Author

Mustafa Juma

Talented and immensely creative journalist with a commitment to high-quality research and writing with over 5 years of professional experience. Dedication to sound investigative research methods and a strong desire to know the truth of the matter. Excellent reporting and interviewing skills and award-winning writing techniques. Experience writing and reporting across a variety of platforms, including Opera News Kenya, DailyActive.info, LitKenya.com, theexchange.africa and Scooper News

Crime & Investigations

One Dead, Several Injured As Neo Kenya Bus Full Of Students Overturns

by Mustafa Juma December 14, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Several students from Gititu mixed secondary in Murang’a county were injured after a Neo Kenya bus they were travelling in overturned.

According to reports, the vehicle overturned a few moments after departing from the school.

While confirming the incident, Makuyu police boss Alexander Shikondi said the bus driver had perished in the accident.

The students were being ferried to their respective homes after they closed school on Monday morning, December 13, 2021.

Police reports indicate that the driver lost control of the vehicle at a sharp corner and the bus overturned with the students on board.

Good Samaritans rushed to the crash site and helped pull the students out of the bus. Rescue teams helped to ferry the students to various hospitals in the county.

Police stated that six students were treated and discharged from the Makuyu sub-county hospital where they had been taken.

At Kenol hospital an additional six students were treated and discharged while one is admitted with a fractured hand.

Two other female students were referred to Thika Level 5 hospital where they are currently under treatment.

Eight more students were taken to the Muranga level 5 hospital where they were treated and discharged. One student is currently admitted at the health facility while one more was referred to the Kenyatta national hospital with complex injuries.

The Neo Kenya vehicle was towed to the Makuyu police station.

December 14, 2021 0 comment

Business

How Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements Have Affected International Travel

by Mustafa Juma December 10, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a serious respiratory viral infection caused by a novel coronavirus named SARS-COV2 whose outbreak started in Wuhan City, Hubei Province in mainland China and has since spread globally has remained to be a thread to the entire world.

To offer a life-saving protection against the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists around the globe have worked so hard to come up with Covid-19 vaccines.

Despite the record speed at which they have been developed, COVID-19 vaccines have still been subject to the same checks, balances, and scientific and regulatory rigour as any other vaccine, and shown to be safe.

So far, the vaccines have been spread across the world, with African countries receiving donations from developed nations.

Kenya is among the countries that have been receiving the Covid-19 vaccines from donors around the world, and the country targets to vaccinate a large population by next year.

So far, Kenya has only managed to vaccinate a smaller percentage of her populations, with citizens being encouraged to come out in large numbers and get vaccinated.

However, the vaccination is currently among the requirements of international travels.

According to studies, fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.

However, international travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some COVID-19 variants.

To avoid such issues, many countries have denied entry to visitors who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 pandemic.

In November 2021, Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced that only people who have got both shots of the vaccines, such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna or the single shot Janssen jab will be able to access government services or travel across the country.

According to the health minister, all travellers to Kenya will have to carry a Covid-19 vaccine certificate.

After the announcement, Kenya joined Spain, Iran, Italy, Denmark, Israel and Germany in imposing such strict measures in the fight against the virus.

Kagwe said that visitors, tourists, travellers from the European region must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination before they enter Kenya.

But how is someone considered fully vaccinated?

Well, for you to be considered fully vaccinated, you have to meet the following conditions.

You will be considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose vaccine
Two weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series
Two weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial
Two weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of a Novavax (or Covovax) COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a phase 3 clinical trial
Two weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

The United States of America has also advised U.S Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants not travel internationally until they are fully vaccinated.

In case they travel, they have also been advised to always check their destination’s COVID-19 situation and travel requirements before traveling since countries may have their own entry and exit requirements.

When you travel to the United States by air, you are also required to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before you board your flight. You have been exposed to COVID-19, unless you are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

People have also been discouraged to travel if they are sick or tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t ended isolation (even if you are fully vaccinated).

You are also advised not to travel if you are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test. This is because the results may come back positive while you are at your destination. This means you will need to isolate and postpone your return until it is safe for you to end isolation.

December 10, 2021 0 comment

Matiang’i Declares Monday a Public Holiday

by Mustafa Juma December 9, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has announced Monday December 13, 2021 as public holiday.

This is by dint of Jamhuri Day falling on a Sunday.

Matiang’i in a statement to newsrooms said the government will hold the celebrations on the said day but the country will have a holiday on Monday in line with the Constitution.

He noted that this will be in line with the provisions of Sections 2 and 4 of the Public Holidays Act (Cap 110).

“This day bears profound historical significance as it marks the attainment of Kenya’s independence and the birth of the Republic. All citizens are encouraged to honour and celebrate this day in a manner that promotes unity, national cohesion and economic progress in the country,” the statement read.

December 9, 2021 0 comment

Lifestyle

The Impact of COVID-19 on Sport, Physical Activity And Well-being And Its Effects on Social Development

by Mustafa Juma December 6, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, several sectors across the world have suffered adverse effects.
The pandemic forced several governments across the globe to introduce some measures to curb its spread.
To safeguard the health of athletes and others involved, most major sporting events at international, regional and national levels were cancelled or postponed in 2020.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, several sectors across the world have suffered adverse effects.

Having spread to many parts of the world within a short period of time, the pandemic forced several governments across the globe to introduce some measures to curb its spread.

The measures include social and physical distancing, lockdowns of businesses, schools and introduction of dusk to dawn curfew.

The measures, which have now become commonplace to curtail the spread of the disease, have also disrupted many regular aspects of life, including sport and physical activity.

The impact of COVID-19 on sporting events and the implications for social development

Although governments have been exercising a safe reopening of sporting events, things are yet to return to normal.

To safeguard the health of athletes and others involved, most major sporting events at international, regional and national levels were cancelled or postponed in 2020– from marathons to football tournaments, athletics championships to basketball games, handball to ice hockey, rugby, cricket, sailing, skiing, weightlifting to wrestling and more.

The Olympics and Paralympics, for the first time in the history of the modern games were postponed in 2020 and held in 2021.

The global value of the sports industry is estimated at US$756 billion annually.

According to a report released in 2020 by United Nations, many millions of jobs are at risk globally, not only for sports professionals but also for those in related retail and sporting services industries connected with leagues and events, which include travel, tourism, infrastructure, transportation, catering and media broadcasting, among others in the face of Covid-19.

Professional athletes in the year 2020 were under pressure to reschedule their training, while trying to stay fit at home, and they risked losing professional sponsors who may not support them as initially agreed.

Sports education sector, which is comprised of a broad range of stakeholders, including national ministries and local authorities, public and private education institutions, sports organizations and athletes, NGOs and the business community was also affected by the closure of education institutions around the world due to COVID-19

While this community has been severely impacted by the current crisis, it can also be a key contributor to solutions to contain and overcome it, as well as in promoting rights and values in times of social distancing.

As the world begins to recover from COVID-19, there will be significant issues to be addressed to ensure the safety of sporting events at all levels and the well-being of sporting organizations.

Physical activity and well-being

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, people were unable to practice normally. This came as a result of closure of gyms, stadiums, pools, dance and fitness studios, physiotherapy centres, parks and playgrounds.

In Kenya, people have been going for morning runs either individually or as a group, but this became almost impossible when the dusk to dawn curfew was introduced, making it hard for people to go outside their homes in the name of doing physical exercise.

As a result, many people tend to be less physically active, have longer screen time, irregular sleep patterns as well as worse diets, resulting in weight gain and loss of physical fitness.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is important for someone to have 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. This is helpful, especially in times of anxiety, crisis and fear.

Therefore, lack of access to regular sporting may result in challenges to the immune system and physical health.

Mental health impacts which can compound stress or anxiety that many will experience in the face of isolation from normal social life can also be attributed to the lack of proper physical exercise.

December 6, 2021 0 comment

Business

The Tanzanian pocketing 70% of South Sudan taxes

by Mustafa Juma December 5, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

The South Sudan government is nearly grinding into a halt after it emerged that 70% of the tax collected doesn’t go into government coffers but is siphoned away by none other than the man incharge of South Sudan Tax agency, a Tanzanian Patrick K Mugoya.

The Tanzanian who got the job last year, immediately formed a cartel that siphons money with martial precision, a fate that has even amazed some of the most corrupt South Sudan leaders.

Patrick K. Mugoya, a Tanzanian national was hired in 2020 as National Revenue Authority Commissioner General to help the government of realise effective tax collection and custom administration under a contract funded by the Africa Development Bank

On assuming the office, Patrick landed in the hand of cartels who have always been stealing taxes.

The South Sudan national intelligence agency estimates the money lost in the past 18 months Mugoya has been at helm is at at least USD 240 million.

According to intelligence briefs that was shared with Africa Development Bank six months ago and yet no action has been taken against their employee draining South Sudan government coffers, notably one officer, Mugoya’s deputy Lino Ajang Ajang was the one who recruited the New commissioner General into the cartel, but it is Mugoya who professionalised it to international standards that has even shocked the most corrupt people in South Sudan government, Mugoya began to collect taxes directly from tax payers and transport it by air, using private plane tail number UJF428 to Uganda with the help of Lino Ajang Ajang. At one time Ajang had to carry 3 million dollars in a bag up to Tanzania where is was received by Mugoya’s three children.

Intelligence from South Sudan intelligence agency reveal other members of this cartel include: Deputy Commissioner General of NRA Hon. Africano Mande who joint the cartel after Realizing that he couldn’t stop them. He opened various accounts in the name of NRA in commercial banks who’s collection do not go to government coffers. We have the account numbers and the amounts that have passed through the said accounts, information that was shared to Africa Development Bank.

He turned NRA to spending agency for him to siphon money out through projects and purchase of nonessential things.

The other person in the cartel is Gen. Akol Ayii, the Director General of South Sudan Custom. He is well connected with the first family who protect him from being remove from the office. Gen. Akol takes away 70% of custom duty tax at various border point and juba airport which he shares with other powerful individuals inside the system.

Hussain Abdelbagi Ayii, the Vice-president in charge of services cluster. This VP is one of Lino Ajang Ajang pillars. He is said to be building a powerful Islamic movement in South Sudan in which Ajang Ajang is helping him mobilise funds from government taxes.

The cartel include many people from Domestic Tax Division where Mr Ajang Ajang is a patron.

Unknown to the Africa Development Bank, the person they are paying salary has forgotten expertise role he was hired for/ sourced to come and play, he indulged himself in deadly financial fraud, taking advantage of lack of oversight of his performance.

December 5, 2021 0 comment

Lifestyle

Lifestyle Changes Among Kenyans Post-Pandemic

by Mustafa Juma December 1, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Because COVID-19 returns in waves, the psychological impacts of physical distancing will persist over time and may indeed become accentuated with repeated iterations of physical distancing.
Increasing handwashing, minimizing face touching, wearing masks in public, and physical distancing are the measures that have been adopted globally.
Similarly, as aerosols are known to be the primary method of spreading the virus, people will avoid hugging others.

When the Covid-19 pandemic first hit Kenya in March 2020, the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led government implemented its so-called ‘partial lockdown’ in which people were urged to leave their homes as little as possible and work from home.

A phased lockdown was also implemented in the country, affecting several towns and major cities.

In fact, the whole of Western Kenya Counties were in 2021 put under lockdown after Covid-19 cases in the area surged.

This life changing event may have caused changes in lifestyle behaviour, an important factor in the onset and course of diseases.

Covid-19 pandemic

Well, Covid-19 belongs to the same family of viruses (coronaviruses) as the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV).

Many respiratory viruses are believed to transmit over multiple routes, including droplets, aerosols, and fomites.

Respiratory droplets moving from one person to another and contact with contaminated surfaces and objects are the primary sources of transmission.

Presymptomatic transmission is the second type of transmission, in which the virus is transmitted from an infected person who has yet to develop symptoms to another person.

Covid-19 preventive measures

To curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, the government through the ministry of health introduced some measures , among them physical distancing, stay at home orders and the dusk to dawn curfew.

However, the effectiveness of physical distancing is determined by individual behavior.

Change of behaviors

The interventions most essential for control of pandemics necessarily disrupt social processes. Public measures were implemented in response to COVID-19; people were encouraged by authorities, media, and peers to voluntarily adopt “personal distancing” behaviors to reduce virus transmission (e.g., avoiding physical contact or close proximity with non-household members and reducing use of shared public spaces).

Various guidelines have been issued to reduce the spread of the pandemic, including avoiding handshaking or any type of physical contact, avoiding social gatherings or visiting family or friends, wearing masks and gloves, closure of public venues, and tourism and travel restrictions.

Increasing handwashing, minimizing face touching, wearing masks in public, and physical distancing are the measures that have been adopted globally.

Because COVID-19 returns in waves, the psychological impacts of physical distancing will persist over time and may indeed become accentuated with repeated iterations of physical distancing.

Given that physical distancing affects the types of activities in which one can engage and impacts how activities are carried out, it is likely that this accounts for some of the psychological impact.

Studies evaluating the changes in lifestyle due to restrictions imposed as precautionary measures have been conducted across the globe.

Post-pandemic era

In Kenya, public transport was affected, with Public Service Vehicles only allowed to carry half the capacity. Although the public transport has now gone back to normal, the industry must develop strategies to reduce this impact and plan well for the post-pandemic era.

Attending gatherings of family and friends or hugging them, religious gatherings and political gatherings were all restricted, and Kenyans had to learn how to live with this reality.

The dusk to dawn curfew which was also implemented forced Kenyans to also adjust their time schedules, from working till late in the night, to being in their houses by as early as 6pm.

Although the curfew has hence been lifted, a section of Kenyans are still getting into their houses by 10pm.

Well, will lifestyle changes brought about by this measures affect Kenyans in the post-pandemic era? Well, although little studies have been done on these, there are probabilities that many Kenyans will not go back to normal.

With new waves of Covid-19 continuing to emerge, Kenyans are likely to continue exercising caution as far as the pandemic is concerned.

In contrast, the minimum distances that have been maintained between an infected person and a potential host are disputable and are far from being established based on scientific evidence.

December 1, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Embattled Nick Mwendwa Re-arrested

by Mustafa Juma November 26, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Embattled Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa has been allegedly re-arrested.

The arrest comes just a day after after the state failed to prefer charges against him.

Reports indicate that Mwendwa is currently being held at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters along Kiambu Road.

Nick Mwendwa arrested again…..
— @MikeOkinyi (@MikeOkinyi) November 26, 2021

Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Wandia Nyamu on Thursday November 25, 2021 ordered that Nick Mwendwa’s Sh4 million cash bail be refunded to him after the Prosecution failed to press charges against the suspended FKF administrator.

On November 17, magistrate Nyamu gave the State seven days to file charges against Mwendwa, failure of which, he’d be released unconditionally.

On Thursday, the Prosecution, in a virtual session, said it had not prepared any charges against Mwendwa, prompting the magistrate to release Mwendwa unconditionally.

He was facing allegations of misappropriating at least Sh400 million belonging to FKF, claims he vehemently denied.

Mwendwa’s team at FKF was removed on November 11, and replaced by a caretaker committee, as investigations into the federation’s finances continued.

DCI detectives last week arrested Mwendwa and arraigned him before resident magistrate Wandia Nyamu and sought to detain him for 14 days to complete investigations.

The state cited fictitious withdrawals amounting to Sh29,502,302 and money transfers of Sh8.5 million wired to private bank accounts including that of Mwendwa.

November 26, 2021 0 comment

Education

How The Digital Divide Affected Learning In Kenya During The Lockdown Period

by Mustafa Juma November 26, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Although the education system was unprepared for the massive changes in learning models, a few months into the pandemic, many learning institutions adapted and leveraged remote and online learning options through the internet, television and radio.

Teachers on the other hand developed online academic material while parents taught the exercises and lessons provided by teachers to their children at home.

Simply having access to a computer and an Internet connection does not ensure effective distance learning.

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic forced Kenya to close schools in March 2020 as a way of curbing the spread of the novel corona virus.

The country turned to virtual and remote learning.

Although the education system was unprepared for the massive changes in learning models, a few months into the pandemic, many learning institutions adapted and leveraged remote and online learning options through the internet, television and radio.

The digital divide

A report released by Presidential Policy and Strategic Unit in July 2021 which aimed at documenting experiences of adolescents during the pandemic indicated that despite the government’s push to integrate technology in education, Kenya still lags behind in the digital divide.

Teachers on the other hand developed online academic material while parents taught the exercises and lessons provided by teachers to their children at home.

Considering that the use of digital tools in education has dramatically increased during this crisis, and it is set to continue, there is a pressing need to understand the impact of distance learning.

By making the learning process rely more than ever on families, rather than on teachers, and by getting students to work predominantly via digital resources, school closures exacerbate social class academic disparities.

Teachers had to develop online academic materials that could be used at home to ensure educational continuity while ensuring the necessary physical distancing.

Primary and secondary school students suddenly had to work with various kinds of support, which were usually provided online by their teachers.

For college students, lockdown often entailed returning to their hometowns while staying connected with their teachers and classmates via video conferences, email and other digital tools.

Despite the best efforts of educational institutions, parents and teachers to keep all children and students engaged in learning activities, ensuring educational continuity during school closure—something that is difficult for everyone—may pose unique material and psychological challenges for working-class families and students.

Unequal access to digital resources

Although the use of digital technologies is almost ubiquitous in developed nations, there is a digital divide such that some people are more likely than others to be numerically excluding social class is a strong predictor of digital disparities, including the quality of hardware, software and Internet access.

Virtual classes

According to the Presidential Policy and Strategic Unit which on the impact of the pandemic on adolescents in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kilifi and Wajir counties, where students between ages 15 and 19 explained their remote learning experiences, majority of the learners interviewed reported not to have participated in the virtual classes and instead resorted to reading any materials available at home.

“Only one per cent of learners had access to computers during the pandemic, highlighting the significant digital divide in education in the country,” the report noted.

Although some teachers relied on mobile phones to send assignments to students and receive answers as text, the medium was very limited.

Less than a third of students were able to use mobile phones for learning. Some schools and teachers in marginalised areas were completely unable to offer any virtual or digital lessons.

This was evident in Wajir County, where the learners were left to study on their own without any interaction with teachers.

In Nairobi, only 32 per cent of adolescents had access to mobile phones. In Kisumu, there was only 25 per cent, while Kilifi and Wajir recorded the lowest number of learners who had access to materials from schools through phones at 12 and 2 per cent respectively.

Internet and electricity

As the country turned to online and electronic learning as a result of the pandemic, lack of internet penetration and electricity in rural areas worsened the plight of learners in those areas as they attempted to access lessons through radio and television

Social class disparities in digital skills can be explained in part by the fact that children from upper/middle-class families have the opportunity to develop digital skills earlier than working-class families.

Unequal support from schools

Moreover, upper/middle-class parents invest more in the schools of their children than working-class parents, and schools have an interest in catering more for upper/middle-class families than for working-class families.

Additionally, the expectation of teachers may be lower for working-class children e.g, they tend to estimate that working-class students invest less effort in learning than their upper/middle-class counterparts.

These differences in perception may have influenced the behaviour of teachers during school closure, such that teachers in privileged neighbourhoods provided more information to students because they expected more from them in terms of effort and achievement.

November 26, 2021 0 comment

Business

The Nairobi West Hospital Unveils 24-Hour Customized Helipad To Bolster Medical Emergency Services

by Mustafa Juma November 24, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

The Nairobi West Hospital has unveiled a 24-hour customized helipad to bolster medical emergency services.

Founded in the1980s with a view of offering excellent care to millions of patients from all walks of life, the facility’s unveiling of the helipad targets a growing local and international demand.

This will boost the hospitals ability to respond to medical emergencies by facilitating air evacuations in the country and across the East Africa region.

According to the Nairobi West Hospital chief medical officer, Dr. Andrew Gachie, the lifesaving resource will speed up access to medical services especially for critically ill patients.

“Each minute will now henceforth make a huge difference in our patients lives. The new helipad will speed up the time incurred transferring critically ill patients to the Hospital, giving them the very best chance of survival,” Dr. Gachie said.

He added that the facility will also cure the challenge of navigating traffic that has been a major headache in medical emergency evacuation especially for ground ambulances that normally waste hours of crucial time.

“We are now moving away from the ground to a more efficient air medical emergency evacuation regime,” Dr Gachie added.

The 50.5 meters-high helipad that is perched atop its 17 story- modern medical facility is designed to give patients quick access to crucial care in cases involving trauma, critical care, surgery, high-risk birthing and premature new-born critical care.

The Helipad has been designed and built to Joint Commission International standards with a capacity to hold up to eight tonnes.
A trauma bay has been developed below the helipad to handle critical events during the emergency evacuations.

The Hospital has expanded into a center offering general and specialized services to clients both locally and from the East African region, since it was founded.

The helipad will be a shot in the arm for the hospital forays into medical tourism bouyed by its solid reputation in the fields of cancer management, Accident & Emergency and transplants.

“We now have the right modern medical facilities that can offer a record 2-5 minutes treatment of critical illnesses. We are changing management of cancer in the country and across the region,” Dr Gachie said.

Through partnerships with Turkish and Indian firms, the hospital intends to offer packages of cancer treatments including bone marrow transplant.

The hospital has a state of the art laboratories, 78-bed ICU facility and six operational theatres that will see the start of organ transplant over the next two months.

Dr. Gachie noted the latest development will be a great addition to the hospitals infrastructural developments.

November 24, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

GSU Officer Opens Fire At Camp, Shoots Colleague Dead

by Mustafa Juma November 24, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

A General Servive Unit (GSU) officer at the Miteta camp in Laikipia County is on the run after he reportedly opened fire and shot dead his colleague.

Laikipia County Police Commander John Nyoike while confirming the incident said the suspect shot his colleague on the head after a heated debate.

The debate which led to the heated argument is however still unknown. The suspect is said to have fled after committing the incident.

He is said to have picked his rifle and opened fire, shooting the other one on the head after their argument got hot, killing him on the spot.

After the incident, the assailant picked up his belongings that were packed in a bag, his rifle and fled towards the conservancy.

The officer further started shooting indiscriminately at the camp as he fled towards the Laikipia Nature Conservancy.

Officers have since been dispatched to the area to pursue, track and capture him.

The body of the victim was taken to Nyahururu County Referral Hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem.

November 24, 2021 0 comment

Lifestyle

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Lifestyle, Mental Health And Well-being of Adults And Children in Kenya

by Mustafa Juma November 23, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

A mental health crisis has emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Changed lifestyle pattern had a negative effect on mental health and quality of life of Kenyans, both adults and children.
Previous studies have highlighted the importance of healthy lifestyles as they are crucial in maintaining and improving physical and mental health and improving the quality of life.

The break out of the Covid-19 pandemic brought about changes on the way people live, their mental health, well-being among other effects. Or is it?

Well, the first Covid-19 case to be reported in Kenya since the beginning of the outbreak in China in December 2019 was confirmed on March 12, 2020. Since then, things never remained the same.

As of Monday November 22, 2021, 258 million cases of Covid-19 had been recorded globally, with 5.15 million deaths. Kenya has reported about 255,000 coronavirus infections and 5,300 coronavirus-related deaths.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Kenyan government to close schools between March 2020 and September 2020 for Grades Four, Eight and Form 4, and up to December 2020 for all other classes.

mutahi kagwe – Kenya News Agency — Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe. PHOTO/COURTESY.

However, the pandemic did not only affect the schools, which have hence resumed but with an amended academic calendar, but also affected the lifestyle of Kenyans, their mental health, and the well-being of both adults and children.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to isolation because people have to remain at home to prevent infection, but this is likely to have a detrimental effect on the physical and mental health of individuals.

Lifestyle

Previous studies have highlighted the importance of healthy lifestyles as they are crucial in maintaining and improving physical and mental health and improving the quality of life.

You can all agree that the Covid-19 pandemic has totally affected the way Kenyans used to live. Isn’t it? The government announced several measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Shortly after the schools were closed, a nationwide dusk to dawn curfew was imposed in Kenya. This was followed by a lockdown in major cities of Nairobi and Mombasa, whereby Kenyans were not allowed to enter or leave the said cities.

As a result, Kenyans found it hard to adapt to the new way of living, since they were now required to be in their houses by 7pm, and only get out after 4am. Bars and restaurants were as well closed, and every Kenyan, apart from children, have been putting on face masks to protect themselves from contracting the coronavirus.

Washing of hands each and every time, or using an alcohol-based sanitizer has been a norm. Or is it?

All these measures have hence changed the way people used to live. Initially, people could freely visit each other and share whatever they have, but the covid-19 measures required that one stays at home, and always maintains a 1 metre social distance whenever he/she is in public.

People have also struggled to adjust their normal daily schedules from working until late and some even overnight, to being at home by the time that had been set under the curfew.

Currently, some of these measures have been relaxed, but it has proved to be hard for Kenyans to go back to normal.

The Covid-19 pandemic is still here with us, and this fact has made Kenyans to continue observing the measures that have been put by the government to curb the spread of the pandemic.

The pandemic has also brought about significant changes in daily living patterns among adults in Kenya. With changed daily schedules caused by social distancing, the closure of colleges, universities and shops, there were changes in how Kenyans preoccupied themselves, in which they tended to spend less time on social activities, leisure, and education.

Eating habits

Eating habits also changed during the pandemic as a result of the measures announced by the government to curb spread of the pandemic. Do you remember how Kenyans were thrown into panic shopping with rumors that the country was going to witness a total lockdown?

Well, most Kenyans rushed to buy foods that cannot go bad easily. As a result, most of them consumed significantly more carbohydrates and minerals and significantly less alcohol, since bars and restaurants had been closed. Initially, alcohol was allowed to be sold as takeaways only, then the sell was banned before it was allowed again .

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Changed lifestyle pattern had a negative effect on mental health and quality of life of Kenyans, both adults and children.

In particular, government actions related to social distancing have been proved to be effective public health measures; however, they could also cause health problems other than COVID-19 infection such as psychological distress and fear.

Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the preventive approach as practiced in Kenya to stay protected and maintain health and wellbeing.

A mental health crisis has emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Kenya was ranked 6th among African countries with the highest cases of depression, which triggered anxiety by the World Health Organization (WHO), with 1.9 million people suffering from a form of mental conditions such as depression and substance abuse.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in four people is affected by mental or neurological disorders globally at some point in their lives. This places mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.

According to a study by Dr. Habil Otanga, a Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Department of Psychology, measures such as those introduced by Kenyan government to curb the spread of the pandemic can in turn lead to surge in mental related illnesses.

The illness include depression, feelings of confusion, anger and fear, and even substance abuse.

Children and young people

UNICEF in its flagship project on October 5, 2021 warned that children and young people could feel the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and well-being for many years to come.

The report details that children and young people carried the burden of mental health conditions without significant investment in addressing them even before Covid-19 pandemic.

“It has been a long, long 18 months for all of us – especially children. With nationwide lockdowns and pandemic-related movement restrictions, children have spent indelible years of their lives away from family, friends, classrooms, play – key elements of childhood itself,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

In Kenya, UNICEF supports Childline Kenya, which takes calls from children and young people in need of help, including for mental health issues.

The number of calls to the service more than doubled following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNICEF funded an increase in the number of counsellors and promoted the service through a nationwide campaign, ‘Spot it, Stop it’.

As schools re-opened, UNICEF worked with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to send messages to over 300,000 teachers on how to deal with the impact of COVID-19 and prolonged school closures on children’s psychosocial wellbeing.

November 23, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Woman In Sonko’s Leaked Tapes Narrates How She Was Coerced to Implicate People, Promised Kshs. 20M

by Mustafa Juma November 22, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

The woman who featured in ex Nairobi governor Mike Sonko’s leaked tapes has come out to clarify that she was under duress when she made the sensational claims against some judges and advocates.

In a police case filed under OB14/21/11/21 at Karen Police Station, Merry Nkatha narrated in a press conference how she was coerced by the former governor to implicate several people for which in return, she was promised a whooping Sh20,000,000.

According to her statement, Nkatha narrated how last week on Saturday she was carjacked at gun point by three men who identified themselves as police officers adding that the three men pushed their way into her car and roughed her up before giving her a script to read.

It appears some people are harassing this lady for no reason. What they don't know the info has led to the discovery of huge payments to lawyer Cecil Miller and Judges na vitu mingi sana. The evidence is overwhelming and speaks for itself. pic.twitter.com/qAlTuZzG9B
— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) November 22, 2021

Her police statement reads, “They then told me that Sonko will call me and for any question he asked me, I was to answer according the what was in the script.

“The documents were in form of a questionnaire and answers leading to implicate Advocate Cecil Miller and others. One man held a gun to my neck, while the other put a gun on my face.

“When Sonko called, I was so shaken that I could not answer the way they wanted so one man slapped me around and asked Sonko to call back after I was calm.

“He called after a while and I answered the way they wanted. After that, they left me and threatened to kill me if I reported to the police.”

At the press conference, Nkatha even showed journalists her communication with Sonko from her call history, with the incoming calls and their durations from her phone to prove that the kidnapping actually took place.

“I have never met Cecil Miller, Bishop Mureithi, I don’t know Judge Kantai. I have never met the likes of Chitembwe. Everything people heard on these leaked Sonko expose on the judiciary, I was coerced to do it. Right now, I am living in fear because anything can happen to me.”

She admitted that she has known Sonko for a while and they were friends.

“The reason he chose me for this project is because he knows me very well and he knows I am friend with the current governor Kananu, so I can be a credible witness in front of the Judicial Service Commission when they investigate the judges who ruled in favor of ousting Sonko.”

November 22, 2021 1 comment

Politics

Jimmi Wanjigi Threatens To Dump Raila, Withdraw ODM Funding

by Mustafa Juma November 22, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Wanjigi who is hoping to put up a competitive battle against the former Prime Minister for the ODM party presidential flag-bearer position is demanding that the party follows its constitution in the nomination process to ensure fairness.
The billionaire further threatened to withdraw his contribution to the Orange party.
Wanjigi has been accused of setting up ODM branches around the country without consulting the national office.

Billionaire businessman-cum politician Jimmi Wanjigi has threatened to ditch Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) if his demands will not be met.

Wanjigi who is hoping to put up a competitive battle against the former Prime Minister for the ODM party presidential flag-bearer position is demanding that the party follows its constitution in the nomination process to ensure fairness, failure to which he would quit ODM.

The billionaire further threatened to withdraw his contribution to the Orange party.

“Why would I stay in a party that does not follow its own laid down rules? I will not. I can assure you that the party will have big problems. You know, we have also invested heavily in this party,” he stated.

Wanjigi’s quest to run for presidency on ODM has been received differently by members of the party. While others have supported his bid, some have deemed the moved as rebellion towards the former Prime Minister.

Wanjigi has been accused of setting up ODM branches around the country without consulting the national office.

November 22, 2021 0 comment

Business

Fly 748 Announces Changes In Flight Schedules, Increases Frequency To Mombasa

by Mustafa Juma November 17, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

With just a few days remaining to this year’s festive season, renowned airline 748 Air Services has increased its flight frequency to coastal towns of Mombasa and Ukunda.

In the changes announced on Wednesday November 17, 2021, the airline said this is part of its plans to strengthen its presence in key domestic routes as the peak season approaches.

Fly 748 will adjust departure and arrival times to Mombasa and Ukunda as from December 1, 2021.

According to the airline’s Managing Director Moses Mwangi, the number of people traveling for leisure to the Kenyan Coast has increased as a result of lifting of the curfew and more people getting vaccinated.

The carrier has introduced a third midday frequency to Mombasa, making it three daily flights to the destination.

Consequently, departure and arrival times for flights in this route have changed. The first flight from JKIA will now depart from 9.00 AM and arrive at Moi International Airport by 10.00 Am.

The midday flight will depart from JKIA at 1.00p.m and return from Moi International Airport at 3.00 p.m. The evening flight to Mombasa will leave at 5.00 p.m and depart from Moi International Airport at 7.00 p.m.

For Ukunda route, a morning frequency has been introduced for travellers with the flight departing from JKIA at 8.30 am.

748 Air Services Chairman Ahmed Jibril said that for the airline to meet demand during peak tourism season and ensure their customers continue to seamlessly get the best service with no delays, they have added 2 Dash 8-Q400s to our fleet.

The newly acquired 2 Bombardier Dash 8 – Q400 aircraft will cater to the anticipated surge in customer numbers on these routes over the coming festive season.

Daily flights to Kisumu have been reduced to one afternoon frequency.

November 17, 2021 0 comment

Politics

Ruto’s Intelligent Team To Expose Companies, Real Beneficiaries of KEMSA Scandal

by Mustafa Juma November 16, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Self-declared Hustler Nation spokesperson Dennis Itumbi has given the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) a 24-hour ultimatum to make public a comprehensive list of those who reportedly benefitted from the Kemsa scandal.

A damning investigative story by NTV last year had exposed how a few individuals siphoned billions of shillings from the medical supplies agency through fraudulent tenders.

This forced President Uhuru Kenyatta to order investigation into the matter and submit a comprehensive report to him within 21 days.

Through a social media post on Tuesday afternoon, Itumbi has threatened to make public a list of the beneficiaries of the scandal, after the expiry of the 2-hour ultimatum at 1400 hrs on Wednesday.

The former State House employee claims that his team of investigators from the Hustler Nation Intelligent Bureau (HNIB) have gathered the evidence.

He noted that HNIB which works for Deputy President William Ruto’s UDA party will make public the companies and the real beneficiaries of the scandal.

“It shall be done via a live Social Media Address right on this space. HNIB promised months ago, we would investigate and AFTER 8 months we have completed our investigations,” reads part of Itumbi’s post.

For security reasons, Itumbi noted that the information is secured with fifteen other people.

Below is Itumbi’s Facebook post.

November 16, 2021 0 comment

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