The Nation (Nairobi)
Watchman
6 July 2009
column
Nairobi — Alarmed at the escalating crime rate, George Muthinja is calling for the enactment of a law requiring people to register their residences. "We're becoming a gangland nation. The registration of residences with police and the local administration helps to reduce crime in the West. The ability to change residence unnoticed aids criminals. I bet it will be a cheap way to monitor criminals and persons who keep moving for sinister reasons."
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Where in the world are roads built with drunk drivers in mind? asks Richard Oketch Aoko, in response to Ruth Gituma's concerns on Thika highway. He adds: "Maybe it will be a first for a country whose people are notorious for peculiar habits. They probably now need peculiar roads. Drunk driving, day or night, is deadly. It's high time someone started a company to hire out drivers to take motorists home after imbibing one too many. It will cost just about the same as paying for a taxi."
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This is in response to Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni's challenge to fellow Kenyans to quit talking and plant trees to secure the country's future. K. Kipkemei says: "It's true that there is a lot of idle land but my problem is how to get the seedlings. I've a 22-hectare farm in Baringo North, on which I could plant a lot of trees. Can he or any other person also advise me on how the carbon trade works?" Kipkemei can be reached on Tel 073478743 or email: kikemei@gmail.com
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Parking attendants at Nairobi South 'B' shopping centre are up to no good, says Angela Cecelia, adding: "Whenever one arrives and parks one's car, they will be nowhere to be seen, but as soon as one leaves, they will suddenly emerge and promptly clamp the vehicle. They will then vanish, only to return with their supervisor in tow, and demand a Sh1,500 bribe. Town Clerk Philip Kisia must stop this racket."
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The vandals wreaking havoc on public facilities in Nairobi have struck again in Parklands, removing a 'No-Right Turn' sign near MP Shah Hospital, which the City Council had restored after Hasmukh Shah said its lack was to blame for traffic jams. Says Hasmukh: "The sign disappeared again two weeks ago." He is appealing to the council to erect the sign again, but this time more firmly.
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Tired of waiting for the Traffic Commandant to respond to her query on whether it's illegal for one to drive a car wearing sandals, Rupi Mangat, decided to go and find the answer herself. Says she: "One of the big boys in the Police Force has told me explicitly that there is no law prohibiting sandal-wearers from driving. You will recall that my friend and I were stopped in Limuru, and on finding no other fault, the officer said it was illegal to wear sandals and drive. I just thought I'd let you know."
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Run! is James G. Ngumy's urgent single word of advice to Nairobi residents. The man, who lives at Karuri, on the city's outskirts, says: "Nairobi has attained its threshold capacity to provide the necessary services to support normal life for all its residents. All it can do now is offer ever worsening services in ever diminishing supply. If you are wise, run while you can and go and establish yourself in a small rural town." Have a comfortable day, won't you!
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