Author: Francis Muli

Safaricom is celebrating its 20th birthday this year with a 20 year challenge using the #TumetokaMbali hashtag. Netizens have been reminiscing about how Safaricom has evolved since inception with adverts and photos of the company then and now. The telecom was there from the advent of the mobile phone eruption in the country and has undergone meticulous advancement towards the creation of a digitized nation. Some of the photos and videos shared online have stirred nostalgia and interest in social media. Safaricom’s old adverts, phones and gadgets have been dug out of the archives and shared online as people compare…

A new bill, sponsored by Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange, seeks to allow police officers to spy on your telephone communication if you are suspected of drug trafficking. Should the proposed law be enacted, police will be able to gain access to your premises and install devices to tap your telephone communication. The court may allow a police officer above the rank of chief inspector to conduct such an operation with the aim of collecting evidence, the bill says. Police, however, will be required to apply for written consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions before moving to court. “The court…

The state cannot trace Ksh5 billion that had been deposited in Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua’s bank accounts, suspected to be proceeds of money laundering and graft, cannot be traced. The MP received Ksh12.5 billion through three accounts in Rafiki Micro Finance Bank, in seven years, and the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) was able to trace withdrawals worth Ksh7.3 billion. However, ARA is now unable to explain the disappearance of over Ksh5 billion, that cannot be traced even through bank statements. The accounts are now remaining with only Ksh200 million, that the state agency seeks to seize as it tries to…

Nigeria’s candidate for the position of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and her South Korean counterpart Yoo Myung-hee have been selected for the last round of the race. This leaves out Kenya’s candidate Amina Mohamed, who had initially been place as a front runner in the race. There were five candidates remaining in the race, and Ms Amina was dropped alongside Liam Fox (United Kingdom) and Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri (Saudi Arabia) for failing to secure enough support. Dr Okonjo-Iweala and Myung-hee have support from the European Union. The vacancy for the top WTO position…

Airtel Africa is expanding its strategic partnership with Ericsson to enable 4G coverage in Kenya. Using Ericsson’s Radio Access Network (RAN) and packet core products for 4G, Airtel subscribers will experience enhanced quality of voice and data. The network modernization deal, signed in August 2020, is in line with the Kenyan Digital Economy Blueprint Vision 2030 which aims to provide robust connectivity in rural areas and facilitate e-commerce platforms. The modernization deal will drive the simplification and upgrade of the existing network and future-proof it for the anticipated rapid mobile expansion in the country. Using Ericsson Radio System and Packet Core…

The Kenya Ferry Services have introduced a cashless system for motorists using the Likoni channel. Through a post on Facebook, the state agency said that payments will now be made through Mpesa. “We are glad to inform our customers that the company has introduced cashless payment solution, which will enable customers pay toll charges with M-Pesa,” reads the brief statement. Motorists crossing from either Mombasa Island or the mainland side will now pay their toll fees by dialing *721# The vehicles covered include saloon cars, Pickups, trucks, trailers, buses, fuel tankers and motorcycles. Mkokoteni pushers will also be able to…

Education CS Prof George Magoha has been ordered to convene a stakeholder meeting and report to the High Court on or before October 14 on the issue of reopening of schools. In a case filed by Joseph Enock Aura, the CS who had announced October 12 as the date for reopening of schools, has also been ordered to file his response to the case within three working days. “The CS Education or his representative (should) invite the parties in this Petition and stakeholders within the shortest possible time to constitute or reach settlement on the issues of reopening the school;…

The High Court has reinstated troubled Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) Director General Pavel Oimeke, after months of push and pull with the board. Oimeke’s first term at the helm was set to expire on August 1, but was reappointed for another three-year-term on July 27. A petitioner,  Emannuel Wanjala, moved to court to block his re-appointment, accusing him of colluding with illegal LPG dealers, nepotism, tribalism and favouritism. Omieke’s appointment was hence shelved, awaiting hearing and determination of the case. In her ruling, Justice Hellen Wasilwa dismissed Wanjala’s petition for lack of merit and ordered the immediate reinstatement…

Instagram has announced plans to automatically hide negative comments on your posts. The social media network said this is just one of the steps they are taking to curb cyber bullying and online harassment. Instagram said it was kicking off the global bullying prevention month by adding anti-bullying features on the app. In its statement, the company said that it will target comments that users have flagged as inappropriate in the past. The app will now require you to click on the button “View Hidden Comments” to be able to view a negative comment. The social media platform has also…

Apple has finally set the date for the official release of iPhone 12. The device, which is the latest in Apple’s iPhone series will be unveiled on October 13. Just like the September release of Apple watch 7 and iPad air 4, the event will be held virtually. Apple usually unveils its latest device around September of every year. However, the company said that this year’s launch would be delayed by a few weeks due to the Covid-19 pandemic which had disrupted business worldwide. The tech giant has also adjusted by hosting its events virtually through their website. Read: Apple…

Insurance brokers pocketed at least Ksh35.73 billion from unsuspecting Kenyans seeking to purchase or paying for insurance covers in 2019. It emerges that the money was never submitted to insurance companies, or the buyers were sold non-existent insurance policies, according to Insurance Regulatory Authority’s (IRA) latest annual report. This means that the affected Kenyans could not get compensation in case they encountered losses and sought compensation from the underwriters. “The amount of outstanding premiums in the industry declined by 14.5 percent from Ksh41.77 billion in 2018 to Ksh35.73 billion in 2019. Out of the outstanding premiums in 2019, general insurance…

MTN, Artel and Stanbic Bank Uganda were victims of a data breach targeting Pegasus Technologies, a mobile money transaction company. The hackers infiltrated the mobile money firm, resulting in the loss of billions of Ugandan shillings. The breach affected Bank to mobile money transactions, resulting in the suspension of the service. “Stanbic Bank Uganda, MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda inform the public and their customers that on Saturday 3 October 2020, a third-party service provider experienced a system incident which impacted Bank to Mobile Money transactions. All Bank to Mobile Money/Wallet services have since been temporarily suspended,” reads an official…

Kenyans have become more positive towards online shopping, a new study has revealed. They have also become more careful with their spending and want a new means to track their money digitally. Standard Chartered conducted the study, and surveyed 12,000 adults across 12 markets. They were picked from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mainland China, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, UAE, the UK and the US. The study is the second of a three part series and seeks to establish how COVID-19 has transformed our way of life. It also seeks to establish what changes are here to stay.  The first…

The European Union (EU) will not support Kenya’s candidate for World Trade Organisation (WTO) director general job Amina Mohamed, it has emerged. Instead, the member states have agreed to support Nigeria’s and Korea’s candidates for the top job, even as the campaigns enter the homestretch. According to sources qouted by Bloomberg, EU member-country envoys agreed on Monday in Brussels to endorse Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former finance minister, and Yoo Myung-hee, South Korea’s trade chief for the top job. This comes as a blow to Kenya’s Ms Mohamed, who has received support from East African countries, which might not be enough…

The Start up bill,2020 has proposed a number of incentives to promote innovation amongst the youth. In the proposed bill, start ups admitted into the incubation hub will pay less tax. They will be eligible for incentives including fiscal and non-fiscal support as well as protection of intellectual property rights. The Start up bill 2020 also proposes to establish a credit guarantee scheme as well as support in research and development for the start ups. The biggest challenge for entrepreneurs seeking to start off their ventures for the first time in Kenya is lack of capital. Read: Kenya Gazettes Start…