Opinion: ‘Baba’ thinks speaking at gatherings is social distancing …

Raila Odinga speaking at Samburu in Kwale County on the 5th March 2021

You cannot tell how you contract this disease (Covid-19). I have been social distancing, wearing a mask and avoiding crowds” Raila Odinga (01.04.2021)

Raila Odinga coming with the April’s Fools Joke of the Day. No matter what you thinks of his politics or politicking. He is overboard on this one. It is with disbelief and total disregard of his actions, if he believes the words coming out of his mouth.

Just before he entered the Nairobi Hospital for treatment for COVID-19 on the 9th March to the 13th March. As he was out of the 14th March hospital. He had all through 2021 at rallies, church gatherings and other public ceremonies. It is not like his been home isolation, social distancing and washing his hands.

On the 9th January he was a burial in Mululu, Vihiga County. On the 10th January he visited development projects in Kisumu. On the 13th January he held a meeting with youths in Nairobi county. The same day he passed by and greeted the general public at Burma Market in Nairobi. The next day on the 14th January he participated in a meeting with Gikuyu Council of Elders in Ruaka, Kiambu County. On Sunday 17th January he was a Sunday Service at the St. Joachim and Anne Catholic Church, Kayole. And later on the same day he had a rally Embakasi East.

The next time on the 21st January he greeted the public of Westlands. Two days later on the 23rd January he participated on the commencement of the dredging of Kisumu Port. Later on the same day he was a guest at a burial in Nyatike. On the 26th January he was a speaker at the KUSO Meeting. The next day he held a meeting with musicians from Central Kenya. The same day he held a roadside rally at Roysambu. On the 28th he had a meeting with the clergy from 47 counties at the Ufungamano House, Nairobi County.

This is just what is easily accessible of public functions, rallies and public gatherings he participated in January alone. We know he continued with this practice all through February and March.

Just in the final days before his treatment at the hospital in March. He had a two day visit to Taita Taveta County. Where he met the MCA’s in on meeting. Where he held rallies as well. On the 4th March he was in Mombasa holding rallies and on the fifth in Samburu, Kwale County.

While on the 6th March he had a visit of a delegation from Narok in his Karen home in Nairobi. After that he went for treatment.

Somehow with the knowledge of his public dealings. We know perfectly well that this man hasn’t been isolated or been home bound. Odinga have greeted the public, held rallies, meetings and been social as can be. It’s not strange that he caught the virus, as active as he was. He was everywhere and been on stages at every occasion he could.

This lie is so easily to undress and he must take people for fools. If he believes these words himself. Odinga is then delusional and that’s just tragic. A man with such a public profile. Shouldn’t state this and think the naysayers won’t go after him.

Well, Mr. Odinga… you know better, but apparently you think the world doesn’t see your moves. When it clearly does. Peace.

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Kenya: Agriculture and Food Authority cease imports of UNGA from Uganda and Tanzania

Today, the Agriculture and Food Authority wrote a letter to the Commissioner of Customs, Pamela Ahago. There it stated that it “stopped any further imports of the maize into Kenya with immediate effect”. It also said the reason why: “conducting surveillance on the safety of food imports to Kenya”. The last is: “Test results for maize imported from Uganda and Tanzania have revealed higher levels of mycotoxins that are consistently beyond safety limits”.

When you read that it makes sense. You might wonder, what is mycotoxins? Well, it is: “Mycotoxins are toxic compounds that are naturally produced by certain types of moulds (fungi). Moulds that can produce mycotoxins grow on numerous foodstuffs such as cereals, dried fruits, nuts and spices” (…) “The effects of some food-borne mycotoxins are acute with symptoms of severe illness appearing quickly after consumption of food products contaminated with mycotoxins. Other mycotoxins occurring in food have been linked to long-term effects on health, including the induction of cancers and immune deficiency” (World Health Organization (WHO) – ‘Mycotoxins’ 09.05.2016).

We can be sure that the Ugandan and Tanzanian authorities will react to this. As they will not accept this and will be scorn. The Kenyan Authority is right in doing this. Especially with the concern of food safety and food for human consumption should be key priority. Therefore, to cease or suspend imports of Maize makes sense.

What is also striking is the amount of maize that is exported to the Kenya market from the neighbours, which a report in 2020 said: “Kenya imported 44,740 metric tonnes of white maize from the region in the second quarter of 2020, accounting for more than three quarters of the total grain sold across borders in the period in East Africa. The latest Food Security and Nutrition Working Group (FSNWG) East Africa Cross Border Trade report shows that 58 and 39 per cent of the imports came from Uganda and Tanzania, respectively” (Kevin Rotich – ‘Tanzania, Uganda supply majority of Kenya’s maize imports’ 03.08.2020).

The main importers of maize to Kenya comes from these two. That means the main imports has stopped and the ones who exports it to the Republic. This also means the Kenyans are losing their main sources of White Maize. Maize is staple in the ugali and therefore a vital commodity.

The UNGA is a important aspect and has been subsidized by the government in the past too. We cannot know if the Maize cartels will earn from this. Just like the previous stockpiling exercises in 2017 and 2018. UNGA have been questioned and how the state have treated it.

In June in 2017 CS Willy Bett said this: “Since we started the subsidised programme, we have witnessed more Kenyans preferring unga, thus the high demand for maize flour,” (Ngotho, Agatha – ‘Kenyans eating more ugali to blame for unga shortage – CS’ (20.06.2017) link: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2017/06/20/kenyans-eating-more-ugali-to-blame-for-unga-shortage-cs_c1582605?platform=hootsuite).

It might come something similar happening now. As the state is directly losing its key trading partners who exports it to them. It is not like the Kenyans will stop eating UNGA. That is not happening. So, the need for maize flour will persist and we have to wonder where they will import it from now. Peace.