The Cutting Edge

Posted Thursday, March 17 2011 at 16:39

FIRE ENGINES OR BROOMS? Should the City Council of Nairobi boost its capacity to fight fires or acquire fancy machines to sweep the streets? That is the dilemma Gachiengo Gitau has been grappling with since the city’s bigwigs turned up to show off their new acquisition. Says he: “I do not begrudge Town Clerk Philip Kisia his ambition to spruce up the roads, but the last time I checked, there were only four rickety fire engines that can put out fires in buildings with a few floors. Between a modern fire engine with extendable ladders and a mechanised broom, there are no prizes for guessing what Nairobians would go for.”

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REJECT PLEA. The UN Security Council has a perfect opportunity to help Kenya eradicate impunity by rejecting the government’s request for the deferral of the cases facing the Ocampo Six, notes Peter Njogu. The members of the Security Council, he adds, should listen to the cry of the millions of Kenyans who would like to see justice done. The attempt to delay justice must be rejected to serve as a warning to those who might in future be tempted to commit similar crimes.

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HE MADE HIS BED. . . Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s fate in the eyes of Kenyans is doomed whether his “shuttle diplomacy” on behalf of the Ocampo Six fails or succeeds, says Mulwa Sadat. He adds: ”If he fails, the PNU operatives will fix him on account of the WikiLeaks expose on his outbursts about President Kibaki’s health in 2007. But should he succeed, his critics will fry him for condoning impunity! But I guess that is the price one must pay when one does not have a clear stand on such a vital issue.”.

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RELAX MUTUTHO HOURS. Though not necessarily opposed to the Mututho rules that limit bar opening hours, Dr S. N. Oresi says had the people been consulted, they would have rejected the timing for weekends. According to him, the best weekend opening time should be 10am. “Senior citizens should be allowed access to alcohol as they relax during the weekend. It is not surprising to hear that those who cannot do without alcohol have turned to spirits that are easily available and portable, making the whole objective of curbing alcoholism counter-productive.”

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IT'S A RAW DEAL. A KPLC shareholder, Yussuf Barre, is upset that the company in which he has a small stake has given him a raw deal. In early February, Yussuf applied for electricity connection to his premises in Garissa, but despite assurances by staff at their local office that they have everything ready for the installation, the work has yet to be completed. What is even more annoying is that no explanation has been offered. The reference is E21602011010048 and his contact, Tel. 0728960888 or yubarre@gmail.com.

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BAN THESE SIRENS. Matatu operators in Mombasa have fitted their vehicles with gadgets that cause “very loud, shrieking noises that sound like sirens”, moans Aziz Kasmani. He would like the authorities, especially the traffic police to investigate the devices which the drivers use to create right of way for themselves by literally forcing other motorists off the road. The menace begins early in the morning and goes on throughout the day and into the night. “The noise is so loud that the alarms of parked cars go off, exacerbating the mess,” Aziz adds.

Have a peaceful day, won’t you!