Nairobi — Rogue City Council askaris (security officers) are preying on motorists by monitoring the zebra crossing near Jeevanjee Gardens for those who jump the traffic lights, says Nadeem Alibux, who fell victim on October 22. The askaris, who hid next to Ufundi House, emerged like a pack of wolves, flagged Nadeem down, and demanded Sh7,000. "One got into the car and drove around with me, settling for Sh2,000, by M-Pesa. These guys think money grows on trees."

Kisumu resident Tony Odhiambo says that if he must stay awake until 3am to be able to enjoy the cheapest rate in Safaricom's new Super Ongea Tariff, then he's certainly on the wrong option. He would like to know when exactly subscribers get to enjoy the 80 cents a minute rate. "Can Safaricom CEO kindly let me know when this is possible? The best rate I have ever got is Sh6 a minute," says Tony.

Telkom Orange may be having problems with the vandals wreaking havoc on cables, but customers like Jayne Mukami, come rain or shine, want their phones working perfectly to keep in touch with their contacts. The past three months have been agonising for Jayne, whose telephone, No 552385, remains dead. "Despite reporting, nothing has happened. Should I just do away with it?"

Despite reporting to Telkom several times, Anisa Bafagih's phone has been dead since September 24. While other people need their lines for business, for Anisa, it's a vital link between her office and house, as it enables her to monitor how her children are doing while she's away at work, as unlike the mobile phone, she's sure that whoever she's speaking to is at the spot where she should be.

Since the expiry on August 5, of a one-year Zain Internet contract J. Shah has yet to receive a refund of the deposit and this despite an assurance that the cheque would be posted. He wrote to Zain on September 22, to inquire about the delay and a Mr Erick Natembeya, of Helpdesk Zain Kenya, replied, saying that the cheque would be mailed within 30 days. To date, Shah moans, there is no sign of it.

Though Kenyans appreciate the role founding President Jomo Kenyatta played in the struggle for independence during which he suffered the indignity of being detained, he should be honoured alongside others, says Moses Maragia. And the place to begin, he proposes, is by renaming Kenyatta Day, Mashujaa or Heroes' Day, "so that we can use the day to reflect on the contributions of all the heroes".

Have a heroic day, won't you!