Turn down the volume, noise cops may be listening

Mike Owuor

A five-year sentence is what a bar owner in Barcelona, Spain, got last month for playing loud music. Harsh as it sounded, PointBlank used it to vent our readers’ frustrations by encouraging such tough actions (‘Take note of case in Spain, all you noisy estate bars’, March 18).

Music to ears

At least every week we receive letters complaining of noise nuisance by bars in estates. We do not support frivolous blanket bans on estate bars, like the one issued in October last year by Provincial Administration Minister George Saitoti, but we have always called for scrupulous licensing procedures and regulation (‘No cheers for Saitoti’s order to close bars’, October 17).

Now Environment Minister John Michuki and the National Environment Management Authority appear to have come up with regulations meant to control noise and air pollution, that could silence noisy bars. Included in the proposed rules are places of worship and matatus among others. In a few months time, making noise beyond acceptable levels could earn you a huge fine or jail sentence. So, turn down the volume, please.

Chief says it’s illegal to write to newspapers

In a letter published in The Standard on Saturday, Mr Julius Matei argued the creation of more districts is not well thought out (‘New district not necessary’, March 21). PointBlank, it should be noted, has always maintained a similar view. Matei especially took issue with the creation of Marani District in Kisii, which has less than five locations, terming it a waste of public resources.

"Isn’t there a requirement for a budget to run a new district? Government revenue is not increasing but it keeps making unnecessary financial commitments," he wrote.

These innocuous comments, says Matei, have turned into a source of distress. He claims an assistant chief has been moving around his village with the newspaper, not to show how brilliant their son is, but to accuse him of "breaking the law" by writing about the new districts.

"I am in tears as I write this. Villagers are convinced I am a bad person and my sick father is disturbed. Is it a crime to write letters to newspaper editors expressing our views?" he asks. Perhaps Provincial Administration Minister George Saitoti could tell us what law the assistant chief claims Matei broke.

Hospital in poor shape

Mr Joshua Araka found it ridiculous that his fellow reader, Mr Johnson Nyarieko, claimed allegations that Nyamira District Hospital was in poor shape were false (‘Get your facts right or shut up, reader told’, April 3). Nyarieko, who was reacting to Ms Betty Moraa’s concerns (‘Nyamira hospital in sickening state’), accused her of giving claims that were "at best nebulous and at worst misleading and malicious".

"Moraa was only interested in having services improved. The problems dogging Nyamira hospital have been going on for a long but little has been done to tackle them. Nyarieko simply sounded like an unofficial public relations officer," says Araka.

Identify challenges

Even though the number of clinical officers and doctors has been increased from two to five, Araka claims the hospital is still ill-equipped.

"What good is a doctor without proper facilities and drugs? This obviously means patients have to be referred elsewhere. Even a revolving fund that helped the poor get drugs collapsed long time ago," he says, adding that it is important to identify challenges the hospital faces to enable the Ministry of Medical Services address them.

Who owns this plot in Busia?

VO asks Lands Minister James Orengo to clarify on the status of a plot in Lupida Sub-Location, Bukhayo North Location, Nambale Division, Busia District (BUKHAYO/LUPIDA/553). VO alleges some people, who also claim to have documents, continue to occupy the land.

He says the "real owner" was given a title deed in 1975 and would like to develop the land, but cannot until the issue is settled amicably.

"We need to respect the rule of law. That is why this land issue should be resolved with the help of the minister, surveyors and Provincial Administration," he says.

Passion fruit farmers left with bitter taste in mouth

A farmer in Eldoret claimed he delivered passion fruits to the Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA) in August last year but was yet to be paid part of the money (‘Farmer asks for the fruits of his labour’, January 23). And on March 5, another farmer in Iten claimed HCDA field officers told him to wait a little longer for the payment (‘Farmer’s unfruitful efforts’).

A common strand in both complaints was the lack of information from field officers on the reasons for the delay. Last month we asked HCDA to reap from PointBlank’s generous Right of Reply section and tell the farmers when they will paid. Since no response has been forthcoming, we ask Agriculture Minister William Ruto to come to our readers’ aid.

Right of Reply

Consumers have right to demand quality goods

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) wishes to thank PointBlank for its relentless efforts in promoting consumer awareness and educating on their right to demand products that do not endanger their health, safety and the environment.

Kebs’ mandate is to promote standardisation and conformity assessment, which is accomplished by checking product performance against set out requirements, according to Kenyan standards.

All products manufactured locally ought to bear the standardisation mark. Imported food, electrical and infant items should have the Import Standardisation Mark. Through the marks, we assure customers that a product has met quality requirements.

Kebs does not enforce warranties. However, we handle customer complaints on the performance of products following the guidelines in our customer complaints procedure, and within the provisions of the Standards Act.

But it is also the responsibility of a customer to ensure they inspect and test the functions of goods before purchase, and buy only from reputable outlets that honour warranties. That way, every Kenyans will play a critical role in streamlining trade practices, leaving no room for unscrupulous traders.

We wish to remind all consumers that we can only eliminate this vice by demanding for quality goods and rejecting substandard ones offered by dishonest dealers or outlets.

Patricia N Kimanthi,

Corporate Communications Manager,

Kenya Bureau of Standards.

KPLC staff must have uniforms, ID cards

We refer to a complaint that appeared in PointBlank on April 7 (‘Shocking electricity fraud’). Your reader notified us of corrupt individuals operating in Kisii, who purport to be Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) employees.

We would like to inform Kisii residents that KPLC disconnection staff, who are authorised by the company to carry out such exercises, are required to wear uniforms while on duty. They are also instructed to identify themselves whenever they are requested to do so by our customers.

Even as we investigate these allegations, we would like to advise our customers to always clear their outstanding bills on time to avoid falling prey to con men.

Kevin Sang,

Corporate Communications Officer, Kenya Power and Lighting Company.