"~age 16/ READERS' DIALOGUE Ii Let State not wait until disaster strikes If the recent report by the United Nations on climate change is anything to go by, then we need to step up efforts to avert the impending disaster that might have serious consequences. According to the report, global warming will have severe effects on health , economic growth, and food and water sources. Alreadywe face challenges in provision of better health care services. Some Kenyans rely on relief food from the Government which is not sufficient while we there are continued clashes over pasture and water sources in Northern Kenya. One then wonders what will happen when the grave effects of global warming start. "It is sad that while other countries have put in place measures to deal with global warming, Kenya has not made any progressive steps. If our leaders have our interests at heart, then this is the time to act rather than engage in cheap politics mean t for their benefit. {Am lsi Paul, Maseno University} We should take charge, stop littering • The one habit I dislike from many Kenyans, especially those shuttling between the rural areas and the capital, isdisposing litter through the window of a moving vehicle. Beit used airtime cards,foodwrappers or polythene bags and the most annoying one-used diapers. Such uncouth habit has led a litterfilled highway. Yet these are the same people who crucify our leadership of failure, praising Sweden and Norw yfor having the cleanest streets on the • globe. We have to realise that the key to positive change in our nation lies in our hands. {Joe Oduor, Ngata-Nakuru} Kamau must re-think night travel ban Many will dread a return of Jubilee administration to power come 2017for fear of havingTransport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau continu e handling the docket. I feel the night travel ban is inconsiderate especially for those of us who live far from Nairobi. I support the move to contain the runaway road carnage but this will have an adverse effect on plans to move towards a 24-hour economy. Kamau has continually argued that it brings sanity to our roads, yet . fatal accidents have continued to happen, of course with slight decrease simply- because of reduced trips by PSV operators. {Role wanjlruKlarle, Nairobi} Thu rsday, April 17, 2014 / The Standard State needs to educate public on how to stop corruption I believe that one of the reasons we face challenges in fighting corruption is the fact that we have not defined what corruption is. Is it wrong to bribe a police officer so that you do not have to pay a fine in court? If you were to ask for an honest answer to this question, most Kenyans would say 'no' because it's a more convenient choice. The option of spending a night in prison with a likelihood of paying a hefty fine is very intolerable. If it is a legal fact that it's wrong to bribe a police officer, that fact is lost somewhere.Weneed a way (the Internet, maybe) to educate the masses on legal matters including what the police can or cannot do in a partic ular situation. We need to define corruption and educate the peop le on what to do to fight corruption because, honestly, I do not believe our leaders are going .to do it for us. We could educate people on how the Ombudsmans office works. We could educate Kenyans about legal penalties for petty crimes. I believe Feedback Fresh registration alone cannot stop terrorism The recently announced Government plan tocarry out fresh registration ofcitizens is a positive step towards curbing terrorism, but it isnot the sale answer tothemenace. Frequently. there have been anegatioos ofKenyan youths ~ing radicalised in Mombasa and in Nairobi and therefore if this isthecase. then some of theattacks may beexecuted by petty crime is where police corruption is thriving. For instance, I was recently arrested at the Nairobi Railway Station Police Station, for not quickly following the instructions of what looked like a railways employee who was apparently a plain-clothes police officer. During the incident the officer on duty and every other officer I talked to did not want to hear anything other than: 'I have some money'. COMMERCIALISED CRIME I would guess a huge number of the people arrested at the station are intimida ted for money. One intimidation tactic I've seen is misinformation on fines or penalties one will have to pay in court. Again, what option would you take: Sh2,000 upfron t or Sh30,000 at the court? Petty crimes have been commercialised.It's not considered corruption anymore; it's actually defined as cutting through the bureaucratic tape or discounted Kenyan citizens-rum terrorists. In addition. thefight against terrorism should spread beyond thehands ofsecurity apparatus. Religious leaders, parents and even human rights organisations within thesuspected areas of radicalisation should bebrought on board. TAXPAYERS' MONEY We ought tonote that the inHux offoreigners with nolegal documents isa manifestation ofa lapse ofefficacy in our immigration department. When theGovernment is penalties. Corruptio n is somewhat part of our culture now. It's indoctrinated at the lowest levels of society. Do not be surprised when it manifests in billion dollar deals, {Luka Kamau, via'email} It is surprising' yet unfortunate that though r leaders acknowl- . edge corruption in high offices, they have not demonstrated an iota of credible intent to deal with it. Having served in the previous governmerus in various ministries, the President ai}d his deputy are not new to the realities of corruption in government. It is therefore unthinkable that they did not have plans in place to deal with corruption before they took over leadership. Unlike otherpromises given to the voters the promise to deal with corruption demands less finances but a stronger will power and decisive mind. {Walter L1sutsa. Nyer!} going to registerits citizens, there should bea precaution that even criminals arelikely to beregistered. The fight against terror should startwith tightening security in our borders, our intel· Iigence service should reinforce this initiative as we close the Queue with proper community policing. Consequently, toregister people afresh will use taxpayers' money, only for ustolater realise thatinsecurity isstill biting. {Japheth lIgila, Maseno} No reason tofiout political parties law The idea to draft policies to streamline political parties was good. The idea, mooted in the Ninth Parliament had the sale motive of transforming political parties into political institutions for prosperity and dura bility as opposed to the then mushrooming habit of briefcase parties. It was the establishment of a law that would govern political part ies, make them accountable and nurture honesty among the players in the political sphere. The enactment of the Political Parties Act and subseq uent amendments How to write to the same in the evening of the Tenth Parliament was purely to bring sanity in the running of political parties . However, the old habit of not sticking to the principles and tenets of the political parties rema ins the biggest headache. KILL DEMOCRACY For instance, in the UK, members of the Conservative Party remain loyal to the ideologies of their party. You will never find a 'Tories member hobnobbing in the affairs of the Labour Party. One can only do so by officially quitting their party in writing. In Kenya,the idea of the Acthas been ignored and politicians elected go against the rules of the game as stipulated in the law.It is wrong to ignore what is laws governing the existence of political parties hence attempting to kill democracy knowingly or unknowingly.The Act is clear on any person belonging to a political party while at the same time promoting ideologies of a different political party. The law must be respected by all and sundry, whether big or small. YOUR SAY After saving Sh6llJC!l:l_for uyears, he now owns 391111Se5: Surely. how can 792,000 buy 39buses? Jm5aJllb 792.000 can't buy a Probox. Those are the "hard working" Kenyans who steal thencome braggingabout their achievements. ose Ngare Itjust means thevalue ofmoney was higher back then.llo11amud AIIageeye Finally, Airtel makes ano 1deal: Good for my preferredservice provider. GlItz IIoretInah Have you been wondering why you taIl't find adecenthouse In Nairobi?: It's sounfair that they only target rich people. Angelo Eva Heshan de Sliva: From an alcoholic to abillionaire at 25: This young man isbrilliant. Ihave had a chance tohear himspeak one on one and answer Questions andexplainhis story. It adds up. John Duma Keep itup. I'm very happy for you and young people should learn fromyou that hardwork pays.Work more hours, go tobed tired, save moreand invest intensively. Most ofthose who do not want towork hard normally say that life istoo short they must enjoy every bit of it. Tomorrowthey will bethepoorest and you wi llbe enjoying. Natome ............................................................ Well, there areno miracles here for those who expected toget a clue on how to become a billionaire.This is not the usual alcoholic who seeps the kumi kumithat risks turning him blind the next minute. He was born into a rich family and all he needed was tostop destroying himself with his money and make good use ofit. As simpleasthat. Kfpunpung'lt Kwale man who was totestify against hisson-in-lawin terror trial kil led: What happened tothe witness protection unit? Where arethey using theShlOO million they got? Aprime witness ofa serious crime like terrorism was killed in his house and had no protection. Does theGovernment now expect more people tovolunteer information? John williams Ifyou fail toprotect key witnesses in a weightylike terrorism,would we not say that police are part and parcel ofterrorists? Now, this man linked to AI·Shaabab will beacquitted for lack ofevidence and will continue with his activities. 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