The Cutting Edge - 8 March 2014

TRANSPORT. The traffic chaos in Nairobi on Wednesday has just confirmed the dire need for a better regulated city public transport system, says Shem Oduor-Noah. The government, he proposes, should initiate a private, public partnership in a transport company in which the county government should own some shares. The City Council of Nairobi, he recalls, similarly owned shares in the old Kenya Bus Services Company. The city contributes more than 70 per cent of the national GDP. Its residents deserve affordable, dependable and reliable public transport.” His contact is [email protected].

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CHAOS. The matatu strike that saw commuters trekking to work and motorists being held hostage by matatu crews is annoying, says Antony Irungu. “They maim and rob people with and go scot-free. This is what happens when a government allows a key industry to be unregulated in total disregard of the law. It’s time county leaders came up with an organised transport system for the city. And why did the police wait for the crisis to escalate to impound matatus and taxis?” His contact is [email protected].

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TAME THEM. Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero should not give in to threats and extortion by matatu operators, says James Antony Maingi. City residents, he adds, “are not very happy with the matatu transport system and its disorder”. James thinks “it is only good for tourists who then go back home and ridicule our systems”. Matatus, he declares, must be tamed at all costs. He can’t wait to see the capital rid of matatus. His contact is [email protected].

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LUPITA'S STAR. New film star Lupita Nyong’o’s first Oscar win is a great tribute to Kenya and calls for concerted efforts to promote creative arts, says Alnashir Walji. Kenyan thespians, he adds, deserve more support to excel in what they have been doing at the Kenya National Theatre. School drama festivals, he argues, are a means to help create and encourage acting talent. “These are some of the things that portray the country in a good light and should supported.” His contact is [email protected].

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TOP SCHOOL. Strathmore School is basking in glory after scoring a rare double in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam, topping in mathematics and English, says Taabu Tele. Taabu feels this exemplary performance has everything to do with good leadership. “The Strathmore University Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Odhiambo, who is also linked to the school, is one of Kenya’s renowned mathematicians, must be leading by example in busting the myth about maths and poor grasp of language.” His contact is [email protected].

Have an excellent day, won’t you!

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