The cutting edge

BRIDGE REQUIRED. Some things might look rather obvious but will only be acted on and take shape if they have the approval of some experts. Says Patrick Mwathi: “Why can’t the footbridge across the Nairobi Railway Station be replaced with a motorable concrete bridge? This way, matatus heading to the bus terminus in front of the railway station would have a direct route and this would help reduce the traffic jams on Uhuru Highway. Maybe time for a suspension bridge to increase city aesthetics, too,” says Mwathi.

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WHY THE BLUE? Some 51 per cent of Telkom Kenya was some time ago sold to France Telcom, right? poses Stan Ibkiss, adding: “That makes it a private company, doesn’t it? So why do the company’s motor vehicles still have the blue number plates for parastatals?” But Stan is aware that the firm with the French connection is not the only culprit. There is also the case of KPLC, which is listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange, but whose motor vehicles also still spot the nice blue number plates meant for public firms only.

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THE WAIT'S OVER. The long wait by Monica Mucheru’s elderly mother is finally over, with electricity having already been connected to their home in Nakuru, KPLC corporate communications official Kevin Sang confirms. The hitch that had been the cause of the delay after the charges had been paid by the applicant, Sang explains, was eventually cleared with the signing of a mandatory wayleaves consent, without which the project could not have been allowed to go right head. He adds: “We are happy to report that this is now done, but regret any inconvenience suffered by Monica and her mother.”

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SEWAGE REEKS. Nearly a week since Charles Campbell Clause reported a major sewage leak on James Gichuru Road, Nairobi, the city water company has done nothing. As a result, this major residential area on the city’s outskirts continues to be engulfed in nauseating stench, but worse is the fast spreading sewage which now threatens to swamp the place. He poses: “Why do we pay the council rates and taxes if we can’t get such vital service?” he asks. His contact is Tel.Nos. 203520614/5 & 0722 848465 or email charles@eco.co.ke.

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BUREAU SLEEPING. What is the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) doing about the suspect packaging of sugar, through which some wholesalers have for too long been ripping off their unsuspecting customers? asks Tabitha Wairimu. Tabitha says she can no longer keep buying underweight sugar every time she orders the 50kg pack. She adds: “Whenever I reweigh the bag, I always find that it’s either 44kg or 45kg. This means that Kebs is allowing some unscrupulous traders to cheat us. Who will stop this illicit business?” Her contact is rhinototal@gmail.com.

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THIS IS DECENT. There are still some decent people out there, says Sammy Munga, who was shattered on realising that he had sent money by MPesa to the wrong number. But he got a pleasant surprise when Dorcas Jepkeboi, to whose account the money had been inadvertently sent, didn’t need to be persuaded to return the cash to him. Dorcas, Sammy adds, not only refunded the whole lot without giving any conditions, but also did so as soon as she received it.

Have an upright day, won’t you!