Gas gimmicks making comrades broke
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t is a place we have learnt that freedom is best earned
by giving it up. So much time we had yet so little we did. We couldn’t have
done everything. Even in a lifetime.
BY MUSYOKA NGUI
The drop in fuel prices early this year was termed by industry
players as the best New Year’s gift so far. Gas prices drastically came down
much to the benefit of comrades. Some
were quick to declare that the economy was doing well. Others said it was government’s
commitment to drive down inflation and cushion the ordinary citizens from
unwarranted price hikes despite the drop in international barrel billings.
I do not want to delve into the details of
economics but I will offer you an insider perspective on the changes that have
occasioned the downward revision gas prices.
Comrades who were used to relying on charcoal
and kerosene literally upgraded their energy consumption by acquiring new gas
cylinders for only KES. 3800(initially it was up to KES.5000 a cylinder).
Refilling these tanks cost anywhere between KES 950 and 850. For once, real
benefits were trickling down to the intended beneficiaries.
IRRESISTIBLE OFFER
Some gas dealers offered to transport the bulky
cylinders to the premises of the comrades. Others could just deliver on your
doorstep and pick the empties-at no extra charges. When you visit their filling
stations they could give you flyers of their trade. The leaflet contained
discounted offers which could not be resisted especially by those who have
lived through the times of jiko smoke and soot and paraffin’s searing smell and
taste(like when it accidentally mixes with food either by touching foodstuffs
with stained hands or confusing paraffin for water.) You know what I mean if
you’ve been there.
As if the gas was the panacea of college
cooking, the burners got faulty. Comrades complained about roaring sound made
by the burning fuel. This not only produced irritating noise but also “consumed
gas at a guzzling rate” if you ask comrades. They equated the roaring sound
with gluttony of the gas to burn fast so that they may refill before the semester
ends.
As we turn March, the dealers have suddenly
hiked gas prices much to the chagrin of comrades who are normally as broke as
church mice during the tail term. Painful decisions will have to be made. Like
boiling water using an electric heater and baking ugali on the gas holder as if
the gas heated the water it was then faithfully and dutifully mixing with
flour.
PHOTON PACKETS
Estate electricity will “fall”. Landlords and
caretakers better brace yourself for more repairs of the circuit breakers or
find a higher capacity that can allow more heating. Nowadays we don’t watch TV because our
analogue broadcasters were forcibly shut down by the Communications Authority.
So do us a favour and transfer those photon packets to better use like electric
heating, ironing and warming water.
You will bear us witness that our PCs and smartphones
do not consume so much electricity. Thank you for including electricity charges
on the monthly rent. In the past we used to get a separate electricity bill of
KES. 150 and if it happens that we are broke Kenya Power came to cut the connection
and cart away the assorted electrical equipment. We’d go for days in the dark
until we paid the KES.500 penalty for reconnection.
I am no doomsayer but I take this early chance
to warn freshers and their ilk to be vigilant in their houses. Someone may be
tempted to keep your gas safer if you cannot take the trouble to lock your
house. Those trendy shoes you proudly display on your doormat could turn out to
be the next covet for broke comrade. Tuck them inside.
For those of us who are leaving we reminisce
campus residence as an experiment to clone comrades in a test-tube of freedom.
A perfect dose of government stipend is dropped in to measure their mettle in
managing the meagre upkeep. It is a place we have learnt that freedom is best
earned by giving it up. So much time we had yet so little we did. We couldn’t
have done everything. Even in a lifetime.
We can only hope that heavens will open up for
us to permanently depart from dormitory dwelling to wallowing in mansions.
FINAL BOW
PS: Just received tragic news about demise of a
neighbour, Munyambu Ngundi. Death has a rude way of reminding us about our
mortality and the fickleness of air. You went to be with the Lord. Your now
orphan sons will take the mantle. I pray that God give them the strength to
carry on. To Mwathe and Kyalo, you’re in our thoughts and prayers.
RIP neighbour.
The writer is a blogger at musyokangui.blogspot.com and a Fourth
Year Communication and Media student at Chuka University.
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