Author: Francis Muli

Facebook will start applying 16 percent VAT tax on ad payments in Kenya from April 1,2021. The social media company announced the latest development on its business page, saying the taxes would be applied to any advertiser who has Kenya as their address or target market. “Beginning 1 April 2021, Facebook ads in Kenya are subject to a value added tax (VAT) at the applicable local tax rate. This applies to advertisers whose ‘Sold To’ country on their business or personal address is set to Kenya and who haven’t confirmed that they’re advertising for business purposes.” In its post,…

Safaricom has announced the launch of trials for the trail-blazing 5G technology for its customers. The trial will begin with both individual and enterprise customers in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii and Kakamega. As part of its trial, the company plans to expand the number of such 5G sites to more than 150 across nine towns over the next 12 months. The primary objective during the trial period will be to establish if customers can enjoy speeds of up to 700 Megabits per second, with plans to offer than 1,000 Mbps speeds in the coming months. “Today marks a major milestone for…

Russian-manufactured Sputnik-V Covid-19 vaccine has arrived in Kenya, complementing the presence of the AstraZeneca vaccine that arrived in the country three weeks ago. This comes two days after the Pharmacy and Poisons Board gave approval to emergency use the Sputnik-V Covid-19 vaccine in Kenya. The jab will cost Ksh11,000. At least 75,000 doses of the jab have been shipped into the country, but will only be available to those aged 18 years and above. Efficacy of Sputnik V is 91.6 percent as confirmed by the data published in the Lancet, becoming one of only three vaccines in the world with…

Sidian Bank, a mid-tier bank focusing on SMEs has recorded a  profit before tax of Ksh72 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. In a statement to newsrooms, the bank announced that it has recorded a strong performance across key indicators notwithstanding the setback arising from the Covid-19 pandemic that affected most businesses last year. The Ksh72 million profit is a 28 percent drop from the previous year’s profitability of Ksh99 million. The loan book grew by 31 percent while customer deposits grew by 32 percent. As a result, the bank’s balance sheet increased by 27 percent from Ksh26.5…

Asilimia, a Kenyan Fintech digitizing payments for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has launched Leja, a digital ledger app that allows business owners to manage their transactions in real-time. With this app, Asilimia users will be able to create simple cash-based accounting P&L records as well as keep a ledger of outstanding debits and credits while requiring zero technical or accounting knowledge. In Kenya, many micro and small businesses are constantly excluded from access to capital and formal financial services due to lack of or poor financial business information. This has continued to be the case even with the…

Google is adding education resources to its search engine to help students practice various subjects. The resource, which is being rolled out globally, will test students’ knowledge in Chemistry, maths, and Physics. Google will partner with third-party providers such as Careers360, GradeUp, Kahoot, Vedantu, Toppr which will open up for students to access more problems in the subjects to solve and practice. “Google has increasingly made Search a resource for students and others wanting to learn about various topics. The latest additions see Google Search surface practice problems while expanding other capabilities,” it said. Read: How to Add Your Profile…

In a move aimed at protecting consumer interests, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has published a number of draft regulations for mobile phone dealers. The regulations provide for 3 year jail term or Sh300,000 fine for dealers who import mobile phones with poor battery performance. According to CA, the mobile phone’s battery should offer at least eight hours talk time and 24 hours of standby time. “The regulations are geared at protecting consumer interests and promoting the quality of service provided by network operators,” CA acting director-general Mercy Wanjau told the Business Daily. “In the event that non-compliant devices…

After carrying out successful tests and trials in 2020, Safaricom will this Friday launch the first 5G network in the country. The rollout will target urban centres in Nairobi, Bungoma and Kisii which have been identified as areas with the highest internet user traffic. Safaricom’s 5G technology will be supplied by both Nokia and Huawei, despite the latter’s sanctions in western countries. “Safaricom will be the first operator in East Africa to launch 5G services and will be showcasing the capabilities of the network with the aid of Huawei and Nokia’s technologies,” Safaricom said while inviting the Press. Read: Safaricom…

The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has announced plans to demolish ‘Machakos’ Country Bus Station and in place construct a modern car park. NMS Director-General Mohammed Badi said that in its place a storey parking bay will be constructed, that will be charged hourly. “NMS has already initiated the process of developing underground parking at Sunken Park which will also happen at Machakos Bus Park. And all these underground parking areas will be digitally controlled,” he said. “It will be affordable and once the motorists reach the parking lot, you will pay through mobile money, leave your car there and it…

A man claiming to be a son to the late Nyeri governor Nderitu Gachagua has gone to court claiming a share of his estate. According to court documents in our possession, Charles Ngucuga Kiragu says that he was born as a result of a love affair between the late governor and Charity Njeri Githui. Mr Kiragu laments that he was not recognised as a son of the late governor in his last will executed on February 17, 2017 in London. “I was unaware of my paternity and have been struggling with my identity until 2012 when my mother disclosed to…

MultiChoice Kenya and Azuri Technologies who launched a pay-as-you-go solar TV package in Kenya,  have announced a partnership to bring DStv content to off-grid households in Kenya. The partnership bundles Azuri’s TV400 product, the 32” solar-powered TV and household energy solution, with the DStv HD decoder to offer customers access to entertainment, local and international news, documentaries, and educational content.  “By expanding the choice of content available to even off-grid customers, we are taking another step in shrinking the gap between households with and without the grid.” Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO of Azuri said. Azuri’s comes with a TV400 system 80W solar panel and a…

Low-cost career Jambojet’s Instagram account got hacked a few weeks ago resulting in the loss of all Jambojet’s content on the app. As if that is not enough, the hacker is now using the account profile and other variations of the company’s official name to scam users. The hacker maintained the company’s logo and details and is now posing as the airline recruiting influencers. In screenshots shared with Nairobi Gossip, users shared how the hacker uses the account to DM them of “influencer gigs’ with plans to start making immediate payments. After requesting the users to share the photos, they…

Google will start charging tax for apps and in-app purchases on Android’s Google play store. A 16 percent VAT tax will now be applied for the services in line with the digital services tax which took effect on January 1, 2021. The Kenya Revenue Authority sent out emails notifying users of the tax which will take effect on April 8. “Google is now responsible for determining, charging, and remitting 16% VAT for Google Play Store paid apps and in-app purchases made in Kenya. This will be effective as from April 8, 2021. Even if you’re not in Kenya, this change…

The court has ordered for a thorough scrutiny of Goldenscape Group CEO Peter Wangai’s medical report, after it was alleged that he contracted Covid-19. Wangai was accused of fleecing hundreds of investors millions in a scandalous greenhouse project, and was set to take plea today, March 24. The plea taking has been pushed to next Wednesday, after he skipped court session on grounds that he was infected with Covid-19. The Director of Public Prosecutions will be preferring 360 criminal charges held in 18 files against the Mr Wangai, who last week pleaded not guilty to other 21 counts of fraud…

The court of Appeal has suspended orders barring Safaricom from allowing its internet subscribers to stream football matches from 141 websites. Multichoice had sued Safaricom and Jamii Telcom for enabling illegal access to the content, alleging it is pirated from their Pay TV packages. According to Multichoice, the premium sports content is available on their Supersport Channel and should only be available to paying customers. Multichoice DSTV and GoTv subscribers pay a monthly fee to access the content, while Safaricom and Jamii telcom Internet users only incur data costs. Safaricom and Jamii Telcom were taken to court because they sell…