WOZAA!

Ebola: 20 contacts go home, 98 remain in quarantine

The WHO's Africa office reported on October 26 that 20 contacts of Kenya's first Ebola case have completed 21 days of quarantine without symptoms and rejoined their families. Another 98 are still being monitored. Kenya has reported nine confirmed cases, all in one connected group, and two deaths, and the WHO says there is no evidence of spread in the community. Separately, the UN's humanitarian office announced more than KSh259 million (over $2 million) from the Kenya Humanitarian Fund for surveillance at border crossings, training of response teams and public information campaigns.

Health officials have asked communities to welcome released contacts warmly, because after 21 symptom-free days they pose no risk of infection. There is still no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, so the practical protection is the same as before: rely on Ministry of Health updates, and report symptoms after contact with a confirmed case early.

Sources: WHO Africa, Kenyans.co.ke

Four weeks shut: students give the Education CS 24 hours as talks stall

Public universities have now been closed for four weeks. A conciliation meeting on October 26 ended in stalemate, and the lecturers' unions have rejected a phased implementation plan. UASU says it will not accept a deal imposed without negotiation and warns of a long strike if the matter is left to the State Department and vice chancellors. On October 27, University of Nairobi students held a second protest along Waiyaki Way and gave Education CS Julius Ogamba 24 hours to resolve the standoff. Students told The Star the idleness is wearing on them.

No date for resuming classes or exams has been announced. If you are a student or parent, plan for continued disruption, and check your university's official notices instead of rumours about reopening dates.

Sources: The Star

2.59 million learners sat Grade 6 and Grade 9 exams this week

KNEC says 1,380,463 learners registered for KPSEA (Grade 6), up from 1,298,089 last year, and 1,206,028 for KJSEA (Grade 9), up from 1,130,679. Both started on October 26, with papers from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. KNEC added smart digital padlocks on exam containers, 48 more containers (653 in total), and personalised question booklets.

The Grade 9 KJSEA counts for 60% of a learner's final evaluation.

The other 40% comes from school-based assessment, and the result decides Grade 10 placement. Education CS Julius Ogamba says senior school capacity has been prepared for about 1.2 million learners. For parents of Grade 9 learners, the score matters, but so does the school-based 40%, so don't let a single exam week define the outcome.

Sources: The Standard, The Star

Short rains are on: flash-flood warnings for the coast and north-east

The Kenya Meteorological Department's forecast for October 22–29 covered parts of 46 counties, including Nairobi. Isolated storms in parts of Mandera, Wajir, Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale could trigger flash floods. The department's advice is to avoid walking or driving through flooded roads, rivers and bridges, not to shelter under trees during thunderstorms, and to slow down and use headlights in poor visibility.

That forecast window has closed, so check the latest Met Department outlook for your county before travelling. The rains are a plus for farmers, who can use the improved soil moisture, but people on steep slopes should watch for cracks in the ground and leaning trees.

Sources: Citizen Digital

A record 30,700 runners turned out for the Nairobi Marathon

The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon drew a record 30,700 registered participants. Abraham Kiptum won the men's race in 2:10:35, 23 seconds off the course record, and Mercy Kandie Rotich won the women's race in 2:31:25 on her marathon debut. Each won KSh2 million. Kandie, 27, trained for four months in Iten, and the runner-up, Peris Jerono, finished just two seconds behind her. Kiptum, 37, is returning after a four-year doping ban.

Elsewhere, Eliud Kipchoge won the Melbourne Marathon on October 11 in 2:09:10, his first marathon win in three years. If the crowds inspire you to start running, the practical step is the same for everyone: build mileage slowly and look for the next local race.

Sources: Citizen Digital