By Michael Oriedo
Education minister Mutula Kilonzo’s proposal to let schoolgirls put on miniskirts has caused furore, with many accusing the God-fearing lawyer, who is always in suits, of seeking to perpetuate loose morals in schools.
Many parents cannot conjure up the image of their daughters exposing their legs courting the devil. What, however, strengthens opposition to Mutula’s proposal is that society often links women who wear short skirts with loose morals.
It is a view time and ‘civilisation’ have failed to erase, perhaps that is why most organisations, as the students who started the short skirts debate will soon realise, have guidelines on dress codes.
Therefore, instead of ‘polluting’ schoolgirl’s minds with mini-skirts as Mutula champions, PointBlank suggests the minister should consider allowing the students to put on trousers. PointBlank believes this is a better deal for the girls because trousers are trendy and boost confidence, which is why many women wear them. Second, trousers, unlike short skirts, will cover girls ensuring that they do not expose their legs and they will also protect them from harsh weather.
Eldoret Express leaves travellers unimpressed
Mr Francis Wang’ombe and his friend Patrick Shamala describe a journey they had on July 19 from Nairobi to Mumias hellish.
The two say they boarded an Eldoret Express bus from Nairobi at 11.30pm, hoping to reach Mumias, where they had been told the bus will terminate the journey, peacefully.
“The journey was smooth until we reached Kakamega at 7am the following day. The driver declined to proceed to Mumias. Our efforts to request him and the conductor to refund part of the fare so that we can board another vehicle fell on deaf ears,” they say.
The two recount they later sought assistance from Eldoret Express Kakamega office.
“We requested to be given back our receipts, which the conductor had taken, as proof of travel but a clerk asked for Sh100 from each of us as facilitation fee,” he claims.
Wang’ombe and Shamala say they reported the matter to police OB3/20/7/2012, but did not get any help.
