Author: Francis Muli

WhatsApp is set to increase group admin privileges in a new update. The beta version of WhatsApp version 2.22.11.4 has a feature allowing group admins to delete messages from other members for everyone. The messaging service has in the past rolled out a number of updates giving group admins more control in the groups. Admins can add or remove members, restrict messages, recruit new admins, delete the group and more. According to WhatsApp tracker WABetaInfo, the latest update shows a confirmation prompt which also explains the feature. The feature is still in development, and could be going through internal testing…

Netflix has partnered with the Ministry of ICT to improve skill capacity and support the local movie industry. A memorandum of understanding signed between the two entities will see Netflix help in the production of three Kenyan movies. The movies are different stages of production, with the licensed local titles still under review by Netflix. The company says the titles will be unveiled closer to the premiere date. The company also set up a Sh33 million fund which will be used to train actors, as part of its investment in local content. Through the creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF) for…

TikTok is exploring newer ways to help creators earn money on the platform. The company has announced that it will start sharing a cut of its revenue with top creators when their videos run alongside ads on the app. The compensation scheme, dubbed TikTok Pulse, mimics YouTube’s way of paying creators. Creators on TikTok have not had a clear means of making money on the platform, but the new plan could encourage more people to create more content. The revenue plan will however be limited to the top 4 percent of all videos on TikTok, and to creators with over…

Twitter has announced that it is testing a new feature that will enable users to tweet to a specific group of users. The company said that the feature dubbed Twitter Circle will allow users to pick up to 150 people to join the circle. Users will then be able to tweet to the circle members whenever they wish. While drafting a tweet, they will be able to select an audience from the options. The current option is set by default to ‘everyone’ Circle is similar to Instagram’s close friends option, which allows users to post content for a few users.…

Corporate companies and government organizations could soon be required to pay to use Twitter. Tesla boss Elon Musk, who recently acquired Twitter indicated through a series of tweets that the company could start charging certain parties to use the service. “Ultimately, the downfall of the Freemasons was giving away their stonecutting services for nothing,” Musk tweeted. “Twitter will always be free for casual users, but maybe a slight cost for commercial/government users.” Read: Elon Musk Launches Hostile Twitter Takeover, Offers to Buy Company for Sh4.9 Trillion Since taking over the company, Musk has casually suggested a number of changes through the…

Instagram is reportedly experimenting with a new video display. Upon launching the app, users will see the videos on a full-screen vertical home feed. According to TechCrunch, the new style is meant to bring the videos more front and centre. Instagram CEO confirmed the test in a video, saying some users will soon start seeing taller videos and photos on the timeline. 📣 Testing Feed Changes 📣 We’re testing a new, immersive viewing experience in the main Home feed. If you’re in the test, check it out and let me know what you think. 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/dmM5RzpicQ — Adam Mosseri (@mosseri)…

Telegram is working on a new revenue stream.  Beta testers on iOS have spotted a premium option in version 8.7.2 of the app allowing them to subscribe to a new set of stickers and reactions. The premium version is not yet operational, but once it does, the company will be able to increase its revenue streams. Founder Pavel Durov said in late 2020 that the company would begin to generate revenue starting last year. He suggested that the company would start placing ads in large channels and said that Telegram “will add some new features for business teams or power…

WhatsApp is working on a new feature with quick emoji reactions. The messaging service will reportedly add emoji reactions for status updates in a future update. According to WABetaInfo, the feature is similar to what is already available for Instagram stories. The company days that users will be able to choose from eight emoji reactions including a smiley with hearts to the 100 points icon. Read: WhatsApp testing Communities Feature that Brings Multiple Groups Together The report further states that users will receive the reactions on their chats as regular emoji. Additionally, information about the status updates will appear in the…

Nairobi has been ranked among the top ten in Africa’s richest cities. According to the Africa Wealth Report 2022, Nairobi, which has a total wealth of Sh5.5 trillion, ranked sixth among the fastest growing cities in the world. The top and second spot were taken by South African cities Johannesburg and Cape Town respectively, with Egypt’s capital Cairo, coming in third. Nigeria’s capital,  Lagos took fourth position while Durban, in South Africa ranked fifth. Read: Kenya Power to Start Testing Internet Distribution in Nairobi in Two Weeks Another South African city, Pretoria, came in at the the seventh position ahead of…

Microsoft is developing a built-in VPN for it’s Edge browser. The tech giant said the cloudflare-powered VPN dubbed Edge Secure Network is currently being tested, with plans to roll it out as a security upgrade to the public in the future. Edge Secure Network is expected to encrypt users’ web traffic, preventing internet service providers from collecting browsing information. Users will also be able to hide their location and browse through a virtual IP address. This means users will be able to access blocked websites and services in their countries. Read:President Uhuru Kenyatta Presides Over The Launch of Microsoft ADC…

Police have launched a manhunt for unknown assailants who attacked and killed a security guard at a school in Homa Bay. The body of Samuel Okoth Odoyo was discovered in a classroom at Lake Primary School where he worked on Thursday night. The school’s headteacher, Zablon Owala discovered Odoyo’s body in a classroom after he visited the school and found his office broken into. He tried calling the security guard but got no response, prompting him to go looking in the classrooms. Read: Kidero to Vie for Homa Bay Governor Seat As Independent Candidate After ODM Backed Wanga Owala found Odoyo’s…

The late former President Mwai Kibaki will be laid to rest today at his home in Othaya, Nyeri. The procession is already underway with 15,000 mourners expected to attend the event. Kibaki’s State funeral that saw many dignitaries including South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was held on Friday at the Nyayo Stadium. 7AM – 10AM: State Funeral Procession departs for Othaya, Nyeri through Thika-Expressway The Cortege lies in repose Read: Clergy Asks Leaders Not to Make Political Statements During Kibaki’s Burial 10AM – 1PM: The Funeral Mass Order of Mass Beginning of Mass and Blessing of the Body Entry Procession Bible…

A Kenyan man tried to disrupt former President Kibaki’s State funeral at the Nyayo Stadium. During the high profile event attended by heads of State and their representatives, a middle aged man approached the dais and tried to disrupt the Priest who was addressing the crowd. The State funeral which is being streamed live on all channels showed the moment the man approached the dais, and interrupted the Priest telling him he wished to make a “few remarks”. Handling the situation quite well, the Priest hugged the man before signalling security to escort him away. The man had approached the…

Kenya has protested a move by the United States government to list it as signatory to an internet declaration citing lack of due processes. Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said protocol had not been followed in the signing of the declaration for the future of internet. The declaration aims to protect an open and safe internet. “While we are listed as a signatory to the declaration, we wish to state that, as a country, we have not gone through our processes and laws for endorsing this declaration. As per our laws, Kenya can only be a signatory to any international instrument…

Tanzania has entered a two-day Mourning period for Kenya’s late former President Kibaki. Through a press release sent to the media, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu declared April 29 and April 30 as Tanzania’s national mourning days. The president further said that during the period, Tanzanian flags will be flown at half-mast. Former president Mwai Kibaki, who served as the country’s third president died last week at 91. He will be buried in Othaya tomorrow after a State funeral at the Nyayo National Stadium slated for today. Read:Former President Mwai Kibaki To Be Buried on April 30 in Othaya President Samia…