There are numerous public research institutions but what goes on there? Who knows what studies are going on and what findings have been reported? Why does the media seem uninterested? The country has tens of universities whose primary purpose is teaching and research. Who knows what goes on there – besides scandals? On June 12, the government weekly newspaper MyGov carried a story that ideally should have been trumpeted from the rooftops. But even MyGov hid the story on page 23 (the paper has 28 pages), opting to lead with a report about one of those pointless World Bank-funded capacity building initiatives one hears about all the time. The story was titled, “Kenya develops new vaccine for cattle in Africa”. Local and international researchers have developed a new vaccine against cow lung disease, the newspaper reported. The contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (BCCP) vaccine has been licensed for commercial production. It is the first vaccine of its kind in Africa. The drug is more effective than the existing one and ten times cheaper. “Lack of a strong vaccine has denied livelihoods to more than 10 million cattle farmers in the arid and semi-arid lands in the country and about 24 million in sub-Saharan Africa,” MYGov reported. With 80 per cent of Kenya being arid and semi-arid land, the potential for livestock production and modern farming is immense. Now, this great story about a cattle vaccine received little attention while the media chased after politicians tangatangaring from one corner of the country to another campaigning for an election that is four years away. There was a time leading media houses had specialist science reporters and editors. Today the only specialists one sees are political and sports journalists. Nor does one see science columnists or analysts on TV. The typical TV pundit is a lawyer who knows everything from handshakes to miracle healing. Important developments with far-reaching consequences receive scant media attention or none at all – subjects like climate change, genetically modified organisms, drug resistance and other threats to human health and the environment. At worst, these topics are dominated by the propaganda of clever corporate types interested only in making super-profits.
