The national attention is, understandably, glued on Tana River County where scores of innocent residents have been butchered in a spate of senseless violence that beggars believe. We hope and earnestly pray that the huge battalion of police officers dispatched to area will restore nomalcy within the shortest time possible.
But while the officers battle to stamp out the madness in Tana, we must never even for a second forget about the other enemy within our borders. We must never forget that the bloodthirsty Al Shabaab maniacs are out and about and planning evil as always. That’s why we must keep eyes open and ears to the ground to avoid being caught off-guard.
In this regard, police must be commended for foiling what has been termed as major terror attacks by the militia targeting churches and politicians.
The suicide bombers were to blow themselves in churches last Sunday and reportedly target politicians, but police managed to nab some of them and scuttle their plans. Some suspects, however, remain at large and hence the need to remain vigilant.
Kangema’s island of darkness
There is nothing more misleading than Kenya Power’s new, captivating advertisement; “Kenyans provide the energy, we provide the power”, according Susan Wanjiku.
While Kenyans provides the energy, Ms Kihara doubts Kenya Power is not providing power.
For the last six years, Wanjiku and a group 20 power-hungry residents of Gitweku in Kangema have been expending their energy pleading for Kenya Power’s power. They have filled out forms and made numerous visits to Kenya Power officers, but firm has failed to provide power.
She wonders why the company has ignored them for such a long time. “Our neighbours have power and we sadly live in an island of darkness. Wanjiku can be contacted on 0704747714.
Meanwhile, Millicent Aseka, a resident of Soweto in Kayole, Nairobi argues while Kenya Power does provide power, it does so grudgingly.
Soweto, she reveals, suffers three to four blackouts daily. Last month, she claims, Kenya Power promised to put up an additional power transformer to remedy the situation but this hasn’t been done yet.
JKUAT’s needless health concern
Philip Mathias was overjoyed when Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology opened satellite campuses in major towns.
He applied for a Masters degree in Business and received admission to one of their campuses in western Kenya.
Mathias was unhappy however with an item on their fee structure – a Sh2,000 medical fee.
Unhappy because like other “working students”, he already had another medical scheme.
Despite his protestations, the university insisted that he must pay the fees in full before or he would not be allowed to sit exams at the end of the year.
“I tried arguing that being a public servant with my own medical scheme, I cannot and would not pay the Sh2,000 fee, but no one listened.”
He wonders why students like him who have other medical schemes should be forced to pay the Sh2,000.
If this is purely for health reasons, Mathias wants Vice-Chancellor Prof Mabel Imbuga to rule that this fee is not compulsory for students who have alternative medical covers. Or are students required two covers Prof Imbuga?
DON’T YOU FORGET
Any land for Kayole rail tracks, Mr Orengo?
On June 7, Kayole resident G wanyoike, wrote to PointBlank (Kayole left behind by ‘2030’ train) seeking to know from Lands minister James Orengo whether Kayole estate has land reserve for a railway line. He claimed that there are rumours that there was once a provision for the reserve along Kayole’s Spine Road and added: “If such a provision ever existed, it was taken over by tall buildings and smiling landlords long time ago.”
It’s almost a month now and the Lands minister has not responded to this query. Wanyoike understands that land matters are weighty but believes that Orengo is equal to the task. He would like to see a railway line like the one being built in Syokimau in his estate. But this can’t be possible without land, Mr Orengo. So is there are rail line reserve in Kayole?
Voter cries over spilt milk
Holding by-elections this close to General Election is a waste of resources, says Gachiengo Gitau who says other means should have been explored to avoid the loss.
“What would have been wrong with Parliament appointing an MP from a neighbouring constituency to act? The new MPs have less than four months to eat ... sorry to serve. Gitau cites the case of Mr Yusuf Haji who is in charge of two dockets and “the world is still spinning”. The law should be amended to stop such wastage, says Gitau, noting that the MPs-elect will soon be on the campaign again.
Right of Reply
No discrimination of K-Gas cylinders at Total
Thank you for raising the subject of the exchange of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in the PointBlank column of September 13, 2012. Total Kenya Limited is pleased to confirm that it is normal practice for all our service stations to accept LPG cylinders from competitor companies that are duly registered as members of the LPG Exchange Pool and we apologise to Mr Tosh Sila, whose K-Gas cylinder was not exchanged at our Outer Ring Road service station.
The problem experienced by Sila on September 10, 2012 at the Total Outer Ring Road Service Station is isolated and was caused by a backlog in the collection of K-Gas empty cylinders from our depots by the brand owners, which led to logistical constraints.
The matter has since been resolved and all Total depots have resumed acceptance of K-Gas cylinders. Our authorised outlets are exchanging filled cylinders for empty cylinders of licensed marketers as and when customers present them during purchase of gas.
We are happy to assure your readers that the Total service station on Outer Ring Road and indeed all our other stations and authorised dealers are following the standard procedure of exchanging cylinders with those of certified LPG Exchange Pool members. Sila and all LPG users are welcome to visit any of our service stations for their LPG requirements.
Martin Mutuma, Communications Manager, Total Kenya Limited
Sacked teacher’s services no longer wanted by TSC
Please refer to the PointBlank in the issue of August 3, in which Zachary Omundi Gutwa pleaded with the Teachers Service Commission to reinstate him into the service after being dismissed in 2003.
As Mr Gutwa rightly stated, he was dismissed for attempted fraud after he submitted forged medical claims to the employer. Since his dismissal in 2003, Gutwa has made several appeals to be reinstated but the Commission has found no compelling reasons to review the position.
This is, therefore, to advise him to pursue other interests. In the meantime, the Commission considers the matter settled and hopes there will be no need for further correspondence on the same.
Corporate Communications Office,
Teachers Service Commission
