Achieve high vaccine coverage to herd Covid-19 out of Kenya

Elderly residents at Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital (PGH) in Nakuru for Covid-19 vaccine on March 30, 2021. They complained about the slow vaccination process. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

A few days back the Ministry of Health banned private importation of Covid-19 vaccines, setting stage for a heated debate on ‘why’ and ‘what next’. The ‘why’ debate has thrown up three theories. One, that there is a genuine desire by government to manage the vaccine process for public good (I and most Kenyans want to believe so).

Two, that this was merely a response to the public outcry that demanded a more transparent process devoid of profiteering and State-granted monopoly power. Three, that there is a well-connected rival camp working an angle, where they would supply the vaccines after ‘clear government protocols’ have been established, preferably, one that has a seal of approval from WHO.