These Kenyans! Part II

A Nyeri farmer who ordered villagers to kill his donkey after it bit him was yesterday offered another beast of burden by a well wisher. Mr. Peter Wachira, who regrets being the cause of his donkey’s death- his only source of income-will now buy another one, courtesy of Nairobi businessman Geoffrey Gachagua. Mr. Gachugua called the Nation’s Nyeri office after reading Mr. Wachira’s story in yesterday’s edition and offered him Sh. 10,000 to buy another donkey- (Daily Nation 3rd January 2007) Just two years after residents of Nyeri town called for tough measures to curb spiraling crime, they are now asking for a return of the old order. Thuggery, mugging, rape, car-jacking, drug abuse and other crime were rife before the police and the provincial administration imposed punitive steps on the town and the surrounding areas. This followed recommendations by the district liquor licensing court. Among the steps were an 11 pm curfew and a massive crackdown on hotels, night-spots and other businesses. It was music to the ears of crime-weary residents, but only in the beginning. Declining revenue and low-key revelry over the Christmas season has occasioned a rethink- (Daily Nation 4th January 2007) It’s goodwill to all people. On Thursday this week, a man who was once fondly known as Kiarie Muici (Kiarie the Thief) for his supposed links to the underworld was laid to rest. Among those who sent their messages of condolence to the family, friends and relatives of Joseph Kiarie Mbugua was VP Moody Awori who said Mbugua- whose underworld activities were whispered to be the stuff of myths and legend- was “a pioneer indigenous entrepreneur”. He said Mbugua would be remembered for his generosity and assistance to the needy. (Sunday Nation 7th January 2006) Residents of Weru village in Kinangop, Nyandarua District ushered in the New Year by feasting on two buffaloes that had strayed into one of their farms. Tired of calling for assistance from KWS officers’ every time the wild animals invaded their farms, the peasant farmers cornered the beasts and slaughtered them. However a 12-year-old boy was trampled by one of the buffaloes and an unknown number of people sustained minor injuries. Area MP, Mr. Waithaka Mwangi welcomed the move warning that this was the only way they could deal with the wild animals. “For a long time the KWS officers have failed to act,” he said. – (Saturday Standard 6th January 2007) Plans by a Chinese pharmaceutical company to put up a plant in Kenya to manufacture herbal medicines have been opposed. The National Council of Associations for Alternative Medicine and Research (NCAACMR) stated yesterday that the Chinese company is out to rob Kenya of its natural resource and asked the government to bar the firm from putting up the plant. Speaking at his office in Nairobi, NCAACMR national chairman Stephen Ondongo said the government should not allow foreigners to manufacture herbal medicine in the country, which local firms and individuals can easily produce.- (The People Daily 6th January 2007) Legislators from Nyanza and Western Kenya yesterday hit out at the East African Air (EAA) operator for reducing their Kisumu-Nairobi fare only at the emergence of a competitor. The MPs led by Migori legislator Charles Likowa accused EAA of conning passengers through inflated fares on Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret route and asked the company to refund part of the amount they charged travelers for the past one year. The lawmakers, who frequently use the company services, were reacting to the over 50 per cent reduction on return fares in the Nairobi-Kisumu route from Sh12, 000 to Sh6, 000.- (Kenya Times 9th January 2007)

Note:The italics are mine.