Don’t be bullied Mang’eli, keep up the standards

Mike Ouor

It is difficult to discern truth from fiction in the unending maze of the maize saga. One gripping episode involves (un)contaminated maize at the port of Mombasa which, depending on where you stand, could be fit for the trash or your dinner table. And the loser in the ongoing war of words is the public that remains none the wiser on the status of the maize.

Food safety

But beyond the bedlam, PointBlank was pleased to hear Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) Managing Director Kioko Mang’eli take a brave stand and declare he had confidence in his organisation’s tests. Food safety, he said, was not negotiable, no matter attempts by politicians to muddle issues. Even though a lab test by a private company declared the maize fit, Eng Mang’eli was unmoved as Kebs was "among the best in Africa".

At a time when confidence in many of our institutions is at its lowest, the statement was a breath of fresh air. And in our highly politicised public service, it must have taken a great deal of belief for Mang’eli to stick his neck out for the sake of credibility. For that, PointBlank urges him to keep it up.

"Concerned Jimmy" went to the Vihiga District Lands office in Mbale town on March 4, for an official search. After paying the required Sh100 at the cashier’s office, he was issued with an official receipt and asked go to the second floor of the district headquarters to pick the forms. So far, so good for Jimmy.

But if the resident of Maragoli thought officials would surprise him with flawless service, then he was in for a surprise.

Says he: "I thought the Sh100 included the forms. However, some workers operating a photocopier told me I had to pay another Sh12. This felt like paying for food in a hotel then being charged extra for using the cutlery and plates."

When he asked why he had to pay for the forms yet the cashier had taken his hard earned Sh100, the workers nonchalantly told him it was none of their business as they were mere employees working under instruction.

Jimmy has some questions for Lands Minister James Orengo: Why can’t the ministry include the cost of the forms in the Sh100 fee or buy it’s own photocopier? Is the machine in Vihiga private business enjoying monopoly in a public office?

Sluggish rapid results

The second wave of the Rapid Results Initiative launched by Provincial Administration Minister George Saitoti and PS Francis Kimemia a few weeks ago does not seem to have reached the West Pokot District headquarters, says Mr D Chemoris in Kapenguria.

"I have visited the headquarters on many occasions and I must say it is in a pathetic state. There is overgrown grass everywhere, and footpaths criss-cross what is supposed to be the lawn," he says.

Wananchi waiting to be served, he adds, sit on the grass or by the roadside as there are no benches. Besides, there is not a single customer care desk and visitors have a difficult time finding their way around.

Pathetic state

"Late last month I saw an anthill at the entrance of one of the offices yet nobody seemed bothered about removing it. And just near the DC’s office there are shrubs that should be cut," he claims.

Considering the historical significance of Kapenguria as the town where the first President Jomo Kenyatta and other freedom heroes were jailed, Chemoris expects better-maintained district headquarters.

Entangled in waiting web

Since he retired from his teaching job in 2006, Mr Simeon K Rop (TSC No 103740), a reader in Litein, Bureti District, has spent a lot of time and effort following up his benefits. One barrier he still finds difficult to overcome is at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) where attempts to get part of his money have been unsuccessful since 2006 (FM No 897682610).

Rop claims NSSF appears to enjoy using delaying tactics by claiming they do not have some of his records. Despite writing to NSSF and providing details, he continues to be kept waiting. Could the fund explain why Rop has to wait longer?

Calculated silence on maths invention claims

One month ago today, Mr Francis Mungai Wainaina, 63, a retired teacher in Kenol, Murang’a South District, wrote to ask academics and Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister, Sally Kosgey (pictured), if he could be helped unlock his trove of mathematical knowledge.

After more than 20 years of research, especially in calculus, he claimed he had invented an abacus more efficient than the Chinese suanpan, and had also developed some formulae. His fear was that the "mathematical wizardry", which could be used for centuries, might go to waste if nobody took a keener interest. So far, Dr Kosgey appears to have maintained a calculated silence.

Right of Reply

Kasarani road repair on

My attention is drawn to a complaint on March 1, by your reader, Mr Charles Waigwa, on the state of the Baba Dogo Road, Kasarani. The council will carry out repairs and works will be completed by March 31.

John Gakuo,

Town Clerk,

City Council of Nairobi.

Point of Order

Residents’ five-year wait for health centre

When residents of Lessos in Nandi South District were told a health centre would be built near the shopping centre, they thought their days of trekking to Kaplelach, 10km away, were numbered. But five years later, says Mr David Kiprono, the work has stalled. Instead, all the residents have is a "dilapidated building unfit for human habitation" and accusations that a committee set up to spearhead the construction has not been up to the task.

"After complaints a few years ago, promises were made that the committee would be disbanded and external auditors brought. This is yet to happen. However, things got worse recently when claims emerged that part of the land had been allocated to a private developer. Public Health Minister Beth Mugo and the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission should investigate the issue," says Kiprono.

Failure to rank schools will not stop cheating

Upon releasing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations results, the Ministry of Education and Kenya National Examinations Council said they stopped the ranking of schools to discourage cheating. Instead, they chose to list the best students. But Mr Murila Musungu in Kakamega thinks this could be counterproductive.

"Teachers will concentrate on bright students, who they hope will be ranked among the best, at the expense of average ones. The search for individual glory will also encourage cheating," he says.

One way to avoid this, says Musungu, is to gradually revise the curriculum to make it less exam-centred, and base final results on continuous assessment tests.

Unravel land puzzle

Mr A Hassan requests City Council of Nairobi Town Clerk John Gakuo to clarify who owns some parcels of land in Block 82 in Donholm and Savanna. This he claims is for the benefit of potential buyers who might be defrauded, since there appears to be a dispute. What do you say, Mr Gakuo?