KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGY

NAME: CHARITY MUGURE KINYUA

REG. NO.: ESS/CE/11970/07

UNIT – PRACTICUM INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

LECTURER: Dr. NDAMBUKI

1
INTRODUCTION

This is a transcript of six (6) cases handled by the author during her counseling
practicum experiences at Githongo District Hospital in Meru Central and Matheri
High School in the same district.
The author is keenly interested in handling issues related to young adults married
couples. The practicum was conducted in the months of September to December
2009.
The six cases from:
1. Michael Mwaka on 28th September, 2009 and it was related to unemployment
and finances.
2. Veronicah Gakii, 2nd of October. It was related to HIV/AIDS pre and post
testing.
3. Linet – problems with her graduation day. December 2010
4. Pius Erraco – death of a beloved father during the K.C.S.E Exams in 2009.
5. Mercy Kabira – it’s related to threats from the employer to be sucked.
6. Carol Iregi – a student who feels worthless because of poor performance in
academic work.
Two of the cases were males and the rest were females.

2
STUDY CASE NO. ONE

NAME: Veronica Gakii

Diagnosis: HIV/AIDS – Pretesting counseling
Date: 2nd September:
Sex: Females
Age: 25 years
NB: This was the first meeting.
Abbreviation
CL- Client
CO – Counselor

3
Client / Counsellor Theories
,techniques
used ,comments
CL: Knock……………….
Welcome
CO: come in (two people)open the door
Acceptance
CL: Good morning madam?
Rapport
CO: (standing up to shake hands with the clients) good morning to Cheating
Observation
you.

(Pointing to the sit) please sit down.

Rapport
CL Thank You (Client sits) building

CO: Feel welcome. How are you?

CL : Fine (very faintly)

CO: My name is Charity Kinyua, a student at Kenyatta University, Rapport

building
but attached in this Hospital to do guidance and counseling.

CL: Thank you madam. I am Justin Karimi and sited with me is my

first born daughter Veronicah.

CO; Thank you and once again welcome. Veronicah and the

mother

CL: (mother continues) We have come here madam because my

daughter has a problem which she wants to share with you. She

requested me to accompany her to this place and that is why we are

here.

CO: Thank you mum you have a beautiful daughter and see you are

really concerned with her welfare. (the daughter looking down)

Mm – As I started by telling you, I am a student and what we are

going to talk about is going to help me to the exam at the

4
university. However, it will also be kept confidential and your

name will not be disclosed to anybody or any authority. Would you

Acceptance
allow me to record this information of the examination? (Looking

at Veronica)

CL: (Nodding her head) Yes so long as my name will not appear.

CO: Thank you mum. I would also like to know from you, whether

you are comfortable to me in presence of your mother

CL: (looks straight at the mother and smiles) Yes. We had already

talked with my mother and she knows everything so there is no

problem.

CO: Thank you mum for allowing me to record this conversation

and also for allowing your mother to be with us. Now, may I know Showing
openness &
the problem? genuineness

CL: (Silence) I have been in and out of hospital for the last 3 years.

I have taken all sorts of drug being treated for various sickness;

typhoid,pneumonia,malaria,T.B and none of these drugs has helped Non –Verbal

Language
me. (Tears streaming down freely) my mother has spent all her

fortune on my treatment and nothing seems it work. Doctors

diagnose this disease today……..tomorrow another one (between

sobs)I can’t stand it anymore (bands the arm of the chair) Non –verbal

CO : I see tears flowing down your cheeks . Is is the pain of the

sickness .

CL: (wipes out the tears with a handkerchief) NO. With a coarse

voice.I am ok. I am not feeling any pain now . I am just fine.

CO: I heard you say that you can’t stand it. What is it that you can’t Silence to give
client time

5
stand?

CL: you do not understand madam. It’s just too much! I would

rather die than leave in the circumstances I am in now……

(silence)I have already told you that for the last 3 years ,neither me

nor mum has had sleep.

Sometimes the pain is so agonizing , mum sits down and watches Explanation
giving
over me throughout the night as I wreath in bed(looks at the mother

with pity)

My dad does not seem to understand, he blames it on mum. All All

because of me!!(tears start flowing again) My sister and brother are

at home for school fees. Reason!! My sickness. Why should I

live?....Life has no meaning .If am dead there is no suffering for Non-verbal

me, mum and my sister and brother.

CO: if the doctors were able to detect your sicknesses and gave the

right medication, would you wish that you were dead?

CL: But they are not able (desperate looking)I have been tested for Nods

all really and imagined sicknesses except ……….(client becomes

alert)

CO :I have heard you say that you have not been tested for one Nods in
anticipation for
sicknesses ). What is this that you have not been tested for? more
information
CL : Looks at the mother and quickly faces the floor. It is ..mm. I

want to confirm whether I could be …..silence.

CO: What do you want to confirm Veronica?

Information
CL:You know madam it is difficult to explain . giving

CO: Mum

6
CL: I mean..(looks at the mother again like on seeking her

permission )I have a boyfriend but he is very healthy

CO : Mmh…..

CL: I wanted to be tested for…(silence)HIV/AIDS(breathes in

deeply)Tears streams down the cheeks

CO: That is a very good idea Veronica; it is well thought off and

very timely. Today we encourage every person to take an HIV test

in order to know your status. Your decision is therefore welcome.

Even those married we encourage them to take the test. That is the Nodding in
acceptance
only sure way of knowing your status Thank you Veronica for

taking the bold step.

CL: Thank you madam for understanding me and accepting me. I Reflecting
questioning
was afraid that you would you blame me for it. (smiling) Thank

you madam. Silence to give

time
CO: We cannot blame you for it since it’s a disease like any other Non verbal

and nobody makes a choice to be sick or not. It is out ignorance Active

Listening
that people blame each other and stigmatize each other. Seeking
clarification
CL. Mmmh….

CO: Veronica you told me that you have a boyfriend. How long

have you stayed with your boyfriend.

CL: Mmmh.. approximately four years madam

CO: Have you been practicing safe sex?

CL: (Looks up and down again) you mean…..

CO: Have you been using condoms during love making?

CL: He refused. He said it is like eating a sweet when its wrapped.

7
CO. So he refused to use a condom during sexual intercourse? Acceptance

CL: (Tears streaming down) Yes: (sobbing) This is why I want a

test.

CO: Have you told him that you were coming for a test?

CL: Since the sickness got severe, I have not met him.

CO: So you do not tell him Questioning

CL. I did not.

CO: We will conduct a test for you right now but do you feel that
Silence
you are ready for the test?

CL: (nodding) yes. I am ready.

CO: What are you planning to do with the results?

CL: Nothing (high tone) Non- verbal

Language
CO: I mean if your results turn out to be HIV negative.

CL: I will thank God for it. I will give my tithe in Church. I will

never go with another man again (smiles as if the results are

already negative) I mean I will be so happy. Questioning for

clarification
CO: the results may also out turn out to be positive.

CL: (looks down) I don’t exactly know what I’ll do …..But I will

tell him a piece of my mind.

CO: You seem to be getting worked up by somebody. Whom will

you give a piece of your mind.

(Raised tone ) He is the only person I have ever slept with. God
Information
knows madam. He is the cause of the problem. giving

CO: There are many ways of contracting HIV /AIDS. Give me

some of them.

8
CL: silence and in deep thought: Sex, sharing of used razor blade,

blood transfusion…..(silence)

CO: Others are kissing with sores in the mouth, mother to child

during delivery and other situations where contaminated blood

comes into contact with an open skin.

CO: Yes. It is the most common, but these others can lead to Information
giving
acquiring the disease.

CL: So you mean he may not be the cause of the problem.

CO: He may, he may not

CL: That being the case, then its difficult to tell who, where and

how the disease started.

CO: That’s right. I think what is important for now is to check on Information

the status and think of ways of dealing with the situation.

CL: What situation madam ?(looking surprised)

CO: Being HIV positive.

CL: What can one do other than kill yourself.

Questioning for
CO: Killing yourself is not the answer. It’s a sin to take away life. clarity

It’s also not morally right. It’s condemned in the bible. Besides

scientists are working round the clock to get a cure for the disease. Information
giving
They have already invented anti-retroviral drugs that HIV positive

persons can take and live healthy lives for many years.

CL: how many years?

CO; As long as the person follows the instructions given by the

doctor they can live for over twenty year. They can marry, get

children and educate them. So there is no reason as to why HIV

9
infected people should commit suicide. But they must religiously

follow the doctor’s advice.’

CL: Madam you mean there is a second chance to live. Information

giving
CO: Yes. Very much .take drugs as instructed eat balanced food

and you will live a normal life.

CL: Thank you madam. I feel much ready to take the test.

CO: Thank you Veronicah for being very open and genuine. Thank

you mama Veronica. It has been a pleasure having you in this

place. Please get your results (they all shake hands) and veronica

and the
Creating rapport
Mother, counselor proceeds to the next room for the actual test.

(Demonstration on how the test takes place was done but was not

Trans-scripted in writing but this was taped in the cassette.)

Questioning

After about twenty minutes

CO: welcome back veronica and your mum

CL: Thank you. Reflecting on

the feeling
CO: Veronica ,now that we are through with the testing and you

have seen your results ,you have internalized them, allow me to

revisit something

CL: it’s ok.

CO: You are very anxious, disturbed and afraid. You expressed

boldly hat you wanted to know your HIV status in order to enable

you and the doctor to give the right medication to your sickness.

How do you feel now?

10
CL: Mmmh..aah..I feel sorry for myself. I am blaming myself for

all this I could have used protected sex but now I understand that

there is much to do. I am positive and that is it.

CO: What are you going to do from here?

CL: I want to start taking the antiretroviral drugs immediately as

you advised. Reaffirming

CL: Very good. It is also a good idea that you bring your partner

for testing.

CL: I am not sure whether he will agree but I will do my best to

convince him to come. If he agrees well and well.

CO: Along with the drugs, it wills also e important to attend the
Summarizing
physiotherapy clinics as advised by the doctor.

CL: I will madam.

CO: What else did we say that you should observe??

CL: Eating balanced food three times a day.

CO: Thank you Veronicah. If you observe all these days you will

live a happy and long life. May I now refer you to room 8 with

these forms we have filled so that the doctor will open for you a

file and put you into the program?

CL: Yes.

CO: (Pointing to the direction of room eight) thank you Veronica. I

have enjoyed talking to you to this far. Good bye.

CL: good bye madam and have a good time.

11
CASE STUDY NO. 2

NAME PIUS ERRACO

STATUS FORM IV STUDENT

PROBLEM FATHER’S SICKNESS

DATE 22ND NOVEMBER 2009

SEX MALE

AGE 17 YEARS

NB: This was the 2nd Session

12
CLIENT COUNSELLOR THEORIES
,TECHNIQUES USED
CL: Knock …………… welcome
CO Karibu (the door opens and a student comes in )
CL: Thank you creating rapport
CO: How are you today Pius
CL: I am fine thank you.
CO: Yesterday I left when you were to go to Meru Genera l
Hospital to see your Dad.
CL: Yes (very low tone, looking down )
CO: Did Ali accompany you as we had planned?
CL: Yes madam
CO : How is the patient doing (tears flowing freely down
the cheeks ) Questioning
CL: I arrived there earlier than expected time.
CO: What time?
CL: Around 9.00 am in the morning Nodding to agree
CO: That was pretty early.
CL: Since I did not know the exact ward, first went to the
Public wards, but after being questioned by the nurses, I
was referred to the amenities wards. At the gate, it was
difficult to be allowed in at such odd time but I explained to Active listening
them that it was a form IV candidate and I needed to be
back in school as quickly as possible.
CO: Since I was dressed in a school uniform they believed
me and allowed me into the premises. Genuine acceptance
CL: That was very bold of you. I am happy that you were
able to express yourself clearly.
CO: Thank you. I proceeded to Ward IV –male ward where
my father was (breathing deeply) It was bad!! (between Non verbal language
sorbs ) silence
CO: What was bad Pius?
CL: You can’t imagine madam..silence. Silence

13
What happened?
My father (crying, my dad speech interrupted by sorbs) My
dad is fighting for his life. He lay on the bed and was
breathing with a lot of difficulties. Madam... (Crying
uncontrollably) if you saw the real situation you will tend o
understand but by just telling it you, it’s very difficult for
you understand.
CO: Am sorry Pius but I pray that your Dad will come out Non – verbal language
of that situation
CL: come out of the situation (rough tone) when I am telling Uncoordinated talking
you that he was being assisted to breath by external
connection of oxygen? That is why I am telling you that you Restarting
can’t understand .Doctors! It’s like they are not in control.
You talk about God… Where was he all this time until my
father reached that stage. I mean…my father is in a state of
comma. Don’t you understand?
CL: Did you say that your dad is in a comma? Nodding in acceptance
CO: When I entered I called him several times (calling his
dad )dad daddy, daddy ….daddy …(tone going up like he is
calling here and real )
CO: comforting the student to calm down. It’s okay Pius. So
finally your Dad did not answer you. Holding the hand of
CL: No he did not. His eyes were looking while fixed at the client
paint and he did not make the slightest movement for the
two hours that I was there. The breathing ….so difficult.
CO: I am sorry Pius, but we must trust God in everything Paraphrasing for clarity
including the health of Dad.
CL: I am not sure that he is there as we are talking. You
know what??
CO :Tell me Pius ; Continued explanation
CL : My dad is the only bread winner in my family . My
mum is not working (with a lot of hopelessness) we can’t
survive.

14
CO: You can’t survive?
CL: How can we? My brother is only a second year in Jomo Specification
Kenyatta University. My sister finished her form IV last
year. She was supposed to join college next year January, I
am in form IV. How in the name of God do we survive? We
can’t
(with finality )
CO: I now get your concern
CL: Not only that, My Dad has been very good to us; he has Information giving
never abandoned his family like other men in the village,
why is he suffering? I can’t understand why dad, madam?
(sobbing )
CO: Can we talk a little about finances and resources at
your home Pius?
CL: what finances, I have already told you that my dad is
the only bread winner having been an employee of the
Kenya Army, Information giving
CO: What does your mum do?
She is a house wife. She keeps two dairy cows and grows
vegetables like carrots, cabbages. But madam, this is too
little for our school fees only the elder sister is having a Information giving
small hair salon in Meru Town.
CO: I realize that it s difficult for you but your dad hasn’t
died yet. He is only in hospital. (silence ) Do you realize
that it is possible to utilize the dairy cows and the vegetable
for your education?
CL: How Madam?
CO: With proper planning and maximum utilization of the
small piece of land its possible to live a happy life.
CL: But why is God so unfair ?He knows that I am in for IV
, a candidate and he brings such things (sorbs )
Questioning
CO: God knows everything Pius and He is still in control of

15
your father and your exams. He is just God. We cannot
question God for his actions. He has a good plans for you, Non-verbal
plans for your welfare. communication
CL: I feel bitter with God. This is the wrong thing. I feel
helpless. Hopeless and find no meaning in life. My father
has struggled with us for many years but now he may not Showing unconditional
live see us to the end. Not even the promise…silence love
CO: I hear you talk about the promise. Can we talk more
about it.
CL When I went for mid-term this term we talked at length Understanding feelings
with my father.
CO: What did you talk about
CL: Many things (silence) but it’s like my father knew that Probing for
he would die . Why did he tell me all these things? Anyway, understanding and
we talked about family issues, but the most important was reflection
my exam. I promised my father that I would make him
proud through my performance. But now … (sorbs). I
wanted to tell him yesterday about it but…. (Crying loudly)
he did not answer me. Why? Why? Why? Why dad?
CO: It seems that you are very close to your dad, this is why
you are feeling so bad about his sickness
CL: Yes, but yesterday I realized that our friendship was not
genuine. Why didn’t he answer me? What did I not do? I
only wanted to tell him that I would do him proud as we had
agreed, but he refused to listen.
CO: Did he really refuse to answer you?
CL: I won’t do the remaining papers, are they important Information giving
than my dad?
CO: They may not be important as your Dad but they are
important. Pus your dada is only in hospital and h is being
attended to by doctors. Believe that he will be fine.
CL: Madam, it is the condition in which I left him
yesterday.

16
CO: I understand your concern but just trust in doctors and Questioning
most of all in God.
CL: Thank you madam although I feel like I may not do my
best in this exam.
CO: True! However it’s important that you go and do your
best for now. After all you told me that you have promised
your dad to the best and make him proud. Yes! By doing all
the papers when he is hospital bed.
CL: It is very difficult, very difficult.
CO: I agree, but it will be done by you. Please do what you
must do now!!
CL: Thank you for your kind words. I feel much stronger.
Let me go and try to revise for the afternoon paper.
(standing up to shake hands with the student )
CO: Thank you Pius. I wish you success in your afternoon
paper. By the way which paper are you taking today?
CL : Geography Paper II
CO: Goodbye and see you later, if you need me am here for
you Pius.
CL: (Opening the door) Goodbye madam.
The client goes back to class.

17
CASE STUDY 3

NAME: PIUS ERRACO

STATUS: STUDENT

PROBLEM: POST TRAUMATIC DSORDERS

DATE: 9TH NOVEMBER 2009

SEX: FEMALE

AGE: 17 YEARS

INTRODUCTION

This was very challenging that I had to consult other counselors who are students also
at Kenyatta University to assist me.
The case was very emotionally involving due to the circumstances surrounding the
death of Pius’ Father. Too much was expected of me as a counselor, since the school
administration demanded that the child should complete writing all the papers. On the
other hand, the child was so devastated by the father’s death. The burial of the father
was hurriedly arranged so that the child would get through it guided and get back to
doing the exams. This was done very successfully with the understanding of both the
school and the community. It was also possible because Pius home was within the
neighbors of the schools. In the end the client was able to write all the exams although
with a lot of difficulties.

18
COUNSELLOR , CLIENT Theories –
Techniques
Used
CL (knocks the door)
CO: come in ......
CL : The door is open and Pius enters Observation
CO: Welcome and please sit down Pius (counsellor poiniting at
a chair ): How are you today?
CL : Very well (low tone)
CO : The last time you were here , i left when you were going to Rapport
do your geography paper. How was it? building
CL: Not Bad ...(silence )but i found myself forgetting very
simple things unusually .
CO: That is normal in exams !! you almost forget your own
name . in fact that is why kenya National examiantion council Informationg
displays your name and index number on the examination desk. giving
Any way how about the other papers?
CL: They are no better . The rate at which i am forgetting small
things is alarming . Probably its due to my fater’s scikness.
CO: Thats why i have called you Pius.
CL: (Very alert). Any news madam ? is he okay ?,discharged Non-verbal
from Hospital (many questions without answers ) communication
CO : Since our last meeting ..............
CL : You mean you to behave like my mother abd brother who
do not want to tell me when dad is sick. Simply because of
exams ? (rudely ) i wouldn’t write them . May i go home Non- verbal
because nobody wants to tell me the truth ..(stand up to open the language
door ). observation
CO: Excuse me Pius , i can’t hide the truth from you. That’s why
i have sent sent for you . I promised to keep you updated about
your dad’s sickness as i get it from your mother . Aaron becker
CL: (Gets back to the seat) Tell me,is all ok with my dad? Yes or
no? (getting impatient and with rough tone )

19
CO: All is not well.
CL: Has he died?
CO: Your mother was here an hour ago and she has told me that
your dad passed on last night.
CL: What does that mean? Pass on? (eyes getting wet )
CO: I mean ....that your dad passed away.
CL: Died Observation of
CO: Yes (firmly and surely ) non-verbal
CL : No.......No...............my father is not...nani amekwambia ?
CO: Your mum has been here. Its only that you were in clas Silence allowed
doing exams , i could have called you.
CL : My dad can’t be dead. The doctors assured me that he Non verbal
would be o.k . No it’s not dad. How can he leave me without language
talking to me. I have to see him . (standing up)
CO: Where are you going to see your dad?
CL : (Looks at the counsellor with tears flowing) at the hospital. Silence allowed
I have to talk to him.
CO : He is not here Pius. Your dad passed on last nigt and early
this morning your mother confirmed and he was taken to the Confirming
mortuary .
CL: (Crying loudly )no my father is not takne to the mortuary . Silence
(The crying is uncontrollable so there is no communication
betwen the client and the counselor for some minutes . the
counslor gives the client time to absorb the pain and the shock . Observation
The client asks amny questions whcihc the counsellor can not Listening
answer in this situtation The client stands up and sits down A lot of verbal
,wreaths on the flor painfully , recounting the good moments that and non-verbal
they had with his father . the client declsres statements of language
helplesnes, in this education) A lot of
CL: In this education my four years were a waste of time (after refletion
10-15 minutes of intense crying ,the cleint sobers up and sits
down restfully on the seat.
CO: I am sorry for what has hapenned Pius. I realize that it is

20
very painfu and aslo dificult for you. I regret about it. Showing
CL: I feel the whole body in apin. I am really tired ,exhausted understanding
an di can ‚t stand being a fatherless son .
CO: Mmmh.....
CL: I never knew if this would ever happen to me. Now it has Observing a lot
happened ,i really don’t know what to do. I am feeling of gestures
confused ; completely helpless and desperate.I can’t believe it.
CL: I neve knew this would happen to me. Now it has
hapenned . I really don’t know what to do. I am feeling confused
; completely hopeless, helpless and desperate.i can’t believe it. Non- vebal
CO : True , it is very difficult to beleive the loss of a loved one. observed
But when it occurs we ahve no choice other than to believe. I
here you say that you are hopeless and desperate , can we talk Effective
more on that inquiry
CL: (Crying loudly ) My school life is over.
CO : What do you mean when you say it’s over .
CL ; My dad wa the only bread winner in our family .
CO : So you have fears that there may be difficult in getting
school fees.
CL : Yes more so, in colegge which is a bit move expensive that
college life. Besides , i told you that my sister completed her
Education in FromIV last year and my brother is in University Aaron becker
under a paralell programme . This is too much on my mother
alone.
CO: True : There is a reason for being concerned . However ,
would you like to live in that hopeless state forever?
CL: I would like to get out of it quickly . but it recurs every time.
When i think of my Dad.
CO: You ahve the power and ability to overcome these feelings. Restating
Though genuine .i heard you say that you will not do the reflecting
remaining papers .
CL: what for? Even those those that i ahve already done, i have
peromed poorly. Why bother . Besides ,i have been doing it for

21
Dad . Now he s however. Questining for
CO: What do you think will happen from now. clarity
CL : I want to go home and see what other are doing regardng
the burial .
CO” True : There is need to go and join others. Can we discuss
what will hapen on the other papers.
CL: I know you want to tell me to do them but i can’t stay in
school any more. I simply want to go home .
I am in agreement that you go home. However i want us to agree
what will hapen to the remaining papers . Silence
CL: Tomorrow we ahve the physics practical. I don’t take
physics. Then we have .... i can’t remember ..am so confused .
CO: So you are free the whole day tommorow then then
weekend ?
CL: Yes. I can come to school on Monday..(silence) then do the
paper . i think it may be History or Business Studies.
CO: I see that you are ready to sit for your reaming exams.
CL: It will depend on (deep break) on the burial arrangements.
CO: We can’t excactky say waht will happen until the burial is
organized.
CL: True me ....but i don’t see the need of straining so much. My
father has really struggled with our education and he was not
gotten nything out of it. (throwing hand in the air ) I will not do
that. Information
CO: I will not push them to do it but i thnk it’s important . By giving
refusing to do your exam plus it will not change the si tuation
you are in today. It will only increase your pain in Februaury
when the results are out and your classmates will be celebrating
their results . I encourage you to think more sobering and mae a
choice.
CL: The most important thing is that my father is dead. And you
don’t seem to realize how painful that is. Non- verbal
CO: It is true that it is painful ,but life must go on for those who language

22
are left. Your dad must be given a warm send off and at the same
time the life of those surviving must continue . Every one has to
go at his won time. This time its your dad ,tomorrow its
somebody else.
CL: You are right madam
CO: So what do we say
CL: I will go home right away and see what the are doing
probalby i could come on Sunday evening so that on Monday i
can sit fot the History Paper II .....No i wil come back in the Encourages
morning and sit for the exam.
CO ; Whichever way you want it. But remember this is a wet
season and may be difficult to come from home early enough. Question to
Don’t you think this may bring cause problems between you and reflect
the supervisor CL: Mmmm.....Yes . Now that is what i will do.
(in deep thought) i suppose i come in the evening and start the
exam in time with others CO: A very good idea . wonderful .
Now let’s talk about your going home.
CL: what about it.
CO: Would you mind if i offered another student to accompany Encourages
you home.
CL: No. No I would not mind (spring again ).
CO: Whom would you want to accompany you .
CL: Boni, who acompanied me to see my dad i hospital and
Teddy.
CO: So you will be comfortbale with those two.
CL :Yes madam.
Co: Thank you very mcuh Pius for your openes and cooperation
that has enabled us to go through this season . I also thank you
for allowing two students to accompany you to your home. I bet
once you are settled at home the students will come back to
school. Questioning
CL: Yes. They can’t stay with me more sbecause they are
candidates and they have to revise for the physics practical Encouraging

23
tommorrow .
CO :So they take physics ?
CL : Yes they are physics students .
Co Once at home, you are still our student ,so if there is any
need please consult me. Do you have any means to communicate
to me.
CL: Yes, I have a phone so if don’t mind ,help with your number
.
CO: I don’t mind (gives the mobile number to the client )
CL : Thanks madam (standing up to shake hands )
CO : You will wait outside so that i can make arrangements for
the other two boys to accompany you.
CL : Yhank you.Have a good time and God Bless you (opens the
door and leaves )

24
STUDY CASE NO 4

NAME: JORAN DISK

MARITA STATUS MARRIED

PROBLEM PROBLEM AT WORK PLACE

SEX MALE

AGE 22 YEARS

DATE 2ND SEPTEMBER

INTRODUCTION

Joram has had some problems with his boss at work. He has previously attended two
other sessions over the same issue. This time, he was totally confused about what to
do.
He had just reported to his place and the boss called him to the office and they greatly
differed. It is after this exchange of word that the boss threatened to suck him. Being
the sole breadwinner, Joram did not know what to do next, he was in need of a job but
the conditions of work were becoming difficult every day. He was in such a dilemma

25
COUNSELLOR /CLIENT THEORIES
/TECHNIQUWA
USED
It’s around 9.00 in the morning on Tuesday. Knock on the
door. (impolite knocking )
CO: Come in ……. (knock continues ) Please come in. Observation
(More loudly) the door opens and the client comes in.
The client moves directly to the empty chair and sits down
(breathing rapidly and sweating, the client finally breathes
out like somebody was running after him) welcome and Creating rapport
feel at ease sir.
CL: Thank you madam.
CO: On Friday when you were leaving, we agreed that you
were going to implement some changes at your work
place.
CL: Yes. And I went determined to make my employer
Norah happy by doing the work more keenly and avoiding
any possible conflict with her.
CO: True.
CL: I also told you of how I didn’t want to lose this job Re –assuring
because I have been working for the job for the last three
years before I was employed in this institution.
CO: I recall very well.
CL: I hope I remembered to tell you that I am the only and
sole bread winner in our family.
CO: You didn’t tell me that on Friday. Reflecting
CL: So you know now that I desperately needed this job. I
can’t do without it. Whom will I turn to; for my house
rent? Do I go back to my rural home? I just don’t know
what to do now. It’s too much. I can’t bear.
CO: I guess that is why you have come here.
CL: Yes .
Questioning

26
CO: You have made the right decision . Tell me what
happened after Friday.
CL: When I went back on Friday afternoon there was Active learning
hardly supervisor. I went straight to my table to prepare
the payments that needed to be paid by today. Everything
was just fine. Since we close at 4.00 pm on Fridays. I kept
the documents, so that today at 8.00 am I would present to Nodding to encourage
Norah
CO: Mmmh
CL: This morning I woke up us usual and minutes before
8.00 am I was outside the gate with the other workers
waiting for the gate to be opened and for inspection in
order to enter. Encourage
CO: What happened after you entered?
CL: I went straight to my table to start on the day’s work
and to wait for my boss to arrive so that I present the debts
documents.
CO: Mmmh . Did you present the documents? Non – verbal language
CL: Unusually the boss came through the back door. So as
I was waiting, on of the watchmen cam and told me that I
was being called by the Boss in her Office. I quickly took
the documents and knocked the door and entered. Believe
it or not, I was welcomed by a thunderous voice “ I can’t
stand it anymore, I can’t !! Who are you in this company?
You are not indispensable “I can’t recall the statements but Questioning
those are some of them.
CO: What did you say?
CL: I was dumbfounded; I did not expect that at all quite
holding and looking at her. She finally said that I should Reflecting for feelings
consider myself not an employee of this industry anymore.
I just don’t know what to do!
CO: Did you try to find out what the cause of all that anger
and bitterness.

27
CL : Yes after some time I asked her what I had exactly Non-verbal language
done, but she only shouted that : I am nobody , I have to
go away and such things
CO: Were you given a letter of termination of services?
CL: No, I was told to go out of her office. I then decide to
come to your office; else I can easily damage people or
properly if I continue to sit there !Besides , I feel so bad,
frustrated by the effort I made on Friday to come to you
for help : but they have turned to be in vain. Madam, do I
deserve that kind of treatment. Although I am desperate
for a job? Why couldn’t she talk to me politely and tell me
my mistakes? Must poor people be treated with such
contempt? Don’t I deserve a living? What is wrong with
me? Reflecting feelings
CO. You look very bitter ; are you aware that even your
tone is very rough.
CL: Yes I am very angry because of the way I have been
handled. Secondly, I can’t see any light at the end of the Questioning for
tunnel. Thirdly I don’t know my mistakes which I am clarity.
being sucked for .don’t you think I am justified?
CO: I am sorry for the mishandling Joram. Its unfortunate
that you have received that kind of treatment. You also
said that you can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.
Would you mind to tell me more about this?
CL: Look madam ,I’m jobless, this will lead to many other
darkness ,payments of the rent, family issues that needed
me to pay for and …so many other things (change of tone Silence allowed to
seriously ) give client time
CO: I See. It’s true minus the job many things will come
up.
Let’s talk about the job. What do you think is the best Restating reflecting
thing to do?
CL: Silence …..(looks up ) I will not go back there.

28
CO: Although I need it….may I die.
CO: When were you told to go back? Humouring
CL: Akufukuzaye Hakwambii toka i.e. action speaks
louder than words. She can’t treat me like a dog. I deserve
a better treatment.
CO: True but do you think that be refusing to go back is
the best option. You have just told me that you were not
given a letter of termination of your services. So you have
not even cleared neither have you been told to clear.
CL: There’s nothing like that. It’s the only shouting that Information giving
has put me off.
CO: Can we say that you have been sent away from the
job by shouts?
CL: (Shyness) …….I guesses I should wait for a letter.
CO: True; we were given an appointment letter spelling Non-verbal language
out your duties, I guess you should also wait for a letter
relieving you off your duties.
CL: What if I don’t get?
CO: Mmmh…..probably continue working until you get it.
It might also mean that Norah had no intention of relieving Information giving
of your duties. It might have been as result of other things
that you do not know.
CL: Don’t you think it’s very difficult to work with such a Showing genuineness
disrespectful person. I only tried to contain myself. I can
easily beat her up! Let me die behind bars!(sounding very
rough) Non verbal language
CO: You did a good thing to contain yourself. You cannot
settle difference by power or might, and two wrongs do
not make right. You acted wisely and you should do the
same in future!. Probably this will make her come to her Following
senses and realize that she hurt you. Besides dying behind
bars has never been your wish!
CL: Its out of anger that’ I say all these things. Non-verbal

29
CO: Never ever react out of anger Joram communication
CL: Thank you and .i-i-I …whom do I turn to for financial
help. My wife will not understand …and even if she Encourages
understands..house rent (broken speech) I am in a fix
CO: Mmmmh
CL: It will be very difficult to …….silence A lot of nonverbal
CO: It will be difficult to do what Joram? language
CL : …………to put up in town again with a family. I
mean the house rent and food for my wife and daughter. Following
CO: About putting up in town do you mean that ….you
mean that your wife and daughter will need to go to the
rural home until you get another job?
CL: Yes! Yes...except that my wife doesn’t want to leave Inquiry
town. She demands to be in town. I don’t know how to
convince her. She will blame me for the loss of the job… Following
she will think that this is a game to take her to the rural
home.
CO: What do you mean when you say that? Nods ,listening
CL: Game plan? ..aah…you know madam …silence carefully and
CO: Some issues you can’t understand following
CL: Mmmh…I have a very difficult woman.
CO: When you say woman you are referring to ?
CL: My wife! Some of the problems at work are even
caused be her.
CO: You mean she works at the same place with you ?
CL: Not really ! sometimes I ma unable to perform my
duties to the expacations due to the pressure from home. Following
She doesn’t understand…always nagging and comparing
our family with others Non – verbal
CO: Mmmmmh…
CL “Sometimes I don’t sleep. if it is not the fridge ,then Non –verbal language
the gas cooker or pressure cooker…without considering
the source of income (throwing hands in the air)

30
CO: Mmmh..
CL: Now its worse …without a job …more fire m no
sleep, more fire.
CO: More fire means. Questioning
CL : It will be a crisis . Nobody wants to understand that
we have no money, no job, I am confused….
(silence)things will sort themselves out. Silence allowed to
CO: Joram how do you think things will sort themselves think
out?
CL : I mean should I get a letter of termination and my
wife refuses to go to our rural home, then ….(silence)
CO: Then what? Non- verbal
CL : I don’t know
CO: It’s important to learn what to do Joram
CL: (After a prolonged period of silence) we will talk
about it with my wife. I hope she will understand …aah
..she might see the sense of moving to our rural home least
until I get another job.
CO: I hope she will understand if only you take time to Information giving
explain it to her.
CL: If only she understands, our problems will be lessened
by almost half.
CO: That is true since the cost of living in town is by far
higher than that in the rural home. Just put your wife in the
light in all the matters and you will have created
confidence and understanding.. Probably that’s why you Silence allowed
described her as nagging.
CL: She nags by demanding things that I can’t afford.
CO: Does she know that you can’t afford?
CL: Mmmh...aah am not sure but I think she should have
known.
CO: Have you explained to her why you can’t afford?
CL: But she knows. Active listening

31
 CO: What does she know?
CL: She knows I can’t afford, I have clearly told her the
salary I get. What more does she require?
CO: The amount you get and how you spend it. This is
what is called transparency in a family. It will solve for
you a lot of problems.
CL: You mean ndio maana amenuna kila wakati?
CO: It might be the reason. Why don’t you do it and see
whether it work for you. Summary
CL: I will do it madam, this evening when I get home. I will
also tell her how my job is uncertain to prepare her
psychologically.
CO: Thanks for that understanding. It has been a pleasure
having and talking to you. Concluding the day
CL: Thank you madam. I appreciate, I feel much better
now let me go to the office and continue with my work.
CO: Wish you well. Bye God Bless.
CL: Bye. God bless you too.

32
CASE STUDY 5

NAME : CAROL

STATUS : SINGLE

PROBLEM : DISAGREEMENTS WITH PARENTS

DATE : 20TH NOVEMBER, 2009

SEX : FEMALE

AGE : 17 YEARS

N.B this was the 3rd Session with Carol.

The disagreements were based on poor performance in school. This was aggravated
by the school policy that those who got grade D+ and below would either repeat their
current classes or would clear from the school.

Carol, a form 3 student was on the crossroads on what to do now that she had gotten a
D- mean grade. She knew that she was not welcome at home and the schools were
closing on 27th of November. This made her really confused on what exactly to do.

33
CLIENT /COUNSELLOR THEORIES AND
TECHNIQUES
CL: knocks the Door……..
CO: Karibu... (the door opens and the client enters Welcome remarks
;pointing to an empty chair ) Welcome Carol and have
a sit.
CL: Thank you.
CO: How have you been since our last session
CL : I am ok
CO: Are you through with your exams? Creating rapport
CL : Yes
CO: Have you received them back?
CL: (Shyness) …I have …….. (Looking down) but... Non- verbal language
(Starts rolling some papers that she was holding.)
CO: But what carol?
CL: (Looks down) they are here madam. (stretching A lot of silence allowed
the hand to give the papers to me )
CO: (Receiving the papers) May I have a look at
them?
CL: Yes madam.
(the counselor goes through all the exam papers and Silence and observation
finishes . at this time the client is still facing down and
rarely looks at the counselor . but she steals peeps ) Question for
CO: I have gone through them carol. What would you clarification
want me to know about them?
CL: I am not sure what I want to know or even do. I
am simply confused.
CO: Confused?
CL: Confused about what I should do after we rose on Inquiry
Friday. You remember our two previous sessions. ?
CO: Yes I do. Following
CL: You really assisted me on how to improve my
performance.

34
CO: Yes.
CL: When I left this office, it was to implement all the
tips so that I could come out of the D category. Re-affirming
CO: That is what we agreed
CL: Madam, I did all that we agreed but….
CO: Would you please remind me some of the tips that
you were to implement?
CL: Making summary notes in all the subjects (deeps
the hands in the pocket and removes a sample of the Following
summary popularly known as “mwakenya “)
CO: That s\is very good of you Carol. Go on.
CL; I copied all the notes that I had copied. I joined a
discussion group.
CO: May I know some other members of your group. Seeking clarification
CL: Anne Form 3
CO: Who else?
CL: Pamela in our class.
CO: You mean Pamela in 3Y?
CL: Yes madam. Questioning
CO; May I know at what time you usually hold your
discussions?
CL: On Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.
CO: The whole afternoon. ?
CL: From 2 p.m to 4 p.m
CO: That is very good. Anything else that you were to
implement?
CL: Small things like not going for prep with
distracters like photos. Avoiding Overdressing being Re- stating silence
in a much ventilated room. allowed
CO: And you observe all that?
CL: I tried all my level best…Yet I got grade D-……
(looking down ) I feel like …(silence )
CO: What do you feel like Carol?

35
CL: ……. (Silence) calling it quits.
CO: You mean quit school?
CL: I have done almost all I could. Spent sleepless
night, consulted friends… (Silence), but at the end, Encourage
D- . What else can I do (silence) Mmm…where do I
go? Dad says that if I don’t improve from the D
Category I should not go home… that his home in not
a place for fools. That I am letting him and his family
down. I am a disgrace to them.
CO: Mmmh …
CL: My brother is the university of Nairobi doing
law… (Silence) my sister is in college K.M.T.C.
Mombasa and me …D- Dad will not understand. He Active listening
will not forgive me for this. If I had somewhere to go I
would just quit.
CO: Are you quitting this school to another one or to
go and stay home.
CL: I don’t think my father will pay me school fees Inquiry
again. You recall when parents whose children had
D(s) and below were called to school.
CO : Yes I do recall Following actively
CL : After the meeting Dad called me aside and told
me he was totally ashamed of me and that if this grade
re-occurs he will never come to such a meeting neither
is he going to waste hi money with such people.
CO: So you are concerned that your dad may not pay
fees again because of the D-?
Cl: Yes. So I can’t think of leaving to another school Questioning for clarity
even if I wanted. He even said I should not dare step
my leg at his home if I get a D. Now it is a D- .
…(Silence) Silence
CO: Mmmh… what do you think will happen if you
get home?

36
CL: What are you asking madam? Eeh... You really Encourage
don’t know my father. Are you joking?
CO: It’s true I don’t know him.
CL: That is what he did to my mum… (silence )….
When he says something he means it. He is really a
brutal person. My mother could not stand his brutality.
CO: How brutal is he Carol? Please tell me.
CL: You can’t understand unless you are there.
CO : I Can Only Imagine
CL: Two years ago my mother left.
CO: Left?
CL: Yes, I mean left us along with my Dad.
CO: So you stay with your Dad?
CL: Yes and my brother and sister. Question for clarity
CO : Tell me more
CL: My Dad used to come home drunk every day late
at night.
CO: Late at night? Listening for unsaid
CL: Always after 9.00 pm …. Silence. Normally we information
were asleep.
CO : Then …
CL: He would pick a quarrel with mum and finally end Re –stating
up in fight. Up in a fight.
CO: Probably that is why your mother left ?
CL: The climax came when I was in form one Dec
2007. Encourage
CO: What happened?
CL: By the way I was not this foolish (bitterly). How Following
could I get marks to bring me to its school if I was this
foolish in class eight?
CO: True. You must be a bright girl.
CL: Anyway, it was 24/12/07; I can recall that very
well. Daddy Arrived home late as usual. They started

37
quarrelling over what was to be cooked the following
day, 25th, and gradually this resulted to fighting.
CO: Mmmh... Re – affirming
CL: Dad hurriedly entered in the bathroom and
brought out all the clothes that belonged to mum. We
were instructed to close our bedroom door and sleep Following
but we kept peeping through the keyhole to see what
was happening Nodding
CO: Tell me more
By this time mum had been beaten so much that she Listening
lay on the floor of the sitting room groaning in pain.
We did not know what to do.
CO: How did it feel?
CL: Bad, terrible … bad. I felt given an opportunity I
would have killed my father. But we were too afraid.
Besides, mum had warned us against participating In Following carefully
the differences with Dad. We only continued crying Questioning to
from our bedroom. understand feelings
CO: What happened after clothes were taken out?
CL: Dad again entered into the kitchen and took out a
Jerican of paraffin and ran out where mum’s clothes
were dumped. He poured paraffin to all the clothes and
lit fire. …. (silence ) weeping Questioning
CO: Sorry carol...I am really sorry for it
CL; (Between sobs)… mum’s clothes were set ablaze.
(crying loudly )
CO: It must have been a terrible experience.
CL; After the clothes caught fire, we started shouting Showing genuine
and screaming for help. He threatened to set the whole sympathy
house on fire but luckily he had already used all the
paraffin. Neighbours came when he had already left.
CO: This is when your mum left? Silence allowed
CL: No. No. In the morning of 25th my elder brother

38
escorted mum to hospital and she was admitted due to
some injuries that she had out of beating. After one Nodding
week mum was discharged but she never came to my
Dad’s home. Active listening
CO: What about your dad?
CL: Dad came after two days, 27th. Since then, we
only live with my dad.
CO: Does your mum come to visit you at home? Seeking clarification
CL : Yes but very occasionally and when she is
accompanied by one of her brothers
CO: Have you and your siblings gone to visit her?
CL: Very secretively, my dad would kill us if he gets Questioning to get
this information. (almost whispering ) information
CO: So your dad does not know whether you meet
your mum?
CL: No! No! No! He says that our mother died. …but Questioning
we know that she is very much alive.
CO: How does the absence of your mother affect you?
CL: I keep thinking about her… I always see her
clothes burning. I see her …groaning in pain …
silence it’s terrible for me.
CO Certainly it is. Not a good experience at all.
CL: during the holidays we spend a lot of time talking Reflecting on the
about mum. We sometimes plan to run away from feelings
home…but to where?
CO: Does your dad take alcohol?
CL: As usual. No change and if it is there…it’s for the
worse. You now understand why I said my Dad is Affirmation of the
brutal. feelings
CO: Very well Carol. Please allow me to revisit one
issue Carol
CL: You are welcome
CO: About your performance Non – verbal

39
CL: Yes
CO: Do you feel like this problem between you and Showing sympathy
your dad and mum affects your performance in
school?
CL: All I know is that sometimes I only stare at the
book… My mind strays very far away throughout
most of the prep. I try to forget but I can’t
CO: I can imagine. It’s not easy to forget such a thing.
So even when you go for a discussion...interrupted Asking your feelings
CL So much. At times I wonder what other students
laugh at. When they make jokes at me, they sound like
insults. I just feel very lonely. I wish I could get an
opportunity to live with my mother again. Life would
be much better.
CO: Have you tried to talk it out with your dad?
CL: Aaah ..aah. You don’t know him. I can’t! I can’t! Silence allowed
its not possible . I know but..Silence...if my dad will
not understand my case …(silence )
CO: What case.
CL: D- (high tone) I will tell him what I think. Inquiry
CO: What is it that you think Carol? Please tell me.
CL: That he is the cause of the problem (rudely).He
has to be explained to that he contributes to my poor Silence permitted
performance. I never used to be like that...Before, In
form one I never got below B- .
CO: It’s a good idea to share with your dad. He may
listen to you.
CL: If he doesn’t…(silence) I will pack … (silence ) Non- verbal language
CO: Pack?
CL: (With a high tone) Yes. Pack ready to go.
CO: Where do you want to go to carol?
CL: Mmmh...to live with my mum.
CO: Do you think your dad will agree with you. I

40
mean, will he accept.
CL: That is the only option I have. However, I will do
my best to make him to understand. Please pray for me
madam that Dad Understands Confrontation of
CO: I will pray, God will make him understand so that thoughts
he accepts you home on Friday.
CL: Not only that but also to accept mum to come
back home… and to stop drinking too much.
CO: It’s true Carol. God is able to touch your dad and
mum so that they can re-join and live a happy family.
CL: Thank you madam for your continued help. I hope Following
am not becoming too much in your office. This is the
3rd time this term.
CO: No! No! No! Carol, it’s my pleasure having you
in this office. I enjoy everything we say, do together. Following
Otherwise thanks for being very open to me. I hope I
have been able to make you feel better. : Re-assuring
CL: Yes madam. I feel much better now. I have the
courage to go home and face Dad and explain Conclusion
everything to him. I hope he will listen to me.
CO: I eagerly wait to see you again next term. , a
happy charming girl. Thank you and bye. Referred
CL: Bye bye to you madam. God Bless you.

N.B The client will open school next 2010. I handed

her case to the H.O.D guidance and counseling for
further follow up.

41
INTRODUCTION

Linet is married and a mother of two boys.

She goes to Kenyatta University to pursue her degree and after the end of the course
she does not graduate.

This becomes a source of other physical problems in her home that threatens to break
her marriage and also the education of her two sons.

She invites her inlaws, parents and her two parents to intervene but things seem not to
work she seeks professional understanding.

42
Counselor /client Technique
used /theory
Cl: Knocks ………….. Welcoming
CO: Come in … Building rapport
CL: Good morning madam.
CO: Good morning to you. Welcome and have a sit.
CL: Thank you (sitting down )
CO: How is your morning
CL: Very well except….(silence) for my children, they hardly
understand me.
CO: How many children do you have? By the way I didn’t you
my name. I am Charity a student in Kenyatta. May I know your
name?
CL: Linet is my name. I am a mother of two a boy and a girl.
CO: How are they?
CL: My son Ian is 16 and Doris is 13 years
CO: Are they in school?
CL: Ian is in form 2 at Kanyakine High School and Doris is at Encourager
Ngongo Primary School. She is a candidate this year.
CO: Tell me more about yourself.
CL: As I have already told you. I am a mother of two and I am
married to their father (Mugambi). I also worked at a local bank.
CO: Mmh... (Encourager) is your husband also employed?
CL: He works with the disciplined forces
CO: Discipline forces
CL: Yes, I mean the Kenya Army. Currently he is stationed in
Nanyuki. Questioning for
CO: Did you tell me that you are also employed? clarity
CL: Yes, I am a teacher by profession…. (Silence) mean a
primary school teacher. But I am currently pursuing a degree in
the university.
Co: So you mean you are a student? Non – verbal
CL: Three of us are students? language

43
CO: You and who else?
CL: My two children and I.
CO: Ooh, yes that is true , congratulations Questioning
CL: No, that is not true.
CO: What is not true Linet ---? Showing
CL: Mmmh --- (silence) there is nothing to congratulate me appreciation
about. This is where my problems begin. (Looking disturbed). It
has made me regret the decision I made to join the university
-----(silence ) I could not be in this situation
CO: When did you join the university Linet?
CL : In 2006
CO: And then what happened?
CL: It’s a long story --- it might take a lot of your time
CO: It’s okay that is why I am here. I have enough time to listen Questioning
to your story.
CL: Well well. At first when I got the letter in 2006 t join the
University; mu husband was not happy with it. Questioning for
CO: I thought this was an achievement for the family? clarification
CL: It was but it involved a lot of money yet our children’s
school fees were also demanding. My husband did not support
the whole idea but after discussions we agreed that he will pay
the school fees for children while I meet my own school fees and
maintenance of the children. This worked very well for us. So I
joined the university in September 2006 expecting to graduate in
2009. Every time we discussed my performance with my
children and my husband and gradually he started to be positive
about my education. at times he would give the money to sustain
me in college and we lived a very happy life. I did the last exams Explanation
in December 2009 and we were told that we are due to graduate
in June the following year. So I collected the clearance forms
from the university and started to do my clearance.
CO: have you gotten the results by now?
CL; No, but I know that I will not fail. I had confidence that I

44
had done well.
CO: Do you mind telling the name of the college\.
CL: KU- I mean Kenyatta University.
CO: Okay go on. Questioning
CL: The date for the graduation was set and I went to the
university to check my results. I had passed in all units I had
done. I therefore continued to clear in the departments that were
remaining (clarification )
CO: How long does it take to clear?
CL: Its’ a long and complicated process. Very tiring but I was Encouraging to
determined since all of us go through the same process. talk
CO: okay continue
CL: It was now about two weeks to the graduation day when a
colleague of mine called me from the university ---(looking
deeply in sorrow )
CO: What did the friend tell you Linet?
CL: Mr. Murithi informed me that our names were not in the
graduation list.
CL: How did he know?
CO: He was already in the university, don’t you understand Seeking
Mmmh. (Rudely) he had gone to clear also in preparation for the clarification
graduation. he could not find his name in the list so he got
concerned about mine and believe it or not mine was also
missing
CO: What did you do?
CL: I sought some permission and moved to the university to Follow up
find out what had happened. The following day I was at the Questioning
university and to my surprise it was not the two of us but almost
all of our year mates. we tried all means to get information from
the department but it seemed impossible (getting furious )
CO: Impossible? Body language
CL: Yes, nobody was ready to talk to us. The secretaries told us observation
that they have no information on our claims. We spent the whole

45
day looking for people we could not find .The group was also
getting worked up every minute. Tone variation
CO; Which group.
CL: Our group that was omitted from the graduation list. We
then sought an appointment with the administration but this was Questioning
also not possible as it was already getting late in evening. We
agreed to come to K.U the following day early enough to meet
the administration.
CO: Did you do it. ? Clarification
CL: Yes and we were promised that our issue will be sorted out
in the afternoon. so we hanged around the campus to wait for the
feedback .
CO: Mmmh...(encourager )
CL: At 2.00 pm we went to the notice board and found a letter
explaining that we did not qualify to graduate because we had
not completed the number of units (52) as requested by the Encourager
university. a list was posted indicating the unit that each of us
had not covered .
CO: how come?
CL: I also don’t know ……(blankness)
CO: Had you people failed to attend some units.
CL: No! ---- (rudely) I attended all the units and all the sessions
but how I had completed the period and not the units is not also Questioning
easy to understand for me. Body language
CO: What did the other find out?
CL: More than fifty names were in the list
CO: So you were not the only one?
CL: No, many of us.
CO: Had you missed the same units?
CL: No, some had four units others five while others had as
many as eight.
CO: Finally, what happened? (questioning for details ) Questioning
CL: (Looking frustrated). What could we do Madam? I already

46
explained earlier our efforts to get attention from the offices with
little success. I mean what else were we to do. Clarification
CO: Mmm--- (showing understanding and encouragement) the
students broke up in small groups, some decided to go and
bombard the Vice chancellors Office----- this was the big number
while others went to the school of education to seek attention
while others left for their homes. There are others who went to
see their local M.P to see whether the minister for education, Mr.
Ruto, could intervene. Did you not see this in the media?
CO: Yes! Yes! (Nodding /acceptance) it was in the media and Non –verbal
they even said that some students had not completed their
syllabus. So you were not in the group?
CL: But madam how possible is it for us to have completed the
two and half years without being taught all the sessions. I mean
its impossible. Anyway finally we did not graduate; we were
advised by other students that the best time to seek attention is
after the graduation. So we went home only to go back to the Throwing hands
university to see how best we can register for the said units.
This marked the start of my problems at home ----silence that is
why I am here.
CO: Well ---as all this was happening I was updating my
husband everything -----I thought he could understand----
(silence) but did hell not break loose!
CL: Hell broke loose?
He did not understand and -----he was not ready to understand.
CO: Linet ----- Did you explain to him every effort after you Non –verbal
arrived home.
CL: Was he ready to listen to anything. Madam I wish you
understand some professions – army people?
They only give commands
CO: what did you do? I mean what exactly happened
CL: When he said that I had wasted his money by going to spend
time with other men in the University I knew that things were not

47
right. He said that he would bring up his family alone so is
should pack and go … I mean there was a lot of commotion at
home. It was simply bad. Remember (madam) this man was not
keen on my going to the university in first place. My parents in
law intervened and it did not work. Very many accusations arose
but I remained silent because nobody could understand my
situation.
CO: Did you not show the receipts ---I mean as a proof that you
had paid all the school fees. Information
CL: Then how do you explain the failure to attend 4 units giving
Madam. I mean to them you went to school on other missions
---the mission of them. I even tried to prove my innocence with
the receipts giving them the newspaper where this information
was written but to a deaf ear. It is really difficult for me. My
husband said that he is not read to listen to anything from the Questioning
(silence) ----his parents are not able to convince him ---he is not
ready to pay school fees for children—he says its all my
business. Clarification
CO; Your business
CL: Yes –bye the way he has managed to convince his parents
that I was involved in immoral things in school that’s why I
could not finish the course as expected.
CO: How do you plan to go about it?
CL: I have no idea, total black out. I had told you earlier that the
boys are in boarding school ---- we are talking about Ksh. 50,
000 per term, I have the unit to cover ---- and to pay for, I
desperately need money. Reflecting
CO: Are you going to pay for the units or its part of the fees you
paid.
CL: Sorry I did not tell you this. After graduation we meet the
Head of Department, Education.
CO: Education instead of the school.
CL: Yes. Education because most of the units, infact all were

48
Education Units. The advice we were given is that we register
the units in the groups that are being taught. We were also told
that we will pay Ksh. 8,500 per unit.
CO: Couldn’t you register as a group?
CL: Madam, we don’t all have the similar units ------. This is
where there is a problem.
CO: So you mean , it’s the duty of individual students to look at
the university time table , find out when your units are being Clarification
taught, talk to the lecturers and attend the lesions ?(restating )
CL: Precisely madam.
CO: So like those with six and above units may need to be than
at the university for a longer period.
CL: True -----but even those with lesser units can be there for
four sessions depending on when your will be done.
CO: This is quite unfortunate.
CL: Yes and this is what is making everything difficult as you
can not exactly tell the people when you will graduate .i mean
they cannot understand. Showing
CO: That is the reality and I wish they don’t understand. understanding
CO: have you thought of involving other people into your marital
problem?
CL: Yes, just before the school and when I discovered that my
husband was not ready to pay for the children fees I called both
parents; I mean his and mine .
CO: Did it help. Questioning to
CL: Not at all. He stood his grounds that he had no money to give options
waste for indefinite years.
CO: What did he mean by indefinite?
CL: Because I could not explain when the graduation would take
place.
CO: What did they resolve?
CL: After explaining every detail and my husband was not ready
to understand my eldest brother told me that the only help he

49
could give me is to pay for me the cost of the four units.
CO: This relieved your financial burden a bit?
CL: Yes, but don’t forget for the children is too much because Body language
my pay slip is already over burdened by loans
CO: How are you planning to raise their fees?
CL :---( Silence) God will provide the balance (between sorbs).
This is not a problem of my own making. I have very little to do
about it ---I feel bitter. I mean, why I should suffer for things I
haven’t done.
CO: Who are you bitter with (questioning )
CL: Why can’t my husband understand? Why does he think of
such evil things ----immorality ---a terrible allegation? How
much do I convince people that I am on the right? I mean there
are so many things to ask.
CO: Put yourself in his position, would you also believe that
someone went to school for a full session and did not graduate Expression of
with others. emotions
CL: Well! well – its difficult but why associate me with
immorality ?
CO: Has he in the past been a problem in the home?
CL: No, just small differences that we sort ourselves.
CO: So the problem has just come with your schooling.
CL: My problem in the finally started with the university ----I
regret to have made such a decision.
CO: What mistake did you make so that you regret?
CL:’ (Looking directly to the counselor ---but doesn’t speak for a
while) nothing ----nothing –but what is all this? Not my family
not the school, it’s all –if I didn’t go to the university this would
not be there. How will I pay the boys’ fees?
CO: you told me that you have already paid some fees you only Confronting
have a balance. them irrational
CL: True---yes but this is not even my responsibility. It’s for thoughts!
their father. He is refusing to take his responsibility and you

50
know what? Restating
CO : Mmmh----(encourager )
CL: He is threatening to remarry. This is what I cannot accept. It
makes me get crazy ---I can’t just imagine (facing the wall).
CO: Has he told you this?
CL Actions speak louder than words. (With a high tone). He
doesn’t need to say it directly ----- (silence) amidst his quarrels
he says that he will start another family because the first one is
spoilt. And remember ours is a Christian marriage.
CO: How does this make you feel?
CL: Betrayed! Betrayed! I feel like the issue of the university Emotions
was after all an excuse? expressed
CO: What do you mean?
CL: True, this is my feeling. Remember he is a soldier --- don’t
you know them and their morals? Maybe he already has a
woman in his life and he is pretending that my graduation is the
issue that has made him annoyed. But anyway whether he has or Body language
not, I will not allow it. (banging the table )
CO: What are you planning to do to stop it?
CL: (thinking around) ---- I may not have the right answer but
worst I will walk out of the marriage.
CO: Have you given it enough thought Linet ----is it the best Emotional
option? expression
CL: Well – it may ---- but what else can I do?
CO: That is why I want us to go and think over it again and
again. Is it true that there are issue to deal with you and your
family; the school fees for your two sons, you education, your
marital issues and your in-laws. I now understand what you
really feel. I am happy that Linet you are also decided to come to Confronting the
me and share those issues with so, that both of us can look for mind
way forward, the best for all of you. I am sure that god will help
us get this way. I wanted us to stop at this point so that we go and
ponder over this issue so that when we meet we shall discuss

51
more. Are you okay with my suggestion Linet?
CL: Yes Madam, but before you close, I wish to tell you why I
came to you.
CO: Please do.
CL: A friend of mine works in this institution and as we were
sharing he told me that you were here from Kenyatta University.
And so I felt that since you are undergoing through the same Information
challenge Kenyatta University I should came and share my giving
agony with you. And true to it --- (excited) my expectations are
met. I mean I feel so much better after pouring out my concerns.
thank you so much for listening time though I have taken a lot of
your time
God bless you.
CO: Thank you Linet let me assure you that you have not taken
my time we are helping one another and growing up together. All
will okay and we will find lasting solutions to those issue.
So let’s meet on ------Tuesday next week?
CL: Yes, am okay with Tuesday but in the afternoon.
CO: What part of the afternoon?
CL : From 3: 00 pm
CO: Okay- standing up to shake hands with the client.
Both of them shake hands happily and the client leaves .

Conclusion

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