Creepy hospital where ants are let to feed on corpses

Mike Owuor

In what can pass as a horror movie script, our correspondent Mr Renson Mnyamwezi recently reported that ants have infested the Wesu sub-district Hospital mortuary in Wundanyi, Taita District. Quoting a distressed resident, who claimed the ants had bitten off the body of a relative and dug holes in it, the story was a statement of the neglect in public hospitals.

The killer Daraja Moja Bridge in Kisii could claim even more lives than the 30 it did in 2007 if the promised construction is not started soon. [PHOTO: ROBERT NYASATO/STANDARD]

Further, the cooling facility at the hospital has broken down, meaning bodies cannot be preserved. So, while PointBlank has had many complaints on the mistreatment of patients, it seems there is even less respect for the dead.

Rotten system

Wesu had earlier been downgraded from a district hospital, putting a strain on its facilities. This, however, is no excuse for the negligence and irresponsibility.

Although we do not expect the ministries of Medical Services and Public Health and Sanitation to immediately fix a system that has been going downhill for decades, letting hospitals slip to the level of Wesu is unacceptable. Only radical surgery, we think, will solve such problems.

So Coalition is fighting graft? How sweet!

Our regular Mr Leonard Juma did not expect US President Barack Obama’s message of change to mean a ‘somersault’ by the country’s Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger on corruption. Juma believes recent ‘curious comments’ by the ambassador that he was confident the Coalition Government was committed to fighting corruption were a disappointment.

"What has he used to measure commitment?" asks Juma.

The reality, adds Juma, is that corruption and impunity at all levels have become a way of life. In the meantime, the PM has been quoted describing the alleged maize scandal as ‘trivial’ while the President has chosen to give sweeping statements like, ‘We know the crooks and we will get them… Every country has crooks". No big fish, says Juma, has been held to account.

"Parliament, which is supposed to be a watchdog, is full of egocentric MPs who form alliances for political survival. There is nobody to turn to except the media and foreign countries. And Ranneberger has now been ‘converted’," moans Juma.

Cheer up, at least you won’t hear anybody telling the ambassador he is a ‘junior officer’ meddling in internal matters.

Put a brake on vehicle theft

Parking in Mombasa "has become very unsafe" and could get worse if the Municipal Council and the police do not act fast to protect motorists, says Mr M Badbess. Although Town Clerk Tubman Otieno has done well to provide more parking space and do away with the many phony reserved slots, security remains a challenge.

"It is considered a miracle if one parks anywhere in Mombasa and comes back to find the car intact. In most cases it is likely the side mirrors, stereo or lights will be stolen," he says.

This, adds Badbess, comes at a high cost to motorists who have to replace the stolen parts. Although he admits it is impossible for the law enforcers to be everywhere, everytime, Badbess thinks the police have showed little commitment in making arrests.

More effort

"For example, it is not difficult to trace where these stolen parts are sold to willing buyers who know their origin. I suggest the police take a walk on Liwatoni Road and some establishments near the Railway Station and Majengo," he says.

Badbess, believes the police can stop the crooks if they put in a little bit more effort. So, is anything being done about it?

Has regulator lost the energy to tame Big Oil?

After complaints from PointBlank readers last year on the high cost of petroleum products, on September 19 we asked: When will oil prices be reduced? But when the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) requested the public to present submissions on proposed price regulation, we could only wish ERC boss Kaburu Mwirichia godspeed on the slippery path towards taming Big Oil (‘There is no turning back on price regulation’, December 5).

Many scandals and artificial fuel shortages later, we are yet to hear from ERC. But don’t you forget Eng Mwirichia, wananchi are tired of the exploitative prices and are waiting for your intervention.

Don’t use your head, stupid

Residents of Mawanga estate in Nakuru had a good laugh last week at a nearby supermarket when an old frail man’s bizarre shoplifting plan was uncovered, says Ms Judith A.

"He was spotted leaving the supermarket with drops of blood on his godfather hat. When a suspicious attendant lifted the hat he found a chicken from the freezer on the old man’s bald head," she says.

However, after he explained he hadn’t eaten for two days, somebody offered to pay for the chicken and other foodstuff. The moral of the story is: Don’t steal. But if you do, don’t use your head.

Right of Reply

TSC gives human touch to transfer requests

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) would like to respond to an article by your reader, Ms Anne Moraa (‘Commission says nothing on couples’ transfers’, January 29).

The commission handles over 5,000 transfer requests every year, majority of which are on marital grounds while others are on security, medical and staff balancing exercise basis. We have strived to ensure that transfer requests by couples and those citing other reasons are given consideration based on their own merit.

It is worth noting that availability of a replacement and a vacancy is the driving force while acting on transfer requests as per established policies. Further, employment of new teachers is demand-driven, with a condition that one must serve for a minimum of five years in a station before seeking for a transfer.

It is thus categorical to note that while we pay attention to couples’ transfer requests from one station to another, the availability of a suitable replacement and vacancy is a prerequisite. The commission is aware that teaching is a unique profession and handles teachers’ requests with a lot of sensitivity and humanity.

Finally, Moraa is encouraged to get in touch with us for further assistance on her case.

Kimutai Ng’eno,

Public Relations Officer,

Teachers Service Commission.

Point of Order

Kisumu’s risky bridge

There is a narrow bridge on the Kisumu-Busia Road, near the diversion to the airport, that should be made wider as it poses danger to motorists and pedestrians, says Mr Philip Orwa. It is difficult, he says, for two vehicles from different directions to pass through the bridge at the same time.

"Last month I witnessed a trailer from Busia force a boda boda cyclist into River Kisat. Luckily, he was not hurt although the bicycle was damaged," he says.

Orwa wants the Ministry of Roads to act fast to prevent more fatal accidents by widening the bridge.

Unfinished business

Kipande Road in Nairobi has been patched up at last. But why, asks Mr Hiten Shah, have some cracks and small potholes been left?

"This is a recipe for the whole road to be messed up again. I request the concerned authorities to look into this urgently and get this little work done immediately," he tells Town Clerk John Gakuo.