The Cutting Edge

By THE WATCHMAN
Posted  Sunday, June 5 2011 at 16:25

NOBLE GESTURE. Kenya’s donation of Sh89 million to earthquake-ravaged Japan, Gitonga Wa Githenduh says, reminded him of a past soap opera, The Rich Also Cry. He adds: “There is nothing wrong with Kenya assisting Japan in its time of need. Being an economic superpower does not mean they can’t appreciate a helping hand from a friend. After all, how many times do we do funeral fundraisers for families whose bank accounts are fat enough?” His only grouse is the neglect of the post-election violence victims.

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I NEED MY HOUSE. When the Waterside Apartments project at Lang’ata, Nairobi, began in 2009, Phanice Mokua went to the site and paid the deposit. She then signed a sale agreement on October 14, 2009. The expected date of completion was November 30, 2009. To date, the houses have never been completed, there is no water or power connection and she has never taken possession of her house. But she continues to pay the mortgage and rent for her current accommodation. Can anybody explain what is going on? Her telephone contact is 0721990336.

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TOO EXPENSIVE. Safaricom’s latest highly publicised Sh2 a minute Internet package is a big joke or a mistake, says Joshua K. Njenga, who can’t understand why the company is promoting it so vigorously. The last time he paid Sh2 a minute for Internet use at a cybercafé anywhere, he adds, was six years ago. “That’s why I find the Sh2 per minute offer rather confounding. This is actually very expensive, as most cybercafés now charge 50 cents per minute,” says Joshua, whose contact is info@motivationalteamtraining.com.

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IMPROVE MARKET. Kisumu Municipal Council has been collecting cess and other levies at Kiboswa Market year in year out, but hardly giving back anything substantial to the traders and their customers, says Churchill Amatha. He cannot understand why the council has not been so keen to plough back some of the money it earns to improve the market fraternity’s welfare, by, for instance, upgrading it and enhancing security. “Are they waiting for a donor to instal lights at the market?” asks Churchill.

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GREAT HUMILIATION. Diehard Manchester United fan Baya Kazungu, who reveals he has been supporting the English Premier League champions since 1983, says the recent drubbing by Barcelona was greatly humiliating. And he blames coach Alex Ferguson, “who does not believe in midfield prowess”. He adds: “Our main strength is the defence and attack. I hope Sir Alex will recruit Samir Nasri (Arsenal), Wesley Sneijder (Inter-Milan) and Luka Modric (Tottenham) to bolster the midfield in the next season.”

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AESTHETIC DEALS. The appalling state of Mombasa has George Arabbu, an ‘architect, designer and master-planner’, in overdrive over what needs to be done. Says he: “The first should be a decree by the council to property owners to paint their buildings in tasteful coastal colours. This would change the way people feel, think and see things. Secondly, it should discourage dumping. Third, it should commission painters to showcase the best of this ancient town’s great architecture.” For more great ideas, his contact is arabbu@gmail.com.

Have an attractive day, won’t you!