As we approach the end of April, Kenya could be host to about 500 of the probable 30,000 COVID-19 positive cases in Africa. The country has instituted drastic containment measures -nationwide curfews and complete lock down of suspected hot spot locations: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale. The curfews and lock downs have pushed businesses (hotels, factories, offices, transport, markets etc), institutions- schools, churches and mosques; and informal occupations including fishing, trading, casual work and crafts to complete stagnation and closure.

A few days ago, I wrote a blog on ‘Sharing and Developing Ideas, Research and Innovation During Emergencies and I received a lot of questions directly. Some questions were more specific on vaccines like:

‘…the bit about vaccines is quite intriguing if not controversial. The jury on the origins of AIDS, it seems, is still out there. Or did it make its findings & deliver its verdict?

Others asked me about the state of research in the country