the city three hours or so later. When they get to the graduation gate, only two or three people will be allowed in. the rest lounge around, get time to sleep. Others ogle at the tall buildings nearby probably for the first time. Due to poor network, the communication is difficult and a villager slips away from the group. Getting through to him is a struggle.

“I’m in this corner where there are many cars.” She will say when the call gets through. Remember that the vehicles are everywhere. After an hour or so she is finally found, only to wail that her baby is nowhere to be seen!

“Nilimwacha mtoto hapa kwa gari. Bwana ataniua leo. Mtoto ako wapi.” She will wail uncontrollably insisting that she had left the child in the car as she went to relieve herself.

It is then that a search is mounted. The brief celebration that was to be conducted after the main one does not kick off obviously. Those who were hoping to be taken to the city to see KICC with their eyes, have their hopes dashed by the hour. The driver is fuming.

“We must start the journey back before it gets dark. I will leave some people if you delay.” The driver announces. Worse if he is backed by the conductor.

When the child is finally found, some minutes to six in the evening, the jam is crazy in the graduation square. They jump into the bus and everyone dozes off. The celebrations will be better done in the village.