THE CUTTING EDGE: 01.07.2020

What you need to know:

  • I’m a victim of police brutality by young men chasing me with canes and tear gas and they cornered me as I could not outrun them.
  • Reporting them to the authorities is futile, but I will report them to God,” Njuguna concludes.

CRUEL POLICE: One thing that the raging Covid-19 has brought out in the past nearly four months, Njuguna Mwaniki laments, is the blatant brutality of the police while enforcing safety guidelines. Even in the seemingly professional ones in the United States, he remarks, police are just needlessly rough and trigger-happy fellows who think that killing people is some kind of sport. “Soon, the judgment will be out and it will not go well with them. I’m a victim of police brutality by young men chasing me with canes and tear gas and they cornered me as I could not outrun them. Reporting them to the authorities is futile, but I will report them to God,” Njuguna concludes. His contact is [email protected].

 DO AS I SAY... While the leaders, especially politicians, have been advising the people to observe the Health ministry rules to curb the spread of the coronavirus, they do not abide by them, says George Kasure. “It is very sad seeing the same leaders advocating the maintenance of social distancing congregating for agenda that are of benefit only to them.” Every Kenyan, George appeals, should fight the virus. His advice? “Don’t be misled. It begins and ends with you. To protect yourself and your family, follow the safety measures. Stay safe!” His contact is [email protected].

POOR SERVICE: Kenyatta National Hospital should consider outsourcing its Casualty Department to enhance its capacity to deliver emergency services, especially to road accident victims, says Jim Webo. Following an accident on Mombasa Road, Nairobi, at midnight on Sunday, in which a motorist was badly injured, Jim says he witnessed just how terribly overwhelmed this vital facility is. “I saw many patients, including this driver, not being rushed into the examination rooms. The staff appeared more interested in registration and payment of fees. They arrived at 1am and were seen by doctors at 7am. How can this be the emergency attention the section is supposed to provide?”

DOUBTFUL RANK: A former colleague of Sirisia MP John Waluke’s in the military some years ago, Major (Rtd) Martin Wandahwa, says he can’t recall the man ever being promoted to the rank of major. “We both were at 76 Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB). I went out of the country for a while and later moved to 81 Tank Battalion and 78 Tank Battalion. He left before 2000, and if he were a major, we would have been rank-mates in the same brigade. John Waluke was not a commissioned officer and he hardly made it to the rank of Sergeant.” His contact is [email protected].

 SLEEPING GIANT: A giant that is literally sound asleep and needs to wake up and exploit its huge potential, Joe Ngige Mungai notes, is the Postal Corporation of Kenya. He adds: “In the United States, every home has a letterbox outside. Mailmen sort and deliver letters to these boxes every so often. In Kenya, you rent a mailbox and go to the post office to collect your mail, use fuel, waste money paying for parking space to check if you have a mail or not.” Joe is not amused that the struggling state corporation charged him Sh2,800 to have a less than 200-gramme parcel sent to him in the US. “Next time, I might not give them business. This charge is exorbitant!” His contact is [email protected].

OVERCHARGE: Does the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) have enforcement officers, who confirm that the prices of petroleum announced every month or so are adhered to? asks Simbaui Mwambu. In Kimilili Township, Bungoma, reports Simbaui, a litre of kerosene is retailing at Sh80-90, way above the Sh65 that he believes is the last price set by the regulator for the county. “What is happening? Alternatively, are the retailers still selling their old stock and yet the new prices were adjusted immediately, on June 15. Over to you, EPRA! His contact is [email protected].