THE CUTTING EDGE

What you need to know:

  • Countries that have witnessed a decline in infections and rise in recoveries give us hope in defeating the Covid-19 scourge.

BEYOND DOUBT: The confirmation of two Covid-19 cases in rural Kwanza Sub-County in Trans Nzoia County, Antony James Ong’injoh says, is just what the doubting villagers needed to confirm that the pandemic is real. The government alone, Antony warns, can’t win the war against the disease. “It calls for collective responsibility. Our lives have been greatly disrupted, but adjusting to the new norm is the only way out. Should the numbers continue rising, our healthcare system could be overwhelmed, with catastrophic consequences. Countries that have witnessed a decline in infections and rise in recoveries give us hope in defeating the Covid-19 scourge.” His [email protected].

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LOST HUMANITY: For a country that has a “National Prayer Day that is celebrated with live TV coverage, Kenya is choking with pretenders”, remarks Kanyi Gioko. “Take, for instance, the two main items at the centre of anti-Covid-19 campaign: Face masks and sanitisers. The price of masks shot up from Sh30 to Sh100 per piece. Sanitisers used to go for a bargain but are 12 times the old cost. Pastors have been giving our families spiritual nourishment but we have forgotten them. Teachers are suffering yet they have always looked after our children.” His contact is [email protected].

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FOR WORKERS: Rushing to Cotu boss Francis Atwoli’s defence over a claim that he has abandoned workers, Paul Okwemba says critic Okwaro Inyende manifested nothing but ignorance. “Mr Inyende is not aware of the tripartite agreement signed by Cotu, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) and the Ministry of Labour on the management of labour issues during the Covid-19 pandemic. Atwoli has negotiated mutually beneficial options to help minimise job losses.” Inyende, he adds, should explain what he wants Atwoli to do to stop job losses. “But he should first look for a copy of the agreement and see the interventions laid therein.” His contact is [email protected].

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BUMPS FROM HELL: Several years ago, Henry Ruhiu recalls, President Uhuru Kenyatta asked KeNHA to come up with user-friendly bumps that would slow down motorists to avert accidents but not damage their vehicles. This was not heeded; there are bumps that pose a grave danger on the roads despite the impressive development in some places by the roads agency. The resident of Ngong, south of Nairobi, adds: “If you drive along the Ngong-Kiserian-Isinya road, you will come across bumps that are so high that you risk getting your car damaged.” His contact is [email protected].

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SECRET JOB: There was a lot of excitement when the tarmacking of the Road ‘C’ that runs parallel to Mombasa Road in Nairobi started, recalls Dave Tumbula. As the contractor continued with the finishing touches, improving the drains and fixing pavements, Dave had imagined that the official commissioning was coming. “In a country where the launching and handing over of projects is such a big deal, I’m surprised that neither Governor Mike Sonko nor even the local MCA was invited to preside at its handover.” With no sign of the contractors’ presence, Dave is curious to know whether the project could have been quietly completed and handed over.

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SAY CHEESE! Deep in Kinangop, Nyandarua County, Charlie Wakaba Kamango says, is a village rather curiously called ‘Cheese’, complete with a primary school, off the Magumu-Njabini road. The residents “have aptly ‘Kikuyunised’ the name to ‘Gwacithi’ but Cheese Primary School remains”. He hopes somebody could shed light on how the name came about. “Was the area a cheese-making hub? Was there a factory? If so, what happened to it? Was it part of the infamous colonial ‘Happy Valley’? What’s its local name? Finally, is it possible to actualise the name by making it a cheese-producing area?” His contact is [email protected].

Have an appropriate day, won’t you!