The Cutting Edge

NO PAIN: The supposedly low ranking of Kenya’s private and public universities that Martin Muroria called a national shame is no big deal, according Serede Geoffrey. Says he: “Universities are not like high schools. These rankings are based on Web research and focus only on factors such as size, visibility, and rich files (electronic publications). That explains why there is no African university in Webometrics’ top 100 universities despite the several Nobel awards.”

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NO GAIN: While acknowledging that our universities still have a lot do to improve their standards, Samuel King’oo says the Internet ranking is not something worth getting upset about. He adds: “Webometrics ranks universities in terms of their Web presence and not necessarily the quality of their research, relevance of their programmes and by extension, the ability of their graduates or any other substantive parameter of measurement of such academic institutions.”

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ROAD RAGE: Users of Elgeyo Marakwet Road, Nairobi, are unhappy about the poor quality and pace of repairs and would like Town Clerk Philip Kisia to personally inspect what has been done, says Antoinette Desouza. “The work has been going on for about a year now. Soil has been dumped on the shoulders and stones are strewn all over the place. Pedestrians risk accidents and tractors and earth moving equipment lie at the junction of Argwings Kodhek and Elgeyo Marakwet roads. How much longer do we have to wait?”

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PULLING APART: The World Cup may be over but not X.N. Iraki’s curiosity over the generous use of the Kenyan national slogan of Harambee by a South African company during the tournament. Adding his voice to inquiry, Iraki says: “I noted that Harambee was widely used by a media house as the title of one of its programmes. Did they pay royalties for the use? How did the phrase get there? Was it sold? Is this motto registered and protected or is anyone free to use it?”

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LABOUR DAY: Walking the streets of Nairobi recently, Kiarie Ranji swears that, within an hour, he counted no less than 14 women with protruding tummies who “looked like they were due very soon”. He adds: “Of course, anyone can understand this. Last December was a relatively calm month, culminating in the Christmas and New Year festivities. What we’re now seeing is nothing but the fruits of their labour. I only hope the Ministry of Planning has taken note of this.”

Have a planned day, won’t you!

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