Unfortunately, I cannot be in Nairobi on Tuesday. I wish, I could, though.
In fact, this email is a combination one, i.e. the 16th reminder is also included with it.
Since Friday night as well as currently as I write this, the people of this neighbourhood have been inundated with noise of one kind or another, yet, NOBODY charged with this responsibility of maintaining the peace (noise wise), feels like doing their job! Starting with NEMA, our many government bodies and ministries which are overflowing with 'ministers' and their so-called 'assistants and permanent secretaries', who are paid salaries at the tax-payers hard earned sweat, are really up to the task, it seems. Then, the police, who very well know about this 'noise law' passed by NEMA sometime ago, are also not too keen on applying it.
One would imagine that there was a mega conspiracy in noise making to drive the objecting public round the bend! Some of those many churches and mosques that have sprouted all around this country yet, have little to show in terms of their respective congregations being God fearing, make noise that is inversely proportional to their God consciousness.
Last night, the neighbour, who was trying to keep us all awake the night before with their obnoxious and insensitive noise making, was at it, again. My first call to the emergency wireless number (999 or 112 mostly doesn't work), got the response from the officer answering he would get the duty officer to come here. When I enquired, when, he wouldn't commit himself and when I pushed him to at least give me a time scale, he told me to ring the OCS directly. I tried calling her on her mobile, but, she wouldn't answer.
So, then, out of desperation I called the officer who had initially given me the emergency wireless number, officer Ngoche. He, it seems has been moved to Nairobi, but, despite that, the first cop to give me an encouraging response. All the way from Nairobi, he tried getting his fellow officers to act, but, either they were deliberately procrastinating or my noisy neighbour was being insolent, by disobeying them, for the noise continued....
What is officialdom's problem? Why aren't they applying the law? And since when is religious noise allowed? If, all mosques, churches, temples, etc., were to collectively make noise of the religious kind (as some of them do in our neighbourhood), whom would people who are interested in such a racket, listen to?
Do we have enough brainy people out there, who can inform our daft public and by extension these horrible noise makers, about the consequences of being persistently exposed to noise? While the rest of the 'civilized' world is trying to decrease noise of every kind from their midst, we, in this country are letting things get out of hand. Or are these goons trying to torture the public which is averse to this? If so, why? What do they gain out of it?
Razia.
elijah Agevi wrote on 03-May-08 1:22 PM:
Many thanks Raziya!
How I wish we had more people as focused and committed to a cause as you! This country could be very far in terms of development with equity. I will make sure that these questions are tabled during the Tuesday's event. In case you happen to be in Nairobi, please free feel and come and be my guest. Once again have a great and hopefully silent and peaceful weekend.
Warm regards, Elijah
On Fri, May 2, 2008 10:47 am, Raziya wrote:Dear Elijah,
Thanks a million for sending me the following and the much appreciated offer, God bless you! Yes, yes. Please, print out my emails covering the relevant issues about noise, water, etc., that their (NEMA'S), agenda is supposed to cover and please ask them the following questions....
1. Why are they only covering certain areas selectively?
2. About the degradation of the natural environment - what is their forestry section doing about the continuing chopping of trees without replacement for charcoal and providing wood for cooking purposes? And why don't they respond to my numerous emails nor reply to my calls?
3. Parts of Mombasa and Coast Province in general, are awash with sewage seeping into wells and bore-holes dug indiscriminately, without the council or the numerous water bodies even being aware of it (nor do they care, it seems!), and structures put up without any planning or so it seems to some of the residents. All this is due to the persistent and chronic water unavailability to the residents, of course, and by extension, the water bodies are to blame for not providing a reliable 'service'. As the residents cannot live without water, they end up digging wells and bore-holes everywhere. Why is there no applicable and enforceable regulation or orderliness in this?
4. About the noise pollution - this is not just caused by 'entertainment' venues, but, also by the various sects of Christianity who believe in singing, dancing, etc., and playing loud music and equally loud and ear-splitting sermons every and anywhere, they feel like. Does this kind of noise go under 'entertainment'? Also, of course, the loud calls to prayer and equally loud conducting of prayers in the mosques, which practice is totally invalid from a religious point of view. Why haven't they talked about this and set 'standards'? They seem to allow this 'noise pollution' under the guise of 'freedom' of worship! While I agree wholeheartedly to this freedom, it should be separated from the right of the citizens to have peace and quiet where they live and work. Why hasn't this differentiation been made?
5. Will they ever be coming to Coast Province and covering it in the near future? If so, when? I would really like to attend and ask them questions, first hand. Again, thank you very much for this information.
Salaams, Razia.
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