Author: Francis Muli

The banking sector is seemingly going through difficult economic times caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing most to engage in cost-cutting measures. Among the most common cost-cutting measures include closure of some branches and retrenchment of employees, or even reducing their salaries. SBM Bank (formerly Fidelity Commercial Bank Limited) has become the latest in the market to announce cost-cutting measures by shutting down five branches, leading to loss of jobs. Among the branches targeted include Ngara, Dagoretti Express, Lunga Lunga Branch, Jomvu Express, and Mombasa Moi Avenue Branch. According to a notice dated November 12, Ngara, Dagoretti Express, Lunga Lunga,…

Google photos recently announced that users will start paying for storage once they use up the 15GB limit. This means that you now have to start managing your stored photos better to save up on space. Google photos have always offered unlimited storage and as such, you have probably never had the need to export and store the photos elsewhere. Now that it is no longer free, you have the options of exporting your photos and transferring them to a different type of cloud storage or to a hard disc. The process is quite simple, and Google already provides a…

Different religious leaders are continuing to pile pressure on President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga to have a national dialogue on the proposed Constitutional amendments through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). Early this month, National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) called for a national dialogue to ensure that Kenyans’ concerns on BBI are taken into account before a referendum is held. “It is for this reason that the Dialogue Reference Group of which the NCCK is a member, has consistently urged for various measures to inclusion,” said NCCK Secretary General Canon Chris Kinyanjui. Among the latest to…

Safeboda, a ride hailing app, has announced plans to temporarily halt operations in Kenya from Friday, November 27. In a statement, the company attributed the ‘pause’ to the harsh economic environment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected the ride and delivery services. “While Nairobi is seeing some economic recovery from Covid-19, boda transportation has been hit hard. This has meant our business cannot sustainably operate in this environment and unfortunately the timeline for a full recovery is not certain. The decision is a hard one for SafeBoda to make. We know that this will negatively impact our community…

Immaculate Kassait was today officially sworn in as Kenya’s first data commissioner. The swearing in ceremony was presided over by CoA registrar, Moses Serem. Kassait was appointed as Kenya’s first Data Commissioner last week after undergoing a vetting process at the National Assembly. The data commissioner’s most immediate task involves the controversial National Integrated Identity Management System popularly known as HudumaNamba. Kassait is expected to ensure the integrity of the system, which is intended for the creation of a national population register. A number of Kenyans and lobby groups have expressed their dissatisfaction at the system for fear that it…

National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) commissioner Wambui Nyutu over the weekend gifted her father and mother a car each to celebrate their birthday. In a Facebook post, Ms Nyutu revealed that her father turned 60 on Sunday, November 15 while her mother turned 57 on Wednesday, November 11. “Parents sacrifice alot so we get a comfortable life. We can never afford to ignore that fact when we finally start affording to fend for ourselves. We must always give back when it’s time. Happy birthday to my two wonderful parents. May God grant you a long life,” she posted on…

MultiChoice Kenya has stocked up on premium content this festive season offering customers choice and value for money. The company is inviting customers to connect with their families and friends despite challenges arising out of Covid-19 pandemic. DStv Xmas offer The DStv HD decoder and dish kit is available at Ksh.3,999, giving you access to world class family entertainment. Maisha Magic Plus offers local shows including dramas Kina and Kovu, telenovelas such as Pete and Selina, docu-drama Chozi, reality show Sol Family and comedy on Njoro wa Uba and Hullabaloo Estate and new episodes of Varshita. Read: MultiChoice Kenya Unveils News Shows, Channels On DStv and GOtv M-Net movies channels features…

A ban on the public service vehicles (PSVs) from the Nairobi central business district (CBD) is set to take effect at the end of the year even as the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) moves to decongest the Capital. In a statement, NMS has announced new matatu termini that will be used by matatus plying different routes in a bid to ease traffic in the city. NMS director general Major Mohammed announced on Friday that PSVs will now dock in the city outskirts, as they have already acquired land for the purposes. PSVs plying Ngong and Lang’ata roads (Kawangware, Kikuyu, Kibera,…

The Ethiopian Communications Authority has completed evaluation of the expressions of interest submitted by 12 interested countries in June this year. The Ethiopian government is expected to make a call for proposals from the qualifying firms by end of November. Ethiopia invited foreign telecom companies as part of its homegrown economic reform agenda launched in 2019. The companies have been invited to buy a 40 per cent stake in Ethio Telecom, in efforts to end monopoly in the sector and liberalize the country’s economy. The Ethiopian Communications Authority is set to award the two winning firms a full telecommunication licence…

Kenya power is technically insolvent even as its liabilities exceed the the assets. As of June 30, 2019, Kenya Power had an asset base of Ksh44.2 billion as compared to liabilities worth Ksh115.2 billion according to the auditor general Nancy Gathungu. This means Kenya Power is operating on a deficit of over Ksh71 billion. According to Ms Gathungu, Kenya Power has remained in a negative working capital position for the third consecutive year. “These conditions indicate that a material uncertainty exists, which may cast significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” opines Ms Gathungu. Among…

972 people have tested positive for Covid-19, from a sample size of 6,648 tested in the last 24 hours, bringing to 70,245 the number of confirmed positive cases in the country. From the cases 929 are Kenyans and 43 foreigners. 583 are males and 389 females. The youngest is a 5 months infant, while the oldest is 91. 352 patients have recovered from the disease, 253 from the Home-Based Care Program, while 99 have been discharged from various hospitals. Total recoveries are now 45,766. 20 patients have succumbed to the disease bringing the fatality to 1,269. A total of 1,229…

ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga has denied reports that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) proposals will bring back Imperial Presidency. According to Mr Odinga, he has fiercely fought for the elimination of Imperial Presidency through the 2010 Constitution, “and will never support a document that brings it back”. “There is propaganda being spread on the BBI. I have seen the allegations that this draft amendment is bringing back Imperial Presidency. I have been part and parcel of the struggle for reforms and change and I will never be party to any amendment which recreates Imperial Presidency. Imperial Presidency is a…

The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a 21-day strike notice over escalating Covid-19 infections and deaths of health workers. The medics are now demanding standard and adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to all Healthcare workers from the government. “We will be available for any engagement within those three weeks’ failure to which we will have no choice but to rally our members for our nationwide strike. It is our lives first. It will not be business as usual. Doctors’ lives matter,” said KMPDU secretary general Chibanzi Mwachonda. Read: Doctors Call For Uhuru’s Intervention After Kagwe ‘Snubbed’…

Dr Toseef Din has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the MP Shah Hospital effective immediately. Dr Toseef has worked with the hospital for years, previously serving as the Head of Finance and later as the Chief Operating Officer.  “The appointment of Dr Toseef Din as the CEO is a significant step towards building a world class healthcare facility. She will be responsible for creating a patient-centred and digital health care system that delivers high-quality services to Kenyans. The board believes Toseef’s history with the hospital, commitment to learning and innovation and unique mix of skills and leadership…

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has today announced a reduction in wholesale and retail prices of petroleum products effective November 15th and valid until December 14th, 2020. The Regulator said it had taken into account the weighted average cost of imported refined petroleum products to effect the changes. “Taking into account the weighted average cost of imported refined products, the changes in the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices in Nairobi are as follows; Super petrol, Diesel and Kerosene decrease by Sh1.42 per litre, Sh2.21 per litre and Sh2.10 per litre respectively.” EPRA said in a press release. Read: Fuel…