The Cutting Edge

CONCERNED VIEWER. The government should restore the analogue broadcasting equipment that was dismantled and carted away by police from three TV stations’ masts at Limuru and plead with the International Telecommunications Union to extend the digital migration deadline for Kenya, Aggrey Kulali appeals. He also says he has misgivings about the set-top boxes viewers are supposed to buy to enable them to access the digital signals, which, he claims, “require regular maintenance and are so small that they are easy to steal”. His contact is [email protected].

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UNFAIR DEAL. A casual survey Wollen Morara says he has carried out by talking to his colleagues and other people has revealed that 99 per cent of them bought pay TV decoders because they hoped to access the signals of their favourite TV stations — NTV, QTV, Citizen TV, and KTN. “This means that there are people who want to be paid out of the sweat of others. This is simply not acceptable. You either pay for the popularity that I have nurtured over the years or you do not benefit from my services. You cannot have your cake and eat it.” His contact is [email protected].

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IMPROVED SERVICE. Safaricom is aware of the network coverage challenges the residents of Obama Estate Saika in Nairobi’s Eastlands have been facing in the recent past, says Technology Division Director Thibauld Rerolle. Plans, he adds, “are at an advanced stage to upgrade the existing base station to meet the needs of an increased population”. And by July, a new base station will be set up to take care of future demand. “We have invested over Sh30 billion in improving the quality, capacity, and coverage of our network over the last 12 months.”

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NO CARTELS. Nairobi Water Company, responding to Elias Omwenga’s claim about cartels allegedly influencing the supply of water to some homes in the city, wishes to inform the residents of Akila I estate and others that there has been no change in the water distribution schedule in the neighbourhood. A spokesman says that if Omwenga or any other person knows of the existence of cartels, he should report them to the company’s security personnel by dialling the following numbers: 0724 256 206 or 0734 557130.

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MYSTERY LANE. Mombasa Road, Nairobi, is not the only highway where a lane indicated on a signpost mysteriously disappears, as was reported by Jack Murioga, says Shreya Shah. The other, according to Shreya, is Waiyaki Way, as one approaches Westlands from Kangemi. “The road has three lanes, which narrow to two at a roundabout because of sheer neglect. The left side is eaten up, narrowing down the road, and creating a bottleneck towards Ring Road, Westlands.” Shreya’s contact is [email protected].

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POWERFUL WOMEN. Could it be a mere coincidence that some of the “most powerful, well-organised, articulate, effective, and results-oriented women in Kenya” studied home economics for their first university degrees? asks Patrick Kilan. He lists Anne Waiguru (Cabinet secretary, Planning and Devolution), Prof Olive Mugenda (vice-chancellor, Kenyatta University), and Prof Margaret Kobia (chairperson, Public Service Commission). Others include Prof Ruth Oniang’o (academic and politician) and Prof Leah Marangu (VC, Nazarene University). His contact is [email protected]. 
 
Have a distinct day, won’t you!

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