Kenya Insights

Author: John Bosco

  • How Your Blood Group Predicts Your Susceptibility To Covid19 Respiratory Failure.

    How Your Blood Group Predicts Your Susceptibility To Covid19 Respiratory Failure.

    A group of over 120 researchers from various institutions across Europe has performed the first genome-wide association study to reveal host genetic factors that may contribute to respiratory failure in cases of coronavirus disease 209 (COVID-19).

    The authors say the genetic variants they have identified could help guide further research into the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and aid the clinical risk profiling of patients.

    The rapid spread of the pandemic

    Since the COVID-19 outbreak began in Wuhan, China, late last year, it has rapidly become a pandemic health emergency that has now infected more than 6.39 million people worldwide and killed almost 400,000.

    In Europe, Italy and Spain have been among the most severely affected countries, with epidemics peaking during the second half of February and more than 60,000 fatal cases being reported by May 28th.

    Most people infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the causative agent of COVID-19 – only experience mild or even no symptoms.

    Mortality rates are mainly driven by patients who are more susceptible to respiratory failure after becoming ill with pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome. However, for reasons that are not properly understood, this is only the case for less than 10 percent of people who become infected with SARS-CoV-2.

    Potential factors involved in respiratory failure

    The development of severe disease has also been associated with the presence of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. However, the role these health problems play in determining the severity of disease risk is unclear.

    Some observations of endothelitis and vascular complications have suggested that the disease is systemic and mainly involves the vascular endothelium. Still, these insights into the pathology of severe COVID-19 are only hypothetical.

    Performing a genome-wide analysis

    To investigate, Tom Karlsen (Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Norway) and colleagues in Spain, Italy, and Germany, recruited 1,980 COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure from five cities in Spain and Italy.

    They conducted a genome-wide association analysis with the aim of identifying any host genetic susceptibility factors that contribute to the development of respiratory failure.

    Using a pragmatic approach with simplified inclusion criteria and a complementary team of clinicians at the European Covid-19 epicenters in Italy and Spain and available German and Norwegian scientists, we were able to perform a complete GWAS for Covid-19 respiratory failure in about two months,” say the researchers.

    After considering quality control and potential outliers, the final study population included 835 patients and 1,255 controls from Italy and 775 patients and 950 controls from Spain.

    A total of 8,582,968 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed, and a meta-analysis of the Italian and Spanish cohorts was conducted.

    Findings

    The team detected a cross-replicating association between SNPs on chromosome 3 and chromosome 9 that reached genome-wide significance.

    A cluster of genes that could be relevant to the development of severe COVID-19 was identified on chromosome 3p21. One of these genes – SLC6A20 – encodes a transporter protein that interacts with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the host cell receptor that SARS-CoV-2 uses to gain viral entry.

    In the lungs, this protein, which is called Sodium/Imino-acid Transporter 1 (SIT1), is mainly expressed in pneumocytes, and the authors think these cells should be investigated for any involvement that SIT1 may have in viral entry.

    A lead SNP was also identified on chromosome 9 at the ABO blood group locus, and further analysis showed that A-positive participants were at a 45% increased for respiratory failure, while individuals with blood group O were at a 35% decreased risk for respiratory failure.

    The authors say that early clinical reports have suggested the ABO blood group system is involved in determining susceptibility to COVID-19 and has also been implicated in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-1.

    [Sally Robertson, B.sc]

  • Why Ruto Might Win 2022 Massively.

    Why Ruto Might Win 2022 Massively.

    Those who used to be foot soldiers for President Uhuru and hate his Handshake brother Raila Odinga – most likely have made a shift to the left handman of Uhuru who is Ruto to punish the relationship of the Raila and Uhuru. And believe me not, these are moves not taken on the ground of integrity or ethics or moral values because if it were so, then these footsoldiers would have chose a better figure from the Dynasties but because ‘we’re Africans in Africa and Africa is our business’.

    DP Ruto have always been the epicenter of discussion in and out of the government by those who possibly view him as a barricade to their political gangster points or the other way round he is be the bad guy. But what draws attention is the fact that every political big wig from the Executive to the Legislature are all fighting him. From paid bloggers and influencers, mainstream media – majority under payroll to terrify him and his goodwill – bad will agendas.

    Everything, every public move he makes, every personal or government project he launches must always be linked to corruption scheme – some proven, some allegations till it has become normalcy. His point men and insiders have been whipped out during his Party Jubilee purge exercise – a move made to silence him for his incorporation, gross misconduct and disrespect for the office of the Presidency. In the latest move the President making his Executive order restructuring his Government and squashing Office of the Deputy President under the Presidency to henceforth be under office of the President Executive implying that DP will no longer have power to hire staff, instead the powers has been designated to head of public service. A move made to weaken his influence and at the same time for Uhuru it will make him respect the powerful office and work strictly under him – under his directive towards his big 4 agenda. Last kicks of a dying horse.

    Those fighting the Sugoi man, used to praise him hosanna in the highest and today they’re crucifying him maybe on moral and independent ground or on payroll to do so.

    Politics being a dirty game and game of cards – makes nobody better than the other once they’re politicians always and forever they’ll be dirty. 

    This man is a one man army, potentially a threat to all Presidential aspirants and Deep state in the next 2022 General election and perhaps this is why Political dynasties in the country are ganging up to fight him left right and center.

    Like I said before, there is a good number of Uhuru supporters who’ve camped in Ruto’s yard because of Raila and similarly there are a massive number of Raila supporters who hated Uhuru and have shifted to Ruto’s camp because of Raila’s realignment with President Uhuru. That’s the politics of the day. Political slavery.

    In Kenya, there is a silent 36.1% that equals 18,551,790 majority group living in extreme poverty in which half of the population are eligible voters that contributes to the 18,000,000 total eligible voters in the country and which am convinced that at least three quarters of the eligible group have bought Ruto’s team hustler narrative and he enjoys massive support of them on the ground.

    DP Ruto is being battled by the Cabal in corridors of power that he has ignored to swear allegiance to – and these are the same individuals in the dining table that controls the country indirectly. If you don’t understand the Deep state [a body of people, typically influential members of government agencies or the military, believed to be involved in the secret manipulation or control of government policy]. Deep state is a hidden Government that works within a legitimate Government. They finance the President, chooses a cooperative influential Person of their choice in public domain. A real conspiracy theory.

    In a country full of women than men and considering the fact that women are the greatest sympathizers of all time and it is women who are always full of action in that men makes lots of chants, noise, circus, stampede and assailants in the campaign trail but it is only women who come out in large numbers to vote as men get drunk with bribe money and lose themselves – am convinced again Ruto might win their hearts out of sympathy.

  • President Uhuru Undermining The Supreme Law Of The Land To Punish DP Ruto?

    President Uhuru Undermining The Supreme Law Of The Land To Punish DP Ruto?

    It has reached a point where it is evident that “When two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers”. It has reached a point where the supreme law of the land has become the grass and the two bulls are above the law (grass).

    In the past one month, Kenyans have witnessed secret claws of President Uhuru Kenyatta dismantling the political image of his Deputy William Ruto in a move to restructure his Political Coalition party Jubilee and restructure his government to bring order.

    Kenyans have witnessed Uhuru Kenyatta exhausting his resources at his disposal to expel his fierce critics from the public service and his own political party. Victims allied to DP Ruto have felt the wrath of bull but Democracy and Supreme law of the land – Constitution has suffered the most. Poor and Double standards.

    The Judiciary, Law Society of Kenya and other NGOs have been suddened by most of his recent orders and moves that have greatly undermined the constitution but again he does this in the watch of Attorney General who’s the lead Constitutional adviser to the President and to the Nation.

    On Wednesday 3, the President released an Executive order restructuring his government. An order which left public into misinterpretation journey.

    “In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 132 (3) (b) of the Constitution, as read with all other enabling laws, I, Uhuru Kenyatta, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, order and direct that the government shall be organised as set out in this order,” the order reads.

    The order assigns functions and institutions among ministries and state departments, and supersedes Executive Order No. 1 of 2018 (Revised) issued in July 2018.

    It contains portfolio responsibilities and changes made in the structure of government.

    It specifies functions of the constitutional commissions, independent offices, the Judiciary and Parliament.

    Among the functions of the Executive Office of the President are overall policy direction and leadership, a role that will be played by the Cabinet.

    In a response to his recent public debated Executive order 2020 which was published in May 11 but released to the general public on Wednesday 3 June [ which raises eyebrows], The order, among other things, addresses itself to the Judiciary and Independent Commissions, which is the cause for worry by the Judiciary.

    “Direct and coordinate the functions of ministries and government departments” and that the Judiciary does not fall in any of the categories as it is an independent arm of the government. 

    The Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission are established under Chapter 10 of the Constitution. The Order cannot restructure or assign functions to the other co-equal and co-substantial arms of government and independent commissions,” he says.

    Maraga maintains that the Constitution directly creates the JSC and assigns its functions and powers and therefore the Order only applies to the Executive arm of the Government.

    “I want to believe that this was an inadvertent error and that the office of the President will promptly issue a correction,” he added. 

    At the same time, Maraga urges the government to avoid publishing publications and orders that may cause confusion to the general public. 

    “This will serve to avoid confusion among members of the public as well as foster the constitutional letter and spirit of separation of powers. It will also avoid the unwitting undermining of the other independent arms of government and institutions,” he says.

    According to lawyer Donald Kipkorir; the order will massively affect the operation of the office of Deputy President. For instance, he argues that the budget earlier channelled to that office will be a thing of the past, and hiring of employees will be a reserve of the Head of Civil Service Joseph Kinyua. Just like that, President Uhuru Kenyatta abolishes the Presidency and Office of the Deputy President! … We now have Office of the President …. Joseph Kinyua will be in charge of recruitment and dismissals in the new structure in the Office of the President. What exciting times,” he posted on his Twitter page.

    Law Society of Kenya has not been left behind in this hullabaloo and has since released a statement terming the Executive order unconstitutional and has given the President 7- days ultimatum to rescind or challenge him in court. 

    “Executive Order No 1 of 2020 is unconstitutional in so far as it purports to place the Judiciary, commissions and other independent offices under the Executive. Unless the Executive Order is rescinded within 7 days the LSK will challenge it in Court”.

  • Naivasha-Malaba rail upgrade Fiasco

    Naivasha-Malaba rail upgrade Fiasco

    The government has opted to fund the renewal of the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) line to Malaba with an initial budget of Sh3.5 billion thus dropping an expensive Chinese contractor for the upgrade of the old railway track from Naivasha to Malaba to link the century-old line to the standard gauge railway (SGR) line at Naivasha.

    In the same breath, it has dropped a private financier and the use of the Chinese contractor who had quoted in excess of Sh50 billion to upgrade the line and link it to the Mombasa-Naivasha SGR line.
    Funding from an unidentified private backer was seen as a cheaper option compared to building a new modern line with Chinese loans, but the upgrade costs derailed the project.

    In an interview on Tuesday, Transport CS James Macharia is recorded saying that Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement was taking too long, prompting the government to drop it and seek a cheaper financing model.

    Government will fund it and the estimated cost is about Sh3.5 billion, but after proper documentation this could be plus or minus,” Mr Macharia said. “I would say that about a month from today, it will start and will take a year to complete. We want to do it as an extension of the SGR and it has to be seamless”.

    Sources familiar with the earlier PPP plan which was to begin action last year 2019 July said that a quotation for the upgrade by the Chinese contractor had surpassed the envisaged budget by more than three times, sending the government back to the drawing board. And based on Chinese quotation, the private contractor was going to charge tremendous sum of money to recover their investments.

    The government had estimated that revamping the MGR line to Malaba would cost Sh21 billion. Due to failure by CS Macharia to provide upgrade plans led to further cuts and to the Sh3.5 billion estimate.

    Truck drivers have emerged as a weak link in the region’s efforts to fight the spread of the virus. “As you know, PPP takes time and we are trying to move quickly because of the issue of trucks and the Covid-19. To try and reduce as much as possible trucks that also damage our roads,” he said.

    Kenya abandoned its bid to extend the SGR line to Kisumu and later on to the Ugandan border after failing to secure a multi-billion-shilling loan from China, which had funded the first and second phases of the line.

    The Sh320 billion SGR line linking the Port of Mombasa with Nairobi was opened in May 2017. It was later linked with the Sh150 billion line to Naivasha, which started operations last August.

    The Nairobi-Naivasha SGR line was meant to be connected to the old railway line running to the Malaba border town to allow for seamless movement of cargo from the Mombasa port to Uganda. There have been concerns that the Mombasa to Naivasha SGR line, which cost an estimated Sh477 billion including financing costs, would not be economically viable if it is not connected to Kampala which is a major user of the Mombasa port for its imports.

    Uganda is also said to be working on the reconstruction of the MGR line from Malaba to Kampala with funding from the European Union. The upgrades for the two lines, Malaba-Kampala and Tororo-Gulu, will cost that country some Sh18 billion. Kenya had already offered to give Uganda land to construct an inland depot in Naivasha.

    The renewed focus on the MGR line now dims hopes for fast-tracking of the Chinese-funded SGR, which was expected to reach Kisumu by 2022 and link it to a sea port for shipping of cargo to Uganda.

  • Kemri researchers release their analysis of coronavirus strains

    Kemri researchers release their analysis of coronavirus strains

    The coronavirus strain that is circulating and causing infection in the country is not different from others circulating elsewhere in the world, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) has said.

    In a first of its kind report in the country, a team of scientists at Kemri have analysed a set of 122 strains of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19)

    In a first of its kind report in the country, a team of scientists at Kemri have analysed a set of 122 strains of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

    By analysing the strains, the scientists say they obtained important information about the genetic composition of viral strains in 122 of the confirmed cases in Kenya.

    Genome sequencing is ostensibly the process of determining the fingerprint of an organism which is done in a laboratory.

    VIRUS VARIATIONS

    The scientists from Kemri’s Centre for Virus Research (CVR) and Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast (CGMR-C) in collaboration with the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and County teams analysed 122 samples of the first 399 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country to gain a comprehensive understanding of the variations of the virus that are present in the country.

    “This successful sequencing for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Kenya is a significant milestone in the response to the pandemic in Kenya and the entire World, as this will strengthen surveillance for tracking mutations of the virus and aid in the tracing of the sources of community infections,” Prof Yeri Kombe, Kemri Director-General said.

    The variation captured in these genomes, when compared to genomes sampled elsewhere, provides a fingerprint that might be associated with a particular virus and a patient with a particular cluster of transmission.

    NINE IMPORTATIONS

    The scientists found at least nine separate importations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into Kenya before April 30.

    Further, early cases came from multiple importations into the country from Europe and Asia.

    Genome sequencing involves revealing the order of bases present in the entire genome of an organism. One such pool is the GISAID’s SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence database, a German-based public-private partnership that provides public access to the most complete collection of genetic sequence data of influenza viruses and related clinical and epidemiological data through its database.

    These genome sequences which are being pooled into several databases are vital for tracking how the virus mutates over time as it spreads and for the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines.
    The Kenyan team Wednesday deposited the sequence data at GISAID Gene.

    TRANSMISSION CHAINS

    One important aspect of managing emerging infections is identifying chains of transmission and assigned cases to clusters of infection.

    Reports are now emerging of situations where some Kenyans who have tested positive for the virus cannot retrace their footsteps and identify how they might have contracted Covid-19.

    A good share also only realise that they have the virus after taking the test. To ensure that scientists can trace people’s contacts, stronger systems of disease surveillance are needed – ones that draw on genome sequencing.

    Sequence data are essential to design and evaluate diagnostic tests, to track and trace the ongoing outbreak, and to identify potential intervention options.

    GENOME SEQUENCE DATA

    Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, laboratories around the world have been generating viral genome sequence data that have been scrutinised by pools of researchers. This has enabled real-time progress in the understanding of the new disease and in the research and development of diagnostic kits, drugs, and vaccines.

    Usually, viruses, like all pathogens, undergo [minor] changes over the course of a pandemic, and sequencing helps keep track of these changes, Prof Sam Kariuki, a microbiologist and the Kemri director of research and development explained.

    “But so far no significant changes on this virus have been observed,” he added.

    This sequencing makes Kenya the fourth African country to post the finger-print of the Covid-19 circulating in the continent.

    [Daily Nation]

  • How Scammers Used Daily Nation To Con In A Fake Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Tender Deal

    How Scammers Used Daily Nation To Con In A Fake Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Tender Deal

    In the midst of financial desperation and increased level of unemployment in the country, fraudster(s) managed to publish a fake tender deal on Daily Nation newspaper dated 31st May 2020 taking advantage of the world wide status quo as many would scramble to win the tender to get back on their stable feet.

    “We are aware of a potential scam involving a foundation office in Nairobi, Kenya. Please know that we do not have any office in Nairobi, Kenya, and ask that you report any fraudulent activity to local authorities in Kenya.’

    In response to this scam alert, Bill & Melinda Gates Organisation said.​

    “Please be advised that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, foundation employees, grantees, or partner organizations do not:

    • Request administrative fees for awarding a grant. The foundation’s grant-making procedure can be found here.
    • Host internet lotteries or offer prizes of any kind through email, postal mail, telephone, fax, or in person
    • Request registration fees for conferences or summits
    • Request information about bank accounts or other private information
    • Approach individuals in person offering grant opportunities
    • Solicit donations at any time
    • Offer investment opportunities”

    The statement goes on to say:

    “The foundation is aware of numerous forms of fraudulent correspondence including, but not limited to: email, postal mail, fax, and telephone, all claiming to be from, or associated with, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. They are circulating in a number of different languages and often include foundation logo, photos, links, or other information taken directly from our official web site, www.gatesfoundation.org.

    Unfortunately, scams claiming to be from or associated with the foundation are growing in volume and, in many cases, can be quite sophisticated. Our security team is working with law enforcement to make every effort to stop such scams, but unfortunately, we cannot stop them all.

    If you doubt the authenticity of any type of correspondence claiming to originate from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, please email [email protected]. This alerts the foundation to the potential scam and allows for it to be investigated and remediated, if necessary.’

    Seems the Fraudster(s) had not dug more policy information on the operation of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hence published some extraordinary requirements that have never been part of BMGF or of its partner organizations. These extraordinary requirements include Application fee which in this scheme is Ksh4,100 per each category (which are 7) summing to 28,100 for an individual. A jackpot win which seemed to be the target of the scheme. The fake tender Notes Better that it reserves the right to reject any bid and cancel wholly the procurement process or in part without assigning or giving any reason(s) for its decision.

    Its likely that a number of people have already fallen into the trap, the fraudsters regained the money used on the ad and probably walked away with millions. Because many people don’t do enough due diligence.

    Talking of Due diligence, it’s really sad and high incompetence that the entire DN approved an advert like that without doing a background check to verify it’s authenticity. How half a page ad with false information could pass so many begs a lot of questions. This is not the first time fraudsters are using the media and nation to con unsuspecting citizens. It’s the responsibility of the media house to cushion their readers from scammers and that can be done by a simple background check.

    On this the scammers claimed they have an office in Kenya, cloned the official B&MG website to make it look surreal. But nation having received their share of the advert payment went ahead and placed the ad without doing a verification, it’s unethical and irresponsible their side.

     

     

  • 17.5bn Pension Pay Cut For Kenyan Retirees – A Big Blow.

    17.5bn Pension Pay Cut For Kenyan Retirees – A Big Blow.

    The Treasury has revised downwards its pension payment plan by Sh17.5 billion in yet another blow to retirees already grappling with delays in the processing of their benefits.

    Expenditure on pensions and gratuities is now estimated at Sh86.99 billion from Sh104.89 billion that the Treasury had initially budgeted, latest exchequer statistics covering 10 months through April 2020 show.

    Retirees’ payroll, however, still hit a record Sh71.84 billion between July 2019 and April 2020, a growth of 36.44 percent or Sh19.19 billion, compared to the same period a year ago largely because of a rapidly ageing workforce in the public service.

    Pension payments have continued to pile pressure on taxpayers despite a knee-jerk policy decision nine years ago to raise the retirement age in public service from 55 to 60.

    Processing of the benefits to the senior citizens for their service to the nation had lagged the Treasury’s target by Sh14.21 billion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year through March before the full-year goal was cut in April.

    Treasury secretary Ukur Yatani had said in February “the shortfall…was due to slower than targeted processing of pension payments”.

    Part of the pension build-up has been blamed on the Finance ministry’s failure to implement necessary reforms, including starting the long-delayed contributory pension scheme despite the law having been enacted in 2012.

    Civil servants, unlike workers in the private sector, do not contribute to their pension and their benefits are paid straight from taxes.

    Mr Yatani had earlier in the year pledged to gazette May 1 as the commencement date for the contributory Public Service Superannuation Scheme by enforcing the Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSSS) Act 2012.

    But this has been affected by the increased focus on the fight against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which has drained state resources.

    Under the retirement scheme, civil servants will contribute 7.5 percent of their salary, with the government matching every worker’s monthly contribution at the rate of 15 percent of the pensionable salary.

    “A member may also make voluntary addition to their contributions towards their retirement benefits in the PSSS,” Mr Yatani said in Budget Policy Statement.

    “The government is also mandated to take out and maintain a life insurance policy that has disability benefits in favour of every member of the scheme. The policies must be worth a minimum of five times the member’s annual pensionable emoluments.”

    {Business Daily}

     

  • How Burundians and Tanzanians Are Being Misled In Fight Against Covid19 Pandemic

    How Burundians and Tanzanians Are Being Misled In Fight Against Covid19 Pandemic

    31 Dec 2019

    Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, China, reported a cluster of cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, Hubei Province. A novel coronavirus was eventually identified.

    1 January 2020

    WHO had set up the IMST (Incident Management Support Team) across the three levels of the organization: headquarters, regional headquarters and country level, putting the organization on an emergency footing for dealing with the outbreak.

    4  January 2020

    WHO reported on social media that there was a cluster of pneumonia cases – with no deaths – in Wuhan, Hubei province.

    5 January 2020

    WHO published first Disease Outbreak News on the new virus. This is a flagship technical publication to the scientific and public health community as well as global media. It contained a risk assessment and advice, and reported on what China had told the organization about the status of patients and the public health response on the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan.

    10 January 2020

    WHO issued a comprehensive package of technical guidance online with advice to all countries on how to detect, test and manage potential cases, based on what was known about the virus at the time. This guidance was shared with WHO’s regional emergency directors to share with WHO representatives in countries.

    Based on experience with SARS and MERS and known modes of transmission of respiratory viruses, infection and prevention control guidance were published to protect health workers recommending droplet and contact precautions when caring for patients, and airborne precautions for aerosol generating procedures conducted by health workers.

    12 January 2020

    China publicly shared the genetic sequence of COVID-19.

    13 January 2020

    Officials confirm a case of COVID-19 in Thailand, the first recorded case outside of China.

    14 January 2020

    WHO’s technical lead for the response noted in a press briefing there may have been limited human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus (in the 41 confirmed cases), mainly through family members, and that there was a risk of a possible wider outbreak. The lead also said that human-to-human transmission would not be surprising given our experience with SARS, MERS and other respiratory pathogens.

    20-21 January 2020

    WHO experts from its China and Western Pacific regional offices conducted a brief field visit to Wuhan.

    22 January 2020

    WHO mission to China issued a statementsaying that there was evidence of human-to-human transmission in Wuhan but more investigation was needed to understand the full extent of transmission.

    22- 23 January 2020

    The WHO Director- General convened an Emergency Committee (EC) under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) to assess whether the outbreak constituted a public health emergency of international concern. The independent members from around the world could not reach a consensus based on the evidence available at the time. They asked to be reconvened within 10 days after receiving more information.

    28 January 2020

    A senior WHO delegation led by the Director-General travelled to Beijing to meet China’s leadership, learn more about China’s response, and to offer any technical assistance.

    While in Beijing, Dr. Tedros agreed with Chinese government leaders that an international team of leading scientists would travel to China on a mission to better understand the context, the overall response, and exchange information and experience.

    30 January 2020

    The WHO Director-General reconvened the Emergency Committee (EC). This was earlier than the 10-day period and only two days after the first reports of limited human-to-human transmission were reported outside China. This time, the EC reached consensus and advised the Director-General that the outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Director-General accepted the recommendation and declared the novel coronavirus outbreak (2019-nCoV) a PHEIC. This is the 6th time WHO has declared a PHEIC since the International Health Regulations (IHR) came into force in 2005.

    WHO’s situation report for 30 January reported 7818 total confirmed cases worldwide, with the majority of these in China, and 82 cases reported in 18 countries outside China. WHO gave a risk assessment of very high for China, and high at the global level.

    3 February 2020 

    WHO releases the international community’s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to help protect states with weaker health systems. 

    11 March 2020

    Deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction, WHO made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.

               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Every Country’s response to the novel Coronavirus was to be in conformity with World Health Organization (WHO’s) Strategy to contain the spread and flatten the curve of infection rate. WHO stressed on the need to isolate, test and trace new cases to effectively suppress and control the virus’ spread. This must be the “backbone of the response in every country”, said the Director-General.

    In the early days when the invincible virus cases were still endemic in the sense that the reported cases weren’t overwhelming and was in a specific Geographical location – Wuhan, China – nobody knew that within a twinkle of an eye it would turn out to be a disastrous pandemic and so I can’t judge that the neighborhood countries were ignorant not to save the situation at the breeding level. But I can judge that African nations that are still doubting Thomases even after witnessing what happened in Italy, Spain and USA as a result of ignorance and negligence and which have made them duly pay the price of Cesar.

    Tanzania

    Tanzanian President Dr.John Pombe Magufuli have made both local and international headlines due to his defiance response to the Pandemic – encouraging his subjects to work normally that this a common flu and it shouldn’t derail anyone from working to build the economy. 

    Many people have questioned his logistics, allegiance and whether he is right or a clout. He has pointed guns and fired his top officials including his Deputy Health Minister plus others who’ve disagreed with him and have questioned his misleading actions (and which only time will tell).

    Tanzania last reported Covid19 case publicly on May 13, when it reported 196 new positive cases within 24hours raising the number to 400+ confirmed cases. A number which triggered the attention of Magufuli and ordered probe into the National Laboratory over what he believed that they were using substandard testing kits that were donated to the country by Philanthropist Jack Ma – further stating that he is convinced that there was a conspiracy plan to sharp shoot fake positive cases when actually there wasn’t cause of an alarm. He even went further to enforcing a law that wearing of masks in public is an offense in the country, he ordered National Football league to resume, Churches and Pubs to reopen.

    Ever since, there have been no public display of data regarding Covid19 cases in the country – a plan to seduce people to return to normalcy to build the economy. 

    Despite these actions by Magufuli, a larger population are still taking personal responsibility and still living in fear of the pandemic and have not responded to his directives or rather plea to get Tanzanians out of their quarantine homes to go and work. Seems they’re not buying his nonsense. And I’ll not be surprised if he orders enforcement of Citizens out of their houses and homes soon.

    But the secret underlying motive of his decisions seems to be engineered for his political jackpot in October 2020 General Elections which he insists will go as planned- come rain come sunshine. Perhaps this might be the reason for his push to return people to normalcy, to start off his 2nd term Presidential ambitions campaign. 

    His acts might be selfish for political gain in October elections or genuine.

    Burundi

    Perhaps what catalysed Burundi’s defiant decision was more of a political barter trade with the pandemic. The outbreak came at a time when the country was preparing for General elections and which former longest serving President Pierre Nkurunziza insisted on the conduction despite red alert of the virus spread. The political class campaigned, held public rallies without social distancing and majority without masks and without forgetting that in the midst of the campaign – being a member of the WHO, they had to comply with the Organization’s safety measures but they instead defied the orders and went ahead to deport all the WHO representatives that were in the country. A terrible sign of ‘Genocide’.

    Elections were conducted, no restrictions or safety measures was adhered to because of I believed was brainwashing and political slavery. No sooner did the dust of campaign period stop than did the country’s top officials began testing positive for the Covid19. This illuminates how the situation is on the ground amongst the common citizens if with all the protection, highest level of hygiene the country’s state have that its First Lady tested positive for the virus and flown to Kenya for treatment.

    What amazes me, is the fact that these African nations whose top leadership are encouraging their citizens to live normally:

    1. They don’t have the capacity to independently contain the virus without aids.

    2. They don’t have a proper working healthcare system. Having guts out of negligence to rubbish threat posed by the pandemic when even Developed countries oversees with best healthcare systems were overwhelmed by numbers of infections and deaths.

    3. They preach water but take wine. Over the past one week – Burundi’s own First Lady was flown into the neighboring Kenya by AMREF and admitted at Agha Khan hospital in Nairobi City to undergo Covid19 treatment. Reports also show, Burundi’s Health Minister was also flown into the Country for the same very reason. On 30th May, Eritrea’s high profile officials were also flown in by Amref for the same very reason.

    These acts am convinced that they justify my decision to judge that these African countries are being misled by Hyenas. 

    They know undoubtably well, they don’t have the capacity and the system to manage these risks and instead of preventing the risks than curing it, they choose to endanger lives in exchange for their own political mileage. They know, when the going gets tough, they’ll leave their poor citizens to die mercilessly in their substandard and poor hospitals as they fly to seek treatment overseas with diplomatic privilege.

    Author: Twitter @JohnBosco_Juma

    Fb page: @ItsJohnboscoJuma

    Email: [email protected]

  • New Portable Ultrasound Scan Technology.

    New Portable Ultrasound Scan Technology.

    Kenya’s fight to reduce maternal and child mortality has received a major boost with the introduction of a portable ultrasound scan for use in remote and resource-poor areas.

    If incorporated into the universal health coverage programme that is set to be rolled out countrywide, the technology could be a decisive step in combating maternal and child mortality in Kenya. According the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, the national Maternal Mortality Ratio is currently at 362 deaths per 100,000 live births.

    An ultrasound scan is a machine that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images showing the inside of the body. Dubbed Lumify, the device developed by Phillips Africa can be used in areas where a conventional ultrasound used in hospitals may be far away from the expectant mother’s home.

    The portable ultrasound has been designed for emergency departments and urgent care centres, as well as other clinical settings, and will operate from a compatible smart device connected to a Philips ultrasound transducer.

    To operate the device, a health care worker needs to have a smart phone or tablet with an Android port connection that will enable the two to be connected. “We have an app called Reacts that enables the Lumify to log onto the interactive network developed by the cardiologist, critical care physician and innovator Dr Yannick Beaulieu,” said Phillips Africa chief executive Jasper Westerink.

    He said the ultrasound would ease the process of pregnancy monitoring and diagnosis of related complications during home visits by health workers and volunteers.

    According to Kenya Medical Training College lecturer Victoria Koi, ultrasound scans are used to assess the baby’s development. An expectant mother with a normal pregnancy should go for at least one scan within the gestation period, she said. For effective monitoring of a normal pregnancy, the academic said the scan should ideally be done during the first trimester, between 18 and 26 to 30 weeks. The requirements are, however, different if doctors suspect that a pregnancy could be having complications.

    “For a complicated pregnancy, the mother needs at least three scans, with the first at eight to 11 weeks, the second at 21 to 28 weeks and the third one at 31 weeks,” said Ms Koi.

    Lumify is part of a portable Phillips medical kit dubbed the Community Life Centre outreach kit that is being tested in a pilot research project set to take place in Makueni County. Lumify costs Sh513,000 per kit while the conventional ultrasound scan will cost upwards of Sh4.1 million.

  • 8 Possible Covid19 Vaccines Enter Final Stage.

    8 Possible Covid19 Vaccines Enter Final Stage.

    There is hope for a Covid-19 vaccine with eight out of 100 worldwide projects going into clinical trial stage this week, with health experts however concerned by whether when finally approved, there will be enough for the whole world.

    James Zhan, director of investment and enterprise at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said the eight met the required standards and will be evaluated and results announced in the next few months.

    He said this in his opening remarks of a virtual meeting organised by the World Health Organisation on Wednedsay. He added demand for a Covid-19 vaccine is likely to surpass the supply hence the need to invest more in pharmaceutical development to meet the demand.

    Vira celector

    “Once a vaccine for Covid-19 is available, the massive demand is likely to outstrip supply quickly and if the pharmaceutical industry cannot keep up with demand, populations in poor countries will be the ones left behind,” said the director.

    Pharmaceutical companies around the world have been working on developing a Covid-19 vaccine with the latest being US-based giant Merck. On Thursday, the company said it will start making two vaccines and a much-discussed experimental anti-viral compound that is in its early clinical trial.

    Merck’s vaccine will focus on replicating the viral vector.

    There is also a study in Wuhan, China, by Chinese drug maker, CanSino Biologics, which has been found safe and induces rapid immune response.

    The findings were published last week, days after an American biotechnology company, Moderna, announced that it had also developed a vaccine that has been found to be safe and able to stimulate an immune response in the human body against the virus.

    Vaccine production is currently concentrated in a few developed countries, in the hands of a few major players. According to the WHO, nearly one third (32 per cent) of vaccines have fewer than four suppliers, while nearly two thirds (63 per cent) have two or fewer prequalified products.

    “Covid-19 has shown just how vulnerable medical product supply chains are when relying on a small number of manufacturers for raw materials and final products,” said WHO regulation and prequalification director Emer Cooke.

    According to UNCTAD and the WHO, many developing countries need help to build their capacity to produce essential medical products, whether they are vaccines, antibiotics or personal protective equipment.

    Those that have so far succeeded in establishing a local pharmaceutical industry capable of complying with international quality standards are mostly middle-income and low middle-income countries in Asia such as India and Thailand.

    Lagging behind

    Productive capacity has remained largely untapped in Africa, where the majority of the least developed countries are located.

    Of the 40 vaccine manufacturers in 14 nations only one is African; the Biovac Institute based in Cape Town, South Africa, which currently delivers over 25 million doses of vaccines each year for illness such as measles, polio and TB.

    UNCTAD cited East Africa as a region which is lagging behind in production of local pharmaceutical and together with WHO have initiated a three-year project in the region to boost production of basic antibiotics.

    The $490,000 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) project launched a month ago to will induce investment policies, including regional medicines procurement, in the region and select countries will ensure the availability of essential antibiotics at national and regional levels.

    The 2020-2013 project being implemented in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia is expected to boost investment incentives and public health demands for the production and supply of antimicrobials at the required quality, safety and efficacy.

    EAC-based producers currently use less than 50 per cent of their capacity, due to Covid-19 related restrictions and shortages in essential active pharmaceutical ingredients.

    [The EastAfrican]

  • Due To Covid19 Pandemic – Revenue Has Dropped By Ksh20billion

    Due To Covid19 Pandemic – Revenue Has Dropped By Ksh20billion

    Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) tax collections in April dropped by Sh20.31 billion, reflecting the subdued business environment amid the Covid-19 pandemic economic hardships.

    Latest data from the Treasury indicates that tax collections fell to Sh120.1 billion in April from Sh140.41 billion in same month last year, representing a 14.46 percent drop.

    This is a rare drop that reflects lower collections from businesses struggling with lower sales and workers plagued by stagnant pay in an environment where firms have been shedding jobs in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

    The effects of tax cuts imposed in April to cushion workers from the effects of the disease will be reflected in May data.

    Treasury Secretary Ukur Yatani expects the under-performance in revenue collection to deepen in May and June as effects of travel restrictions, ban on mass gathering and the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus take a toll on the economy.

    Both imports as well as domestic consumption have slowed down as a result of the impact of the virus, hitting taxes.

    The Sh20.3 billion drop came in a month when most companies pay corporation taxes for the first quarter of the year, an indication of firms reduced earnings power.

    Companies started reporting falling sales ahead of Kenya announcing restrictions imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.

    Kenya, which has reported 1, 962 positive cases of Covid-19 and 64 deaths, has suspended commercial flights in and out of the country, banned public gatherings and imposed a nationwide curfew since March.

    It has also halted movement in and out of five counties most affected by the virus, including Nairobi and Mombasa.

    Kenya’s private sector activity declined sharply in April as businesses reeled from the impact of the coronavirus, according to a survey by Stanbic—which tracks business performance monthly.

    The Markit Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for manufacturing and services tumbled to 34.8 in April from 37.5 in March. Readings below 50.0 indicate a contraction.

    “It’s safe to say that, at least with anecdotal evidence available so far, the epicentre of the Covid-19 impact on economic activity will be in the second quarter of this year,” said Jibran Qureishi, the economist for East Africa at Stanbic Bank.

    Demand at home and in export markets slumped as consumers stayed indoors to avoid catching the virus and because of government measures to contain its spread.

    “Output, new orders, exports and employment, all reached record lows,” Markit and Stanbic said.

    This has hit payroll and corporate taxes, which account for more than half of government revenues, and import duty.

    The government expects the economy to grow by as little as one percent this year, compared with a pre-pandemic forecast of about six percent, due to the impact of the disease.

    Treasury data shows tax collections in the January-April period dropped Sh18.91 billion, or 3.94 percent, to Sh460.77 billion compared with the same period last year.

    Revenue collection is expected to take a further hit following tax cuts that took effect in April to cushion the economy and the public against the impact of the pandemic.

    Among the reliefs that the government offered were excluding workers earning less than Sh24,000 from paying taxes and lowering the maximum income tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent. The government also lowered value-added tax (VAT) to 14 percent from 16 percent and cut corporate tax to 25 percent from the current 30.

    The pandemic has caused the government’s budget deficit to swell to 8.2 percent of GDP in the financial year to the end of June, from an initial forecast of under seven, mainly due to reduced tax collection and foregone revenue in the form of VAT and income tax cuts.

    Mr Yatani plans to “eliminate a long list of exemptions in the corporate income tax and VAT” in a bid to offset the impact of the tax reliefs “and to improve the efficiency of our tax system”.

    “Staff projections assume that about 75 percent of the fiscal cost of the recently announced tax relief measures will be compensated for by reduced tax exemptions in FY20/21, with the remainder coming in the next two to three years, in accordance with the authorities’ aim to make the recent tax changes revenue neutral,” the International Monetary Fund staff wrote in a note on Kenya last month.

    [Business Daily]

  • How 10 Liquor Companies In Kenya Are Evading Tax.

    How 10 Liquor Companies In Kenya Are Evading Tax.

    In December 2018 the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) prosecuted the directors of Madras Security Printers Private Ltd over conspiracy with Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) officials to defeat the intent of the contract for the supply of Impact Standardisation Mark (ISM) stamps for Sh882 million.

    “Investigations have established that the award of the contract to Madras Security Printers Private Ltd was marred with irregularities and illegalities,” the DPP says in court papers.

    A probe by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) found that the Kebs ISM stickers supplied by the Indian firm did not have a traceability system. They were also not tamper-proof as required by the contract — they are made using ordinary adhesive papers.

    The stickers could and up to date can easily be duplicated by the owners of counterfeit products, thus creating a loophole to saturate the market with substandard goods that endangers safety of the consumers.

    “Due to failure to comply with the terms of the contract, sub-standard goods have been recovered from the market and individuals subsequently charged with possession of counterfeit Kebs ISM stickers,” says the DPP.

    The new stamps were supposed to fully contain entry of counterfeit and illicit goods that have caused the country to lose an estimated Sh100 billion annually.

    It was intended that they would be traceable to Kebs, with the number of stamps issued strictly controlled by the standards body.

    Further, the stamps were to be printed to certain international approved security specifications — be tamper-proof and not be duplicatable or easily photocopied. They were equally supposed to be easily distinguishable by the general public by use of the Kebs ISM scanner, a mobile phone application.

    While the scanner could easily read the details of a product, the importer, the Certificate of Conformity (COC) number, the country of origin and other relevant information, that data was not expected to be read from a duplicate, a photocopy or a counterfeit of the ISM stamp.

    However, the substandard stamps could easily be duplicated, photocopied and still retain the security features on the copy that were readable by Kebs scanners.

    In the long run, the ignorance and greed within the concerned authorities is coming to haunt the Economy in 2020 and now the National Assembly is expected to begin summoning concerned heads of departments at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs).

    The chief executives of the firms suspected to be involved in the tax evasion that is said to be bleeding the country at least Sh10 billion per year are also to be summoned.

    The matter reached the floor of the House two weeks ago as it emerged that a questionable consignment of empty bottles used for packaging alcoholic spirits had been received in the country with no corresponding bottle tops and stamps to be used to monitor tax collection on the drinks.

    The chairperson of the National Assembly’s Committee on Finance and National Planning, Joseph Limo, said the request for a statement issued by Ruaraka MP T.J. Kajwang had been received for “urgent action”.

    “Tax issues are very serious so we will deal with it very decisively and as soon as possible since the country is in need of every tax collectable now,” said Mr Limo, who is also the Kipkelion East MP.

    The Ruaraka legislator had asked the committee to train its guns on some 10 companies he accused of playing a central role in the tax evasion.

    “The firms involved are Zheng Hong, Patiala Distillers, Hill Kenya Ltd, Mount Kenya Breweries, Saiwan Enterprises, Vine Park FRM, Platinum Distillers, Moonwalk Investments Ltd, Tihan Ltd and Two Cousins Distillers. The brands manufactured and packaged by these companies with fake Kebs stickers and excise stamps are invariably low-cost products with very high percentage alcoholic content and are sold mainly to low-income earners, mostly youths,” the MP said in Parliament on May 6, shows the Hansard, the official record of debates in the House.

    Mr Kajwang alleges that the companies sourced some 200 million empty bottles from the Omani-based Pragati Glass Gulf and Nizwa Industrial Estate, and Tanzania-based Kioo Ltd. Most of the imports, he said, were made just before tax laws were amended to put in place a 25 per cent excise duty on imported glass bottles through the 2020 Business Laws (Amendment) Act.

    The bottles, the MP said, were subsequently refilled with various brands of liquor, sealed with fake Kebs stickers and excise stamps and sold to unsuspecting customers, denying the government unspecified revenues.

    Concerns over the large consignment of bottles with questionable use in the alcohol business is part of the reason the punitive tax on imported bottles was passed, despite protests from brewers and beverage dealers, who said local manufacturers cannot meet the demand.

    Whereas bottle tops generally fall under the excise tax regimes, making them easy to account for during tax assessment, bottles have remained outside the excise tax radar. This has made it possible for fraudulent manufacturers to evade paying tax on alcohol once they have the fake stamps and bottles.

    The House committee will look into the tax compliance history of the cited companies and seek to join the dots between the many bottles imported and bottle tops.

    KRA officials will be required to outline the steps the agency has taken to stem tax evasion in the alcohol sector as well as present plans for full recovery of any lost revenue to deter the listed firms and others from engaging in such schemes.

    Kebs officials are expected to explain the actions taken to ensure that the counterfeit goods are not sold to unsuspecting citizens.

     

  • Galana-Kulalu Project Contract With Green Arava Now Publicly Revoked By Government Of Kenya.

    Galana-Kulalu Project Contract With Green Arava Now Publicly Revoked By Government Of Kenya.

    In August 2014, the National Irrigation Board (NIB) signed a Sh14.5 billion contract with Israeli firm Green Arava Ltd to start irrigated maize farming in the Galana-Kulalu scheme in Kilifi and Tana River counties.

    As of March 2018, only 5,000 acres of the targeted one million had been put under crop, with officials telling Parliament that a paltry 22,000 bags of maize worth Sh35.2 million had been produced. Last year, Green Arava claimed that NIB owed it Sh1 billion, even as the board insisted the figure was Sh200 million.

    The Agriculture Cabinet secretary at the time, Mwangi Kiunjuri, admitted that the project had been marred by corruption, blaming people he did not name for inflating costs.

    When construction of the 10,000-acre Galana Kulalu model farm commenced – Kenyans thought that food insecurity, especially in the coastal region, would be a thing of the past. The project had promised to bring down the cost of Kenya’s staple food (maize) to Sh75 from then Sh120 in 2015.

    Six years down the line and the upshot from the mega project that purported to reduce food insecurity is the alleged loss of an estimated Sh5.9 billion with the downing of tools by the contractor, Green Arava of Israel.

    The project has dried up River Sabaki-Galana making life difficult for thousands of residents who used to depend on the river for domestic use, agriculture and fishing.

    Kenya has finally cancelled the contract of Green Arava, an Israeli company that was setting up a model farm at the Galana-Kulalu irrigation scheme, bringing to an end a protracted battle between the parties.

    A local company would be contracted to complete the work, the government has said. Water and Irrigation Principal Secretary Joseph Irungu said the government took the step for breach of contract.

    This comes just two months after Israel Deputy Ambassador Eyal David said the two countries had agreed on Green Arava resuming the works at the one million-acre farm.

    “We have ended the Green Arava contract and we are going to do the remaining work on the model farm through local talent that we have,” Mr Irungu said.

    His sentiments were echoed by the chairman of the National Irrigation Authority, Joshua Toro, who said they do not want the contractor back.

    “This contractor was becoming a liability. That is why we do not want him back at Galana,” he said.

    This is the first time that the government has come out openly to announce the cancellation of the contract with Green Arava.

    Mr David said in March, 2020 discussions were held with officials from Kilifi and Tana River counties, where the scheme falls, as well as the ministries of Water and Devolution, adding that all was set for the resumption of activities by an Israeli contractor on the farm.

    “The Galana-Kulalu project is Israel’s flagship project here in Kenya and it is close to the hearts of President Uhuru Kenyatta and our Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, so there is no way it can collapse,” he added.

    The dispute between irrigation agency and Green Arava arose from the Sh1 billion that the contractor is claiming to be owed by NIB, which on its part says that it’s excess of the actual figure of Sh200 million.

  • Russia To Begin Covid19 Vaccine Clinical Trials.

    Russia To Begin Covid19 Vaccine Clinical Trials.

    Russian scientists plan to start clinical trials within two weeks on a vaccine to combat the novel coronavirus, the country’s health minister was quoted as saying on Saturday.

    Russia has the world’s third-highest toll of coronavirus infections after the United States and Brazil, and Kremlin officials have said the nation’s researchers are working on almost 50 different vaccine projects.

    “The tests are under way and we plan to start clinical trials in the next two weeks,” Health Minister Mikhail Murashko was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency. He said volunteers had been selected to take part in the trials.

    Drugmakers worldwide are rushing to develop treatments and vaccines for the virus that has caused 364,000 deaths globally. 

    There are currently about 10 coronavirus vaccines being tested in humans and experts have predicted that a safe and effective vaccine could take 12 to 18 months from the start of development.

    One of the Russian vaccine projects is being undertaken by the state-run Vektor Institute in Siberia, and the institute’s director general, Rinat Maksyutov, said on Saturday he hoped to complete clinical trials in mid-September.

    Maksyutov said vaccine trials on animals had been successful.

    Russia on Saturday reported 181 deaths from the coronavirus in the last 24 hours — down from the record 232 deaths registered the previous day, pushing up the nationwide death toll to 4,555.

  • From July 1, 2020. Taxpayers Will Have To Pay 228million For Auditor General’s Rent.

    From July 1, 2020. Taxpayers Will Have To Pay 228million For Auditor General’s Rent.

    For the second year in a row, Treasury has failed to provide a budgetary allocation to the office of Auditor-General to construct its headquarters at Bishops Road in Nairobi hence taxpayers will continue carrying the burden of the rent bill for the office of Auditor-General after the Treasury’s failure to allocate money for the construction of the Kenya National Audit Office headquarters in the financial year starting July 1.

    The Treasury budget data shows the office of Auditor-General has been allocated Sh228 million under recurrent expenditure in rent for the financial year starting July 1, 2020.

    The office has a development budget of Sh10 million but no cent of it is meant for the development of the headquarters and some regional offices in the next two financial years.

    There are no projected budget estimates in the year 2022/23, meaning that the construction of the head offices both at the headquarters and in regional hubs will delay further.

    The Auditor-General currently rents office space at Anniversary Building, which also hosts the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission offices.

    The Treasury has also denied the Auditor-General money to build office blocks in Kakamega and Mombasa despite the initial allocation of Sh10 million and Sh60 million respectively.

    The money was not released in the current financial year even though it was factored in the budget.

    Only the construction of Eldoret and Embu office blocks have been funded in the next financial year.

    Eldoret will get Sh18. 9 million in 2021/22 financial year and is projected to receive a further Sh93.3 million in 2022/23. The Treasury had allocated Embu office block Sh74 million but the block cost taxpayers Sh146.7 million in the current financial year.

    The Treasury has allocated the office of Auditor General Sh49.3 million for construction of the Embu office block in the year starting July 1.

    In a bid to devolve its audit function to enhance accountability in the use of public resources, the office of Auditor-General has established regional hubs

  • Smart Face Mask That Detects Infectious Diseases Including Covid19 Now In Development

    Smart Face Mask That Detects Infectious Diseases Including Covid19 Now In Development

    (Business insider) For the last six years, bioengineers at MIT and Harvard have been developing sensors that can detect viruses like Zika and Ebola.

    In 2014, bioengineering laboratory at MIT began developing sensors that could detect the Ebola virus when it was freeze-dried onto a piece of paper. The small team of scientists from MIT and Harvard first published their research in 2016; by then, they’d tailored the technology to address the growing Zika virus threat .

    Now, they’re adjusting their tool again to identify coronavirus cases.

    A face mask that produces a fluorescent signal when a person with the coronavirus breathes, coughs, or sneezes is in development . If the technology proves successful, it could takeover the game.

    “As we open up our transit system, you could envision it being used in airports as we go through security, as we wait to get on a plane,” Said Collins. “You or I could use it on the way to and from work. Hospitals could use it for patients as they come in or wait in the waiting room as a pre-screen of who’s infected.”

    Doctors could even use them to diagnose patients on the spot, without having to send samples to a laboratory. At a time when testing snafus and delays have hampered many countries’ abilities to control outbreaks, tools that quickly identify patients are critical.

    A fluorescent signal could show whether coronavirus is present in saliva or not

    Collins said his lab’s current project is in the “very early stages,” but the results have been promising. For the last few weeks, his team has been testing the sensors’ ability to detect coronavirus in a small saliva sample.

    They’re also experimenting with design: Right now, the lab is debating whether to embed sensors on the inside of a mask or develop a module that can be attached to any over-the-counter mask.

    The team hopes to demonstrate that the concept actually works as soon as possible.

    “Once we’re in that stage, then it would be a matter setting up trials with individuals expected to be infected to see if it would work in a real-world setting,” Collins said.

    The virus-identifying technology more generally, however, has already been proven. By 2018, the lab’s sensors could detect SARS, measles, influenza, hepatitis C, West Nile, and other viruses.

    “We initially did this on paper to create inexpensive paper-based diagnostics,” Collins said. “We’ve shown it can work on plastic, quartz, as well as cloth.”

    Collins’ sensors consist of genetic material DNA and RNA that binds to a virus. That material is freeze-dried onto fabric using a machine called a lyophilizer, which sucks moisture out of the genetic material without killing it. It can remain stable at room temperature for several months, giving the masks a relatively long shelf life.

    The sensors need two things to be activated. The first is moisture, which our bodies give off through respiratory particles like mucus or saliva. Second, they need to detect a virus’ genetic sequence.

    A Shanghai laboratory sequenced the coronavirus genome in January. Collins said his sensors only need to identify a small segment of that sequence to spot the virus. Once they do, they give off a fluorescent signal within one to three hours.

    That signal isn’t visible to the naked eye, so Collins’ lab uses a device called a flourimeter to measure the fluorescent light. Outside the lab, he said, public officials could use handheld flourimeters which Collins said “cost about a dollar” to scan people’s masks.

    His team has also previously developed sensors that change from yellow to purple when a virus is present, so color-changing sensors are a possibility too, he said, though the group has tabled that idea for now.

    A quicker, more accurate way to diagnose patients

    Collins is considered a pioneer of synthetic biology, a field that uses engineering to redesign systems found in nature. He won a MacArthur genius grant in 2003. In 2018, his lab got a $50,000 grant from Johnson & Johnson to develop embeddable virus-detecting sensors for lab coats.

    The sensors might offer a cheaper, quicker, and more sensitive form of detection than traditional diagnostic tests. The lab’s sensors for Zika, for example, can diagnose patients within two to three hours. The team estimated in 2016 that the sensors cost around $20 each, while the test itself was $1 or less to manufacture.

    Coronavirus tests, by contrast, currently take about 24 hours to run, and patients often don’t receive results for several days. That could change, however, now that the FDA has authorized an at-home diagnostic test (it’s currently being distributed to healthcare workers and first responders).

    The test developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention costs around $36, according to a document released by Medicare in March. For commercial labs, the price is $51.

    Because Collins’ sensors are highly specific, they’re even able to detect different strains of a virus. In the case of Zika, the sensors picked up two strains from Africa, one from Asia, and another from America.

    Scientists have traced coronavirus strains back to two main lineages : one that originated in Asia and another that has become more common in Europe, North America, and Australia. Though MIT lab is still testing coronavirus segments, there’s a good chance that its technology will be able to detect these differences: The team previously found that their test had a 48% probability of identifying a single point mutation.

  • The total public debt has hit Sh6.4 trillion

    The total public debt has hit Sh6.4 trillion

    The total public debt has hit Sh6.4 trillion as local borrowing rose and the external portion was pushed up further by the depreciation of the local currency.

    The Kenya shilling returned to 107 units to the dollar from last Friday and continues at the same.

    The most recently updated figures on domestic debt shows it stood at Sh3.144 trillion as of May 15 while external debt reached Sh3.284 trillion ($30.69 billion on the basis of March 2020 data after depreciation of the local currency — making a total of Sh6.428 trillion. When the shilling exchanged at 101 to the dollar in early March, the external debt stood at a value of Sh3.1 trillion.

    Domestic debt escalated from Sh2.9 trillion at the end of last year hitting Sh3 trillion for the first time in January before rising further in the past few months as the Treasury ramped up borrowing from the local market to meet an expanded budget.

    The proportion of short-term debt stands at 30.96 per cent as of May 15, the date for the latest disaggregated data.

    The proportion of long-term debt stood at 69.04 percent, which is, however, below the Treasury’s desire to have a higher proportion — preferably 80 percent and above — as compared to the short-term debt.

    The overdraft — which the Treasury uses to settle urgent cash requirements — was down in the week to May 15 to stand at Sh56.68 billion compared to the level of Sh58.37 billion as at May 8, signalling that the exchequer emergency cash needs have lessened in the past week compared to the previous week.

    Banking institutions continued to hold the bulk of the debt stock at 54.81 percent followed by pension funds at 28.91 percent while a group of other investors held the rest of the liabilities amounting to 16 percent of the total.

    The share of external debt is, however, likely to rise further as the State seeks funding from a variety of sources including multilateral and bilateral institutions to finance the extra spending associated with combating the Covid-19 pandemic. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have already given a total of Sh180 billion in the past two weeks.

     

  • Study suggests COVID-19 immunity could last just six months

    Study suggests COVID-19 immunity could last just six months

    In a blow to the push for “immunity passports” as evidence of recovery from the illness in UK, a research evidence of possibility that person could be re-infected with coronavirus in six months came to limelight

    The research was released after the UK Government announced the supply of 10 million antibody tests to show if someone has had Covid19 and potentially developed immunity to the virus.

    According to the research, over 35 years, University of Amsterdam scientists regularly tested 10 men for four types of coronaviruses which cause the common cold.

    Most participants – aged between 27 and 66 – caught the viruses again within three years, with the study concluding “coronavirus protective immunity is short-lasting”. Meaning the antibodies that fight against the foreign antigenic virus vanish out of the system as time goes and when the level and quantity of the antibody in the system lowers, then an individual could easily get re-infected with the virus.

    “We saw frequent reinfection after 12 months post infection and substantial reduction in antibody levels as soon as six months post-infection,” the study stated.

    Between 1985 and 2020, the subjects were tested at either three month or six month intervals. Researchers found that high antibody levels “were never sustained at the next visit”.

    While acknowledging limitations to the study, its conclusion casts doubt on the reliability of so-called “immunity passports”.

    The proposed passports would be issued to people who have already overcome a COVID-19 infection and test positive for antibodies – based on the assumption they are therefore immune.

    The study read: “it was recently suggested that recovered individuals should receive a so-called ‘immunity passport’ which would allow them to relax social distancing measures and provide governments with data on herd immunity levels in the population.

    “However, as protective immunity may be lost by six months post-infection, the prospect of reaching functional herd immunity by natural infection seems very unlikely.”

    But the World Health Organisation warned governments not to use “immunity passports” for easing lockdown simply because they have antibodies for COVID-19.

    ********************

    Beneficial viral infections

    Viral infections at a young age are important to ensure the proper development of our immune systems. In addition, the immune system is continuously stimulated by systemic viruses at low levels sufficient to develop resistance to other infections.

    Some viruses we come across protect humans against infection by other pathogenic viruses.

    For example, latent (non-symptomatic) herpes viruses can help human natural killer cells (a specific type of white blood cell) identify cancer cells and cells infected by other pathogenic viruses. They arm the natural killer cells with antigens (a foreign substance that can cause an immune response in the body) that will enable them to identify tumour cells.

    This is both a survival tactic by the viruses to last longer within their host, and to get rid of competitive viruses to prevent them from damaging the host. In the future, modified versions of viruses like these could potentially be used to target cancer cells.

    Pegivirus C or GBV-C is a virus that does not cause clinical symptoms. Multiple studies have shown HIV patients infected with GBV-C live longer in comparison to patients without it.

    The virus slows disease progression by blocking the host receptors required for viral entry into the cell, and promotes the release of virus-detecting interferons and cytokines (proteins produced by white blood cells that activate inflammation and removal of infected cells or pathogens).

    In another example, noroviruses were shown to protect the gut of mice when they were given antibiotics. The protective gut bacteria that were killed by the antibiotics made the mice susceptible to gut infections. But in the absence of good bacteria, these noroviruses were able to protect their hosts.

     

     

  • William RUTO’s Phantom Numbers.

    William RUTO’s Phantom Numbers.

    First shot

    It all began with the first shot being the impeachment of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, who was aligned to the DP’s camp. 

    The senate which was holed in a 2-day plenary sitting deliberating the matter voted on three charges he had been accused of: Gross Violation of the Constitution & Public Finance Management Act, Crimes Under the National Law and Gross Misconduct/Abuse of Office.

    The first count was supported by 27 senators while the second and third received support from 28.

    Only a simple majority of 24 Senators was required to vote in support of the motion for it to pass. 

    On the D-Day, both camps were bragging to have the numbers within Jubilee stable. But it turned out the side leaning to the president had an extra hidden card in a deal with the opposition, thanks to the handshake. 

    Those who voted in favor of the motion included: Mwashushe Mwaruma (Taita), Mwinyi Faki (Mombasa), Moses Kajwang’ (Homa Bay), Njeru Ndwiga (Embu), Ledama Olekina (Narok), Samson Ongeri (Kisii), James Orengo (Siaya), Samuel Poghisio (West Pokot), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Margaret Jepkoech (Uasin Gishu) Amos Wako (Busia), Enock Wambua (Kitui) and George Khaniri (Vihiga), Mwadzayo Mwachirifu (Kilifi), Cleopas Malala (Kakamega), Okong’o Mogeni (Nyamira), Gideon Moi (Baringo), Boniface Mutinda (Machakos), Reubenson Kibiru (Kirinyaga), Adan Fatuma (Isiolo), Mutula Kilonzo (Makueni), Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), Ephraim Maina (Nyeri), Ibrahim Ali (Wajir), Yusuf Haji (Garissa) andBoy Issa Juma (Kwale).

    While those against were: Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Kinyua Nderitu (Laikipia), Mary Yone (Nominated Senator), Moses Wetang’ula (Bungoma), Samson Cherargei (Nandi), Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Hargura Godana (Marsabit), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Andrew Langat (Bomet), Mithika Linturi (Meru), and Anwar Loitiptip (Lamu). Excluding Senators Beth Mugo(nominated), Isaac Mwaura(nominated), Rose Nyamunga (nominated) Getrude Musuruve (nominated) and Abshiro Halake whom did not vote.

    The Second shot

    The next contest of numbers came previously when the President’s side finally effected changes in the Jubilee leadership against spirited opposition from the DP’s camp.

    When names in the new line-up of the party’s management committee were handed to the Registrar of Political Parties three weeks before, the DP mobilised his troops to petition the registrar not to effect the changes which he termed “fraudulent”. A temporary victory he won.

    And to justify the short lived victory he (DP) said in a tweet that 146 Jubilee MPs from both Houses (National Assembly and Senate), or about 70 per cent of the total in the party ranks, had sent objections to the registrar.

    Encouraged by the temporary fortunate victory, Jubilee Deputy Secretary-General and Ruto lead spear-carrier, Soy MP Caleb Kositany, boasted his side has the majority and will be proceeding to the next move: to unilaterally convene parliamentary group meeting and “takeover the party”.

    Sentiments that revived President’s proxy Jubilee party’s vice-chairman – David Murathe – challenging the DP’s side to “go ahead and takeover the party if they can,” but said without elaborating that “soon they will be hearing from us and it will be a thunderstorm!”

    Mr Murathe disputed the figure of 146 MPs the DP claimed had sent objections to the Registrar of Political Parties, which he termed “the work of forgery”.

    He said: “People are known by names. The DP should have published names and signatures so that we actually know who is with us and who is against us”.

    Little did they know that the Thunderstorm would be a matter of days before it could strike.

    The Third shot

     

    The removal of Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchuma Murkomen as Majority Leader and Nakuru’s Susan Kihika as Majority Whip. Among the 20 Senators who attended the ouster meeting of former Senate majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen and Majority Chief whip Sen Susan Kohika at State House were DP Ruto’s backyard proxies Nandi Senator Cherargei, Uasin Gishu’s Margaret Kamar and Michael Mbito (Trans Nzoia). 

     

    The Fourth shot

    Former Senate Deputy Speaker Kithuri Kindiki ouster from office.

    He was a member of the flamboyant “Sky Team” which comprised Murkomen, who was then his deputy, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa and Moses Kuria, which crisscrossed the country in choppers to campaign for Jubilee and market Ruto as Uhuru’s successor. 

    Kindiki’s ruling against Uhuru’s move to take over key operations of Nairobi County through the Nairobi Metropolitan Service as a move that could have angered the President. 

    Kindiki, following a motion by Murkomen, ordered an investigation into the President’s conduct in the take over process, and gave the matter to the Devolution and Justice and Legal Affairs committees which, are chaired by Senators Joseph Kinyua (Laikipia) and Samson Cherargei (Nandi), both Ruto surrogates. But Lusaka later suspended the probe whose outcome, it was feared, may have compromised the President’s decision.

    Logistics of Numbers

    Jubilee, the offshoot of the president’s TNA, Ruto’s URP and 11 other small parties have combined total strength of 171 MPs. 

    ODM follows with 76 MPs, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper 23 MPs, and Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC 14 MPs. Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya has 12, Gideon Moi’s Kanu 10, while 14 MPs came in as independents.

    But associates of the DP are quick to dispute the 50/50 strength in the National Assembly on claims that the former URP has significantly penetrated the formerly TNA zones, more so the Mount Kenya region.

    The 2013 tally, where TNA and URP were listed as separate entities in the parliamentary tally. TNA chalked up 71 MPs and URP 60. The difference from the total of 171 in the 2017 tally is explained by coming in of the 11 small parties and inroads combined Jubilee made in the opposition zones in the last election.

    In Kiambu, only Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa In Murang’a, it is only Kiharu’s Ndindi Nyoro and Kigumo’s Alice Wahome on his tow. And in Nyeri, there is only Mathira’s Rigathi Gachagua, and in Nyandarua and Kirinyaga, only the woman reps, Faith Gitau and Purity Ngirichi, respectively, are with him. That is only seven out of 38 MPs in Central Kenya

    For instance, Uhuru’s Kiambu backyard had 1.18 million registered voters in 2017, which is more than the 1.17 million registered in Ruto’s three topmost strongholds of Uasin Gishu (450,055), Kericho (375,668) and Nandi (346,007).

    While Kiambu, with more votes, gave Uhuru 11 MPs, Ruto’s three best strongholds with lesser voters gave him 18 MPs. 

    Let’s have a look at the numbers: Uhuru’s share of 85 MPs added to ODMs 75 — that is minus Malindi ODM’s Aisha Jumwa, who long defected to Ruto camp — would make a bloc of 160.

    If you throw in Kanu’s 12, and half of the independents (7), that shores the number to 179. And if Kalonzo were to be predictable and stay with Uhuru/Raila line-up, that would make a solid bloc of 202 MPs.

    The number would be way above the 175 needed to constitute simple majority in the National Assembly, and only 31 MPs short of the 233 required to make two-thirds majority.

    On the other hand, Ruto’s 85, his half share of seven independents, and Musalia’s 14 would give him a bloc of 106. If Wetangula’s 12 MPs were to come on board, he would chalk up a 118 member voting machine — far behind the 202 in the rival camp.

    Conclusion

    DP Ruto has no numbers apart from illusionary Numbers. He is surrounded by disloyal friends because of his ill gotten wealth. He has lost game of numbers in his own party – time and again. The Cabal doesn’t want him. 

  • Mr.RutoRasputin?

    Mr.RutoRasputin?

    Many words were spoken. Many firsts were witnessed. Many anecdotes were made. Many statements were uttered and many arguments were fronted in the floor of Senate debate during ouster of Senate Deputy speaker Kithuri Kindiki who was successfully impeached. But what stood out to most Kenyans was a statement made by Siaya senator James Orengo comparing Deputy President William Ruto to ‘Rasputin’.

    Orengo said, “The problem in Kenya is that we have a Rasputin and a Tsar in the ruling party. But you know that in the end, the Rasputin was killed. Jubilee must decide to have one leader”

    *******************

    Mr Grigori Rasputin is credited with the fall of the Russian monarchy under its last Tsar, Nicholas II. He became such an invaluable, trusted confidante of King Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna; they unreservedly relied on him for advice.

    However, his deceit, overbearing deportment, debauchery and lust, induced by his vantage position played a pivotal role in making the King unpopular.

    Rasputin was assassinated in 1916, but his morbid spirit lives on. A reincarnation resides in the current administration; something mirrored in the fact the government is completely impotent, lacking the will to unify the country as statements and the deportment of some of its luminaries increasingly polarises regions. The king, in this case President Kenyatta, is surrounded by people mesmerised by power and so consumed by greed, they are unwittingly rendering him unpopular each day. They will destroy anything and anyone perceived to be an encumbrance to their avarice. For this reason I have said before the war on corruption was lost before it began.

    Some assassinations have led to revolutions and collapse of ancient dynasties, while others fundamentally altered national political courses. The assassination of Rasputin in Russia led to the end of the 400-year Romanov dynasty.

    Perhaps the assassination with the greatest political impact on our nationhood Kenya was that of Pio Gama Pinto a Kenyan of Goan origin. On February 24, 1965, Socialist-leaning Pinto, a specially elected (nominated) member of the Lower House was shot dead outside his House in Nairobi’s Parklands area.

    Pinto had left his house as usual in the morning to take his wife to work and the children to school. He returned shortly before 9am and had a cup of tea. As he drove out of his house, he was shot twice by three men who then fled in a waiting car. His death shocked the nation as such a thing was only last heard of at the height of the Mau Mau war.

    In July, two suspects Kisilu Mutua, 18, and Chege Thuo, 19, were arraigned in court but the first witness, chief inspector David Michael Rowe, said that of the 10 fingerprints that had been recovered from the scene of the murder, none matched those of Mutua and Thuo. Chief Justice Sir John Ainley acquitted Chege on July 15, 1965, while Kisilu was sentenced to hang although it was later commuted to a life sentence. After nearly four decades in jail, he was released still maintaining his innocence.

    Pinto, who like Jomo Kenyatta had been detained in the fight for Independence, had fallen out with him over money that was to be paid to Mau Mau war veterans and which was allegedly misappropriated by the latter. Prior to his death, it is alleged that Kenyatta and Pinto had exchanged insults and bitter words over the money.

    Pinto’s death, however, ended up significantly changing the course of Kenya’s history because his close friend, Joseph Murumbi, himself half Goan, resigned as Vice-President after he realised the real reasons why his friend had died. This paved way for Daniel Moi to be appointed and this significantly altered the political landscape for the next half-century.

    Kenya can then be said to be what it is today because of the death of Pinto. If you happen buy the rhetoric that we were the same economic level as Malaysia and Singapore at that time, then we remained poor because Kenyatta and Moi were not motivated by the same priorities as Lee Kuan Yew and others

    The talk of bumping off DP Ruto got many thinking especially when Sen James Orengo asked the ruling political divide to choose where they want pledge their loyalty to, either to Ceazer(Uhuru) or Rasputin(Ruto). What would the political fallout look like?

    Of course, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto are conjoined by the ethnopolitical formation that brought them to the national scenarios. Their political duopoly was premised on the blood that was shed in the 2007-o8 post-poll violence that saw targeted massive killings on both sides of the divide.

    Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto have since gained significant cross-tribal constituencies, necessitating careful thinking before acting against either. But under the principal of Cui Bono (with benefits), the interests of the few who will benefit from bumping off Ruto, will always overshadow that of the majority who care less who is the next president.

    Prince Yusupov, who in part planned the assassination of Rasputin, had hoped that his death would save the Romanov dynasty but they all sank with it. Like Yusupov, Uhuru-Raila – Kenyatta-Odinga dynasties does not seem to have the kind of political capital to withstand massive fallout if Ruto is killed.

    Machiavelli himself offers a good word of caution: “Many men have imagined republics and principalities that never really existed at all. Yet the way men live is so far removed from the way they ought to live that anyone who abandons what is for what should be pursues his downfall rather than his preservation…”