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Roads agencies should scale up pedestrian safety measures
A pedestrians on a footbridge on the Thika Superhighway in Nairobi.
What you need to know:
- Lack of passable access roads into and out of Gikomba Market a major hindrance to disaster response.
- Maize farmers should be supported to increase production and help to solve the country’s food crisis.
Pedestrian safety • The residents of Kahawa West in Nairobi have serious difficulties in crossing the ever-busy roads, says Mwangi Karuga. “Hardly a fortnight passes without a pedestrian getting killed by a speeding motorist. We’re urging the city county and the roads agencies to erect footbridges or underpasses to enhance the safety of pedestrians.” His contact is [email protected].
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Inaccessible • In response to the many fires at Nairobi’s Gikomba Market, in which lives have been lost and property worth millions destroyed, David Omolle says a fire station was built. “Though it’s meant to serve the market and its environs, there are no passable access roads. As a result, the fire engines can’t reach the scenes whenever fires break out.” His contact is [email protected].
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Support • Maize farmers should be supported to increase production and help to solve the country’s food crisis, says Edwin Wagara. “The food shortages will get worse should the farmers decide to stop growing maize due to the high cost of production. To boost food security, the government should give the farmers quality seeds and more subsidised fertilisers.” His contact is [email protected].
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Disaster • Drought threatens food security, disrupts education and drives families deeper into poverty, says Jerry Kenyansa. “Water scarcity, crop failure and livestock deaths lead to huge losses. There is a need for a comprehensive disaster management policy. Poor coordination, inadequate funding and lack of investment in early-warning systems hamper relief efforts.” ([email protected])
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Rituals • What Jonah Gachuki finds quite baffling are the different ways in which Christians prepare the dead for burial. “How come some take bodies to the church for prayers while others don’t? Why do some ask the dead to pray for them? How come some bless the dead while others don’t? Some of them ask for offerings during funeral services but others don’t.” His contact is [email protected].
Have a befitting day, won’t you!