Mombasa resident Andrew Waithaka is alarmed at the "transformation of the coastal resort town into a desert".

This, he adds, is worst felt in Likoni, where he has lived for five years. And partly to blame are the people destroying trees and other vegetation to pave the way for the construction of new houses.

To the municipal council and the residents, he poses: "Can we, please, plant some trees and start other conservation programmes?"

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Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi, by asking the companies to reduce their prices by Sh10 a litre, may just be trying to steal the thunder from those who have been campaigning for a genuine reduction of at least Sh30 a litre (based on international oil prices and exchange rates), says J.T.Makori.

According to Makori, the minister may also be trying to divert attention from the persisting "unwarranted increase in the cost of electricity".

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At the height of the dispute over the tallying of the presidential election results of last December, Eric N. Otieno recalls an Electoral Commission of Kenya employee who addressed a news conference at the KICC, Nairobi, declaring that his conscience would not allow him to continue being part of the group that was cheating fellow Kenyans by altering the results.

"Where is he? Was he ever called to testify before the Kriegler Commission? And has he got a new job?"

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Beware a gang of smartly dressed pickpockets aged between 25 and 30 years, targeting Route 33 via Mombasa Road matatus in Nairobi, Bedford Ndege warns fellow commuters.

"It's a group of eight people, who usually carry large plastic bags, to confuse their would-be victims. When a matatu arrives, they jump in and engage you in a conversation to make you relax your guard.

"You may think they are fashion designers or successful musicians, and before you know it, your phone, wallet and other belongings will be gone."

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A case of from the frying pan to the fire, perhaps! Tracy Njoroge and others who regularly use the dilapidated Kipande Road in Nairobi were elated when Town Clerk John Gakuo's squad arrived and demolished kiosks that had become an eyesore along the road.

Says she: "I felt happy about the beautification of the road, which has been neglected for a long time. But to my surprise, the road is taking on a brand new unofficial name, Makaa Road."

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The residents of Nairobi's Thome 1 estate continue to suffer due to lack of water as Nairobi Water Company dilly-dallies on fixing a broken pipe, moans Joseph Olu Omu.

The worst hit, he adds, Central Close, which has gone without water supply for the last three weeks.

"We're getting desperate and feel terrible when we see water flowing to waste in some places yet we can't get any in our taps," says Joseph, whose contact is Tel 0722685887.

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As others have pointed out, George Gopal is also shocked at the recent developments in Nairobi, which are sending confusing signals on the major highway development project.

Says he: "There was talk about replacing the numerous roundabouts with flyovers. However, the same roundabouts are now being revamped.

I wonder why they should be repaired if they will soon be replaced with flyovers. Or are the flyovers a long term idea?"

Have a well-planned day, won't you!

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