The BBC described it as "a course to die for" when it reported early this month that Zombie Studies had been introduced in the curriculum of the University of Baltimore, USA. A zombie may be a soulless corpse revived by witchcraft, but this course sets to breathe life into the creature.
Part of the lessons involve studying classic zombie films and literature, and dealing with "some truly disgusting stuff". It was, the BBC reported, introduced to meet a demand for "interesting, off-the-wall" courses.
off course
This breed may also include a PhD in Ufology, awarded at the Melbourne University, Australia, after studying Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). Move over, sci-fi scriptwriters, truth is stranger than fiction!
Other interesting courses PointBlank came across (thank you, Mr Google), include the art of walking, adultery novels, finding dates worth keeping, the science of Harry Potter, campus culture and drinking, tae kwon do and floral management.
Now, did Higher Education Minister William Ruto say something about irrelevant degree courses in Kenyan universities?
What has gone wrong in Rongo
A "concerned taxpayer" hopes the Rongo Constituency Development Fund (CDF) committee has a "credible explanation" for some of its activities that have left more questions than answers. Take the Horticultural Project, which involves using CDF money to procure greenhouses and open drip equipment for selected needy but capable groups.
Is it true, he asks, that most of the beneficiaries have links with the CDF committee, and one among the ‘needy’ is the wife of a former PC? Was there open tendering or was the successful company single-sourced, as alleged? Are claims that the price for delivering and installing greenhouses has been inflated from the recommended Sh100,000 to Sh210,000 valid?
Separately, the taxpayer is also worried by sprouting information that Sh500,000 was paid to buy birds’ eye chilli seeds even though the company initiating the project was reportedly willing to provide the seeds for free.
"Then there are claims of shady dealings in the 25 per cent payback of all CDF money released towards educational projects," he claims.
The taxpayer wants these allegations addressed.
Criminals having a field day
The newly constructed bypass linking Ruiru to Kangundo Road at Ruai is a "security nightmare" for motorists from 6pm till dawn, reports Mr Kirema Thahu.
He says that since he recently witnessed a "very ugly" incident and escaped to tell the tale, he hopes the police and road users will be on the lookout upon reading this.
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"Carjackers and all sorts of highway misfits have a field day robbing and even raping motorists on this 10km stretch, especially at the bridge diversions. Clearly, the bypass needs policing. Could the authorities please take action?" Thahu pleads.
It is unacceptable, he notes, to let criminals scare off motorists seeking to use the convenience offered by the route.
stop them
And Kelvin in Kawangware 46, Nairobi, is alarmed that the police have done little to stop "daylight muggings" committed by "young idlers", who sit in a field near Delta Petrol Station.
"I request the police to take this concern seriously and protect wananchi. Recently, two women had their phones snatched by thugs who later disappeared into a nearby slum. Hear our cry before the situation gets worse," says Kelvin.
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