Having watched on TV the Democratic National Convention in Denver, USA, that endorsed presidential candidate Barack Obama, and during which his rival, Hillary Clinton, was given a key slot to address the audience, Collins Buop says there is a huge lesson there for Kenyan politicians.

"They should stop the blame game, in-fighting and high propensity to switch parties if defeated in primaries. Hillary lost the nomination, but she and her husband, Bill, came out in full support of Obama."

He has been on that road several times and finds the surface bumpier than before and, to make matters worse, he adds, a section is already peeling off so soon after the supposed completion of the works.

Karanja would like to see contractors, who do a lousy job on such public projects, blacklisted until they redeem themselves by making good.

Timboroa Lane, off Accra Road, east of Nairobi's city centre, has been terribly neglected, says a trader, who has to endure stench from blocked drains all day.

"The lane, though a hideout for parking boys, is not only full of garbage, but also has dirty, stinking pools of water. One building has pipes discharging sewage into the lane, posing a health hazard to traders, our customers and passers-by.

Can Town Clerk John Gakuo do something about this lane?"

Driving along the murram road leading to the Shell & BP club on Limuru Road, Iqbal Kassam reports, one is immediately assailed by the nauseating sight of rotting garbage strewn in an enclosure.

Says he: "This is a real eyesore and those responsible for dumping the garbage ought to be ashamed of themselves and stop it immediately. Throwing garbage all over the place is one of the greatest environmental hazards we face today."

Does anybody know where Robert Kimutai can find a table listing distances by road between all major towns in Kenya, like those often published in diaries as air/road distances?

Says he: "I have tried Internet search engines and all the resources at my disposal, but have not found anything anywhere that is succinctly presented.

Watchie, you rarely miss answers." His contact is RKimutai@kilifi.kemri-wellcome.org.

Rukia Idris is a very sad woman because she can't find her favourite Always sanitary towels in the shops and supermarkets. Of course, she has come across some new types that are readily available, but she's repelled by their strong fragrance.

She would like to know if there is any possibility that the plain variety she has been using will be available soon, or start thinking of an alternative.

Her email is hottribbs@yahoo.com.

As the country celebrates 45 years of independence, Joseph Kabira's verdict is that Kenyans and their Government have not done justice to the history of the struggle as they continue to ignore the Lari massacre.

"The site where those gallant Kenyans were killed in cold blood, near Uplands on Naivasha highway, should be made a national monument.

Today, one sees only a few eucalyptus trees at the spot, yet it's this massacre that exposed the brutality of British colonial rule in the 1950s."

Have a memorable day, won't you!