Kenya Insights

Author: Kenya West

  • FKF: Sam Nyamweya Is A Corrupt Man

    FKF: Sam Nyamweya Is A Corrupt Man

    Sam Nyamweya, the former FKF Supremo presided over a corrupt, inept and incompetent body. He started on a wrong footing. Sidelining his then deputy Sam Shollei and Nairobi representative Dan Shikanda who questioned his style, competence and integrity. He wanted to surround himself with yes men and henchmen.

    When he became the Chairman, Harambee Stars dropped in FIFA rankings at an alarming rate, being eclipsed by our neighbours Uganda and small countries like Rwanda.

    So dire was the football situation in Kenya that, coaches couldn’t be paid their salaries in time. The then Professional footballers like Victor Mugubi Wanyama, Ayub Timbe and Arnold Origi were never refunded their ticket money.

    For a National team to perform well, players must be motivated. They must be assembled in camp early enough before any major international assignment for them to gel and bond.

    But they were hurriedly assembled one or two days to a match day leaving the coach with inadequate time to craft a winning line up. Players were routinely kicked out at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium and detained in hotels for non payment of lodging fees.

    While foreign teams touched down on our soil four or five days before kick off, giving them ample time to acclimatize and familiarise themselves with our pitches, our National team left a few hours to kick off time. No wonder we had become the whipping boys of Africa and even regional football. Our team could not leave Wilson Airport for Cape Verde because the owners of the chartered plane insisted on being paid upfront. The boys spent the whole day at the Airport. Where was Nyamweya?

    It took the intervention of the president for the team to fly out. This means that if he had not stepped in, the boys would not have travelled, giving our opponents a walkover.

    This was an unacceptable abdication of duty. For the president to step in while there are officials tasked with handling football matters as well as a substantive cabinet secretary, is giving him unwarranted political mileage.

    Sam Nyamweya was in the list of shame compiled by the Ethics and Anti corruption Commission (EACC). This spoke volumes about his integrity.

    Mr Hussein Terry, who was a member of national executive committee (NEC) representing Coast region, presented what he termed “evidence of football corruption” to the then EACC deputy secretary Michael Mubea.

    The dossier was copied to the then Cabinet Secretary for Sports Hassan Wario(was fired over corruption scandals) and to relevant parliamentary committees. The report has also been sent to Fifa, CAF and other regional football stakeholders. Terry claims that FKF is riddled with corruption.

    “Following my disclosure about two weeks ago that there was financial mismanagement at FKF, I would like today to bring to the attention of the entire country that I have in my possession vital evidence to prove my allegations,” Terry told reporters.

    According to the document, FKF had not indicated $410,222.20 (Sh34 million) received from Fifa, CAF and other sources in its annual financial statement presented before delegates at annual general meeting held on June 28. However, Nyamweya dismissed all allegations by Terry, adding that he was willing to co-operate with investigators.

    The man was embroiled in endless wars with KPL and the branches over football administration. He was interfering with the work of Football Kenya Electoral Board with the intention of rigging the forthcoming elections. He was requesting members to pay their nomination fees to the federation account contrary to the boards directive.

    In 2015, Police in Kenya recommended that three top football bosses be charged with conspiracy to defraud, Kenya’s state prosecutor said on Monday. Sam Nyamweya, Michael Esakwa and Samson Cherop of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) were being investigated over alleged fraud involving more than 153,000 euros.

    The country misses the days of Matiba, Peter Kenneth and the late Joab Omino, the late 70’s and early 80’s. That was the pinnacle of Kenyan football. These were people with the game at heart. They ran the federation professionally.

    Nyamweya held so much dirt on his shoulders, after what was reported as the biggest TV deal for Kenya’s national football team, it took StarTimes days to disclose that the integrity of their sponsorship of Harambee Stars has been compromised and wanted the deal renegotiated.

    Many can not forget the revelation that A French company contracted by FKF to champion a bid for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) instituted legal proceedings to get their payment.

    Leonard Dubreuil, who ran the INSYS International, took the unusual step to sue FKF in a bid to recover $30,000 (Sh3 million) which they had charged FKF for preparing the bid documents.

    An email sent to ‘Uncle Sam’ by INSYS read in part: “…it is with deep regret that we have decided to take our case of non-payment of USD 30,000 before court. We were mandated on the 5th of September 2014 to make the bid document on behalf of Kenya for the Afcon 2017.”

    Equals, Sepp Blatter and Sam Nyamweya.

    Incompetence and Corruption

    Everything Nyamweya touched ended up in ash. Harambee stars were in a sorry state since he took over, routinely losing to the likes of Lesotho. The CECAFA cup which Kenya hosted in 2013 was shambolic with teams getting locked in their hotels due to non-payment of allowances. French coach Henri Michel who was invited by Nyamweya to coach Harambee stars ended up leaving after a few months once he realized that Nyamweya was never going to pay him. His successor, Adel Amrouche suffered the ignominy of being evicted from his apartment because he could not pay rent. Nyamweya was not paying him.

    Nyamweya was primarily driven by a greed for money. Nobody knows what he did with the annual FIFA grant which amounts to US$ 250,000 per year (Almost Ksh 23 million).

    One of the first actions he took when he became FKF chairman was to demand that all football sponsors must deposit 15% of their sponsorship money in FKF accounts. Safaricom who used to sponsor the popular Sakata ball tournament balked at the idea. Nyamweya stood his ground and a result the Sakata ball tournament ended, leaving grassroots youngstars with no avenue to showcase their skills. Copa Coca Cola, another grassroots tournament which was once thriving has basically been moribund since Nyamweya took over in 2011.

    And because many future stars were discovered in such grassroots tournaments, it is fair to say that Nyamweya quite literally killed Kenya’s prospects of unearthing grassroots talent.

    The source of sponsorship that Nyamweya didn’t  get his paws is the KPL sponsorship which came from broadcast partners Supersport. This was likely the reason for Nyamwey’a pushed to assert authority over the KPL.

    But under Nyamweya, football was rife with corruption which meant likely that sponsorship deals.

    FIFA Independent consultant report

    A report commisioned by a a FIFA auditor found that mong other things:

    1.  FIFA funds to FKF for referees was never transferred to the leagues or clubs who actually pay the referees.
    2. FKF said it would pay for the higher costs of an 18-team league but could not but show any new sponsors for doing so.
    3. That an 18 team leagues will mean reduced grants and players salaries for all KPL clubs

    The auditor recommended that the league continue to be run by KPL and not FKF.

    Nyamweya then flew to Zurich to meet Blatter. Soon after that meeting Blatter declared wholehearted support for Nyamweya and FKF and even declared that the technical report prepared by the FIFA auditor should be ignored. This was a classic corrupt behaviour by Blatter. Why would FIFA order a technical audit whose results should’ve been ignored?

    It’s now official Sam Nyamweya will vie for the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidency in the upcoming polls.

    Four years after he relinquished FKF’s top seat without a fight, Sam Nyamweya has announced his intent at making a comeback.

    In a lengthy statement sent to newsrooms on, the veteran football administrator confirmed he will challenge incumbent Nick Mwendwa for the FKF presidency ‘in the soon coming FKF elections once the Covid-19 pandemic is contained and upon resumption of normalcy in our activities and daily operations.’

    “I will be unveiling my team after consultation with our sub-branch officials who have been the engine of our success hitherto. I will continue consulting and engaging with the regional leaders in the nine distinct regions of FKF who have faithfully supported our shared aspirations and have been a source of strength and inspiration to my leadership,” he explained.

    Is Nyamweya the savior of Kenya’s football that we need? Judge for yourself.

  • Mutahi Kagwe, Tell-Em PR And The Fumbled Coronavirus Crisis Management Marks

    Mutahi Kagwe, Tell-Em PR And The Fumbled Coronavirus Crisis Management Marks

    Before debuting on the political scene, Mr Kagwe worked in the media, at the Standard Group’s advertising department between 1987 and 1989, while also doing private business. He rose to the position of commercial director at the media house before launching a small independent publishing house and later a public relations company.

    In 2002, he took a plunge into politics, becoming Mukurwe-ini Constituency Member of Parliament on a National Alliance Rainbow Coalition (Narc) party ticket. During that term, he served as the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Trade, Tourism and Planning.

    His biggest break came in 2005 when former President Mwai Kibaki appointed him to his Cabinet as Minister for Information Communication and Technology (ICT).

    It was during his stint as ICT Minister that Kenya ditched satellite technology and embraced Fibre Optic Cables that would see a drastic drop in call tariffs and increase in internet speeds, thus changing forever how Kenyans communicated with each other and the rest of the world.

    Mr Kagwe, along with Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo, spearheaded construction of the Transformational East African Marine System (TEAMS), the first Fibre Optic Project for Eastern Africa.

    It was also during his tenure that Safaricom’s M-Pesa was launched, the first-ever mobile money transfer system in the world.

    In 2007, he disappeared from active politics after losing his Mukurweini seat to Kabando Wa Kabando. For the next five years, he stayed out of the public limelight but made a comeback in 2013, this time running for Senate on a Narc party ticket.

    Mutahi Kagwe addressing the press.

    He won the seat, becoming the first Senator for Nyeri County and chairing the Senate Committee on Information and Technology as well as serving on the Senate Committee of Finance and Budget and the Liaison Committee.

    In 2017, he gunned for the Nyeri gubernatorial seat, battling it out with former Governors Samuel Wamathai and Wahome Gakuru (now deceased) for the Jubilee Party ticket.

    After being edged out by his opponents, he again put aside active politics.

    He stayed away from the public limelight for the next two years until October 2019 when he was appointed to the board of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

    His appointment came at the expense of Dr Macharia Irungu, whose position was revoked by Cabinet Secretary for Energy Charles Keter.

    Before Mr Uhuru Kenyatta nominated him Cabinet Secretary for Health, his involvement as the master of ceremonies during a Mt Kenya leaders’ meeting at Sagana State Lodge presided over by the President sent tongues wagging on whether he was being prepared for another stint in national politics.

    Mr Kagwe took a leading role in the day’s activities while inviting key speakers.

    He was among the senior politicians that Mr Kenyatta opted to sit with at the high table during the high-profile meeting, edging out the younger politicians.

    In the Kenyatta II succession realignments, Mr Kagwe has emerged as his own man and no one can accuse him of riding on the shoulders of his late powerful and assertive father-in-law.

    Mr Kagwe has been one of the most articulate and consistent pro-BBI voices from the region, especially on the question of reintroduction of the Prime Minister’s position in the governance system, and which President Kenyatta has also unequivocally supported.

    In the last meeting President Kenyatta held with the leadership of the region last November at the Sagana State Lodge, Kagwe was the master of ceremonies (MC) in charge of the speakers’ line-up and order at the microphone.

    He played the role of eminent elder host of national leadership at the funeral of first Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua in 2017.

    He is expected be a top champion of President Kenyatta’s legacy and succession plans.

    “President Kenyatta is not going anywhere any time soon, and there are no competing kingpins to inherit his mantle as yet.

    ”Mr Kagwe’s elevation should be viewed as part of the President’s reorganisation of his team of supporters and helpers he needs in accomplishing his legacy agenda,” said political scholar and newspaper columnist Prof Peter Kagwanja.

    Kagwe is also a ranking member of senior politicians from the region who Prof Kagwanja described as orphans of the disputed Jubilee Party primaries of April 2017.

    “This group includes former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and former Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura. The President is cognisant they did not lose in a fair contest and recognises their competence and potential,” Prof Kagwanja said.

    Kagwe’s entrance into the cabinet has caused jitters as well, he’s grown to be the most powerful CS taking all the limelight from Interior CS Fred Matiang’i who was previously seen as the kingpin. Rumors have it there’s an existing discomfort existing.

    Given existing position of the CS in the political sphere, critics have alleged that he’s playing too much PR to cushion the government and furnish the president’s legacy in the light of the pandemic. Mutahi has naturally dismissed these claims.

    At some point during his daily Covid-19 briefing, a noticeably irritated Kagwe strongly condemned those who branded the recovery of two victims (Brenda Cherotich and Brian Orinda) unveiled as a PR exercise; insisting the government would have no business doing such.

    He said the “mockery” was “archaic” and “retrogressive”, further directing state agencies like the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to immediately arrest the individuals and ensure they are put to trial.

    Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe poses for a photo with Kenya’s first Coronavirus survivors: Brenda and Brian.

    Kagwe’s remarks were in response to a brewing social media storm sparked by Kenyans who took it up to themselves to critically analyze the stories shared by the two recovered patients and, in the process, exposed numerous irregularities and inconsistencies in their narratives.

    “Instead of reenergizing and raising alert efforts, a section of Kenyans have branded this a PR exercise. Why would a government in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) decide to make a PR exercise with two innocent Kenyans? It is archaic and retrogressive. I condemn in the strongest terms in any person who does so. I appeal to security agencies to arrest these social media users,” – Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.

    Reacting to Kagwe’s conspicuous statement, Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi has sent out a warning to the Uhuru’s man in charge of the health docket that he should not at any point expect citizens to simply believe anything the government says, further advising him that attempting to suppress their views and speculations on matters Coronavirus is a losing battle that he shouldn’t wish to engage himself in.

    Mutahi has been battling playing Coronavirus PR accusations for time now. Perhaps the latest incidences is the unceremonious firing of top scientist Dr. Lutomiah. According to media reports, he was fired for delaying daily Covid-19 results with an hour. There’s less said about this, insider sources talking to Kenya Insights say they’re as clueless as of what made Kagwe fire the scientist. We’re however informed the two were in direct contact daily and the differences they had remain classified. The excuse for his firing is in our view, nonsensical.

    From Left: Tell Em’s, Joel Chacha (General Manager) Elizabeth Cook (Managing Director) CS Mutahi Kagwe (Chairman) at the firms 2Oth anniversary in November 2019. FILE

    The other accusation of misappropriation of Covid-19 funds saw the CS coming out defensive. In the same breath he read malice in the accusations, will break it down. Here’s the statement from Mutahi on the same.

    “Good Evening. I have debated posting tonight but am doing so because I read your comments and appreciate your sentiments and fears. As a Kenyan, I too have been disappointed by leaders who fail us for reasons that span inefficiency to corruption. The allegations you are seeing are based on this trend: public skepticism and pessimism. I get it. And so I am here to let you know that among us is a cohort that believes in exploitation and that thinks that by spreading lies, innuendo and propaganda, I will be intimidated and worse, lose the trust of you – – the Kenyan – – who believes in our cause and my integrity. They want us sidetracked. I am no greenhorn; I have seen such mischief before, wasn’t intimated then and will not be intimidated now. Watch my actions, they will illustrate this.
    The job at hand is simple: save lives in the most cost efficient way and accomplish this in collaboration with the people this position devotes me to: YOU.
    So, in pointing out the fakeness of the financial analyses making the circuit, I am sure that you will agree with me this is not the appropriate forum for me to delve into detailed accounting, balance sheets et all. But that is coming. You need transparency and will get it in a manner detailed enough for your critical analyses. Suffice it to say, there will be no theft of COVID-19 resources under my watch and if there is any truth regarding the misuse of COVID-19 funds, beyond being disheartened, I guarantee you that those responsible will be out of the ministry faster than we can blink. Propaganda or not, we, WILL sanitize the healthcare system…so God help us.”

    While it’s not clear who the cohorts the CS is talking about, the rift and conflicting story from his PS paints a grim picture.

     

    In a quick rebuttal of the media reports on misappropriation of funds, the Health Ministry dismissed the reports that the Sh1 billion from World Bank has already been spent and exhausted in the first month in war against Covid-19..

    Health PS Susan Mochache in a statement on Saturday said so far, only part of the Sh1 billion has been received and that no money has been spent.

    Health PS Susan Mochache
    Image: FILE

    “It is, therefore, a gross misinterpretation to state that the ministry has already spent the money,” the statement reads in part.

    Mochache said the fund is expected to assist the ministry in the national Covid-19 response for six months between April to September.

    She further noted that when an initial Sh1 billion was approved by the World Bank, the ministry drew a budget to show how funds would be apportioned to various mitigation activities spread across six months starting April.

    The funds by the World Bank are meant to support various activities of the sub-committees of the National Emergency Response Committee’s multi-agency technical task force under the Ministry of Health.

    “The budgeting exercise was carried out in strict consultation with all relevant government experts, and in line with World Bank procedures.”

    “Utilisation of the budget support is ongoing and that the money will be dispensed on the need basis, from time to time over the planned period,” Mochache said.

    According to the PS, all government and World Bank procedures on utilisation of donor funding will be strictly and meticulously complied with.

    Mochache added that the ministry is open to scrutiny by all relevant agencies to confirm the expenditure at any time.

    The highest allocation, according to the ministry is Sh735 million, which is to be spent on the procurement of personal protective equipment, laboratory testing kits, sample collection kits and laboratory reagents.

    The PS added that a rigorous expenditure monitoring procedure had been put in place to inform constant adjustments to the Covid-19 response activities to ensure prudence.

    “The national response to Covid-19 is a delicate and laborious programme that calls for the support of all players in executing the tasks of protecting the lives of our frontline staff, contact tracing and managing quarantine facilities in all the 100 centres,” she noted.

    Health CS Mutahi Kagwe on Tuesday tabled a report of the budget.

    The issue has sparked mixed reactions from Kenyans who are now asking for accountability as to how the amount was spend, with the report showing that the amount might have been spent on non-essentials.

    Breakdown of the budget showing clearly that part of the money from World Bank has already been spent as per the last column.

    Accountability questions are not going to disappear anytime soon. The conflicting and finger pointing is causing so much confusions and arousing suspicions.

    Initially, CS Mutahi was regarded as the Covid-19 foreman, gradually, he lost his sheen, according to African Arguments. “ It was up to Kagwe to steady the ship, but he too started running into headwinds. Frustrated by a lack of adherence to government directives, he read the riot act to Kenyans for their alleged indiscipline. Critics complained against the state for not doing enough while expecting the earth from its citizens. Another time, Kagwe said responsibility for tackling COVID-19 lay at the feet of Kenya’s youth. This too drew anger from many who questioned what the government has done for the youth for it to now call on them.“

    “A few more missteps later, including complaints of the government’s poorly coordinated mandatory quarantine programme, Kagwe started declining to take questions from the press after his updates. It was burdensome to carry the weight of an entire government on one’s shoulders.”

    Kagwe’s approach to Covid-19 has attracted mixed reactions globally, while Wallstreet Journal described his as a hero, some like Washington Post refers to his coronavirus strategy as straight out of the colonial playbook.

    While being vetted following an invitation and call of duty to join President Uhuru Kenyatta’s cabinet, the former Nyeri Senator in a document tabled before parliament said he was worth Sh667.8 million and he attributed this massive wealth to his ‘hard work’ majorly from his two companies; Public Relations firm Tell-Em and a research agency TNS RMS East Africa.

    “I am worth what I am worth as a result of my hard work. I started doing feasibility studies in my room at Hall 2 at the University of Nairobi and for over 40 years I must have made some money,” he said in those documents.

    Kagwe also owns other assets. During the last Jamhuri day, President Uhuru Kenyatta alluded to the issue of conflict of interests. In his address, he made a remark that was interpreted to be targeting to lawmakers who acted as lawyers for leaders and the creme de la creme facing corruption charges.

    “The position is simple; you either serve the public in the role you signed up for or you serve the republic as a private practitioner. It is a profound conflict of interest to do both,” he said.

    This is coming in the backdrop that the CS is engaging the services of his PR firm to the government in the Coronavirus crisis management.

    https://twitter.com/chepkut_william/status/1254361664964747266?s=21

    In his defense, the CS insists these are people spreading malicious rumours to taint his name, says he has never done business with the government in person or with his company. “I have never done any business with any ministry in government. I’ve got my eyes on the ball, I know what I’m doing.
    It is very easy to put things out of context and make it look like there is theft in the ministry.”

    In his Tell-Em PR client portfolio, Uhuru’s Brookside Company and Bill Melinda Gates are listed amongst biggest clients which lends credence to critics accusations of conflict of interest.

    Tell-Em lists government lobbying as one of their services without being specific as to which governments but that remains an easy guess, “Our team have worked in and with government bodies, establishing connections with individuals and agencies that influence decision making at the topmost level. We provide the necessary links you need to move your company forward.” It reads.

    Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates.

    Bill and Melinda Gates who’ve been vocal about depopulation and need of controlled births more so in Africa and Tell-Em clients unsurprisingly have become the center of scrutiny by alternative thinkers.

    Melinda Gates, wife of world billionaire Bill Gates has predicted that the African countries may be so devastated by the virus that its streets might be filled with dead bodies.

    She was speaking with American news channel CNN when she expressed fear that the African continent may be overwhelmed by the virus if the transmission surges as high as witnessed in Europe, America and Asia. Critics have labeled her a doomsday prophet.

    Bill Gates is also on record saying that coronavirus in Africa could overwhelm health services and trigger a pandemic which could cause 10 million deaths.

    There are more than 40,000 cases of the deadly coronavirus in Africa, according to data released Saturday by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    The continent has reported 41,330 cases and 1,701 deaths, said Africa CDC.

    The death toll from the novel coronavirus rose in several nations as the continent continues to grapple with the pandemic.

    In the last 24 hours, 385 new cases and seven deaths were reported in South Africa; 150 new cases and 10 deaths in Sudan; 70 new infections and three deaths in Somali and five deaths in Chad, according to officials in those countries.

    COVID-19 cases have been reported in 187 countries and regions since the novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China last December, with the US and Europe the hardest-hit areas.

    More than 3.4 million cases have been reported worldwide, with the death toll exceeging 242,200 and more than 1 million recoveries, according to data compiled by the US-based Johns Hopkins University.

    As CS Kagwe continues to give assurances that he’s not involved in deals with the government and that there’s no money that has been stolen, it’s prudent to mention that taxpayers lost upto Sh5B in Afya House grand theft, a scandal that remains unresolved so Kenyans suspicions are valid.

     

  • Chinese Owned Mobile Loan Firms Okash And Opesa Are Harassing Kenyan Employees

    Chinese Owned Mobile Loan Firms Okash And Opesa Are Harassing Kenyan Employees

    Mobile Lenders in Kenya are really the bottom of the barrel, initially, the field remained unregulated and attracted many crooks who banked their hopes on the desperate and uninformed citizens to not only give loans at exorbitant interest rates but also invaded their privacy.

    Okash, Opesa both of which we’ve gathered are owned by Chinese nationals have been a Centre if bad press and they have themselves to blame. We’re going to come back to this later on.

    Kenya Insights has obtained communications between the company’s directors and their debt collectors showing a total disconnect and a rogue employer.

    The firm has about 600 agents most are now working from home after police raided their offices for working despite government’s directive of working from home. Now, the workers are being asked to work for almost 12 hours a day as credit collectors and are under constant threats. They work 6 days a week. “We’re really suffering from these Chinese but we’re desperate as we have no other jobs and they’re taking advantage of this to harass us, please help.” One of the workers talking to this writer said.

    In their contract they signed with the company that we’ve seen, they should be working from 8am to 5 pm which is 8 hours a day and lunch break of one hour, now they’re forced to work for the 12 hours a day with a 30 minutes lunch break and are constantly under threats. We also gather that a Chinese only identified as Yu is on the frontline and often call the agents directly and he doesn’t have nice words.

    They’ve obviously contravened the terms of the contract and abusing their power on helpless Kenyans. As they sit comfortably in Beijing, they’re making life more unbearable for Kenyans who now have to deal with Wuhan virus and rogue employers.

    One of the least-acknowledged and perhaps most insidious aspects of digital credit is the way it is expanding the reach of governments and corporations into people’s everyday lives. Financial technology, or fintech, is commodifying the routine habits of Kenyans, transforming their behavior into reputational data to be monitored and assessed.

    Then there is the issue of data capture. Safaricom is not only dominating Kenya’s once cash-based, “informal” economy through services like M-Pesa; it is also collecting a great deal of data on customers and their consumer habits through their phones. According to the watchdog group Privacy International, mandatory SIM card registration laws have enabled “a more pervasive system of mass surveillance” throughout Africa.

    Fintech companies have gained unprecedented access into the lives of ordinary Kenyans. They use everything from GPS data to how often people call their parents to social media feeds to assess customers’ creditworthiness. As Sofia Zab, former Director of Marketing at Branch, told Kenya’s Standard Media: “We use smartphone data to build a financial identity for applicants. Our machine learning algorithms analyze over 2000 data points to make lending decisions. This includes M-Pesa transaction SMS, call behavior and handset information.” Credit analytics firms like the American startup Cignifi are also culling data from unbanked African populations to develop predictive algorithms.

    The accumulation of digital credit histories is particularly worrisome in a country that lacks sufficient data protection laws. Many apps have terms of service (like Tala’s privacy policy) that reserve the right to disclose users’ information to third parties.

    Last year, a particularly brazen privacy violation occurred when late-paying users of the loan app Okash discovered the company was texting friends and relatives requesting that they “kindly inform” debtors of their loan obligations. As one Twitter user complained, “Okash does not value privacy. If you default [on] your payment by 3 days, they hack your personal contacts and start calling people…They be calling your dad, mum, sister, friends, your ex, landlord…seriously.”

    Okash have zero regards for privacy and they continue to operate despite all the cries. Only recently, The CBK announced new regulations concerning information submitted to Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs) in what has been hailed by Kenyans as one of the wisest moves from the regulator.

    In the new directive by CBK, no Kenyan will be blacklisted on the CRB for defaulting less than 1,000 shillings and that all those listed for defaulted below 1,000 shillings should be delisted with immediate effect. Okash and Opesa were blacklisted.

    One of their worst conditions and permissions when allowing their app reads “In the event we cannot get in contact with you or your emergency contact, you also expressly authorize us to contact any and ALL PERSONS IN YOUR CONTACT LIST”

    Talking of exploitation, the company is notorious. When asked to share their experiences, it was nothing but chaotic, stinking to the high level.

    https://twitter.com/henzeljenzel/status/1252666574508523520?s=21

    https://twitter.com/itstrevorke/status/1252671868622049283?s=21

    In Kenya, the impact of technology has affected the market economy greatly. The rate at which innovations relating to the use of technology to enable access to finances is rising remains unparalleled. In 2007, Vodafone, through Safaricom, launched MPESA mobile money transfer. The obvious gap that Vodafone sought to fill was that of financial access and inclusion, especially amongst low and middle income earners. MPESA has since metamorphosed into several other services. Kenya is currently facing an influx of lending platforms. It is therefore important to conduct an audit of the legal framework governing this sector to determine its efficiency in the dynamic market economy.

    One emerging concern related to digital lending is harassment of borrowers upon default of payment of the loans from lending applications. The Central Bank of Kenya (“CBK”), established under the Central Bank of Kenya Act, (“CBK Act”), is the lead regulator in the financial sector. However, the texture and architecture of the CBK Act anticipated regulation of operations typical financial institutions such as banks.

    The provisions of the National Payment Systems Act could be utilised by the CBK, for reason that these digital lending apps operate within its framework. Since 2018, the CBK has hinted at a digital lending charter to regulate digital lending. The charter should contain clauses that will tame lenders from harassing borrowers. To also address concerns of extortion and hidden unconscionable profits on the part of digital lenders, there is need for a provision requiring borrowers to be supplied content on financial literacy. This will help inculcate policies on transparency and disclosure in this sector.

    One other concern that must be addressed in this sector is that of infringement of privacy, seeing as borrowers and their acquaintances have their privacy violated in several ways. Privacy includes treating all borrowers with the utmost respect and dignity as they use the digital lending applications.

    In the current market practice, upon default of loan repayment, some random persons in the contact list of the borrower are contacted in the guise of enforcing repayment. This is used as a form of default guarantor to the digital loan. In reality, contacting random persons about a loan taken by another without their knowledge subjects the borrower to shame and unintended disrepute. In Indonesia, digital loan applications have been reported to form WhatsApp groups using the contact details of the borrower and an automatic message sent to the chat asking the members to tell the defaulted borrower to repay the loans.

    Therefore, at the point of installation of the digital lending applications, there is need to ensure that the consent pop up notices give the borrowers options as to the levels of access that they consent to. It is also significant to ensure that failure to consent to use of data does not deny borrowers a chance to utilise the credit facility as this amounts to coerced or constructive consent.

    There is also need to disclose the data obtained and the purpose of obtaining such data. During use of the digital lending application, when personal information changes, the digital lending applications need to put in place measures to facilitate rectification of such information. Additional data sought from the data subject, should be done properly, following strict guidelines as to consent.

    It’s unlikely that these people will change their rogue ways of operations so it’s either Kenyans stay away from them or the government bundle them out and save the many at their mercies. But there’s a drop of some hope, Central Bank Governor Patrick Njoroge has intensified attacks against digital lenders, dismissing their role in the credit market, which he mockingly likened to a “flea in the economy.”

  • Condoms Sales Down According To Durex Report, Less People Are Having Sex

    Condoms Sales Down According To Durex Report, Less People Are Having Sex

    By BBC

    The boss of Reckitt Benckiser, which owns Durex condoms, has said people are having less sex because of the coronavirus crisis.

    Laxman Narasimhan said condom sales fell in most markets, including the UK, during March as lockdowns limited opportunities for sexual activity.

    He also said established couples were being less intimate than usual.

    “Intimate occasions are going down and that is a manifestation of anxiety,” he said.

    The firm, which has seen strong sales of other products such as disinfectants and cough syrups, blamed the impact of “stay at home” policies on consumers.

    Mr Narasimhan said Italians and Britons in particular had been less intimate, although the opposite was true in China where lockdowns are now being lifted.

    “What you see is this virus is having a toll on the number of intimate occasions in the UK,” he said.

    Since the UK lockdown began on 23 March, people who do not live in same household have not been allowed to meet.

    Those in new relationships were also given just a day to decide whether they would move in together or quarantine themselves separately, leaving some couples on hold.

    Coronial boom?

    Bookmakers have predicted there will be a baby boom in 2021, as enforced isolation prompts more established couples to conceive.

    This is based on the theory that birth rates rise sharply after periods of national crisis, such as World War 2.

    But some experts have disputed this, saying the opposite is more often true after pandemics.

    Reckitt Benckiser said it expected UK demand for condoms to recover when the lockdown ends, as it has done in China after a dip.

    Last week Reckitt Benckiser had to warn the public not to consume its disinfectants after US President Donald Trump suggested they could potentially be used to treat coronavirus.

    The firm, which owns brands including Lysol, Dettol and Cillit Bang, said its products should not be administered “through injection, ingestion or any other route”.

    Mr Trump later said his comments had been made “sarcastically”.

  • Shahbal Sends Help To Woman Who Was Boiling Stones For Her Children In Mombasa

    Shahbal Sends Help To Woman Who Was Boiling Stones For Her Children In Mombasa

    NTV highlighted a story of how a woman in Mombasa struck with poverty resorted to boiling stones to give illusions to her kids that there’s food.

    Mombasa remains top of the two most hit counties with coronavirus after Nairobi. Governor Joho has requested the state to impose a total lockdown in the county in a desperate measure to contain the virus that is rapidly spreading.

    KPA is almost running to a halt following a diagnosis that found a large number of employees infected with the Wuhan virus.

    Economy of the country had been dealt a huge blow with the ongoing partial lockdown, despite donations from donors and counties like Mombasa giving subsidies, the population is starving. The government through Covid-19 relief fund is currently giving Sh1,000 weekly to vulnerable families but when that is not enough and covering all.

    In Mombasa, a mother was highlighted on the media on resorting to boil stones to give her starving kids an illusion of Food cooking. Her desperation is not just unique to the county. With a frozen economy, many are now starving and impoverished.

    Overwhelmed government is now considering opening the economy with one foot in. Restaurants that ideally offers employment to many have been given a go ahead for operation.

    Businessman Suleiman Shahbal has responded to the Mombasa lady caught up in the mix of the day. “I am terrified by this story of a woman, in Kisauni who boiled stones to feed her family! No parent should ever go through this! I have dispatch my team in Mombasa to take for her family some food items. If we can’t feed our people as a nation then nothing else really matters!”

    Shabahl is highly considered as the next in line for Mombasa County after Governor Joho.

  • It’s A First Round Win For Governor Sonko Against Interior PS Kibicho

    It’s A First Round Win For Governor Sonko Against Interior PS Kibicho

    Governor Sonko’s rescue team had sued the Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and state agents from demolishing sanitising booths in Nairobi. In a public spat, Sonko had alleged that his booths which costs Sh400,000 each and which he gave freely, had irked city cartels whom had plotted to rip off the state with bloated prices.

    High Court has now issued cease orders on the demolitions of the structures that the Governor has started putting up across the city.

    According to the suit papers, Kibicho directed Nairobi regional commissioner to remove the booths from Kencom stage, Buruburu and Kibera, which the rescue team put up as part of its charitable objectives.

    Sonko’s team had already engaged in heavy food and sanitization materials distribution in Nairobi but were however stopped as government moved in to have a coordinated distribution link.

    As the wars between the Governor and the PS escalates, Sonko has vowed to move on with his philanthropic mission.

    ”Despite the ban of rendering essential services like fumigating of our estates and slums, distributing foodstuffs to the needy families, giving free masks and sanitizers to the public and erecting public sanitization booths and as we wait for the constitutional court’s outcome in an application we lodged in court yesterday, today we have decided to defy the directive by the PS interior Karanja Kibicho through the RC Nairobi Wilson Njega.” Sonko said in a statement.

    “SRT as a recognized NGO will go ahead to donate foodstuffs to the great people of Nairobi from Githogoro Slums ,Karura ward. Let them come and arrest us. Punda sasa imechoka kama mbaya wacha iwe mbaya ata President Uhuru before akuwe Rais alipigwa teargas na the same police while defending hawkers in Nairobi. And that time instructions were issued by senior officers at the OP who were also drunk with power.” He continued.

  • Kenya: Restaurants Re-Opening, Good For The Economy, Disastrous For The Health

    Kenya: Restaurants Re-Opening, Good For The Economy, Disastrous For The Health

    Government of Kenya has opened up the space for restaurants to keep running and here’s a bait for disaster. With community transmissions ongoing, I think this is a disastrous way to deal with the virus. We’re basically courting the worst. Here’s a comparison of two countries in Europe that could make sense. I’ll brake it down.

    Sweden and Denmark both had relatively mild flu seasons this winter, with fewer people dying compared to recent years. Then COVID-19 struck, and the neighbouring countries adopted very different strategies.

    While the Danes were among the first in Europe to go into lockdown, Sweden opted for the herd immunity approach, making it one of the few advanced economies in the world to do so. There was no strict lockdown, and social distancing was recommended but not dictated.

    A visiting ban at care homes was introduced at the beginning of April to protect the elderly, gatherings of more than 50 people were prohibited, and universities and colleges were recommended to offer remote learning.

    But otherwise, life carries on essentially unchanged: Most schools, restaurants, bars, clubs, and gyms are open, and people are practising social distancing.

    A lot has been said and written about Sweden’s strategy. Its outlier status has been met with horror by some, curiosity by most, and applause by those pressing their own governments to lift restrictions that are having a destructive effect on economies and societies. With the leaders of the UK, the US, and other countries under increasing pressure to scale back their lockdowns, the question of whether Sweden’s approach is working is of international concern.

    UK, initially, admitted to adopting the herd immunity approach, even though they withdrew stand, things on the ground tell a different story.

    Kenya, officially, has minimal cases and while the economically fragile country just like rest continue to juggle and do a lot of guesswork, some measures seem to go off the rail. As we speak, Kenya has been under a lengthened curfew and restricted movements. It seem to be going well given the reported numbers of Covid-19 scenarios but caution is being sidelined.

    Given the partial lockdown, bars and restaurants including many businesses have remained closed, the suffocated system is now easing and opening up for a smooth flow. The government has decided to reopen restaurants, in their defense, the state says that this will provide Kenyans who work there a chance to earn a living and allow for Kenyans to get a meal.

    This makes a logical sense. Africa unlike the western, can’t sustain a citizen’s welfare stimulus plan. We’re too poor for this. Lockdown can’t work for us. But now with the virus, which is the right way to go?

    Now the government is saying all the restaurants will have to adhere to the set requirements of testing the staff and screening of all customers. This is a realistically impossible decision to stop further spread and here’s why.

    Restaurant staffs will actively mingle with both customers and others outside the premises even after the tests. They’ll receive all type of customers all through, the temperature screening has been proven not to be 100% effective as some infected person can manage up slip through, mostly the asymptotic.

    Not unless the Kenyan government is silently embracing the herd immunity approach whereby basing hopes on under 4% mortality, many will develop antibodies and survive the virus. This will however come at the expense of losing many lives. This again is not the official position or insinuation but rather an opinion.

    Model that has been effective in other countries who’ve managed to contain the virus is testing and isolating. The nature of the virus is just that, cut contacts.

    Still on Sweden that has allowed citizens to mingle with loosened rules, it has recorded its deadliest week this century after 2,505 people died in a seven-day period earlier this month.

    Kenya is faced with yet another problem, dancing with the devil, the country ceased movements outside flagged counties but allowed trucks to move. Now over 80% of cases that have been tested positive in Uganda are of truck drivers from Kenya and Tanzania.

    Kenya has since started mass testing of the drivers at the border in Malaba and here’s where the trouble brews. There has been a reported traffic snarl up that has got drivers waiting for testing and clearance for upto 3 days. During this time and with a traffic that extends to almost 40KMs touching Bungoma, the drivers have actively been in contact with the locals.

    Lack of proper coordination would see possible transmissions with the locals. There should be zero contacts between the drivers and locals but that’s logistically impossible with drivers stuck on the road for three days. This why I say, dancing with the devil.

    Kenya and Africa even if we get billions in donations, the healthcare systems are so poor to stand, in fact, Covid19 has disapproved and overwhelmed even the best of the best systems like Italy.

    Kenya with a population of approximately 48M has not done even enough tests to tell a tough estimate of virus spread but were helpless. No wonder some are saying it’s now between us and God.

  • Detectives Investigating Kenei’s Murder Changed After Loopholes Were Found In Their Case

    Detectives Investigating Kenei’s Murder Changed After Loopholes Were Found In Their Case

    Detectives who’ve been on the trail looking into the murder of Sergeant Kenei have been moved from the DCI unit of the police following loopholes that were found to have been derailing the case.

    Kenei caught himself in the way of the Sh40B fake arms deal that has since been pegged to the DP’s office where the whole set was put.

    Kenei’s further was also summoned recently and recorded a statement following his claims that he had been told by unnamed persons to accept that his done had committed suicide.

    The theory of suicidal was rubbished off following the postmortem results and subsequent scene evaluation that ruled murder as the possible cause of his death. Suicide was staged.

    Threw officers who have been on the case were also summoned by the DCI following a successful retrieval of data from Kenei’s phone. Initial investigations pointed that part of his phone data were deleted in what was reported as a collusion between the murderers and unnamed telecom firm.

    Its still unclear as to what made the detectives handling the case he changed and new ones assigned the job.

    Former CS Rashid Echesa who was at the center of the scam was arrested and case still ongoing. Echesa is a top Ruto’s ally.

  • Covid-19 Has Left Private Hospitals In Kenya Broke

    Covid-19 Has Left Private Hospitals In Kenya Broke

    By Abdi Mohammed

    Since March 13, 2020 when the first of Covid-19 case was confirmed in Kenya, the number of cases have risen to more than 350.

    A number of initiatives have been put in place to slow the spread of the virus. Schools, community gathering spaces like bars, gyms and golf clubs are all closed and workers advised to work from home.

    Public vehicles have reduced the number of people they can carry per trip. Kenyans have been ordered to put on masks whenever they leave their houses. In addition, five counties which so far bear the burden of the disease have been put under a partial lockdown.

    The government has put its focus in preventing the spread of the virus and building the capacity of the healthcare system to handle those who are or will get infected. In that regard, we applaud the president for taking the virus with the seriousness it deserves and protecting the lives of citizens.

    The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered unprecedented global health and economic crises. All over the world, different countries have come up with different economic measures to help their citizens overcome the economic burden if they survive the virus.

    Our government has also introduced a number of measures to cushion the economy. However, in doing so, it forgot one important sector; private healthcare providers who account for more than 50 per cent of health service provision.

    Policymakers at the Ministry of Health and medical associations have advised providers and doctors to halt non-essential procedures in order to preserve vital supplies for fighting Covid-19. That advisory has had a negative impact on businesses. Elective procedures are the lifeblood of many hospitals and specialty clinics, but the scaling back has led some facilities to almost have no patients.

    Many owners of health facilities and doctors are now struggling to meet payroll and other expenses. The prices of medical consumables have in some cases increased by 1,000 per cent due to shortages and global demand.

    This means a direct increase on cost of doing business for hospitals. Although the government did the right thing to issue the advisory as we all take Covid-19 seriously, it is unfortunate that we don’t know how prevalent Covid-19 is and how long we should maintain the current status.

    Mental health

    The current preparedness and response is mainly geared towards Covid-19 and the health system preparedness. Non-communicable diseases, which include cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung diseases are forgotten and not part of the response.

    This can lead to an acute exacerbation or a life-threatening deterioration in the health of people with NCDs. Mental health needs are at the peak for both the healthcare workers and the general public.

    If the current status goes on for a few months without identifying specific facilities as Covid-19 centres and allowing the rest to continue with treatment and prevention of other diseases, we will have another crisis shortly.

    Before the Covid-19 outbreak in Kenya, many hospitals across the nation were already facing financial challenges. There has been a delay in payment by NHIF and other insurances which have forced most hospitals to operate from hand to mouth.

    The lull in patients and lost revenue from canceling elective surgeries may bankrupt most hospitals or force them to close. The same is happening in public hospitals, but luckily they are unlikely to close.

    The alternative is hospitals and doctors in the private sector laying off their medical staff at a time when we need them most. Most of these health providers face tough choices on whether to keep or send home their employees who will be badly needed when the pandemic reaches its peak.

    There are many other suppliers and companies that also depend on hospitals. These are pharmaceutical, food, transport, among others. Most hospitals in the private sector have less than 15 days cash on hand.

    As a hospital association, we appeal to the government to enforce pending bills settlement by NHIF and other insurances, which will improve hospitals’ financial status and allow them not lay off healthcare workers during this crisis.

    We are also appealing to be given grants as part of the economic stimulus and health system preparedness.

    We appeal for the easing of movement and resumption of elective and non-emergency clinics. This will not only avert another crisis of non-communicable diseases post Covid-19, but will give providers a lifeline to continue with their operations and be ready when the need arises.

    Dr Abdi is the chairman, Kenya Association of Private Hospitals

  • Third Donation From Jack Ma To Kenya And Africa Arrives

    Third Donation From Jack Ma To Kenya And Africa Arrives

    The third batch of donation for Africa made by Chinese billionaire philanthropist Jack Ma arrived in Ethiopia on Monday.

    The World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) assigned the Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Logistics Service as a central supply hub to operate the international COVID-19 support supplies for Africa.

    Officials from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, WFP, WHO and the Ethiopian government attended the handover of the donation, as the consignment was unloaded from a cargo aircraft of the Ethiopian Airlines.

    Fitsum Abadi, the head of the airline’s cargo and logistics service, said the third batch of materials included 61,000 kilograms (134,482 pounds) of face masks and protective gear as well as ventilators.

    “We will begin transporting the donation to 54 African countries beginning Tuesday,” he said.

    Keeping afloat

    Ethiopian Airlines has been one of the worst-hit airlines in Africa losing $550 to the COVID-19 onslaught.

    “Yes we have lost the amount to global travel restrictions owing to the spread of the virus,” Fitsum said, adding “our cargo and aircraft maintenance services, however, have been performing better.”

    According to him, 80% of the loss was incurred by the passenger service.

    “We have been lifting cargo of agriculture products from African countries to deliver them to destinations to Europe, the Americas, Asia and Middle East,” he said, adding the cargo aircraft were bringing into Africa industrial products from various countries.

    Responding to a question, Fitsum said “our cargo was doing its best to keep the airline afloat,” adding: but “we cannot say we are compensating for all the 80% of the loss incurred by our passenger service.”

    Africa so far recorded more than 1,400 deaths from the coronavirus, with nearly 32,000 cases.

  • Coronavirus Lingers in Air of Crowded Spaces, New Study Finds

    Coronavirus Lingers in Air of Crowded Spaces, New Study Finds

    The new coronavirus appears to linger in the air in crowded spaces or rooms that lack ventilation, researchers found in a study that buttresses the notion that Covid-19 can spread through tiny airborne particles known as aerosols.

    At two hospitals in Wuhan, China, researchers found bits of the virus’s genetic material floating in the air of hospital toilets, an indoor space housing large crowds, and rooms where medical staff take off protective gear. The study, published Monday in the journal Nature Research, didn’t seek to establish whether the airborne particles could cause infections.

    The question of how readily the new virus can spread through the air has been a matter of debate. The World Health Organization has said the risk is limited to specific circumstances, pointing to an analysis of more than 75,000 cases in China in which no airborne transmission was reported.

    But as the virus fans across the globe and infections near 3 million, scientists are trying to understand exactly how contamination occurs.

    People produce two types of droplets when they breathe, cough or talk. Larger ones drop to the ground before they evaporate, causing contamination mostly via the objects on which they settle. Smaller ones — those that make up aerosols — can hang in the air for hours.

    The researchers, led by Ke Lan of Wuhan University, set up so-called aerosol traps in and around two hospitals in the city that was home to the pandemic’s first steps.

    They found few aerosols in patient wards, supermarkets and residential buildings. Many more were detected in toilets and two areas that had large crowds passing through, including an indoor space near one of the hospitals.

    Especially high concentrations appeared in the rooms where medical staff doff protective equipment, which may suggest that particles contaminating their gear became airborne again when masks, gloves and gowns are removed.

    The findings highlight the importance of ventilation, limiting crowds and careful sanitation efforts, the researchers said.

  • Okiya Omtatah’s Daughter Laid To Rest

    Okiya Omtatah’s Daughter Laid To Rest

    The daughter of activist Okiya Omtatah, Maryanne Omtata who died last week was buried in her home in the village of Kwang’amor in the small town of Teso in southern Busia County, during the weekend.

    The funeral Mass for 22-year-old Maryenna who died of Malaria was led by Father Paroko of the Amukura Catholic church Danstan Epalat who counseled young people in the country to imitate the example of the late self-styled gentle and godly.

    Omtatah described her anguish at the loss of her daughter while announcing that she would use the two million shillings donated by Kenyans as a pledge to start a campaign to help young people develop talent.

    The funeral was also attended by the wife of Busia County governor Mrs. Judy Ojaamong and Bungoma Senator who gave Ford Kenya party leader Moses Masika Wetangula.

  • Four Minors Among 18 People Arrested, Were Found Nake And With Cameras

    Four Minors Among 18 People Arrested, Were Found Nake And With Cameras

    Police in Kilimani are holding 18 people among them four minors whom were found at a house party in Jamhuri estate.

    According to reports, the group were found in compromising positions with some naked and with cameras in what would look like they were upto filming raunchy content.

    Aged between 14 and 30 years, the group was arrested as police responded to a call made by a neighbor on the ongoing party.

    They’re currently being held at the police station as police conduct further investigations. This is coming at a time when the nation is encouraged to keep social distancing and these ones are busy partying. Costly indiscipline.

    Theyre most likely to be put into quarantine.

  • Kagwe Fires Kenya’s Top Covid-19 Scientist Over Flimsiest Excuse

    Kagwe Fires Kenya’s Top Covid-19 Scientist Over Flimsiest Excuse

    A top scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has been demoted for failing to provide COVID-19 sample results to the Health Ministry on time.

    According to local media Sunday, Dr. Joel Lutomiah has been asked to resume his role as a research scientist at the institute’s Center for Virus Research, where he was serving as director. He also served as chairman of the KEMRI Rapid Response team.

    Kenya’s Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe instructed KEMRI Director-General Yeri Kombe to remove Lutomiah from his position with immediate effect.

    According to the Daily Nation newspaper, a letter to Lutomiah on the delayed submission of COVID-19 results said that “You, therefore, have failed in your duty to honor a matter that is of very serious national importance. I hereby relieve you of your duties as the Director, Centre for Virus with immediate effect.”

    While announcing 12 more cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the national tally to 355, the Health Ministry defended Lutomiah’s dismissal, saying the move was due to how sensitive the matter is.

    Ministry of Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman told a nationally televised media briefing that “whatever decisions that were made were in line with streamlining and improving the coordination of test results being received in good time.”

    Doctor Lutomiah has over 40 years’ experience in entomology, parasitology, pandemic influenza and arbovirology.

    Kenya has recorded 14 deaths and 106 recoveries so far from the coronavirus.

    After originating in Wuhan, China last December, the novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 185 countries and regions, with Europe and the US currently the worst-hit.

    The pandemic has killed more than 206,000 people worldwide, with the number of cases totaling over 2.9 million and more than 864,000 recoveries, according to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University.

  • RwandAir Slashes Salaries Of Lowest Earners By 8% And 65% For Top Earners

    RwandAir Slashes Salaries Of Lowest Earners By 8% And 65% For Top Earners

    Rwanda’s RwandAir will cut the salaries of its lowest paid employees by 8% and by 65% for its top earners as it seeks to survive the coronavirus crisis, an internal memo seen by Reuters on Sunday showed.

    The carrier, which flies a fleet of 12 Boeing and Airbus planes to 29 destinations across three continents, has been one of the rising stars in Africa.

    In February, Qatar Airways said it was in talks to buy a 49% stake in the airline.

    “We considered several other alternatives and the choice we made is the best option at this time,” RwandAir’s management wrote in the memo, which two employees told Reuters they have received.

    The management of the young airline, which is owned by the government and has not yet made a profit, could not be reached immediately for comment.

    Airlines around the world have been forced to ground their planes after governments imposed travel restrictions and closed borders to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Air Mauritius said this week that it has entered voluntary administration due to the crisis, joining Virgin Australia and South Africa Airways who have called in administrators.

  • Oxford Scientists Makes Clear Their Plan To Try Covid-19 Vaccine In Kenya

    Oxford Scientists Makes Clear Their Plan To Try Covid-19 Vaccine In Kenya

    University of Oxford researchers have begun testing a COVID-19 vaccine in human volunteers in Oxford today. Around 1,110 people will take part in the trial, half receiving the vaccine and the other half (the control group) receiving a widely available meningitis vaccine.

    Of the first two volunteers to take part today, one will likewise receive the vaccine and the other the control.

    The researchers started screening healthy volunteers (aged 18-55) in March for their upcoming ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine trial in the Thames Valley Region. The vaccine is based on an adenovirus vaccine vector and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and has been produced in Oxford.

    The Oxford Vaccine Centre COVID-19 Phase I Clinical Trial Explained

    The study is to test a new vaccine against COVID-19 in healthy volunteers.

    It aims to assess whether healthy people can be protected from COVID-19 with this new vaccine called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. It will also provide valuable information on safety aspects of the vaccine and its ability to generate good immune responses against the virus.

    What is the vaccine being tested?

    ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 is made from a virus (ChAdOx1), which is a weakened version of a common cold virus (adenovirus) that causes infections in chimpanzees, that has been genetically changed so that it is impossible for it to grow in humans.

    Genetic material has been added to the ChAdOx1 construct, that is used to make proteins from the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) called Spike glycoprotein (S). This protein is usually found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 and plays an essential role in the infection pathway of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus uses its spike protein to bind to ACE2 receptors on human cells to gain entry to the cells and cause an infection.

    By vaccinating with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, we are hoping to make the body recognise and develop an immune response to the Spike protein that will help stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering human cells and therefore prevent infection.

    Vaccines made from the ChAdOx1 virus have been given to more than 320 people to date and have been shown to be safe and well tolerated, although they can cause temporary side effects, such as a temperature, headache or sore arm.

    What does the study involve?

    Up to 1102 participants will be recruited across multiple study sites in Oxford, Southampton, London and Bristol. These participants will be randomly allocated to receive either the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or a licensed vaccine (MenACWY) that will be used as a ‘control’ for comparison.

    At the start of the trial we will also recruit a separate small group of 10 volunteers who will receive 2 doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 four weeks apart.

    What is the MenACWY vaccine?

    The MenACWY vaccine is a licensed vaccine against group A, C, W and Y meningococcus which has been given routinely to teenagers in the UK since 2015 and protects against one of the most common causes of meningitis and sepsis. This vaccine is also given as a travel vaccine for high risk countries.

    The MenACWY vaccine is being used as an ‘active control’ vaccine in this study, to help us understand participants’ response to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. The reason for using this vaccine, rather than a saline control, is because we expect to see some minor side effects from the ChAdOx1 nCOV-19 vaccine such as a sore arm, headache and fever. Saline does not cause any of these side effects. If participants were to receive only this vaccine or a saline control, and went on to develop side effects, they would be aware that they had received the new vaccine. It is critical for this study that participants remain blinded to whether or not they have received the vaccine, as, if they knew, this could affect their health behaviour in the community following vaccination, and may lead to a bias in the results of the study.

    Who can take part in the study?

    Participants must: Be aged 18-55 years old, be in good health, and be based in one of the recruiting areas.

    Participants must NOT: Have tested positive for COVID-19, be pregnant, intending to become pregnant, or breastfeeding during the study, or have previously taken part in a trial with an adenoviral vaccine or received any other coronavirus vaccines.

    How will the trial work?

    The main focus of the study is to find out if this vaccine is going to work against COVID-19, if it won’t cause unacceptable side effects and if it induces good immune responses. The dose used in this trial was chosen based on previous experiences with other ChAdOx1 based vaccines.

    Study participants will not know whether they have received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine until the end of the trial.

    The first few days of vaccinations will be planned as follows:
    Day 1:
    The first two participants will be vaccinated, one with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine and one with the control vaccine.
    Participants monitored for 48 hours.

    Day 3:
    A further six participants will be vaccinated, three with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine and three with the control vaccine.
    Participants monitored for 48 hours.

    Day 5:
    Progress to vaccinating larger numbers of participants.

    What about after the vaccination?

    Participants will be given an E-diary to record any symptoms experienced for 7 days after receiving the vaccine. They will also record if they feel unwell for the following three weeks.

    Following vaccination, participants will attend a series of follow-up visits. During these visits, the team will check participants’ observations, take a blood sample and review the competed E-diary. These blood samples will be used to assess the immune response to the vaccine.

    If participants develop COVID-19 symptoms during the study, they can contact a member of the clinical team, and we will assess them to check whether they have become infected with the virus. If a participant was very unwell, we would call our colleagues in the hospital and ask them to review the volunteer if appropriate.

    When will the results be available?

    To assess whether the vaccine works to protect from COVID-19, the statisticians in our team will compare the number of infections in the control group with the number of infections in the vaccinated group. For this purpose, it is necessary for a small number of study participants to develop COVID-19. How quickly we reach the numbers required will depend on the levels of virus transmission in the community. If transmission remains high, we may get enough data in a couple of months to see if the vaccine works, but if transmission levels drop, this could take up to 6 months.

    What if it doesn’t work?

    A high proportion of vaccines are found not to be promising even before clinical trials. Moreover, a significant proportion of vaccines that are tested in clinical trials don’t work. If we are unable to show that the vaccine is protective against the virus, we would review progress, examine alternative approaches, such as using different numbers of doses, and would potentially stop the programme.

    What are the next steps?

    We plan to vaccinate 800 volunteers in the UK over the next month. If the trial is successful in the UK, then the Oxford team will approach scientists in the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and will approach the Government of Kenya for permission to evaluate in Kenya.

    Article was originally published by Oxford University.

  • Matiang’i Shows Ruto That He’s More Powerful Than Him

    Matiang’i Shows Ruto That He’s More Powerful Than Him

    DP Ruto seem to have been partially fired or taking self imposed leave. The number in operation has been missing from the government functions furthering the belief amongst many that his relationship with Uhuru is long gone.

    While DP and his lieutenants continue to insist that the union is still firm, the body language shows a totally different story. DP has been alienated and now operates from his Karen office where he does nothing but tweeting.

    Health cabinet secretary has maintained a daily coronavirus update addresses, Uhuru makes occasional addresses. What’s interesting is neither of these pressers that the DP has appeared which is really weird.

    When he resurfaced with his own press address after a public querying over his whereabouts, he danced around their relationship with Uhuru saying that they both can’t be together because of security issues and all. It doesn’t make sense because in other countries like the US we’ve seen the President and his deputy together. If Uhuru can host CSs and governors in Nairobi, there’s no convincing that it can take to believe that at an pandemic time, the DP can’t be seen with his boss.

    While face painting continues, DP on the other hand has heightened with Uhuru’s men in jubilee supremacy wars.

    Talking of supremacy, Interior CS and the super CS Matiang’i today hosted high delegation to show just how much powerful he’s in the hierarchy. Normally, it would be the President hosting them but since he had met with the governors the day before, then it would’ve made sense if it was Ruto hosting them. But no, it was Matiang’i.

    He hosted Cabinet colleagues CS Mutahi Kagwe, CS James Macharia and CS Balozi Yatani and Governors Salim Mvurya, Kwale, Governor Kingi, Kilifi, Hassan Ali Joho, Mombasa, Ali Roba, Mandera and discussed COVID-19 interventions for their counties. This was a cabinet meeting scale. So if Ruto can’t host such functions what then is he left for? Maybe just tweeting as he’s been doing lately.

  • Kericho Governor Prof. Chepkwony Busted By US Ambassador McCarter Over Donation

    Kericho Governor Prof. Chepkwony Busted By US Ambassador McCarter Over Donation

    Politicians can be very sleek and only keen eyes can see this. Kericho Governor Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony was unveiling a mass testing drive for Covid-19. The project was sponsored by the US through CDC and initial unveiling in January.

    So since right  now everyone is scoring political points with the different mitigation measures, the Governor found an opening for advancing his political points.

    He made it look like a county’s own brainchild and KEMRI’s which is in-fact not the truth.

    Until someone curious in the comments raised a flag.

    And none other than the US ambassador replied;

    Left with egg on his face, the Governor immediately replied to save the face.

    And as diplomatic as it gets, he helped him and let it slide.

    Many uninformed people would’ve easily let the Governor run with the points. The truth is if hear things about KEMRI in any of these places, truth is
    1. Kisumu = CDC (like american MOH) @CDCKenya
    2. Kericho = WRP (US army research)
    3. Kilifi = Wellcome trust (UK program) @KEMRI_Wellcome
    4. Busia = A project by Prof. Mwau (we dont have the name).

  • President Orders Private Jet To Fly Home Covid-19 Infected Citizen Home After Being Denied Treatment

    President Orders Private Jet To Fly Home Covid-19 Infected Citizen Home After Being Denied Treatment

    Turkey on Sunday brought home one of its citizens from Sweden who contracted coronavirus but was not given treatment.

    A Turkish air ambulance left Malmo Airport at 9 a.m. local time (0700GMT) and arrived at the Ankara Esenboga Airport at 1:30 p.m. local time (1030GMT).

    After routine health checks, the patient Emrullah Gulusken and his three children were taken to Ankara Sehir Hospital.

    In Malmo, Sweden, Gulusken tested positive for COVID-19 but was denied treatment by authorities. His daughters Leyla and Samira shared posts on social media, asking for help.

    Turkey’s Health Minister Fahrettin Koca took swift action, and brought the family back.

    “A daughter did something that would be an example to all. Our country took very swift action. Our ambulance aircraft brought the patient from Sweden this morning,” Koca wrote on Twitter.

    “Dear Leyla [daughter of Gulusken], we have cured over 25,000 patients, Emrullah Gulusken will recover as well,” he said.

    Daughters of the Turkish expat thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Health Minister Koca for their initiative.

    After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 185 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions.

    While billions of people are under containment to slow the spread of the virus, few countries including Spain and Austria have started easing the restrictions.

  • More Than 2.9M People Have Been Infected With Covid-19 Worldwide

    More Than 2.9M People Have Been Infected With Covid-19 Worldwide

    Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world, with about 2.9 million confirmed cases in 185 countries as of Sunday afternoon, according to a running tally by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

    The university’s data showed that the number of virus-linked deaths reached 203,332, while the number of people who recovered stands at 824,002.

    A total of 2,900,422 cases are recorded worldwide, and the US is the hardest-hit with the highest number of infections and deaths — more than 939,200 and nearly 54,000, respectively.

    While Italy has the second-highest death toll with 26,384, Spain has the second-highest cases — over 223,700.

    The virus was first detected in Wuhan, China late last year.

    Despite the rising number of cases, most who contract the virus suffer mild symptoms before making a recovery.