The cutting edge

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By THE WATCHMAN
Posted  Sunday, September 30  2012 at  19:19

LOST FAITH. Quite alarming for Thomas Yebei, he says, is the growing lack of confidence in the Police Force.

This, he argues, is evident in the many commissions of inquiry being set up to investigate things that fall right within the scope of police work. They include the fatal  Saitoti Ngong helicopter crash and the Tana Delta killings. “These teams are doing what the police are supposed to be doing. It is a vote of no confidence in the Force, which is rather unfortunate,” concludes Thomas.

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GOVERNMENT TO BLAME. The government cannot run away from complicity in the fake mobile phones scandal, says Ian Mgenyi. It charged VAT on the imported handsets, thus legitimising the products! “It can’t now turn around and victimise its own citizens.

The CCK should not conspire with the big service providers who make billions in profits. The best solution would have been to have a cut-off date where no more illegitimate handsets will be allowed in but not to act retrospectively.”

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BE SMART, SAFARICOM. Safaricom’s refusal to convert excess airtime bought by Websmart Technologies back to cash via M-Pesa is hardly convincing, remarks Peter O. Oballa.

According to him, CEO Bob Collymore and his managers must be aware that the airtime deducted from the accounts of the various companies that supported the recent ‘Bring Zack Back Home’ fundraising campaign for the establishment of a spinal injury centre in Kenya, was encashed to support the cause. Peter’s contact is peter@websmart.co.ke.

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WAIVE ARREARS. With the City of Nairobi and municipal councils countrywide increasingly successful waiver of penalty campaigns  to encourage those who have rates arrears to pay up, Pamela Ochungo says she wishes the Higher Educational Loans Board could borrow a leaf from their book in dealing with the past beneficiaries of the university loans.

“I do not understand why Helb cannot do the same? If the hefty penalties on the loans are waived, many will rush to pay up,” declares Pamela.

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NHIF INCOMPETENT. National Hospital Insurance Fund official Gerald Kainga’s assertion that the higher deductions from workers’ salaries are in response to a long cry by Kenyans for a reliable outpatient health cover doesn’t wash, remarks member Livingstone Sakwa. The Fund, he adds, has not demonstrated to Kenyans that it has the capacity to manage what it already collects and giving it more money will just be a waste.

“I challenge them to publish their accounts for the last five years.”

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ROAD TO HELL. During a recent trip to western Kenya by road, Henry Owuor says he literally waded into “hell on earth, especially between Nakuru and Kisumu”. He adds:

“This road has taken many years to refurbish and it doesn’t look like it will be completed soon.” The worst section, according to him is between Kericho and Londiani.

“The best alternative route from Nairobi is the Narok road, but it is much longer. Airlines flying to Kisumu would make more money if only they could lower their fares,” he pleads.

Have a smooth day, won’t you!

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