By KENFREY KIBERENGE in London
While most Kenyans must be envying Britain for hosting 2012 Olympics that got under way in London, UK, on Thursday, most Britons would rather the games had been held in another country.
Known for their fabled complaining tendency, what has come to be referred to as “whinging and whining”, Britons – particularly those in London – are anything but wowed by the games.
In a city where virtually everyone is on the fast lane, the general feeling is that the games are a disruption to their lives and can’t wait to see the last medal handed out.
Media reports indicate that a huge number of Londoners is going the opposite direction of the Olympics arena, if only to flee the “Olympics madness”.
Several lanes have been reserved for VIPs, who include athletes, officials, journalists, emergency services and games marketing partners, leaving the rest of the roads in gridlock.
Sh17,160 fine
A fine of Sh17,160 (£130) is slapped on any motorist caught using the lanes. And since Britain relies on traffic cameras to spot infractions, so many people will not know they have been ticketed until the mailman knocks on the door.
The lanes are only open to other drivers when Olympic traffic is light, with the information displayed on electronic signs.
This has however made things even more confusing for motorists. In one instance, a newspaper published pictures of an electronic sign telling motorists to use all the lanes, including the one marked ‘Olympic Lane’.
A motorist who ‘obeyed’ was later flagged down by a traffic policeman for flouting the rules.
Critics argue that the Olympic VIP road lanes are elitist and make life difficult for everyone else.
