Author: Francis Muli

Kenya is suffering more financial and emotional stress from the Covid-19 pandemic than other African nations, according to a survey by GeoPoll. The survey found the country reporting the most widespread income cuts and distress of any of six African nations polled in November. The survey in Kenya, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, DRC, Mozambique and South Africa found 43 per cent of 3,000 respondents reporting their emotional well-being had deteriorated during 2020. But a full three quarters of respondents in Nairobi said their emotional health was worse than last year, with most citing a surge in financial pressure as the main…

Google has launched a new look to speak app that will make communication easier for people who are hearing impaired and have speech challenges. The app lets users use their eyes to select pre-selected phrases on the phone screen. The app is currently available to everyone and is compatible with Android 9.0 and above. Once you download the Look to Speak app, the instructions are spoken out loud with a set-up helper. You will be expected to position the phone slightly below eye level and keep your head still as you select the items with your eyes.Ideally, Google says, the…

Samsung has decided to copy Apple’s no charger policy, after mocking the move back in October when the latter launched the iPhone 12. 9to5Mac reports that according to documents from the Brazilian Licensing Authority, the upcoming GalaxyS21, GalaxyS21 plus and Galaxy S21 Ultra Mobile phones will not come with a charger or headphones. When Apple launched iPhone 12, they announced plans to sell the charger and headphones separately in a bid to protect the environment. Read: Samsung Beats Huawei to Lead in Global Smartphone Sales in August Samsung and Xiaomi seemingly mocked the decision by Apple at the time. The…

Google has released the top trending searches of 2020. The top trends in Kenya show an interest in the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, sport, cooking and technology. The top trending searches in Kenya include the EPL standings, US Elections, Corona Virus in Kenya and Schools reopening in Kenya. Kenyans also went online seeking information on some of the country’s fallen heroes including the Late TV actor and Comedian, Papa Shirandula, Former President Daniel Moi and former NTV anchor, Ken Walibora. Read: How to Add Your Profile on Google Search Using the New People Cards Tool 2020 is the year many people…

Safaricom has relaunched its newly refurbished shop at Moi Avenue after it was closed in July. The shop has been in existence for the last 14 years and is one of the busiest out of all 50 Safaricom shops countrywide. It is now the biggest Safaricom retail shop in the country, occupying 10,000sq at the heart of the city. “This store will be the hub that will combine a new user experience for our customers to our staff who will be on-standby to help them get the best services and information on our products.” Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa said during…

Barely a month since sports betting firm Sportpesa was accused of money laundering, another sports betting company Mozzartbet Kenya Ltd is now on the spot over similar claims. Already, the High Court has frozen over Ksh300 million belonging to Kimaco Connections received from Mozzartbet Kenya Ltd. It is reported that Kimaco Connections, owned by Peter Kiilu Makau and Consolata Mwende Kiilu, received over Ksh576 million from MozzartBet Kenya between February and June. Kimaco also received Ksh95 million from Open Skies, which is owned by a Zimbabwean, Mr Emmanuel Charumbira, who is a shareholder in Mozzartbet Kenya. Kimaco Connections later transferred…

Lugulu Girls School in Bungoma has been closed following protests by students after one of them was allegedly defiled in a bathroom on Saturday. The victim is said to have been defiled on Saturday morning while taking a bath just before the morning preps. In videos shared on Twitter, the girls, who staged protests along the Webuye-Kitale Highway in Bungoma County, claimed that the management had failed to act and instead urged them to remain silent. The students accused the school principal of attempting to cover up the matter. They claimed that the school head had threatened students who witnessed…

The National Treasury and local banks have signed a Ksh35 billion credit facility deal to bail out small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The deal will see the government contribute Ksh3 billion to the kitty while the lenders will contribute over Ksh20 billion. The European Union has committed €100 million (Ksh11.7 billion). Credit score for most SMEs have been affected downwards since the pandemic hit the country in March, hence they might not get loans from lenders under the traditional arrangement, according to National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani. “This is in line…

About 22, 000 residents in Kwale County will access water in their homes and farms after M-PesaFoundation in partnership with the Kwale County Government installed a solar powered water pump at Nyalani Dam. The Ksh15 million project is expected to boost food production by supplying 105 acres of farmland with water for irrigation to ensure food security in the county. The pump will distribute water to homes to promote health and sanitation among residents. Part of the project will enhance agricultural enterprises by provision of farm input such as seeds and tools to farmers in the area following the availability…

Whatsapp is adding a new carts feature to enhance the shopping experience on the app. This follows the shop button introduced to business accounts in November. Whatsapp also rolled out a storefront icon placed next to business account names on the app. This is to make it easier for customers to access catalogs from the said businesses. Whatsapp said that with more shopping taking place on the platform, they want to make it easier for people to buy and sell their products by adding the ‘add to cart’. Read: How to Create and Optimize your Whatsapp Business Account The carts…

Internet search engines including Google, Amazon and travel websites have been asked to explain how they rank the results appearing on their platforms. The European Union this week published a set of guidelines on its website to be used so businesses can increase their visibility online. According to EU Digital Chief Magrethe Vestager, the guidelines “set the standard for algorithmic ranking transparency.” Read: Google To Auto-delete Location And Search Histories By Default For New Users The search engines and online platforms will be required to identify the factors used by their algorithms to make results rank highly. The guidelines also…

Kenyan ecommerce platform, Sokowatch, has launched the first commercially viable electric TukTuks in Uganda. The TukTuks, which were built and assembled by a team under the leadership of the company’s head mechanic and engineer, will be added to the existing delivery fleet. Sokowatch has adopted a more eco-friendly approach in its delivery system as part of its commitment to building sustainability by combating emissions and noise pollution in its operating markets. Read: Kenya Gazettes Start Up Bill Outlining Registration And Support Sokowatch Uganda country manager Peter Muzoora, said the TukTuk’s will have a positive impact on the environment. “In Kampala,…

Facebook has officially launched the first community city guide, Joziplug, on the African continent. The initiative is a co-creation between the social media network and locals who post unique and inspiring content about Johannesburg in their Facebook groups. Joziplug will showcase Johannesburg’s ““hidden attractions to visitors and members of the local community whilst supporting small businesses with their economic recovery” following the effects brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. A group created to showcase Jonnesburg has garnered about 1.5 million active members from March 2020. The guide features a compilation of “the best tips and recommendations to some of the…

Several firms including Nokia, LG and Samsung have already expressed interest in the next-generation network, 6G. Although 5G is yet to take root, the companies have already started laying down the groundwork for the development of 6G. 5G deployment started off in China, followed by the Western countries and just a handful of African countries. At least 44 countries have so far been connected by about 100 service providers. In Africa, some areas are yet to get 4G or any connection at all. Nokia is leading the way in the development of 6G  as the overall project leader for Hexa-X,…

This High Court in Nairobi has suspended the transfer of Ksh27 billion from the Nairobi County to Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) for 10 days. This comes at a time the troubled Nairobi governor Mike Sonko is embroiled in a tussle with NMS boss Major General Mohamed Badi, with the former accusing the latter of usurping his powers. As a result, Sonko refused to sign budgetary allocation to NMS, that has paralyzed some services offered by the entity. Sonko was recently impeached by MCAs on grounds of among others gross violation of the Constitution, graft and abuse of office. Following the…