Author: Francis Muli

If you want to keep tabs on your statutory contributions, you may want to check the status of your NSSF or NHIF contributions. A few years ago, you would be required to visit the respective offices to obtain a statement. That has been made easier. You can now access your NSSFand NHIF statements on email, on the websites, and on SMS. This article will show you how to get your both statements easily using SMS. NHIF Read: How to Choose or Change Outpatient Hospitals On the New NHIF Self-care Platforms Go to messages on your phone and open to compose…

Oracle and Walmart’s intended acquisition of TikTok’s US operations have been put on hold indefinitely, The WallStreet Journal has reported.  US President Joe Biden is said to be reviewing former President Trump’s efforts to address the potential security risks from Chinese tech companies. TikTok had a tough 2020 after the former president thretened to ban the popular app from the United States, citing security risks. Following a number of executive orders, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, was forced to find a US partner in rder to continue operating. The Trump administration accused a number of Chinese tech companies of conspiracy, saying…

Instagram has announced that it is making changes to its algorithm on how recommendations for Reels are made. In short, the company is discouraging users from posting recycled TikToks on the platform. Instagram says that creators will now be issued with best practices and tips on making content that is likely to be seen and promoted. Among the tips, users are advised to post vertical Reels  with videos that use background music obtained from Instagram’s library or sounds that they find on Reels. The company also suggests that creators start trends that others can participate in. These include dance challenges…

Michelle Obama is set to debut a children’s cooking show on Netflix on March 16, 2021. The show called “Waffles + Mochi” will feature a pair of puppets “to bring a bit of light and laughter to homes around the world.” The former first lady posted on Instagram, saying the show will be “all about good food: discovering it, cooking it and of course, eating it.” The show will feature 20 minute episodes combining live action and puppets, with Obama appearing as a series regular. The show’s plot is about two puppet best friends who dream of becoming chefs. They…

Kenyan organizations recorded almost double the number of cyber-attacks compared to the same period a year ago, a new report shows. Data from the Communications Authority shows that more than 56 million cyber threats were detected countrywide, compared to 37.1 million in 2019. The CA attributes the spike to the Covid-19 pandemic that saw more companies adopting work-from-home policies. Travel restrictions and lockdown measures necessitated the adoption of online shopping, education and even entertainment. Ecommerce boomed during the season, despite many countries experiencing general financial declines. Read: Cases of Cyber Attacks Hit 35.2 Million Between June and September “A majority…

The Board of Directors of the East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) has appointed Daniel Kiprono as the Acting Managing Director of the Company with effect from February 8, 2021. Kiprono replaces Mt Stephen Nthei who has held the position in an acting capacity since May 2019. Daniel Kiprono joined the EAPCC in August 2000 and has served In various roles including as Financial Accountant, Internal Auditor, Procurement Manager, Senior Internal Auditor and currently Head of Internal Audit. Read: East Africa Portland Cement Makes A U-turn On Firing All Employees He previously worked at the National Irrigation Board where he rose…

Anglo-Dutch multinational KPMG has resigned as the Standard Media Group’s external auditors, effective February 8, 2021. In a statement on Wednesday, February 10, the Standard Media Group did not however reveal the reasons KPMG had opted to resign. “Pursuant to Regulation G.05 (1) (b) of the Fifth Schedule of the Capital Markets (Securities) (Public Offers and Disclosures) Regulations, 2002 – amended 2019, the Board of Directors of The Standard Group PLC (“the Company”) wishes to notify the public of the resignation of KPMG Kenya as the Company’s External Auditor with effect from 8th February 2021,” read the notice in part.…

Kenya Railways (KR) has responded to complaints from members of the public over the multi-agency railway land reclamation exercise is being carried out in parts of Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western regions. In a statement on Wednesday, Kenya Railways said that the exercise which was initiated in 2019 is being done in good faith to provide a safe corridor for railway operations “Necessary engagements, through various channels had been done to allow the affected persons time and space to have their concerns heard and seek alternative spaces to live or work. As a provider of transport solutions, we move different…

Kisumu County Assembly has become the second county to pass the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2020. The MCAs unanimously voted for the Bill, hours after resuming sittings on Tuesday afternoon, a day after Siaya County Assembly. This comes at a time the Bill is facing turbulence, following a court order barring the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from holding a referendum. According to Kisumu County Assembly Speaker, the legislative house carried out public participation between February 5 to February 8. The Bill was tabled by East Seme MCA Seth Okumu and seconded by Beatrice Pamela. Read:…

A businessman has been arraigned before Milimani Chief Magistrate for being in possession of uncustomed goods and excisable stamps acquired without the authority of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Patrick Murimi Mwangi was charged before Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku with offences relating to repackaging and distribution of contraband cigarettes for the purposes of evading taxes amounting to Ksh11.6 million. “On the first count, the accused faces a charge of being in possession of 1.4 million sticks of uncustomed Supermatch cigarettes with a tax value of Ksh8.3 million as required under section 200 D(iii) As Read with Section 210 (C) of…

To commemorate this year’s Safer Internet Day, Facebook and Ubongo Kids – one of Africa’s leading children’s edutainment companies have launched a Public Service Announcement video that educates children and parents on online safety. The video, which is available in Kiswahili, English French, seSotho, isiZulu and Afrikaans, educates children on how to stay safe online and encourages proper use of the internet. The video will be syndicated online and broadcasted in 17 channels across Sub Saharan Africa reaching a million households across the continent. The launch of the PSA safety video comes in the wake of a survey conducted by…

Today is the Safer Internet Day, a global event marked on February 9 each year with the aim of promoting the safe and positive use of digital technology. The event aims to inspire a national conversation around the responsible use of the internet for children and young people. Safaricom in partnership with the Communications Authority of Kenya marked the day by launching the Child Online Protection Website that will help children learn and thrive in a safe online environment. Other partners in the initiative include Jamii Telecommunications, Airtel, GSMA Africa, and UNICEF. The Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) Chairman…

The Safaricom Foundation and CBM Kenya, an international disability-inclusive development organization, have successfully completed the third phase of the Wezesha Elimu Project with a mobile clinic held in Homabay Level 5 Hospital. Through the program, the two organizations aim to address the factors that limit children with disabilities from accessing education. During this third phase, 122 children underwent corrective surgeries, 78 received assistive devices, 129 parents, guardians, and caregivers were trained on home-based care and 5 schools were modified for better accessibility. Read: Safaricom Foundation Donates Medical Equipment to two facilities in Kibra Other activities included sensitization of community members…

TikTok has partnered with the Universal Music Group to form the “expanded global alliance.” This is a continuation of an existing agreement that allows TikTok users access to songs from UMG artists. “The companies have additionally pledged to experiment with exciting new features,” the companies wrote in a press release. “TikTok users will now be able to incorporate clips from UMG’s full catalog of music, spanning the company’s iconic labels, songwriters, and global territories.” Read: TikTok CEO Appeals To Facebook and Instagram to Join them In Fight Against Ban The partnership is a win-win for both companies. TikTok users will…

Patrick Aussems has been appointed as the new AFC Leopards Sports Club Head Coach. He joins the club from Tanzania’s Simba SC where he guided Simba S.C. to the Tanzanian Premier League title in 2018/19 and reached the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League. “The 55-year-old Belgian, former Standard Liege defender joins us with vast experience having coached teams across Europe and Africa for the last 30 years,” said the club in a statement. He has handled Sudan’s Al-Hilal where he won the Super Cup of Sudan and Congo Brazzaville’s AC Leopards where won the league in 2014 and qualified…