Author: Francis Muli

Nokia smartphones manufacturer, HMD Global has announced that the Android 13 developer preview programme is now live on the Nokia X20, enabling application developers to sample the next chapter in Android innovation. The Android 13 developer preview programme empowers developers to create, test and fine tune their apps ahead of the launch of the new operating system in the second half of this year. “We understand that people want to use their phones for longer and Nokia phones come with hardware durability. A smooth software experience is also important, which is why we want to work closely with the developer…

Business networking website LinkedIn has increased subscription rates after the government rolled out the 16 percent value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) implemented the digital tax in January 2022 and gave foreign companies up to six months to comply. “We want to provide you with an important tax update related to Kenya tax that will impact your LinkedIn purchase(s). Kenya has introduced tax at 16 percent on e-Services. In order to comply with these laws and regulations, this tax will be added to your current LinkedIn purchase starting on May 11, 2022,” LinkedIn said in…

WhatsApp is working on a feature that will make it less awkward for members to exit groups. Normally, a notification that is visible by all group members appears whenever one exits a group. As a result, most people tend to leave groups at night, in the hope that other group members will not notice their actions. People leave WhatsApp groups for a number of reasons including spam messages, being added to a groups without consent, not agreeing with the objectives and in some cases, due to fights. However, leaving groups can be quite awkward especially if one does not simply…

Students in Public schools are set to start learning coding after the approval of a new coding curriculum. The ICT Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with education technologies firm Kodris Africa to implement the curriculum in schools under the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) The implementation of the Kenya National Digital Master Plan follows the approval of coding content by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. The digital Literacy Programme has been identified as a flagship project with the DLP Technical implementing Committee, the ICT Authority and the Ministry of Education set to select the first batch of schools…

Google’s Startups Black Founders Fund Africa is officially open for applications. Through the fund, the tech giant aims to support early-stage black founded startups in the continent. The program will see qualifying startups receive up to $100,000 in equity-free cash, $200,000 in Google cloud credits and access to Google’s network of people and practices. To qualify, startups must be headquartered in Africa. The business must be designed for the African or global market, and must demonstrate growth capabilities with the ability to provide jobs. Read:These are The Kenyan Vloggers Selected for #YouTubeBlack Voices Creator Program The startups must also have…

Elon Musk could be angling for a lower Twitter bid after it emerged that he had put the takeover on hold. Musk said that fake and spam accounts could make up more than 20 percent of Twitter users, in contradiction with the company’s filings. The Tesla Boss said that the bid would not move forward until the company proves the accuracy of its earlier estimate of five percent or less bots and fake accounts. “20% fake/spam accounts, while 4 times what Twitter claims, could be much higher,” Musk tweeted. “My offer was based on Twitter’s SEC filings being accurate. Yesterday,…

TikTok is rolling out a new interactive insight platform to help brands create more engaging ads on the platform. The insights will inform the brands more about the behaviour and interests of the community, and how they respond to their brands. The interactive add-ons will incorporate a number of engaging elements into the video ads. Brands will be able to use a range of filters such as location, demographics, industry vertical, date, year, industry, and audience to give brands a more strategic approach when creating content. Read: TikTok Puts a Stop to Financial Scammers As it Bans Promotion of Crypto, Investment…

WhatsApp is working on a feature that will generate rich link previews for users who share URLs on their status updates. The rich link will allow both the sender and the recipient to preview the message before opening or reading it. The test is currently available for iOS users with plans to roll it out to Android users soon. Read: WhatsApp Working on Feature to Allow Admins Link Multiple Groups to a Single Community Normally, whenever a user shares a URL on their status update, it appears as a single link in plain text that the viewer can then tap to…

Apple customers could start using a USB-C connector to charge future iPhone models. The smartphone manufacturer is testing a USB-C connector that could replace the current lightning charging port in future iPhones. The move is in line with impending European regulations seeking to force all manufacturers adopt USB-C charging ports for all devices According to Bloomberg, Apple is also reportedly working on an adapter that will enable future iPhone models work with accessories designed for the current lightening connector. USB-C chargers are slightly larger than Lightning chargers, and can also provide faster charging and data transfer speeds. Many existing chargers…

Business to Business (B2B) E-Commerce company Twiga Foods has launched Twiga Fresh, a new subsidiary that is focused on modern and commercial farming to help supply informal retailers and urban consumers with lower cost, better quality and safe food. Through the $10M (Sh1 billion) investment, Twiga Fresh will scale the efficient production of domestic horticultural staples like onions, tomatoes and watermelons, significantly lowering the cost. The investment in Kenya will make it one of the largest single horticultural farms in Africa focused purely on the domestic market. Twiga Fresh in the long term will be funded through debt in partnership…

Nominated Mp David Sankok will be prosecuted for improperly storing a firearm after his 15 year old son used it to commit suicide early this month. The burial for the minor was held on Saturday after a second autopsy by government pathologist Johansen Oduor revealed that he had died from a single gunshot to the head. The deceased was buried at their family home in Ewaso Nyiro, Narok county. Investigators privy to the case indicated that the nominated senator is set to prosecuted after the son’s burial. Read: Second Autopsy on Sankok’s Son Confirms He Died Of Single Gunshot In The…

Police officers are set to receive a boost on their National Hospital Insurance Fund covers. The government has released a Sh200 million fund to help the officers offset their bills after they exhaust their NHIF limits. According to Interior Permanent Secretary Karanja Kibicho, the funds will be disbursed once the insurer releases a list of qualifying officers. “Under the arrangement, police officers who exhaust their yearly benefits but still need medical services are required to make ex gratia claims through a committee constituted by Inspector General,” a statement from the Ministry clarified. Read also: Healthcare Providers Mount Pressure On NHIF To…

Police in Kiambu have launched investigations into the murder of a female student at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) The 22 year old lady’s body was found in a thicket in Buriria village on the outskirts of Kiambu town. It is believed she was murdered before her body was dumped in the thicket. Residents discovered the body on Saturday morning, with her personal items beside her. Her ID indicated that she hailed from Laikipia. Read: Missing Egerton University Student Edward Njage Found Dead Eye witnesses claim she could have succumbed to knife stabs on her back. The residents called…

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has issued a temporary injunction barring the Democratic Party and it’s party leader Justin Muturi from promoting their coalition with the Kenya Kwanza alliance. “A temporary injunction restraining the respondents from further discussing, ratifying, perpetuating or in any other way promoting the purported coalition agreement with the 3rd Interested party.”the Tribunal said in it’s ruling. The tribunal further barred the Registrar of Political Parties from registering any documents deemed as coalition agreements comprising the Democratic Party as one of the signatories. Read: Speaker Muturi Risks Ouster as DP Leader For Joining Kenya Kwanza Alliance The orders…

The Nairobi Expressway has this Saturday been opened to the public for official use on a trial basis. President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to oversee the official launch of the road today. “The 8-lane elevated dual carriageway created over 6,000 direct jobs, benefitted 200 sub-contractors and hundreds of other local suppliers of building materials such as steel, sand, cement and ballast.” A statement from the Presidential Service Unit said. According to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, 11,000 vehicles have been registered to use the new expressway with 7,000 registered to use the electronic tolling system. Read: Here is What You Need…