The cutting edge

By THE WATCHMAN Posted Tuesday, February 22 2011 at 18:47

Separation of powers. The solution to the nominations dispute is very simple, says Andayi Mushenye, adding: “Let’s follow the rule of law and not politics.” Andayi explains that “Parliament makes the Constitution, the Judiciary interprets and the Executive enforces it. The High Court has already ruled that the nominations were unconstitutional. Therefore, Parliament had no business discussing the issue. If they didn’t like it, they should have changed the law! The interpretation of the Constitution can’t be done by an elective organ.”

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Health hazard. A resident of Umoja Innercore is appealing to the city water company to help drain a murky pool formed by sewage gushing from a manhole between Plots B58 and B83. Norbert Shihemi says that a city council grader that had been provided to clear the mess only ended up blocking an access road and the drainage. And to make the situation worse, some shameless people have turned it into a dumping site. The problem, he adds, has persisted since last year and should be fixed before an epidemic breaks out.

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Efficient service. Operating from their old, dilapidated mabati offices has never been a hindrance to the efficiency of the staff of the National Registration Bureau at Kariokor, Nairobi, says Charles Okore. He went there recently to apply for the replacement of his lost national identity card and encountered “friendly, welcoming, and pleasant” officers. He adds: “In a record seven minutes I was through with the whole process. It sounds fictional, but it’s, indeed, true. Newly employed officers should be sent there for their induction.”

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Poor show. Moi University at Eldoret is holding money that could make a huge difference in the life of Peter Muchiri of Mweiga, Nyeri. It all started when his daughter was admitted to the university in 2004, and he paid Sh85,500. However, she didn’t take up her place, having missed accommodation. He then asked for a refund, but it was not until 2009 that he was assured by a senior university official that he would be paid. Numerous letters and several visits have yielded nothing. His address is P. O. Box 92, Mweiga.

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Hawker menace. The traders of Kangemi, Nairobi, who several months ago, had been moved away from the roadside to pave the way for the expansion of the highway are back with a vengeance, reports Beatrice Ouma. The market is booming again and motorists must avoid hitting traders and their customers oblivious to the danger along the busy highway. The situation is made worse by matatus stopping in the middle of the road to pick up and drop off passengers. Is City Hall waiting for nasty accidents before taking action?”

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Shattered dream. Having spent on a brand new Toyota Vitz a fortune she had scrounged, and believing that moving to the leafy suburb of Lavington, Nairobi, would be the realisation of what many only dream about, Janet Wangui says she was shattered when she drove it into two gigantic potholes on James Gichuru Road near the Strathmore School junction. “Now, my lovely car is wrecked and I’m wondering whom to sue. I’m told the potholes have actually been there for more than six months. Can City Hall act before more cars are wrecked?”

Have a good day, won’t you!

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