Name, shame big barons to win war on drug trafficking

Simon Libafu

War on drug trafficking is on with earnest going by the recent pledge by Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere.

The recent handing over of a list of five prominent Kenyans allegedly linked to drug trafficking to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission Director PLO Lumumba by US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger and claims by Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara in Parliament left the Police Department with little choice but to join in the fray.

But Mr Justin Osey of Mombasa tells PointBlank drug barons are known "but the problem is who is ready to bell the cat".

Recent events

He says they are "powerful" and will fight back and even "buy their freedom at whatever cost".

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"Unless the barons are named publicly, it will be hard to crash the menace," he warns.

But a police officer tells PointBlank: "It’s is exiciting that for the first time Kenyans are demanding action over drugs."

But, he says, the war on drug lords and abuse should be sustained. The recent events should not be another "storm in a cup of tea", concludes the source.

Residents’ fury at stalled road projects

The building of Bumala-Port Victoria road was abandoned at Sifugwe village more than a year a go, Mr Augustine O Okuku, a resident of Budalang’i reports.

He says residents are concerned over the poor state of incomplete link to Port Victoria.

Okuku says the design of the completed part is poor and does not cater for all road users.

"Where it passes through shopping centres accidents are common, forcing residents to erect bumps," says he.

Residents abandoned

Okuku tells PointBlank relevant authority should explain why the project stalled and when it will be completed since "Our local MP Ababu Namwamba has abandoned the residents".

And Rodgers Kipyegon and Oliver Ganira of Kakamega tell PointBlank that repair work on Kisumu-Kakamega-Webuye road, which started recently, is going on at a very slow pace.

"The work has not gone past Kiboswa, 3km from Kisumu and travellers suffer due to potholes.Our recent journey from Kakamega to Kisumu was a horror," complain Kipyegon and Ganira.

They want those in charge of repairs speed up the works and ensure travellers’ comfort.

Shed light on power projects

Residents of the sleepy, remote village of Ntimaru in Kuria East District celebrated when the Kenya Power and Lighting Company switched on electricity in September.

However, Mr Victor Onyango, tells PointBlank, this joy was shortlived since the power was on for only two weeks.

"Prime Minister Raila Odinga was to hold a rally in Ntimaru in October but it didn’t materialise. Since the day of the abortive rally, the electricity has remained off," explains Onyango.

Asks he: "Was the switching on of power merely an attempt to hoodwink the Prime Minister?"

And Vincent Omach of Ndori in Rarieda constituency wants the Rural Electrification Authority to shed light on the status of the implementation of a power project in Rarieda specifically Gangu village and Gangu Primary School in Asembo West location.

"I wonder why we still lag behind despite billions of shillings allocated to rural electrification projects annually," says Omach.

He adds: "The era of tin lamps is long gone. We need development in our village.

I would like Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi to intervene and ensure we get power. Umeme kwa wote (electricity to all)."

50 cents legal? Perhaps to CBK

"Why does the Central Bank of Kenya insist that 50 cent coins are legal tender yet no supermarket or kiosk accepts them for goods purchased?" asks Mr Charles Okore of Nairobi.

He tells PointBlank that two supermarkets declined some coins he offered them as part of his bill for goods he had bought. They only accepted the coins after he opted to leave out some goods," says Okore.

He says traders in rural areas and towns no longer accept the coins and wonders why the Central Bank wastes money to advertise in the media that the coins are still in use. "Why not withdraw the coins officially?"

Customers seek care and ear from Equity Bank

Growing from a humble beginning in 1984 to a big bank today is no mean feat.

Indeed, to cap its achievements Equity CEO James Mwangi has earned numerous accolades and awards.

However, since October 6, no less than six PointBlank readers have sought clarification from Equity Bank on various issues that "Your listening and your caring partner" is yet to respond to. The sticky among the issues raised are claims by two customers that they lost some money in ATM transactions they allegedly did not make on November 17 (Find thief who stole my money) and November 19 (Hint, hint: ATM theft claims are calls for action). PointBlank asks: "Any progress so far?"