The cutting edge

By  THE WATCHMAN
Posted Tuesday, March 15 2011 at 19:04

Let ICC continue. Keenly following the saga of the Ocampo Six, Gitau Gitau says he was quite surprised to read the contents of a letter by Kenya’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Macharia Kamau, warning of dire consequences should the prosecution of the suspects by the ICC go ahead. He adds: “Interestingly, he wrote to the president of the Assembly of State Parties to the Rome Statute, Mr Christian Wenaweser, who, only two months ago was in Nairobi desperately trying to see government officials in vain. Let the ICC process continue.”

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Killing our dogs. The people of Ngong in Kajiado County are up in arms over the manner in which a new campaign to eliminate stray dogs is being carried out. Dog owner Ephraim Kinyua is not convinced that the Ministry of Public Health approved the decision by the County Council of Kajiado to place poisoned baits along roads, as a result of which dogs that have strayed out of their owners’ compounds have also died. On March 1, his dogs, which are let free at his gate to scare away intruders ate the bait and died. His contact is emkinyua@hotmail.com.

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No vaccines? Is there a shortage of pneumonia vaccines in government hospitals, asks Okoth Omondi, alarmed at the imminent consequences especially for poor people who can’t afford the high charges in private institutions. Recently, Okoth says, he took his son to the New Nyanza General Hospital in Kisumu for his third jab, only to be advised by health personnel to try again on April 6. “Can the Director of Medical Services give us an assurance that all is well?” he appeals. His contact is kaliech7@gmail.com.

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Beware pickpockets. Pickpockets masquerading as matatu touts are preying on unsuspecting commuters daily at the Githurai 45 roundabout in Nairobi, reports Moses Mwangi. Targeted are commuters going to Thika town and many have lost mobile phones and wallets. “Some of the thieves will be pretending to be calling out for passengers, but will simply vanish after stealing a phone. Hardly an hour passes before someone loses a phone,” says Moses, calling for police surveillance to net the thieves.

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Release my logbook. The Motor Vehicle Registrar’s Department in Nairobi has withheld the logbook for George Okoth’s car, Reg KAZ 722B, since he applied for a transfer of ownership in October 2009. Last August, the vehicle was involved in an accident and the insurance company says it cannot process payment without the logbook. “The registrar claims there is a caveat, but how was the person who sold it to me able to transfer ownership?” asks George. He can be reached through georgeokoth62@gmail.com.

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Install ATMs. One of the fastest growing areas on the outskirts of Nairobi is Mlolongo, a vibrant satellite township with a sizeable population of lower middle-class residents, some of whom are customers of Standard Chartered and Barclays banks. However, Faith Nyongesa, who has lived in the neighbourhood for the past five years, is surprised that the two banks have not seen the need to instal ATMs. “This place is very secure,” says Faith.

Have a convenient day, won’t you!

E-mail: watchman@nation.co.ke or write to Watchman, POB 49010, Nairobi 00100. Fax 2213946.