The cutting edge

By THE WATCHMAN
Posted  Monday, April 11 2011 at 19:44

TRIP IRRESPONSIBLE. The idea of 40 MPs skipping parliamentary business to accompany the Ocampo Six to The Hague amounts to taking fellow Kenyans for a ride, remarks Maina Wa Julia. “Instead of staying at home to discuss national issues, they chose to go to The Netherlands. Their presence was not going to add anything. The suspects have lawyers and they should be enough. This is not a soccer match where you need fans to cheer a team. Kenyans should reject these people in the next elections,” urges Maina.

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WHERE'S THE CRIME? Can Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia explain to city residents why it is such a big crime for one to carry out minor repairs on one’s premises such as fixing the gate, repainting walls or making other minor renovations without seeking permission from the council? asks Wanja Gitau. “I have had my repair men at Nairobi South ‘C’ arrested. Apparently, we are supposed to pay a fee to be allowed to keep our homes decent. This is preposterous!” yells Wanja, whose contact is wanj_ke@yahoo.com.

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ROAD MESSED UP. For the past 30 years, Margaret Ouko says the residents of Muiri Lane/Muiri Close, Nairobi, have had a smooth road, even though it has never been tarmacked. But someone recently dug it up. “Now, we can hardly drive along it as we risk rolling into the ditch. With the rains falling, it has become even worse. Can whoever did this restore the stones? Even walking on the road is tougher as one slides along.” Her contact is bb@rapidkate.com.

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TOO MANY BLUNDERS. Some Nairobi Water companies are notorious for billing blunders and irregularities, says VPN. His meter (account, No. 1108561) was not read and the bill dated February 18 confirms no consumption. The reading on February 18, he points out, was 406 and not 350. “When the next bill comes, the consumption will be very high. It because the meter has not been read and three months’ consumption will be charged at Sh53.80 instead of Sh28.07. This is cheating and complaints are ignored,” says VPN.

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I NEED MY CERTIFICATE. A fresh graduate of Egerton University, Nicholas Gathara, is accusing his alma mater of frustrating him. After their graduation ceremony on December 3, last year, they were told their certificates would be ready for collection in a week. This didn’t happen until February 22, when he enquired and was informed that his certificate had an error — the registration number. To date, he is still waiting and he has missed some opportunities. His contact is Tel. 0750698799 or gatharann@gmail.com.

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WHAT’S WITH THE HAIR? Can Prisons bosses or anyone well-versed in the business of reforming convicts explain to Stephen Lubya the issue of inmates’ hair? As soon as men set foot in prison, he says, their hair, however neatly kept, is shorn to the scalp. “I’ve never been locked up even in a police cell, but I do not understand why women are allowed to keep their beautiful hair flourishing while that of their male counterparts is hurriedly and crudely cut off immediately they enter the prison gates.” His contact is lubstev@yahoo.com.

Have a fair day, won’t you!

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