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It required them to assume the position of half sitting and half squatting. Proper sitting only made the old and shaky furniture to crush under their weight. Anyone unfortunate to 'break' a chair paid dearly as the tutors made it their duty to inform the Registrar who in turn termed this as "pure negligence" and demanded payment for the broken seat.
The Registrar enforced his words by deducting an overrated amount from the University fees. It was no secret that when he met tutors at the end of the semester, "money changed hands "to encourage them to report whoever broke any college property even if it was already past its usage time. The money did not buy new furniture. The broken pieces were taken for repair at the college workshop to a poorly paid technician who 'revenged' by doing a sheddy repair. It was common to find repaired seats with nails that extended to the sitting area. If the facilities for school were students, all of them would suffer the effects of food poisoning daily due to the consumption of expired stuff. Surprisingly, the university Chancellor and a Board were there "to be seen and not to be heard." They did not take action to improve Fahari University.
Although the Registrar was corrupt, Konyeki felt it was better to give "the registrar what belongs to registrar" rather than becoming a victim of kleptomaniac's who broke into boxes of their fellow students to steal anything they could find. It was like some went to study stealing as they even stole wet clothes from hanging lines if their owners failed to keep an eye after washing. As usual, the Registrar and his team "saw or heard no evil" despite daily complaints about stolen items. It was well-known that the criminal students sold whatever they stole to local brewers at throwaway prices in exchange for sub-standard liquor. However, the University administration never questioned the students who sneaked stolen property out of the school. No wander the thieves were so daring that they stole the national flag at the flag post in the middle of the assembly ground.
People wondered why anyone would steal a flag until the talk that a local trader bought it to hang it on his business premises during national day celebrations spread out. Ironically, the business person sat at a reserved area during celebrations as recognition of his patriotism and contribution to regional growth. Every day at Fahari led to something showing the rot in the society.
Konyeki still found it mysterious that he overcame the rot in the institution by completing his education without joining any bad company or taking drugs. However, it was Miano, his father who hardened his resolve after refusing to transfer Konyeki to another University. Miano claimed his son thought there was money to misuse with transfers, yet he was supposed to put up with any hardships as "roots of education are bitter, but the fruits will be sweet."
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