Has G4S courier overcome ‘snail’ mail competition?

Are these street medical tests panacea to health woes?

Simon Libafu

Streets in major towns have been flooded by ‘doctors’ some with complete kits for ‘diagnosing’ diseases.

But people claiming they can diagnose all kinds of diseases using a new technology based on palm of the hand have alarmed Mr Bob Seth Otieno of Nairobi.

"Could I know from the ministries of health if they are aware of this development. If this is the case then, why don’t they come out in the open and tell Kenyans officially about them?" asks he.

Otieno tells PointBlank those involved advertise their services all over the city and have pitched tent in various places in the central business district.

Cheaper tests

"Health is a very important right that has to be guarded from abuse since many people might opt for these places for faster and cheaper tests," says he.

Otieno asks the two ministries and the City Council of Nairobi to clarify whether they approved the tests. "If so, why can’t they take these tests to our major Government hospitals?" he poses.

Otieno says if they are approved, the new technology would benefit many people and save lives.

Parents ask minister to clarify levies

The Ministry of Education is yet to clarify concerns raised by parents in PointBlank over numerous levies they are expected to pay when schools to reopen next month.

"Who is in charge here?" asks a "Concerned Parent" of Muthaiga Primary School.

Adds he: "Please Education Minister Sam Ongeri, shed some light on this since we are being exploited with impunity by headteachers, who have decided to introduce all kinds of levies, without accountability,while the relevant education authorities sit and watch despite protests and outcry from besieged, hapless parents."

Stem corruption

He says some parents are barely struggling to put food on the table and proposes the ministry should reconsider the current arrangement which the parent claims school managers have abused.

"Schools should be audited annually to make the system work, stem corruption and make school heads not only accountable but clean and transparent," advises the parent.

He wants Prof Ongeri to act and ensure head teachers adhere to the ministry guidelines.

Rein in drug lords at Coast

Cocaine, heroin and other drugs are sold and used openly in parts of Coast streets just like traditional brew yet the Government is watching.

"Our sisters and our brothers are being infected with diseases like HIV, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases through sharing of needles," says Mr John M Musyoka of Mombasa.

He tells PointBlank that drug abuse is taking a heavy toll on those involved.

"They have become irresponsible in our community. If this continues we will lose many lives. Our leaders will surely be answerable to God for letting this happen and doing nothing," says Musyoka.

He claims school children too have joined in drug abuse, especially Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu.

Musyoka says trade in drugs is done openly in Shimanzi, Kongowea near Makaburini, Kisauni, Magodoroni, Kibokoni, among other areas of Mombasa yet police do not arrest the culprits.

"The Government is not sincere when it merely pledges to act on drug trade and abuse since it has machinery to curb the vice," says he and asks stakeholders and international community to pile pressure on the State to act on drug barons decisively.

How City Hall can end poster menace

Ms Namboka Mkhana tells PointBlank she has a solution to the poster menace in the city.

"Instead of City Council of Nairobi raising parking fees, why don’t they fine those people who put up posters during political campaigns because when they put them up they do so diligently but after the campaigns they don’t bother to remove them," she says.

Mkhana says the campaigners should be required to ensure their posters are removed.

"Those who failure to comply should be penalised or even jailed. This way the City Hall will raise money and keep the environment clean," says Mkhana.

A "distressed G4S customer wrote to PointBlank on November 19 (Courier giving ‘snail’ mail stiff competition) over delayed mail.

Mr Jeff Njenga told PointBlank he sent the letter through the company’s courier service to Millennium College in Tororo, Uganda.

"On October 22, I went to G4S office at Makutano, Kapenguria, to send the letter. I was assured the letter would reach Tororo the next day," said Njenga.

He claimed the letter did not reach its destination and sought an explanation from the company because his efforts to follow up the issue at their Kapenguria office did not bear fruit. His contacts are 0712482756 and [email protected]. Perhaps the firm could speed up the explanation.