General News
Covid-19: Kenyans Have Their Say On New Abdalla Vaccine
There is a new Covid-19 vaccine that has become the talk of the town.
And this is not just because the disease continues to cause havoc across the world, or owing to the vaccine’s impeccable effectiveness, but because rather, because of its unique name.
The Cuban government recently introduced the Covid-19 Abdala vaccine. It announced the jab had a 92.28 efficiency.
And although the vaccine still needs to seek approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO) so as to be exported and used outside Cuba, it has already gained popularity, and especially among Kenyans.
On social media, netizens had a mouthful to say.
“Finally, an alternative for Johnson & Johnson vaccine. It’s Abdala & Abdala,” said @adham.
“I thought Abdala vaccine is only a meme,” tweeted @Sarah_Safian.
“We now have the Abdala vaccine from Cuba. We may also need an Eric vaccine,” said @EricBana.
“Abdala vaccine is 92.28% effective against coronavirus. Finally, Abdala has an impact… Coast people will relate to this,” wrote @SamNato.
But what many do not know is that the vaccine’s name Abdala has sentimental meaning to the people of Cuba.
According to Cable News Network (CNN) Abdala is the name of a poem written by Cuban revolutionary icon Jose Marti.
Biography.com describes Mr Marti as a man who had great influence on the Cuban revolution.
In 1895 he took part in the fight for the independence of Cuba but unfortunately died on the battlefield.
He is famous for his artistic talents in writing poems including the dramatic “Abdala,” in which he describes the liberation of an imaginary country.
The popular song “Guantanamera” recorded by American musician Pete Seeger is adapted from his poetry collection Versos Sencillos.
Like most revolutionaries fighting for the freedom of their countries, he had many run-ins with law enforcers resulting in him being arrested and deported to Spain.
However, when the ten-year war ended in 1878 he returned back to Cuba.
His desire was to fight for equal rights for the people of Cuba and prevent anyone class or group from taking control of the country.
Martí is considered a national hero in Cuba and is honoured by a memorial statue in the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana as well as the international airport there that bears his name.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has criticized Kenya for re-implementing the fuel subsidy scheme, expressing concerns that the lack of funds to pay oil marketers could distort the budget.
Despite a previous commitment by President William Ruto in 2022 not to subsidize pump prices, the government reintroduced the subsidy, preventing petrol and diesel prices from reaching higher levels in October 2023.
The IMF argues that the subsidy was applied without available funds, as the Treasury has yet to pay oil marketers at least Ksh9 billion ($55.6 million) accumulated from the previous year. President Ruto’s decision to reinstate subsidies goes against conditions set by the IMF for accessing loans.
Petrol and diesel prices, which were Ksh217.36 ($1.34) and Ksh205.47 ($1.27) respectively in Nairobi in October 2023, remained lower than the potential Ksh220.43 ($1.36) and Ksh217.11 ($1.34) due to the subsidy. However, the IMF disapproves of the decision, emphasizing that the removal of the subsidy was a key condition for a 38-month budget support scheme.
The IMF criticizes the prolonged process of forming a taskforce and delays in implementing decisions regarding fuel pricing.
The removal of the subsidy in May of the previous year led to record-high pump prices, crossing the Ksh200-mark later in the year due to a combination of subsidy removal and a VAT increase to 16 percent.
Kenya’s administration, faced with rising fuel costs, chose to reinstate the subsidy, prompting the IMF to raise alarms over the lack of budgeted funds and potential distortions in the country’s financial plans.
The ongoing disagreement highlights the challenges and consequences associated with balancing domestic economic policies and meeting international financial commitments
As the back-to-school rush season unfolds in Meru County, a growing number of parents are making a strategic choice to purchase second-hand books for their children.
This decision stems from the challenging economic conditions that have prompted families to seek ways to cut costs.
Among these parents is Ms. Prisca Gakii, who revealed that opting for second-hand books allows her to save money, which can then be allocated towards essential expenses like school fees.
She highlighted a practical advantage for Form-One students, emphasizing that using older books can protect them from potential theft, as new books often become targets for less scrupulous classmates.
Ms. Gakii pointed out a notable price difference, citing an example of a new Oxford dictionary priced at almost Sh1,900, compared to a used one available for Sh1400.
She justified her preference for the older but more affordable option, emphasizing that they contain the same content.
Janet Wamuyu, a second-hand books trader, shed light on the lucrative nature of their business during the opening of the first term, which coincides with the peak season.
As learners transition to new grades or classes, there is a heightened demand for various books, including dictionaries, Kamusi, and Golden Bells.
Wamuyu explained that this period, especially when Form-One students are joining school, facilitates easy acquisition of books for new stock.
The trading process involves exchanging books for the next grade or class at a lower rate, providing an economical alternative for parents instead of purchasing an entirely new set of books.
She further noted that their source of new stock comes from parents whose children have completed their studies and no longer require the books.
Despite the success during the peak season, Wamuyu acknowledged the challenges faced during other times of the year when only a few revision books are in demand, highlighting the cyclical nature of the business in Meru County.
Funding Partnerships and Grants Manager at Northern Rangelands Trust
Legal Counsel at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)
