Author: Francis Muli

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has recorded Ksh13.79 billion profits before tax for the year ended June 30, 2020, a rise of 18.3 percent as compared to Ksh11.7 billion recorded in the previous year. The rise in profits was attributed to additional revenue contribution by 165MW Olkaria V and Ethiopia operations. Consequently, profit for the year improved further by 133.1 percent from Ksh7.384 billion to Ksh18.377 billion with a tax credit of Ksh4.587 billion. The tax credit was largely due to the impact of the temporary reduction of the corporate tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent, introduced as…

Former Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe has moved to the High Court to know the status of his resignation which was tendered three years ago. In his affidavit, Igathe who is now into the corporate world, says that neither the then governor Mike Sonko nor the Speaker acknowledged his resignation letter. “That the legal effect of the failure to formalise or recognise my resignation and the failure by the Nairobi County or any public institution to conduct any legal formalities to conclude my resignation is a matter to be determined by this honourable court in my humble view,” said Igathe.…

The Government of Somalia has rejected the report of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Fact-Finding Commission for the Reconciliation of Somalia and Kenya. In a statement, Somalia termed the commission as biased, unfair and compromised after it exonerated Kenya from allegations of interfering with Somalia’s sovereignty by arming “rebels”. “It is instructive to note that the Commission intentionally declined to visit Beled Xaawo on two occasions to witness firsthand Kenya’s atrocities against Somalia including training and arming hostile militia and border incursions despite our commitment to provide security. On the contrary, in Mandera Airforce Camp the Commissioners were treated…

Safaricom is working on a new M-Pesa app to help you manage your mobile transactions better. The app is still in the development stage, meaning it could still be subject to changes. The M-Pesa app is independent of the Safaricom app, bearing features that only appear on the mobile money feature. The app is available on Google Playstore and Apple app store. You will be required to log in, with the option of logging in offline which also allows you to use Wi-Fi. This is an improvement from Safaricom’s usual style which requires users to use their data bundles. To…

Apple has urged all iPad and iPhone users to update their operating systems to fix security bugs that could have already been exploited by hackers. The company wrote on its webpage that three security bugs could have already been exploited. Without delving into details, they wrote “Apple does not disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until an investigation has occurred and patches or releases are available.” The compromised bugs are part of an exploit chain, meaning the hackers would need further access to more bugs to execute. Apple declined to comment further on the issue. Read: How To Download And…

Facebook has launched the News section to users in the UK after it rolled out the feature in the US in 2020. The social media platform will have a dedicated section for News items for users in the region. Major News publishers including The Guardian, Channel 4, and Sky News have signed deals with Facebook to provide content. Facebook is rolling out the feature with hopes of mending its relationship with traditional media which consider the social network a threat. Big tech has come under fire for pocketing a huge chunk of advertising fees that previously went to the media…

The Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) has admitted an error in a report that implicated a company that was allegedly paid Ksh340.9 million for the supply of medical equipment to the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA). Nanopay, the company in question, is said to have been paid unexplained Ksh340.9 million, but on Tuesday the OAG changed the figure to Ksh34.9 million. Explaining the error to the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee, OAG said that the zero had been added by an unknown person, resulting to the error. Read: Parliamentary Committee Summons Shop ‘N’; Buy Directors Over Kemsa Saga It had…

Twitter is taking its fight against fake news a notch higher by now involving users. Through a new feature called birdwatch, the app will allow you to submit notes on false or misleading tweets. Acknowledging that the system would have to be “resistant to manipulation attempts”, Twitter launched the pilot with a small group of users in the US. “We know this might be messy and have problems at times, but we believe this is a model worth trying,” Twitter said. Read: Twitter to Label Confusing or Misleading Tweets Twitter says the new approach will help them curb misleading information…

You will now be able to check Whatsapp status after the company debuted the feature Wednesday. The company explained that it would use its status to show users the latest updates and features on the app. You can view Whatsapp’s status on top of the rest of your contacts’ statuses. “Whatsapp is now on Status! We’ll let you know about new features and updates here.” The company said on its first slide. The Facebook-owned app then moved to assure users of their privacy. Read: Whatsapp Announces New Features For Business “One thing that isn’t new is our commitment to privacy.”…

Business mogul Chris Kirubi has purchased 5.75 million shares of Centum Investment Company worth Ksh92.2 million. Kirubi is planning to buy a 20 percent share in the company, to reach a 49.99 percent stake in the company. The 20 percent is estimated to cost Ksh2.1 billion as per the current share price of Ksh16.05 per share, as of Tuesday, January 26, 2021. However, this represents a dip of 76.4 percent in share price compared to the firm’s last reported net asset value per share of Ksh68.1. Kirubi held 205.9 million as of December 2020 equivalent to a 30.9 percent stake,…

Car washes regarded as “illegal” in Kenya’s capital Nairobi will soon be closed, the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has said. NMS boss Major General Mohamed Badi says that there has been a rapid and unregulated car wash business in Nairobi, even in posh residential areas like Muthaiga, Karen, and Lavington. According to Badi, most of the car washes are sponsored by politicians especially MCAs, who use them as a “reward” to “boys” who supported them. “The car washes are many, not only in Ngumo but also in posh areas like Muthaiga, Karen, Lavington where they should not be. It is…

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief George Kinoti has directed former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to appear before the head of Serious Crimes Unit on Monday to record a statement over his recent remarks about the 2017 post-election chaos. This comes a day after Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Karanja Kibicho recorded his statement over allegations made by Sonko on Sunday. On Sunday, while speaking in Dagoretti South, the ousted county boss claimed that he alongside Kibicho and other members of the “deep state” had second-hand cars burnt during ODM demonstrations in 2017. Sonko also alleged that they printed ODM t-shirts.…

Co-op Unit Trust Scheme operated by Co-op Bank, Sanlam Money Market Fund and Cytonn Money Market Fund have been named as the top three Unit Trust Funds in Kenya by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). Data from CMA shows that Co-op Unit Trust Scheme assets under management (AUM) grew 147 times in the year ended September 2020 to Ksh1.47 billion. Sanlam’s AUM grew 2.87 times to Ksh5.74 billion while Cytonn Money Market Fund grew 2.3 times to Ksh1.01 billion. “Thank you Cytonnaires for the continued support, this shows how Kenyans have embraced CMMF as well as the bright future of…

Safaricom has today announced the launch of an M-PESA Bill Management service. The innovation targets schools, landlords, utilities, and other businesses with repeat payments, offering a platform where they can present and receive pending payments from customers, and issue electronic receipts. For M-Pesa customers, the service offers a single point where they can view all their bills, receive reminders and automate the payment of bills. For schools, the Bill Manager platform will enable management to customize the different types of fees such as tuition, lunch, transport, school trips among others, and also to send fee reminders to parents and guardians.…

Patients will now be able to access quality health care using the Zuri Health app designed to connect them to doctors and healthcare specialists. Through the app, patients can book and access certified healthcare services depending on their location, availability and specialization. It is quite easy to access the services. To start off, users will be required to text the word “Zuri” to 21702. This is the consultation step, and will cost only Sh5. Thereafter, users can access the medical services via the app remotely. Healthcare workers can also provide the services from the comfort of their homes. If the…