Have security agencies given up on Garissa?

Two Kenya Revenue Authority officials were shot dead on Tuesday by unknown gunmen in Garissa. That is the latest from Garissa, a town which has become synonymous with bad news.

Incredibly, hardly a week passes without news of such criminals opening fire on security officers or their vehicles or grenades exploding and maiming innocent people. The level of violence in the town for the past one year or so has been, to say the least, mind-boggling.

Notably, Ms Martha Karua was targeted during her presidential campaigns recently. It is now crystal clear that criminals in the town--be they Al Shabaab or locals who adopt the militia’s tactics to commit crimes--have run amok and security agencies are either helpless or unwilling to silence these brazen goons.

Shame

Do we still have the National Intelligence Service? What about CID? It is incomprehensible that these criminals are still killing but none has been arrested. It’s a shame that a small band of goons can spew terror for so long in a country that brags to have the best intelligence, police and military in the region. Shame.

Those who’ll reap from devolution

Amid all excitement about the benefits of the devolved government structure, Lilian Chemutai argues that the real winners will not be mwananchi  but the “new highly paid officers in town”.

The devolved government, she says, will create ten millionaires in the middle of one million peasants”. This, says the Moi University student, will hike the cost of living as the “new moneyed ceasers run the show”.

She gives the example of Nandi County, where she hails  from. “The highest paid professional in town, a bank manager-earns a maximum gross salary of Sh100,000.

“With the entry of 50 or so county representatives who will earn well above the manager, social and economic disparitieds would occur.”

This individuals, she adds,  would access loans and mortagage facilities that would enable them acquire prime plots, buy sleek vehicles and lead to mushrooming of posh estates.

“While this ‘decentralisation’ of wealth is welcome, I worried about disparities that would occur,” she concludes. What you see as disparities, Chemutai, others will as maendeleo.

Why Jubilee client is unhappy

John Musyoki is concerned that Jubilee Insurance still remembers the small matter of his compensation. Musyoki, who was involved in a crash in January 2013 and his vehicle written off, says his claim (C/NRB/2011/2013/32745) was addressed and he signed the motor vehicle voucher discharge form [dv] on March 11.

He consequently surrendered all that partained to his car and was promised that his cheque would be out between seven and ten days. “I have made several attempts to get answers from the claims department and a senior employee   but there is no one concerned that the claim is outdated..”

“I am very  frustrated, disapointed...Can someone hear me out,” asks Musyoki who says his is keen to move on with his life.  His contact is 0723118784.

Pension

Meanwhile, KM Margaret has a born to pick with the Pensions Department for allegedly failing to pay part of her pension.  Margaret (APC/PC/90736) alleges the department owes her Sh34,439, and her efforts to get the money have hit a brickwall. The money is owed is for June and July 2001 and July to December 2004. She can be reached at [email protected].

DON’T YOU FORGET

Did Kabendera finally get a chief, Mr Iringo?  

Residents of Kabendera sub-location, Gataragwa Location, Kieni West District, Nyeri County wrote to PointBlank on March 1 expressing their dissatisfaction with the manner in which the area sub-chief was appointed. The 74 residents complained that the chief was ‘imported’ from outside their locality and, therefore, did not know the locals well. “The person was ‘imported’ from Kimunyuru sub-location and we therefore feel he will not serve the people of this sub-location effectively since he is an outsider. This is like outsourcing President from another country,” they argued. The sub-location, they said, had been without a sub-chief for the past three years. They asked the PS, Internal Security Mutea Iringo to stop the appointment and probe the matter.” Did you investigate these allegations, Mr Iringo?

Refurbishing county House

Will county representatives be any different from their predecessors? PointBlank believes they will, but Gachiengo Gitau doesn’t. He is consequently pleading with the county governments to prepare the ground for them and ensure county parliaments are refurbished to incorporate appropriate custom made features and technologies. These he says should include fixed seats, helmets attached to each seat, wooden windows, and even “burglar” proofed cubicle for speaker, among others. PointBlank would like to believe he is wrong, for unlike “kanjuras” county reps have not fighting spirit.

Right of Reply
Sh500,000 more than enough for legislators
 

I would like to comment about PointBlank’s story last Tuesday on MPs salaries titled, “Why pay issue should be high on Parliament’s agenda”.

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission made it patently clear that MPs’ salaries would be slashed. The MPs-elect went ahead to seek those jobs knowing fully well that the salaries had been slashed.

If you are looking for a job, and you know how much it pays, it would be absurd, if you get it and even before you report to office to start crying wolf--demanding better perks. MPs go to Parliament as servants of the people, not as moneybags.

 Instead, of thinking about how to fill their own stomachs, they should think about how to feed the many hungry Kenyans.  Think about how to serve Kenyans better and improve their living standards.

Most Kenyans live on less than a dollar a day. MPs reviewed salaries of over Sh500,000 is still high, but much reasonable compared to the nearly Sh1 million they have been ‘harvesting’ from hard working Kenyans.

Justin N Nkaranga,
Mombasa

 

AON Kenya client happy, expecting compensation
 

Refer to my complaint against AON Kenya published on Tuesday, March 19. I am happy to report that this matter has now been resolved amicably and I will be receiving my compensation shortly.

After further consultation with AON, I understand their claims process better and appreciate why it may have taken a while for my claim to be finalised.

I only wish this vital information had been communicated earlier.

Thank you AON. I am very grateful.

 Linnet Nduta,

Nairobi

Jackals live in forest, monkeys in Jamhuri 

My article about human-wildlife conflict at Jamhuri estate was published on this column recently.  I would like to clarify that jackals have never been to the estate. Rather, it is stray dogs and velvet monkeys that harass residents. The Jackals are found inside the nearby Ngong Forest. In the likely event that dogs and monkeys visit this forest, we fear they could pick up the rabies virus from infected jackals and introduce it to the estate.

William M Karanja,

Nairobi