Professionalism and work ethics needed urgently

Decades ago, between Form Six and journalism school, I briefly worked as a clerk at the Ministry of Works, provincial mechanical workshop in Nairobi's industrial area.

In the workshop, safeguards were put in place to ensure cars under repair were not damaged through undue negligence by mechanics.

When working on engines, fender (wing) cover working mats were placed on each side to protect the car body work from scratches by tools and smudges from oily mechanics' hands or even droplets of brake fluid, etc.

Additionally, cotton waste was provided in sacks for mechanics to continually wipe oil and grease off their hands.

Welders, panel beaters and spray painters were provided with safety gear and spray painters additionally got a pint of milk every day as a precaution against the fumes inhaled while working.

In fact, we nicknamed one painter (he's a pastor today), 'the government's cat'. The environment was clean and safe for workers and the vehicles.

Testing vehicles after repair was reserved for the supervisor who wore clean white overcoats and if a mechanic was to ride in the car with him, he had to wash his hands, remove his overall and most likely wipe dust on his shoes.

When the vehicle left the workshop and on being inspected by a mechanical engineer, it was sparkling clean.

Today, I cringe whenever I take my car to my jua kali joint; while one or two mechanics may be working on your car, (of course with no cotton waste, fender cover mats or anything else to protect your car's body and paint work), a bunch of more than four other idle mechanics or apprentices surround the car, each placing their dirty oily hands all over the vehicle.

Now, this unprofessionalism is not witnessed at the jua kali garages only. A few weeks ago, I took my car for repairs at an established garage in Nairobi and when I went to pick it up, it was dirty on the inside and outside.

The jack and wheel spanner were strewn about while the boot and engine compartment were chalky from the buffing dust.

The seats were in pathetic condition and I had to ask one mechanic to dust them before I could drive off.

Unfortunately, I had to return the car to the garage the following day due to some unresolved issues and when I got there, they gave me two mechanics to go test the car with.

The designated driver and the other mechanic were about to enter the car in their dirty overalls when I stopped them short.

They found my insistence that they find something or way to protect my car seats awkward, but they had no alternative.

For long, discipline in all spheres of our lives has been thrown to the dogs and time has come to reclaim professionalism and work ethics in our work places, mechanical workshops and garages included.