Tight schedule will improve MPs' performance in House

Simon Libafu

Politics and vested interests have taken precedence over crucial issues of national importance in Parliament.

Going by recent events in the House, which has been dominated by political intrigue and theatrics, Mr Nahashon N Murimi wants MPs provided with annual work plans "since they waste a lot of time doing nothing".

"Take The Hague issue for example, some MPs are busy pledging financial support for the Ocampo Six at the expense of developing their constituencies," says Murimi, the Chairman of Viwandani Pamoja Youth Group based in Lunga Lunga, Nairobi.

Deter impunity

Backing claims by Mr Kelvin Karani on Tuesday (MPs vague on fate of The Hague Six) who was not amused Parliament proceedings last week, he tells PointBlank the lawmakers should put in place a viable mechanism that will ensure justice for the victims of post-poll mayhem. "Our politicians’ sense of justice is warped. By politicising the whole issue, they have forgotten the victims of the chaos," said Karani.

Editor’s note: PointBlank takes a break until January 11, next year.

Check Kikuyu eye clinic to boost vision

The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Kikuyu Hospital is famed for its excellent eye treatment services.

However, Mr Waweru, an eye patient, tells PointBlank he has always held the Eye Unit with high regard until he went to collect his pair of spectacles on November 22.

"The glasses had been previously prescribed at the hospital after a daylong queue. I paid the full amount, and asked to pick the following day. The next day after waiting for half an hour at the eye clinic, I was told the lenses were out of stock, and they had ordered for new ones and asked to come a week later," says he.

Far-flung areas

Waweru says he called the clinic a week later but was not helped. "I sent someone who was told the lens available had a hitch."

"On December 14, I went back to the hospital, waited for two hours as the technicians worked on the glasses," moans Waweru

He tells PointBlank the waiting was too long for him.

"What would have happened if he had come from a far-flung area like many people do, or perhaps I could not function without the glasses?"　

Deliver part of your bargain

Mr David Waweru Muturi cannot understand why the County Council of Olkejuado failed to provide him with services that he paid for.

Muturi, a resident of Ongata Rongai in Kajiado, tells PointBlank on November 18, he paid Sh4,500 vide receipt number 9885 to the council hoping he would get the required services without delay.

He says the money was for the survey of plot 760/RES-KWAREO/RONGAI TC. The council was also supposed to erect beacons on the plot which is registered in the name of Emily Wangechi, now deceased.

Muturi says the council promised to fulfill its part of the bargain within two weeks and now fears the year will end without any service being offered to him. Worse still, a private developer is claiming ownership of the plot and fears it might be grabbed.

"Already the developer has brought some material to the plot and has started preparing the site for building," says he.

He fears that the alleged developer could have colluded with council officials to have the plot fraudulently transferred to him.

"Will the council please help me save this plot?" he pleads.

Is the chairman of County Council of Olkejuado listening?

Let us keep our roads litter-free

Driving along a by-pass road on Tuesday, Mr David Karuma reports to PointBlank he witnessed an incident that left him concerned.

"An occupant of a Nissan X-Trail (number plate withheld) threw out a baby’s diaper near Windsor Hotel," says he.

Karuma says the person involved clearly lacked etiquette.

"Who did he/she expect to dispose of the diaper? How hard was it for the person to keep the trash and dispose of it at a designated bin?" he asks.

"Let us keep our country clean this festive season since many of us would be travelling," advises Karuma.

Vouch for zero-tolerance to high fares, accidents

As travel peaks this festive season, public transport will be in high demand.

And with the demand comes higher fares as public transport service providers take advantage of last-minute dash by commuters to travel up-country to join their families in celebrations.

However, this year has seen numerous complaints in PointBlank over high fares matatus and buses charge commuters. On October 8 (Transporters drill Nairobian’s pockets) and December 15 (Rainy season rains money for matatu operators) PointBlank raised concern over operators who take advantage of travellers. We urge operators to keep fares affordable and avoid the holiday rush blamed for road carnage.