The Cutting Edge

With politicians trading accusations, public cash continues to be lost in scandals, remarks David Waweru.

But he’s particularly disappointed that the President remains quiet, as “the people we pay salaries to fight graft, the Attorney-General, Commissioner of Police, Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission director, Controller and Auditor General and Parliament, remain in deep slumber”.

He quips: “Who said we are not sliding towards a failed state?”

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Some of the worst roads in the country serve Diani Beach on the South Coast, a major tourist destination, moans George Mbugua.

“Potholes and bumpy roads make driving a terrible experience,” says Mbugua, accusing Kwale County Council of killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

“The council does not seem to value tourism, and yet it gets a big proportion of its income from businesses, shops and hotels. Coupled with the ferry woes, the future is dire for this beautiful resort area.”

*****

Residents of Olemotondo Road in Ongata Rongai township are hopping mad about having to do without electricity for a whole two weeks.

And to rub salt into the wound, they claim they have been taunted by KPLC staff as “transformer oil thieves” on calling the customer service desk or the engineer’s office at Dagoretti.

They say power supply should be restored and the “thieves among us taken to court and charged”.  Their reference number is 1665696.

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Soko Mjinga market, which has been a blessing to Ongata Rongai residents for a long time, is fast becoming a real menace, charges Chris Kamau.

“The traders have occupied every open space, leaving pedestrians at the risk of being run over by cars. Also there is nauseating stench around the area since the drains have been turned into dumping sites. The authorities should do something immediately.”

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Public health officers visited Eastleigh, Nairobi, to inspect the sewerage overflow and blockage near the Postbank branch after which a notice was issued to the city water company to clear the nuisance, remarks Town Clerk Philip Kisia.

This, he adds, was in response to a complaint by Abdi Haji. And Kisia is pleased to note the Nairobi Water Company immediately sent a technical team to deal with the problem.

“I’m grateful to Haji for bringing this matter to our attention.”

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Activist Okiya Okoiti Omtatah as a recipient of a presidential award? No way, says Samuel Muthamia, adding: “I wouldn’t agree with the proposal as the man seems to be a rebel without a cause. I’ve never understood whose interests he represents”.

He cites Omtatah’s backing for the demo in support of radical Jamaican Abdullah al-Faisal, “a man known for his hate speeches all over the world”.

Samuel concludes: “With his type of rhetoric, he is not worthy of such an award,.”

*****

The tower at City Hall, Nairobi, is, indeed, a brilliant piece of architecture, notes Andy Cons who, however, didn’t like what he saw recently.

“I saw a busload of tourists taking pictures and noted that their interest was not in the tower, but in the dirty and tattered Nairobi City flag atop it, as well as the non-functioning clocks. Doesn’t NCC have maintenance staff?”

Have a majestic day, won’t you!

Write to Watchman, PO Box 49010, GPO 00100, Nairobi. Faxes: 214531, 213946. E-mail: watchman@nation.co.ke