Madoff’s crashed pyramid should serve as example

Give more information on swine flu

After the confirmed case of H1N1 (swine flu), a concerned resident of Kisumu would like the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation to come clean on what it is doing to ensure surveillance at all entry points into the country.

"I am still wondering if we can take the ministry’s word to the bank. Before the first case was reported this week, Minister Beth Mugo had assured us her officers were on the ground at our airports screening every visitor arriving," he says. "Next thing we know, a student from the UK turns up in Kisumu with the virus, after interacting for days with various people. How did this student escape testing at the airport?"

The resident wants the ministry to publicise the symptoms of the disease and explain what one should do when one suspects an infection. This is important, he claims, since "many other people might have contracted the disease after coming into contact with the UK students".

He also hopes Mrs Mugo will use various media to assure residents there was no cause for alarm as there were many rumours on the disease that are yet to be cleared. We are waiting for your word, Mrs Mugo.

From Southlands to gangland

Even after our reader, Ms Mercy Wanjiru, said last week she was carjacked in Southlands Estate, near Lang’ata High School, Nairobi, the police seem to have ignored her warnings (‘Don’t let these crooks take over, Commissioner Ali,’ June 26). Wanjiru said she knew of five other carjacking incidents in the area, yet "reporting to the police seems to make no difference".

"Nobody really cares about our plight, so I would only want to warn fellow motorists to be careful when driving at night," she wrote.

Last Saturday night, partly due to police laxity, another reader, Mr Anthony M, claims he was carjacked in the estate. He lost everything, including his savings after the criminals forced him to withdraw money from an ATM. Although shaken, he says he is glad to be alive.

Police laxity

"They (criminals) prefer Southlands because of the lax security. I warn fellow motorists to take care. And to the police, come to our rescue, please," he says.

Unless your officers have good reasons, Commissioner Hussein Ali, why should they continue ignoring our readers’ warnings? Has Southlands been turned to gangland?

What’s the plot, Minister Orengo?

Job Wanyonyi, a residents of Fwamba township in Kongoni, Lugari District, would like Lands Minister James Orengo and Lugari County Council to explain the circumstances in which part of a public utility plot was allocated to a telecommunications company. Wanyonyi is particularly concerned the community was not consulted.

"We would like to know who was behind the allocation, and how the community would benefit," he says.

Wanyonyi claims the deal raises eyebrows, and hopes the community would not continue to be left in the dark. Hallo, Mr Orengo!

Deal or no deal on ‘poor’ police post offer, Githae?

When last month Mr Mworia Gitonga visited a new police post in Kigatha, a crime-prone village at the boundary of Kirinyaga East and Nyeri districts, his conclusion was that "the hardworking officers need support" (‘Offer to assist police post,’ June 12). He alleged the half complete facility had no power and the officers used a piece of carton as an Occurrence Book.

Feeling sufficiently philanthropic, he wrote: "If my (Ndia Constituency) MP Robinson Githae can help supply electricity to the police post, my business partners and I are willing to instal a computer with appropriate software." Isn’t it called public-private partnership? Why won’t you snap up the offer Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and Mr Githae?

Point of Order

Foreign traders kicking Kenyans out of business

Some foreign traders in Nairobi, who operate on the streets collectively referred to as River Road and malls in Eastleigh known as Garissa Lodge, must be shouting "Uhuru juu, juu zaidi" (hail Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta), claims Alex.

By lowering taxes on beauty products and some electronics during the Budget, Alex believes it is "dubious foreign traders" who stand to benefit as they control most distribution channels. Previously, he claims, they let Kenyans retail the products for a modest profit, but now the distributors are opening retail outlets and pushing local traders out.

"The Chinese have been allowed to sell their cheap electronics, while West African cartels sell fake TV aerials, imported human hair, cheap motor vehicle spares and even cocaine in packages branded as soap. Most of the goods are counterfeits," he says.

Alex blames corrupt police officers, regulators and a Government that does not protect small traders from the "foreign invasion". He asks Mr Uhuru: How about ensuring fair trade, protecting Kenyan businesses and locking out distributors of counterfeit products?

Threat to make residents pay for sins of vandals

A few weeks ago, Nairobi’s Kayole Estate Section D near the DO’s office was plunged into darkness, says Mr Simon Ontiri. That in itself was not out of the ordinary and he thought it was a normal technical hitch. But, adds Ontiri, residents were told by Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) staff that a transformer had been vandalised.

But he alleges things got worse when an official threatened not to rectify the problem as residents had apparently failed to mulika mwizi (expose the thief). Even though power was restored a few days later since "the residents were first offenders", Ontiri thinks the threat was unfair. Or is it a new KPLC policy?

Repair Syokimau road

The roads on the upper side of Syokimau Estate, off Mombasa Road, become impassable when it rains, says Jeff, a resident. And although he is happy Mavoko Municipal Council constructed a bridge next to Kwa Cucu, the rest of the road is bad. Can’t it be repaired?

‘Cut’ deal may turn sour

It is well and good that the Ministry of Medical Services plans to train all nurses to carry out male surgical circumcision, says Mr Daudi Mwenda. But since most nurses are female, and our society remains largely conservative, won’t the nurses find it hard to put their newly acquired skills to good use, Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o?