Every self-respecting driver should read trouble upon seeing a symbol in red in the dashboard. But it takes unimaginable naivetÈ to think opening the bonnet and ripping wires to make the warning disappear will lead to a happy drive thereafter. It does not take prophetic talent to predict the vehicle will stall.

Now, in his infinite wisdom, Nairobi Metropolitan Development Minister Njeru Githae wants the Michuki Rules, which brought sanity to public transport in 2004, abolished as they are supposedly a burden to the economy and cause traffic jams.

In a speech read on his behalf by PS Philip Sika during the 2009 World Town Planning Day celebrations, the good minister suggested the rules were on their way out as they were a mighty waste of time and money. So, commuters should be allowed to stand in buses and no longer wear safety belts.

In other words, Mr Githae thinks disorder is more economically viable. Well, PointBlank thinks the minister’s silver bullet is way off the mark. It is like the driver who disconnects wires hoping the problem disappears.