Can architects explain to Dr Magaregikenyi Benjamin why in most of the residential houses they design, the toilet is always located next to the kitchen? This, to him, is a rather curious phenomenon he wishes any architect could shed light on. “Is there a medical or other link between the toilet and the kitchen?” he asks. His email is benjamingikenyi@yahoo.com.
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Dr Magaregikenyi Benjamin’s observation on the pairing of toilets and kitchens in designing houses is quite true, says an architect, Martin Tairo Maseghe. He adds: “This is because both are classified ‘wet areas’ that require a lot of plumbing to bring in clean water and drain out dirty water. Locating them close to each other enables the sharing of pipes, thus reducing the cost of construction and maintenance.”
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Published in the Daily Nation of June 11th, 2010
Faith Taken to a Whole New Level.......
Faith has been taken to another level by the worshippers who were trying to resurrect their dead pastors, remarks Martin Tairo Maseghe.
He adds: “If only such faith, commitment, energy, determination and prayer could be transferred to other aspects of our lives such as the family, work, marriage, relationships and friends, the world would be a much better place to live in. Over to all ye faithful!”
Published in the Daily Nation of Thursday, 25th February, 2010
Central Bank of Kenya Steals Public Space........
What justification does the Central Bank have for blocking nearly 100 metres of the pavement at its headquarters, off Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road? asks E. Otieno. And as if that is not bad enough, mean-looking policemen wielding AK-47 rifles have been deployed to ensure no one approaches it. “Is it because of the new paving blocks or sheer contempt for taxpayers? Someone should move the flowerpots and give pedestrians more space.”
The Central Bank, responding to E. Otieno’s criticism about blocking pavements, says it’s about security.
“The Central Bank’s responsibilities, include safeguarding public money. We’ve entered into agreements with councils to secure the pavements at our buildings countrywide. Being a strategic national institution serving banks and the public, this is vital. The stringent security measures are not meant to scare away people,” says the communications office.
The Central Bank’s defence of its blocking of pavements at its headquarters building in Nairobi as a means to enhance security, is not entirely true, says Martin Tairo Maseghe.
He adds: “As architects, we provide for designs that ensure security and leave public spaces (pavements and walkways) to the public. If they feel the space is too limited for their security requirements, they should buy land elsewhere and put up a building to their standards.”
The Central Bank, responding to E. Otieno’s criticism about blocking pavements, says it’s about security.
“The Central Bank’s responsibilities, include safeguarding public money. We’ve entered into agreements with councils to secure the pavements at our buildings countrywide. Being a strategic national institution serving banks and the public, this is vital. The stringent security measures are not meant to scare away people,” says the communications office.
The Central Bank’s defence of its blocking of pavements at its headquarters building in Nairobi as a means to enhance security, is not entirely true, says Martin Tairo Maseghe.
He adds: “As architects, we provide for designs that ensure security and leave public spaces (pavements and walkways) to the public. If they feel the space is too limited for their security requirements, they should buy land elsewhere and put up a building to their standards.”
The Constitutional Debate Continues.....
The Parliamentary Select Committee on constitution reform, which is meeting in Naivasha to forge a consensus, has impressed Wamahiu Muya, who has been keenly following reports from his base in Edison, New Jersey, US. Says he: “The PSC has done Kenya proud by expeditiously and deftly handling the document with a non-partisan approach, enabling it to resolve contentious issues, unlike the polarised Committee of Experts, who have rooted either for their party or civil society positions, completely ignoring wananchi’s contributions.”
But not so impressed is Martin Tairo Maseghe, who is convinced that the PSC has taken everybody for a ride by agreeing to have an executive president checked by Parliament and the Judiciary. Says he: “These two institutions have been there all along and only aided the Executive in oppressing Kenyans. What they should have done is provide for ‘real power sharing’, as this has worked since the chaotic 2008 elections, despite the sabotage by those unhappy with it. We need to tame the presidency. That’s why we are changing the Constitution in the first place.”
Published in the Saturday Nation of 30th January, 2010.
But not so impressed is Martin Tairo Maseghe, who is convinced that the PSC has taken everybody for a ride by agreeing to have an executive president checked by Parliament and the Judiciary. Says he: “These two institutions have been there all along and only aided the Executive in oppressing Kenyans. What they should have done is provide for ‘real power sharing’, as this has worked since the chaotic 2008 elections, despite the sabotage by those unhappy with it. We need to tame the presidency. That’s why we are changing the Constitution in the first place.”
Published in the Saturday Nation of 30th January, 2010.
These Idle Americans.........
In whose interests are the Americans trying to stop the ICC from intervening in the bloody Kenyan election mayhem of 2007? asks Martin Tairo Maseghe. “Could they be among those who, in 1994, when Rwandans were butchering one another, were debating the meaning of the word genocide and whether it was really happening? On this one, I agree with Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo that they must be busybodies looking for some relevance.”
Published in the Daily Nation of 18th January, 2010
Published in the Daily Nation of 18th January, 2010
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