involvement.damugeltd.co.ke

Blog

  • Elderly UK Woman Becomes First in World to Receive Pfizer Vaccine

    By Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Sky News


    The beginning of the end of the pandemic has begun as the first person in the world has been vaccinated outside a clinical trial.


    Margaret Keenan, 90, received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at University Hospital in Coventry, as the NHS launched its biggest ever vaccine campaign on Tuesday. Mrs Keenan, who will turn 91 next week, said being the first was a “privilege” and the “best early birthday present one can wish for”. According to her, having the vaccine meant she could spend time with family and friends in the New Year after being alone for most of 2020.


    “My advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it – if I can have it at 90, then you can have it too!” She added.


    Mrs Keenan will receive a booster shot in 21 days to ensure she has the best chance of being protected against the virus.

    Mrs Keenan receives COVID-19 vaccine at the hospital. Photo courtesy of Sky News.


    The UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer vaccine last week. The government has secured 40 million doses of the vaccine which studies have shown is 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 infections in all age groups.


    During the weekend, the vaccine began arriving in batches at a hospital in South London, ahead of the country-wide rollout. At least 800,000 doses enough for 400,000 people were received in the first batch. Vaccinations will be given at dozens of hospital hubs from today called “V-Day” by Health Secretary Matt Hancock. People aged 80 and over together with home care workers will be among the first to receive the vaccines.

    Mrs Keenan getting applauded back to her ward by nurses. Photo courtesy of Mirror UK


    Mr Hancock told Sky News he felt “quite emotional” watching Mrs Keenan have the vaccination.
    “It has been such a tough year for so many people and finally we have our way through it – our light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
    “And just watching Margaret there- it seems so simple having a jab in your arm, but that will protect Margaret and it will protect the people around her,” he added.


    Mrs Parson, the nurse who gave Mrs Keenan the vaccine, said it was a “huge honour” to be the first in the country to deliver the vaccine to a patient.
    “The last few months have been tough for all of us working in the NHS, but now it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel,” added Mrs Parson.

    Margaret Keenan walks with nurse Mary Parsons. Photo courtesy of Mirror UK.


    First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said she “got a lump in her throat” watching the video of the first COVID-19 vaccination being administered.
    “Feels like a milestone moment after a tough year for everyone. The first vaccines in Scotland will be administered today too.” She tweeted.


    NHS England medical director Stephen Powis said on Sunday that beginning COVID vaccinations “feels like the beginning of the end”, but warned the campaign will be a “marathon, not a sprint”.

  • 50.5pc of Kenya’s population are Women

    50.5pc of Kenya’s population are Women

    By: Brenda Mongare (brendamongare171595@daystar.ac.ke

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of: Varcity.co.ke

    Kenya has more women than men according to the 2019 census results.

    Of the total population of 47,564,296, 24,014,716 are female which translates to 50.5% of the population while 23,548,056 are male and 1,524 are Intersex.

    The 2019 census results released by Kenya National Bureau of Statics Director General Zachary Mwangi at State House also indicate that the Country’s population has increased from 37.7 Million in 2009 to 47.6 Million in 2019.

    Mwangi said the intercensal growth rate has declined to 2.2% in 2019, from 2.9% in 2009 while the average household size has declined to 3.9 in 2019 from 4.2 in 2009.

    Nairobi County has the highest number of people at 4.4 million of which 2,192,452 are male while 2,204,376 are female.

    Kiambu County ranks second with 2,417,735 people followed by Nakuru with 2,162,202.

    Lamu County has the lowest population with 143,920, followed by Isiolo with 268,002 and Samburu with 310,327.

    Mwangi said the enumeration was successfully conducted from 24th/25th to 31st August 2019 and a mop-up exercise carried out on 1st and 2nd of September 2019, to cover those not enumerated during the seven days. KNBS will undertake further analysis to produce 4 basic reports focussing on population by: Administrative units up to sub-location, Age and Sex by county, Political Units, Socio-economic characteristics; and thematic analytical reports.

    “I am also grateful to the security personnel who ensured peace prevailed during the census exercise. You lived to your true calling by providing the necessary security, not only to the census officials, but also to all members of the public.” Uhuru Kenyatta.

    The President said Kenya was the first Country in Africa to release census results two months after the exercise was conducted.

    “I am happy to note that this is the first Census to be conducted under the 2010 Constitution and was by and large fully funded by my Government. This year’s Census was a first of its kind in Kenya, in that for the first time ever, we fully embraced the use of technology in the census processes.”

  • THE U.S. SET TO EXIT FROM THE PARIS AGREEMENT

    THE U.S. SET TO EXIT FROM THE PARIS AGREEMENT

    By: Brenda Mongare (brendamongare171595@daystar.ac.ke)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of: weforum.org

    The Trump administration made a statement to the international community that it plans to officially withdraw from the Paris climate accord. The Paris climate accord unites 188 nations to combat climate change.

    President Trump called the agreement “a total disaster” and argued that the Obama administration’s pledges would have “hurt the competitiveness” of the United States.

    The withdrawal is still subject to the outcome of next year’s US presidential election – if Mr Trump loses, the winner may decide to change this decision.

    Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration had sent official notification of its plans to the United Nations.

    “In international climate discussions, we will continue to offer a realistic and pragmatic model — backed by a record of real world results — showing innovation and open markets lead to greater prosperity, fewer emissions, and more secure sources of energy,” Pompeo said. “We will continue to work with our global partners to enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change and prepare for and respond to natural disasters.”

    But how much can they do to fight climate change in the absence of federal leadership?

    The US would become the only country to leave the pact, a decision Trump promised to boost US oil, gas and coal industries.

    The Paris Agreement was set to provide a foundation for sustainable, low-carbon and resilient development under a changing climate by strengthening community-level resilience in countries suffering the same fate as Kenya.

    Some of the plans that were set forward for countries to follow were:

    1. Planting trees that absorb CO2 from the air is one such strategy.
    2. Reduction of the amount of greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere can also be achieved through the use of energy sources that don’t release greenhouse gases such as fuel efficiency in vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, solar power, tidal energy, geothermal and wind power, use of carbon sinks, carbon credits, and taxation measures.

    The Trump administration might end up losing a lot of traction with respect to US influence globally and it could take time for the international community to trust the US as a consistent partner in any developments or ties.

    The US and China have been leading negotiations of the Paris “rule book” that outlines transparency and reporting rules for signatories, let’s wait and see what happens next.

  • THE GENERATIONAL EXPOSURE TO THE WINDS OF CHANGE

    THE GENERATIONAL EXPOSURE TO THE WINDS OF CHANGE

    By Laura Natasha (lauranatasha161526@daystar.ac.ke)

    To imagine a generational diversity that Africa has embarked on, this is one of the greatest mile stones in establishing a proper middle ground for nurturing the interaction environment based on the Old- New generation. Imagining a world where building bridges has been made possible in recent generational Clash. Despite the continuous use of media every generational group has not gone unnoticed.

    As a 22-year-old, John Ndung’u who is a motor sales advisor has a brilliant social life with his uncle Christopher Karanja a 63-year-old famer who is not rigid enough not to stand anyone younger than him. However, the fine-tuned relationship he’s been having with his nephew was not born out of respect but out of the generational understanding.

    The age difference between the two has raised questions around their neighbourhood. The free spirited family are fully engaged in each other’s lives. After the death of John’s parents, Christopher who is still a bachelor and the state of environment he grew up in changed when he adopted John as his son.

    “At first, I did not understand his needs, and with the emergence of technology I could tell that my world view was about to change,”

    “When John turned sixteen years Old, arguments increased, I became less and less interested with the role of being a father,” Christopher timidly speaks.
    The intergenerational clash lessened when he understood his character was different from his nephew’s from how both of them thought about certain things in life.

    Generational differences regarding attitudes, work behaviour and life choices are signs of diverse economic trends. The context for the younger generations is very different than that of their parents or grandparents.

    The future of the generations.

    The culture that has been implied to different generations has led to the clash between the generations, some which is founded on stereotypic ideologies. The differences that do exist between any generations should be treated as problem that has led to segregation.

    “When generational attitudes run apart, different life experiences are inculcated based on their principles and moral understanding of life, we need to build bridges from this ideologies,” Jane Mucau a psychologist-cum-parent said.

    Recognizing the value all generations is very critical. Each generation can learn from each other on interests such as institutional knowledge and experience, thus creating leverage of the diverse never ending skillset and experience that will drive innovation.

    The pace of innovation and disruption will only intensify in the years to come. The changes will be based on how each generation works, but the values underlying quality work will not.

    Building a strong relationship between the generations, one based on respect and dialogue, will allow people to steer through the winds of change while remaining rooted in understanding each other’s value and philosophy in life.

    “Unity is Key in establishing a middle ground in the intergenerational crisis. A path of self-discovery, understanding and tolerance will make a difference between every generation,” Christopher Karanja said.

  • INTERNS REJECTED BY MINISTRIES AND GOVERNMENT DUE TO GLITCH

    INTERNS REJECTED BY MINISTRIES AND GOVERNMENT DUE TO GLITCH

    By: Brenda Mongare (brendamongare171595@daystar.ac.ke)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of: the-star.co.ke

    A delay in the introduction to ministries and government corporations saw interns posted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) rejected. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia admitted the glitch affected several interns but this was being addressed.

    “The majority of interns are reporting to ministries and a few in State corporations. There are no State corporations that rejected interns. However, some interns reported to corporations with their posting letters while the corporations had not received PSC guidelines on how to deploy the interns,” she said.

    Some of the departments wanted to be allowed to directly contract the interns, while some heads complained that the graduates sent to their dockets did not possess the primary degrees to learn on the job and a suspicion that some of them have been detailed to spy on them and subsequently report them to their bosses or investigative agencies.

    “All MDAs have received guidance letters and interns continue to report with a deadline of November 1. Any recruited intern who has any reporting challenges to contact PSC for assistance,” Prof Kobia said.

    Some turned them away saying they did not have physical space to accommodate them.

    An unemployment crisis continues to bite, with many graduates opting for menial jobs to earn a living. Prof Kobia revealed that 40 percent of Kenya’s productive population, mostly the youth, do not have meaningful jobs. “We are looking forward to recruiting 4,000 health workers following a request from the ministry.

    “Those with certificates, diplomas and degrees will benefit as the ministry moves to address the shortage of manpower,” PSC Chairman Stephen Kirogo said.

    Some of those that have turned interns away are Kenya Ports Authority, Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Medical Research Institute, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, and the Kenya Revenue Authority.

    The government recruited 3,600 graduates in a plan the PSC believes will address the problem of an aging workforce when they are finally absorbed after one year.

    Some 3,200 public servants exit the service every year through natural attrition while 18,600 graduates applied for the slots.

    Mr. Kirogo disclosed that they had received 13,000 applications for the second intake that targets 4,000 recruits.

    “There is an overwhelming response and I’m happy people are keen to take part in the program,” he said on Saturday.

    Recruited from all the 290 constituencies, the PSC chairman holds that the program will in the long run cure the dominance of a few ethnic groups.

    A PSC report in July on its ethnic composition tabled in Parliament indicated that five tribes – Kikuyu, Luhya, Kisii, Maasai and Embu — control 53.3 per cent of the 223 jobs.

  • ALWAYS REMOVES ITS FEMALE SYMBOL FROM PACKAGING

    ALWAYS REMOVES ITS FEMALE SYMBOL FROM PACKAGING

    By: Brenda Mongare (brendamongare171595@daystar.ac.ke)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of: www.amazon.com

    Menstrual pad maker Always has announced that it will remove the female symbol from its products to reflect the fact that some people who menstruate don’t identify as women, including transgender men and nonbinary people.

    The company was forced into deciding at the behest of lobbyists, Always’ parent company, Procter and Gamble, released a statement saying it opted to make the change after continued feedback from customers, including trans men and allies.

    “For over 35 years Always has championed girls and women, and we will continue to do so, we’re also committed to diversity and inclusion and are on a continual journey to understand the needs of all of our consumers.”

    “It’s just a way to have accurate, affirming medical care, to exist in your body and be comfortable and recognized for who you are, periods are a biological, reproductive function that has nothing to do with how you think of yourself, which is what gender is. People have to get away from this idea that gender is connected to genitals.” Erika Hart added

    But it’s possible to have a uterus without identifying as a woman, as is the case with transgender men, as well as nonbinary and intersex people since gender identity and sex are two different things.

    Gender identity refers to a person’s internal concept of self and can include terms like man, woman, transgender, and nonbinary.

    For example, a transgender man is someone who was assigned female at birth but identifies as male. A nonbinary person is someone who identifies as neither male nor female, regardless of how they were assigned at birth.

    Some transgender people may choose to have hormone treatments or surgery to make their physical characteristics better align with their identity, but many do not.

    The discomfort of menstruation can be magnified for trans men who choose to take testosterone since the hormone can cause vaginal inflammation and can make using tampons or menstrual cups painful.

    The monthly experience can also be emotionally painful for trans and nonbinary people due to gender dysphoria, or the psychological distress caused by a disconnect between a person’s identity and their assigned sex.

    While gender dysphoria can be brought on by social situations, such as when someone is misgendered (referred to in a way other than how they identify), it can also happen to trans men and nonbinary people when buying and using menstrual products. That’s because periods are typically referred to as only a “women’s issue” and most conversations about menstruation focus on women and girls.

  • A DIVE INTO FASHION

    A DIVE INTO FASHION

    By: Valyne Laibuta (vklaibuta@gmail.com)

    Photos courtesy of: Sapatu Kenya

    Wambui Ndaiyo. Founder and lead designer at Sapatu Kenya.

    This week I got the opportunity to interview the lovely Prisca Noel Waiganjo also known as Wambui Ndaiyo. Wambui is not only a third year Public relations student at Daystar University but she is also the lead designer and founder of the fashion brand Sapatu Kenya.

    Sapatu Kenya was born in 2015, “I took a short course in tailoring and design after high school” says Wambui when talking about how Sapatu Kenya came to be. She adds, “it also helped me cope with depression.

    Before joining the tailor and design school, Wambui described how she would take her mother’s clothes are transform them to be more modern, sexy and sophisticated, this is what inspired her to pursue her passion in fashion design.

    Wambui went on to describe Sapatu as a clothing brand for the modern African woman that promotes body positivity, sophistication and confidence. From her collections, I could tell that Sapatu Kenya lives up to its purpose.

    “The kind of fashion you would find at Sapatu Kenya, is based on diversity. It is a brand that implements its creativity to ensure our clients are satisfied with the products” Wambui when asked about the kind of fashion found at Sapatu. She adds that Sapatu Kenya aims to provide clients with unique and stunning pieces that you will not be able to find in a typical clothing store.

    Prisca recounts that her favourite collection was based on shoot that she did with her couple of her friends a year back known as the forest shoot. Her main aim with this collection and shoot was to inspire people to lean on nature when they are feeling overwhelmed with day to day activities.

    “Nature is the foundation of everything and fashion itself. Nature allows me to reach into my creative wits and create something that’s uplifting and relatable”.

    Speaking about the challenges she has faced with starting and running Sapatu Kenya, she says that “starting any business is not easy”. She wishes she had not rushed too quickly to the creative side without first considering the business side of the brand.

    Organization and marketing of her brand proved a challenge to her in the beginning, luckily she had help from her friends and also help from Urban Change Lab that allowed her brand to reach a larger market.

    While interviewing Wambui, I found her to be remarkable and hardworking; along with her brand and her studies, she is also the Public relations manager of Urban Change Lab.

    She describes Urban Change Lab as a platform that allows local craftsmen to showcase their products abroad. The craftsmen and clients are able to interact in transparency, the clients are able to also send in their ideas and be able to be their own designers with the help of these craftsmen.

    Urban Change Lab is a new form of comfort shopping that allows people from different parts of the world to share ideas which are realized by craftsmen in Africa. The platform allows both the craftsmen and client to interact fairly and share ideas.

    Wambui believes that this platform might open doors to job opportunities in Africa especially to fellow designers who would like to gain internationally recognition.

    She concludes the interview by offering advice to upcoming business owners, that they must be focused and set realistic goals for their businesses. She also urges the ambitious women out there trying to be billionaires before they hit 30, that it is not too early to start their journey into the world of business.

    Wambui is an inspiration out there to those studying or working but have always been dreaming to start their own brand that it is never too early to start and whatever challenges come your way, you must work through them and keep pushing forward. I hope her interview serves as inspiration to someone out there.

    If you would like to watch the video interview, click here.

  • PRESIDENT TRUMP IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

    PRESIDENT TRUMP IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

    By Debbie Gitau

    debbiemumbi@gmail.com

    President Of the United States Donald Trump
    Photo Courtesy: getty images

    President Trump is facing impeachment inquiry after the whistle blower report was released by the Washington post. The report is one showing the phone call conversation between President Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky talking about Joe Biden, America’s former Vice president and his son. Democrats are accusing the president of abusing his office for his personal political gain and terming it national security.

    “Donald Trump has violated the oath of office, betrayed his nation and committed impeachable acts. To preserve the constitution, our democracy and basic integrity he should be impeached,” said Joe Biden in a press conference.

    Rudy Guiliani, President Donald Trump attorney confirmed the allegations made by the democrats during a live CNN show called Cuomo Prime time. This has led to opening an investigation of president Trump and the attorney. In President Trump’s defense, he wanted the Ukrainian government to open an investigation against Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden as there are allegations between their involvement in rigging of the 2016 U.S presidential election.

    “They know they can’t win the 2022 election so they are pursuing the insane impeachment witch hunt. I’ve been going through it now for more times than I’ve been in office,” President Trump said.

    Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the United States House of representatives who announced the formal impeachment inquiry is now being threatened to be sued by President Trump.

    Former US Vice President Joe Biden
    Photo Courtesy: Getty Images
  • BUDDING FLOWER

    BUDDING FLOWER

    By: Nyokabi Ng’ang’a

    Leshnyokabi@gmail.com

    Photo Courtesy: www.wattpad.com

    That BUDDING flower

    That knows time

    Time in a season

    The season of every month,

     

    That budding flower

    That makes me an adult

    An adult of days

    With the days of frays;

     

    Pain is elementary

    When I bud as a flower

    My emotions rage

    My moods change;

     

    I am a budding flower

    Who cannot be understood by all

    Aside from the ones who fall

    For the budding season of our flowers;

     

    I am a budding flower,

    Within the process I feel pain

    Out of the process I feel sane;

     

    I am a budding flower…who cannot be understood by all.

  • MONARCHIES OF AFRICA: The Kingdom of Morocco

    MONARCHIES OF AFRICA: The Kingdom of Morocco

    By Nyokabi Ng’ang’a

    Leshnyokabi@gmail.com

    Thumbnail Photo-courtesy: sahara-experience.com

    The Flag of Morocco
    Photo Courtesy: alltherooms.com

    The Kingdom of Morocco originally had its inhabitants as the Berbers. This later changed when the Arabs invaded Morocco between the 7th– 9th century causing a shift in the culture and religion of the latter. It is acclaimed that Morocco was once a province of the Roman Empire as highlighted by https://www.globalblackhistory.com/2019/02/a-brief-history-of-the-kingdom-of-morocco.html.

    In 1906, Morocco was a joint colony of France and Spain. This was later cemented with a treaty known as the Treaty of Fez in 1912. This all came within the leadership of Sultan Moulay Yusuf, an Alaouite Sultan, who succeeded King Ahmed of the Saadi Arab tribe who died during the early 17th Century as written by https://www.lawrenceofmorocco.com/country. Upon Sultan Moulay Yusuf’s death, the French appointed Sidi Muhammad, also known as Muhammad V, to take charge as Sultan in 1927. This however, didn’t favor them, as the newly appointed Sultan consolidated powers and threatened French’s rule and power over Morocco as written by https://www.globalblackhistory.com/2019/02/a-brief-history-of-the-kingdom-of-morocco.html

    Muhammad V (Sidi Muhammad)
    photo courtesy: www.ipost.com

    The French responded by exiling Mohamed V in Corsica. This unexpectedly caused a major uproar from the nationalists who started an independent movement due to the reverence they accorded Muhammed V with- as a national hero.

    This resulted to the French bringing him back to take up the seat of a King and not a Sultan anymore in 1956 when Morocco gained independence. “Although Morocco gained its independence in 1956, Spain still colonizes two parts of Morocco to this day.  The cities of Ceuta and Melilla and a small chain of islands of the coast in the Atlantic Ocean are still under the control of Spain,” https://colonizationofmorocco.weebly.com/independence.html.

    In 1961, King Muhammad V died and his Son, Hassan the Second took charge of the newly formed Monarchy until 1999 when he died leaving his position for his son, Mohammed VI.  

    King Hassan the Second
    Photo Courtesy: www.youtube.com

    This Monarchical seat of Morocco is hereditary though with an adopted constitution of 1992 that stipulates the laws of the land. The Moroccan Constitution highlights three arms of the government namely: Judicial, Legislative and Executive as written by https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/morocco/government.

    The Monarch appoints the Prime Minister who is the head of the government. This is done with the assurity that the appointed Prime Minister is from the largest party in Parliament. The Monarch is also regarded as the ‘Commander of the Faithful’ and a secular political leader- an item that is not in practice in Lesotho.

    In as much a constitution stipulates what governs the state, the Monarch has a supreme hold of the Monarchy. He is involved in all the nitty-gritties of the Monarch to ensure order and respect for the Kingdom is fully given by its citizenry.

    King Mohammed VI of Morocco
    Photo Courtesy: www.bbc.com

    Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani
    Photo Courtesy: www.moroccoworldnews.com

    Irrespective of the political tensions and the ‘lack of democracy’ from an international perspective, the Kingdom of Morocco stands out in its own format. From its authentic culture to its beautiful towns and not forgetting their tasty meals served in Tagine clay-pots; this is a Kingdom worth traveling and learning about!

    Shukran bezzef! (Thank you in Moroccan-Arabic)

    • Casabalanca – A city in Morocco
      Photo Courtesy: www.amazon.com
    • Tagine Pot/Clay Pot
      Photo Courtesy: www.factmagazine.com