Kenya is a peculiar democracy. As the countdown to the General Election begins, the political theatre of the absurd has already started to unravel. As we speak, some politicians could be bowing, cash in hand, before bedraggled witch doctors they believe have powers to turn their fortunes at the ballot around.

Needless to say, the stampede to places of worship has also begun and the clergy will, inevitably, have a busy time ‘anointing’ men and women keen to inherit the political kingdom.

Fanatical

Councils of elders right from the village to the nationally reknowned like the Njuri Ncheke, will have more visitors at their doorstep seeking endorsement. Amorphous groups such as the Mungiki and MRC will also have new friends as elections draw closer.

 Truth is, these groups perhaps besides the witch doctors, command fanatical following, and politicians know this, all the way to the polling booths. That, perhaps, attests to the immaturity of our democracy where some voters don’t make their own choice as democracy dictates, but believe their leaders know best — on their behalf.

 

SLOW SERVICE

When did M-Pesa start snail farm?

Mr William Omondi has a simple question for Safaricom: How long does it take for a customer’s M-Pesa cash deposit to reflect on their accounts?

Well, Omondi deposited cash through an M-Pesa agent in Kisumu ten days ago but his account is yet to be updated.

Appalled by the sluggish pace he called Customer Care and was assured his account would be updated.

Nothing happened.

He called again and again but still — no help. “Every time I call they open the case afresh and promise to resolve it within 48 hours. They even give me a new case reference number every time I talk to them.” Omondi says he is ‘uncomfortable’ with the uncaring manner Safaricom Customer Care has turned his case into “Snail-Pesa”.

Legal redress

“One of their staff even told me the money is not with Safaricom, the agent or with me but never said where my money is! Another even hung up even before I finished presenting my case,” he mourns. And he asks: What should I and others who might have this kind of problem do? Who can help? Is it CCK or should I seek legal redress?” Omondi can be reached at wilomondi@yahoo.com.

 

 

Kahawa’s ticking power time bomb

There is a ticking time bomb in Kahawa Wendani and its tick-tocks can be heard far and wide, reports a resident Fred Makana.

It is in the form of a Kenya Power transformer that Mr Makana, says is clearly misplaced. The transformer is low-lying and is located close to a residential house close to the main road linking Wendani and Progressive estates (See main picture), Makana fears that transformer could cause negative “transformation” in the area.

And although there has been public outcry over the transformer, Kenya Power appears to be in no hurry to avert the seemingly imminent danger.

“Residents unaware of the danger-in-waiting, walk sit and at times relax around this time- bomb.”

To compound matters, a primary school is located only few metres away and children play around the transformer after school.

“Why is KPLC buying time before relocating the transformer? If past transformer explosions are anything to by, lives are at stake here,” says Makana. Are Makana’s fears misplaced, Kenya Power?