Peer Counselors Inaugurated

Following an intensive Peer Counselors training workshop coordinated by the Dean of Students office, 100 peer counsellors and 4 administrative staff members from key service Departments of the Dean of Students and Accommodation departments were finally inaugurated to begin their work.

The trainees were drawn from all the Faculties of Egerton University in Njoro and Nakuru Town Campus College. The colourful inauguration ceremony was held on 29 July 2021 at the Education Theatre 1 at the main campus. The Dean of Students, Prof. Dolphin Odero - Wanga in her welcome remarks, said that the peer counselors were competitively recruited and trained to counsel their fellow students on various issues like stress management, abuse of psychoactive substances, relationships, financial and time management, depression, academic challenges, among others.

The ceremony was presided over by the Ag. Deputy Vice- Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Julius Kipkemboi. Prof. Kipkemboi noted that peer counseling is an important programme in the University because it stands in the gap to provide counseling on peer to peer basis to students. He added that the newly trained peer counsellors had been equipped with the necessary skills to enable them offer counselling to fellow students undergoing physical, emotional, psychological, social, spiritual and mental health challenges while on campus. He said that these issues, if not effectively handled, may result into poor academic performance, low self-esteem, mental illnesses, depression, suicidal tendencies, student unrest, hooliganism and vandalism of University property.

The training was organised by the Dean of Students office in collaboration with the TAGDev Program at Egerton university. Prof. Nancy Mungai, the TAGDev program Coordinator, attended the inauguration. ceremony. She addressed the peer counselors and pledged continued support towards the programme.

The training covered various topics which included: Basic Counselling Skills, Time Management Techniques, Good Study Habits, Trauma Management, Self-Care, Life Skills, Mental Health Issues, Use and Abuse of Psychoactive Substances, Conflict Management and Resolution, Loss and Grief Process, Stress and Stress Management, Transformative Leadership, Ethical Issues in Counselling, among others.

The trainees were also addressed by Dr. Hillary Chakava who is the Alumni Relations Coordinator and a former peer counsellor. Dr. Chakava challenged the peer counsellors to be alert to emerging mental health issues brought about by excessive and addictive social media use. The training is timely considering the notable increase in cases of depression among students occasioned by the economic hardships brought about by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Present in the ceremony were Assistant Dean of students Dr. Lilian Nyagaya, Dr. Samuel Nyamweya, University Chaplain- Dr. Rev. Samuel Nduati and all Student Counselors.

On behalf of the University Management, we wish to congratulate the Director Dean of students and the 100 Peer Counsellors following your intensive Peer Counsellors training workshop coordinated by the Dean of Students office, 100 peer counsellors . We requset that you use your skills effectively to support the students and community who are currently going through various psychological changes caused by Covid 19 pandemic.