The Cutting Edge - 7 March 2014

NURTURE TALENT. Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario’s message of congratulation to Lupita Nyong’o for winning Kenya’s first-ever Oscar award is in order, says Wambua Musembi, who, however, is not convinced that this “goes beyond lip-service”. He would like Wario to show what, if any, steps the ministry is taking to nurture and promote young talent. “How about asking people like Lupita to help motivate the young and expand performing arts institutes?” His contact is [email protected].

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HOW TO WOO TOURISTS. To fix the ailing tourism industry at the Coast, R. Hood says, there is a need to create a four-lane road from Mombasa Town to Mtwapa and to revamp and upgrade hotels. Other crucial measures that should be considered are to increase access to game reserves, improve security for visitors, and promote golf tourism. Writing from Nottingham in the UK, Hood suggests that flights to Coast destinations be increased and a major overseas marketing campaign started. His contact is [email protected].

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MATHS DON'T ADD UP. A mathematical error made by Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi in his speech during the release of the KCSE exam results is worrying, says Ngina Kieti. “If a child is enrolled in Standard One at six years, she will sit her KCPE and KCSE exams at 13 and 17 respectively, and not 14 and 18 as he stated. Unless the education system is changed to 9-8-4 or there is a Class One repeat, his calculation is wrong.” Her contact is [email protected].

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NOT AT ALL IMPRESSED. Also not at all impressed by Prof Kaimenyi’s calculations is Jaspor Onzere. Says he: “It is not surprising that mathematics was the third last worst performed subject in the 2013 KCSE examination. If the children are enrolled in Standard One at the age of six, then they will take their KCPE and KCSE exams at ages 13 and 17 respectively, and not at 14 and 18 as the Cabinet Secretary said.” His contact is [email protected].

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A JOB WELL DONE. Traffic has been flowing smoothly on Jogoo Road in Nairobi’s Eastlands in the mornings since March 3, reports an elated Stephen Manegene. This, he adds, is probably due to efforts by traffic police to tame rogue matatu and bus drivers, who “create traffic jams by joining Jogoo Road through illegal entry points, overlapping over the kerbs, among other antics”. This, he says, they do after using non-designated PSV routes in residential estates. Please remove the PSVs from such routes.” His contact is [email protected].

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BODA BODA BAN UNWISE. The incidence of crime and insecurity is bound to increase in Nairobi’s Baba Dogo area following a police ban on boda boda motorcyclists, says Kenneth Mogaka. The presence of many riders on the roads at night creates a sense of security. “The over 100 operators have families to feed and will be forced to resort to crime.” He is, therefore, urging city police boss Benson Kibue to review the decision to outlaw the petty transport business. His contact is [email protected].
 
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