The Cutting Edge - 6 March 2014

SHAME ON MEN. Where are Kenyan men as the women continue to “claim all the firsts” in various spheres in the international arena? wonders Barre Shetto, celebrating new film star Lupita Nyong’o maiden Oscar win. “Prof Wangari Maathai was the first ever Kenyan Nobel laureate. Martha Karua was the first Cabinet minister to quit voluntarily, and Lupita is now the first Kenyan to win an Oscar. Kudos to all our women of substance,” says Barre, whose contact is [email protected].

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PAY MY REFUND. There is no doubt that George Morara Abuga is grateful to the Higher Education Loans Board for the support that enabled him to pay for his education at Kenyatta University where he graduated in 1998. It took a little while, but in 2002, George started repaying his loan, clearing it in 2011. But there was an overpayment, and a year since he filed a claim for his refund, he is still waiting. “The Helb threatens to go after defaulters, but delays refunds to those who overpay.” His contact is [email protected].

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NOT DOING ENOUGH. During his campaigns to become the governor of Nairobi, Dr Evans Kidero made a number of pledges to the residents of the capital city, but the one that Jackson Kenyatta still vividly remembers was to immediately tackle the traffic jam menace. However, after a year at the helm, Jackson is not convinced that Dr Kidero is doing enough to disentangle the mess as the problem seems to be getting worse day after day. His contact is [email protected].

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MEN IN BLACK. How goons could have entered the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, disrupted the much-awaited ODM national elections and walked away scot free is something David Motari still cannot believe could have happened so easily. And quite annoying to him is the pledge by the ODM brass to ensure they are brought to book after investigations are completed, and yet there is video footage of them in action. “Stop playing mind games on us,” yells David, whose contact is [email protected].

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STANDARDS REQUIRED. The proliferation of universities in the country is good, but where is the body charged with ensuring that all meet basic standards? asks Job Momanyi, in response to recent shocking revelations about Rongo University College. “Unless the authorities ensure all these institutions meet minimum quality requirements, we shouldn’t expect much from them. And why the obsession with the title, university, anyway? The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the best in the world.” His contact is [email protected].

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SECURE PETROL STATIONS. Following the cold-blooded killing of attendants at a petrol station in Naivasha, Robert Njung’e says this calls for the urgent safety measures to ensure this does not happen again. One, the owners of petrol stations should build proper entry and exit points, complete with manned steel gates. “This is to minimise the grave risk the attendants face and cases of criminals fleeing at high speed without paying after having their tanks filled.”

Have a secure day, won’t you!

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