Give drug users needles and also rehabilitate them

By Njoroge Kinuthia

The Government is planning to provide free needles and syringes to intravenous narcotic drug users countrywide.

This is expected to curb the spread of HIV/Aids among drug users through sharing of contaminated needles. The move will also reduce the spread of other blood-transmitted diseases such as hepatitis C.

The Ministry of Public Health is currently consulting with communities most hard hit by the drugs’ menace to chart the way forward. Ironically, the plan has become a divisive subject in Mombasa, winning support and opposition in equal measure.

Advantage

Those supporting the move cite the obvious advantage of checking the spread of HIV. Those opposing it argue that providing free needles and syringes would encourage more youths to engage in drug abuse.

Although it is unlikely that anyone will turn into a drug user merely because of being provided with free needles, it would be imprudent to dismiss their fears. That’s why provision of free needles must go hand in hand with rehabilitation and education programmes.

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State mum over deaths in South Sudan

Now and then, innocent people are shot dead in this or that part of the world by some deranged minds or overzealous, wayward law enforcers.

Newly independent South Sudan, notes Mr Githuku Mungai, has not been spared this madness and several Kenyans have lost their lives due to such maniacs in the country. “Some were killed as a result of business rivalry, others died after they differed armed men, at times over minor issues.”

A Kenyan teacher was for instance killed in Juba on May 15. She was buried last Saturday in her father’s farm at Kwa Kathoka village, Makueni District. Mungai was shot dead when she allegedly failed to stop when the country’s national anthem was being played as the national flag was being lowered.

“I may be wrong, but I do not think the Kenya Government has ever said a word over the increasing deaths of innocent Kenyans in South Sudan,” says Mungai.

He adds: “We expect to see the representative of South Sudan summoned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to convey the displeasure of Kenyans over the uncalled for deaths in South Sudan.” Well put, Mungai.

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Bollywood’s past and future

Movies fanatic Rahul Bhavan would like to congratulate the Indian Cinema for completing an entertaining century this year. Bhavan is full of praises for stars and those behind the scenes who make Bollywood tick.

“Contributions from Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, Rakesh Rohan, as examples, spread the word across our globe. Now, a movie has been shot in the Masai Mara which will boost tourism.” Bhavan notes that Kenya’s Alisha Popat has presented music in some of these films and says that he would also want to be part of Bollywood’s future and make Kenya proud.

Godspeed Bhavan!

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Tell us about power first, Mr Ochieng

Nyakach MP Pollyns Ochieng Anyango, notes Suba Churchill, was recently quoted in The Standard saying that locals should be fully consulted before Tullow Oil Plc begins any prospecting of oil in the constituency. That is as it should be. Nyakach is listed under Block 13T and is believed, by the company credited with the Turkana find, to hold massive deposits of the black gold.

However, argues Suba, before the MP demands that locals be involved in the oil project, he should explain why parts of the constituency are yet to benefit from the generation of electricity at Sondu Miriu. He claims that after completion of the first phase of the Sondu Miriu power project, KenGen was to facilitate installation of power “up to some level” and the CDF was to help take it to the lowest levels where majority of the people live.

Marauding hippos

“The local CDF Committee, which the MP controls, is yet to take the electrification project beyond Nyong’ong’a Secondary School to Sango Rota, Obange and Nyadina Schools where locals need electric fences to keep out marauding hippos.

Can the MP explain why this hasn’t been done before diverting attention of locals to oil?

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DON’T YOU FORGET

What became of water projects, Eng Thubu?

On February 23, 2012 Ms Emily Mbashu wrote to PointBlank complaining that some residents of Voi and its environs had not seen even a trickle from their taps in the last five years.

The water scarcity in the town, she said, was worse in February, due to drought, making residents to waste a lot of money and time looking for the commodity. Mbashu, however, recalled that there were rumours that some two World Bank-funded projects — Mzima One and Msinga Two — were supposed to start in 2010, but never kicked off.

She asked the Chief Executive of Coast Water Services Board, Eng James Thubu to tell her whether the projects were still on the cards, and if so when they would be completed.

She is still waiting for your answer, Eng Thubu.