The Cutting Edge - 14 March 2014

KRA HAS FAILED IMPORTERS. Unless some of the glaring inefficiencies in government are sorted out, reducing the salaries of top executives won’t make much of a difference, says Abdi Mohamed. He’s particularly disappointed with the Kenya Revenue Authority over delays in processing important clearance documents, “because their system is always down”. And to add insult to injury, he moans, the importer will still pay a levy for the delay and storage. “It is wrong, frustrating and unfair,” yells Abdi.

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SELL JALOPIES TO ZAMBIANS. The decision to crush cars at Mombasa port that are over eight years old is not only primitive, but also poses a threat of environmental degradation, says Charles Njuki. The vehicles should, instead, be sold to countries like Zambia which have no age limit on car imports. “The Sh4 billion would be a big boost to the Treasury which is grappling with a huge public wage bill. After all, there are 40-year-old jalopies on our roads which pollute the environment.” His contact is [email protected].

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NO, GIVE THEM TO THE POLICE. Why destroy the old cars when there is an acute shortage in many government departments, especially in the Police Force? asks Andrew Munyua. President Kenyatta, who has shown the way in reducing public spending by agreeing to a 20 per cent pay-cut, should now order the seizure of the vehicles and their distribution to the sections facing transport shortages. “After all, most of the cars on Kenyan roads are more than eight years old.” His contact is [email protected].

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GRAB PARKING SLOTS. As the country discusses salary cuts, Frank Laurence sees many areas in the Nairobi City government where big savings could be made. The county has, for instance, reserved 72 parking slots for MCAs who hardly use them daily. This is a loss of Sh518,400 a month and Sh6.22 million a year. The slots are left vacant when the county could be earning revenue. Frank also doesn’t understand why salaried employees should be paid sitting allowances. His contact is [email protected].

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HAWKERS A MENACE. The hawker menace in Nairobi’s residential areas is very real, says M. Njoroge, urging the city county authorities to ensure they are removed from the roads and taken to designated business parks. At Garden Estate, he reports, hawkers have taken over a section of the road from Uchumi Supermarket to Sunstar Hotel, “selling all manner of stuff, including food”. Encouraged by inaction from officials, the invasion of Coffee Garden Drive is almost complete. His contact is [email protected].

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WARRANTY REQUIRED. Just how long should a newly-built road last before it begins to develop potholes? asks Kiplimo Kosgey. A Chinese company, he reports, built the Lanet-Solio dual carriageway in Nakuru, completing the job almost two years ago. It was a record, considering the snail’s pace work done by other contractors. “Unfortunately, there are now numerous potholes all over”. And Kiplimo fears the repairs will be jua kali. “If one spends billions on what falls apart in two years, why not demand a warranty?”

Have a solid day, won’t you!

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