Author: Francis Muli

Nasa has contracted Nokia to set up a 4G network on the moon. The project worth $14.1 million (Sh1.5 billion) will see the infrastructure company deploy 4G network on the moon. This is part of NASA’s “tipping point” selections, worth $370 million (Sh40 billion) in efforts to advance research and development for space exploration. “The system could support lunar surface communications at greater distances, increased speeds and provide more reliability than current standards,” NASA noted in its contract award announcement. Nokia is partnering with Intuitive Machines for the project and will integrate it’s technology into their lunar lander to deliver it to…

Over 400 women attended cancer screening events at Kasabuni Baptist Church in Baba Dogo, Nairobi and Kosao Hall in Kisumu, organised by Population Services(PS) Kenya in partnership with Stanbic Bank over the weekend. These were the first of a series of events planned to take place in various areas of the country to mark the Breast Cancer Awareness month. Women aged 25 years and above were screened for breast and cervical cancer in a bid to decrease preventable deaths through early detection. PS Kenya worked with the Tunza  Health Network providers (a PS Kenya social franchise) to provide breast cancer…

The National Assembly has agreed to a plan by the Cabinet that will see Italy use the Broglio Space Centre (formerly San Marco Space Centre) for military purposes in the next five years. The MPs have already endorsed a report by the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee backing the Cabinet decision which will earn the country Ksh25 every year. “The committee recommends that the House approve ratification of the agreement between the government of the Republic of Kenya and the government of the Italian Republic on the Luigi Broglio-Malindi Space Centre,” read in part the report by the committee led…

Millions of users access Google Maps on a daily basis looking for different things. It therefore goes without saying that a business stands to gain a lot by being visible on the search engine. Once you list your business on Google, customers can find you easily and know when you open including days and timings. By using GPS, people accessing taxi apps such as Uber and Bolt can also come to you directly without having to call for directions. As long as you are on Google maps, you are bound to be found as you will be listed under the…

Technoservice Ltd, a Kenyan firm, has taken Nokia Ltd to court for breaching a business contract in 2006. The firm has accused Nokia of selling its business to Microsoft Corporation in 2014 while still in partnership with them. The sale also resulted in the transfer of several Nokia Centres to Microsoft. Technoservice is now seeking $1,380,000 (about Sh149 million) plus damages and loss of earnings for the business it had created for the nine years they were partners with Nokia Ltd. According to Technoservice, Nokia ltd breached the deal by selling its business to Microsoft Corporation in 2014. The company…

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is unable to provide title deeds for several Parliament building, raising suspicion on the ownership of the buildings. The multi-billion buildings in question include the main Parliament building, Centre for Parliamentary Studies (CPST), Protection House and the Juvenile Court House. According to revelations by auditor general Nancy Gathungu, failure to provide the documents puts to question the security of the crucial buildings. “The Commission (PSC) did not provide for audit review, ownership documents for properties owned and controlled by the commission. Consequently, it was not possible to confirm the ownership of the assets owned by…

Uasin Gishu County Assembly has been shut indefinitely after it emerged that Huruma Ward Rep Peter Chomba died of Covid-19. Chomba collapsed and died 10 days ago, and a posthumous test confirmed that the county legislator had been infected with Covid-19. In a memo to the MCAs and assembly staffers, Uasin Gishu Assembly Clerk Shadrack Choge said that the assembly will remain shut until November 6. “This is to inform you that it has been decided by management to grant everyone a compulsory leave of 21 days starting Monday, October 19 to November 6 following the demise of Hon Peter…

685 more have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours from 4,912 samples tested, raising Kenya’s tally to 44,881. Of the 685 new infections, 635 were Kenyans and 50 foreigners, 456 male and 229 female, and the youngest one year old and the oldest 99. The death toll in Kenya has risen to 832 as seven more patients have succumbed to the virus, raising fears that the scenario in the country could be getting worse. “We are witnessing high Covid-19 ICU cases, we are heading for a second wave,” said Health CS Mutahi Kagwe. Recoveries have risen to…

President Uhuru Kenyatta has fired the whole  National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL) board over strained relationship with Health CS Mutahi Kagwe. In a gazette notice on Friday, President Kenyatta sent packing the board which has been in a protracted battle with Kagwe since last year over staff transfers in the ministry. Among those fired include William Mwatu, John Sitienei, Irene Kamanja, Georgina Muchai, Lilian Balusi, Hellen Okioma, Paul Mutua, Simon Muigai and Edith Wakori. The team of nine has severally been accused of corruption and coverups, allegations that have roped in the CEO Ezekiel Chepkwony and his deputy Pius Wanjala.…

Chemolingot Sub-County Hospital in Baringo County has benefited from a Ksh12.5 million maternity wing, constructed through support from the Safaricom Foundation. The one stop maternity wing consists of a delivery room, a theatre, post and antenatal wards, a newborn unit, a high dependency unit, 3 consultation rooms and a reception. The County Government of Baringo has equipped the maternity wing at a cost of Ksh8 million through funding from the World Bank. “Chemolingot is in one of the most vulnerable areas in Baringo county when it comes to maternal health. Through this infrastructural support, we are seeking to reduce and…

A second supermarket in the United Kingdom (UK) has suspended avocado supplies from Kakuzi Plc, days after Tesco supermarket did the same. Lidl supermarket becomes the second supermarket in UK to suspend supplies from Kakuzi, following reports of  human rights violations to its workers including killings, sexual assault, attacks, false imprisonment, and other forms of serious mistreatment. “Following the most recent allegations, we have temporarily suspended our supply from the grower while further investigations are undertaken,” Lidl communication manager Glenda Rochead said. Seventy-nine Kenyans have already launched a legal claim in the High Court in London against the Camellia Plc (and…

A report by Counterpoint Research shows that Samsung widened its market share gap with Huawei in the month of August. According to the report, Samsung accounted for 22 percent of the overall smartphone sales in August compared to Huawei’s 16 percent. The report also highlights the growth of the sales from April this year where Huawei was leading with 21 percent and Samsung with 20 percent. The differences can be attributed to China’s early economic resumption while the rest of the world experienced their first wave of the pandemic. Read: Huawei Overtakes Samsung To Become Top Global Smartphone Vendor Samsung’s…

Infinix Note 8 and Note 8i have been unveiled in Kenya officially. The Note 8i is considered a more affordable option of the two phones, although their features differ lightly. For starters, both phones run on Mediatek Helio G80 Chipset. The Note 8 features a 6.95″ display with a resolution of 720×1640 pixels. The phone runs on an octa-core processor with the Android 10 Operating system. It has 128 GB memory with 6GB RAM. It features a quad 4 camera with 64 MP on the main camera, 2MP Macro camera, 2MP depth and 2MP AI Lens. The phone also has…

Kenya’s sensational social media comedian Flaqo has lost his YouTube channel. According to Flaqo, Google, the parent owner of YouTube, terminated his channel due to links with accounts that have copyright issues. “We’d like to inform you that your channel Flaqo Raz has been terminated because we concluded that it was linked to a channel that was disabled for having three or more Copyright strikes” The openly distraught comedian lamented of the actions on his Facebook and Instagram. Read: How to Start Your Own YouTube Channel “At this points its really exhausting…Please report all channels that are not mine but…

Director General of Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Captain Gilbert Kibe has been appointed as the new executive chairperson of the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO). Kibe replaces the outgoing chairperson Rudy Kellar, who doubled up as the Executive Vice President, Service Delivery at NAV Canada. Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) unites 186 air traffic management (ATM) service providers and suppliers. “I am honoured to have been selected as chair of the CANSO Executive Committee. I have great faith in the ATM community and all that CANSO members have delivered in terms of transforming ATM, and I relish…