Author: Francis Muli

Uganda seems to have plucked a page from the public Cambridge analytica scandal that played into the politics in Kenya, India, Australia, the US, UK and other countries. Through meticulous planning, coordination with high profile experts and employment of highly sophisticated technology, the 2021 elections could as well be done and decided. Israeli IT experts have already pitched tent in Uganda to supply President Yoweri Museveni with data for his election campaign. This is according to intel from highly placed sources. Museveni is said to be seeking to extend his rule for another term when the country goes to the…

At least 200 people were on Friday arrested at Avery Lounge, owned by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, violating social distancing rules and the 9pm to 4am curfew. The arrests followed a sting operation by police in Utawala, that saw the facility raided by police in the recent months for violating Ministry of Health rules. The suspects were taken to Kayole and Ruai police stations as they await arraignment on Monday. Locals say that the Lounge operates with impunity, and continued to operate even after several other people were arrested a fortnight ago in the facility, including the area MCA.…

The Ministry of Health has expressed concern over the misconduct of Restaurants in Nairobi. The Director of Public Health, Dr. Francis Kuria said it was disheartening that many Restaurant owners were defying the MoH protocols and had turned their premises into full blown operating bars. In President Uhuru’s last state address issued on July 6th, he said eateries should only reopen partially and operate as takeaways not host clients in the premises. “You have asked for closure by yourselves and don’t blame anyone. The decision that will be announced on Monday after the summit will be as a result of…

Anti-Drugs agency NACADA has warned Kenyans against drinking alcohol in the presence of their children at home. The agency urges all Kenyans to report such incidences for immediate action. House Parties and organized groups where alcohol is served in the presence of children are targets. NACADA Chair Mabel Imbuga, released a statement saying that they are cncerned about the growing trend of people consuming alcohol at home and as a result, exposing minors to underage drinking. “Drinking at home also undermines the protective home environment for the pupils and students who are staying at home to in measures to prevent…

The Kenya-US Trade deal talks have been put on hold over concerns that a number of members from Kenya’s negotiating team have been exposed to the Corona Virus, a US based news organization has reported. According to The Politico, a number of Kenyan negotiators were tested on Tuesday after getting exposed to the virus at an office where technical teams had gathered. The organization attributed its report to at least three people close to the talks. The test results are expected within a few days , with the bilateral talks set to resume as soon as possible. Talking to The Politico,…

Much of the current hype in the telecommunications space focuses on the roll-out of 5G technology, the new mobile networks that will power the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). But it is in fact 4G technology – LTE – that is providing lifesaving connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic right now, when communities need it most. Called Long Term Evolution to give it its full name, LTE is the network technology used by 52 per cent of the world’s mobile devices. As such, it is this 4G tech that has underpinned the innovative digital initiatives supporting communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. The…

Tanzanian small-scale miner Saniniu Kuryan Laizer, 52, has found another 6-kilograme tanzanite gemstone worth over Ksh140 million. This comes less than a month after Laizer found two of what is considered to the largest precious stones, weighing 9.27 and 5.1 kilograms each, in the northern Mirerani hills. He sold to the government of Tanzania for Ksh357.2 million. He also intends to sell his new fortune to the government. “I have found the stone in my small mine again. I will hand it over to the government when the time is right,” he said. Mr Laizer is a father of 30…

Nairobi governor Mike Sonko is now engaged in a new supremacy battle with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) director-general Major General Mohammed Badi over the official residence for Nairobi County governor. The residence, which is located in Lavington, has been in possession of the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) which released it early this week. On Tuesday, Sonko announced that the county had taken over the residence and it was being renovated for him to move in. In a turn of events, Major General Badi warned the governor to stay away from the property, saying the house is in the…

Google is using an internal program known as “Android Lockbox” to allow its employees access information about how Android users interact with other popular apps that do not belong to the company. This is according to a new report published by The Information. The program works via Google Mobile Services and allows employees to view sensitive data about other apps on android devices, including how often they are opened and how long they are used. Google is said to have been using this information to keep tabs with Facebook and Instagram. It is also thought to be the driver behind…

TikTok could soon be rewarding your efforts on the app as it seeks to maintain talent on the app with a new $200 million creators fund. The short video making app, which has grown in popularity while churning out new celebrities is making its first major effort to pay creators directly for their content. Prior to this, creators have been monetizing their live streams with companies off the site but now, the fund can cater to creators who are seeking opportunities to foster a livelihood. TikTok creators are set to receive regular payments over the coming year, as the fund…

Kenya Power and Safaricom have partnered to allow customers to pay for electricity using Bonga points. Households struggling from the economic effects brought about the Coronavirus pandemic can now use Safaricom Bonga Points to settle their electricity bills. “We have entered into a partnership with Safaricom through which our customers will be able to pay for power through Bonga Points. In addition, we plan to amplify campaigns to educate our customers on efficient power use in order to manage their bills during these tough economic times,” Kenya Power managing director Bernard Ngugi said. The deal will help cushion many Kenyans…

Facebook plans to grow Africa’s economy by $57 billion through its investments and infrastructure over the next five years. This is according to findings of a study, The Impact of Facebook’s connectivity Initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa, which was conducted by London-based firm Analysys Mason. “At Facebook we’re committed to Africa and the role that we can play in improving the continent’s global competitiveness. Over the last three years we’ve heavily invested in infrastructure and connectivity initiatives that aim to affordably connect people on this continent and create tangible social-economic benefits,” said Facebook’s Africa Public Policy Director, Kojo Boakye. Over the…

The National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA) has announced that construction of Soin-Koru Multipurpose Dam will start in September. The Board Chairman of NWHSA Erick Okeyo said the Ksh40 billion project by the National Government is currently under the procurement process. The government is currently evaluating compensation to the affected persons where the National Land Commission is already holding Ksh400 million on behalf of the Authority for compensation. About Ksh2 billion will be used to compensate the land owners. According to the Authority, at least 360 parcels of land will acquired for the project. 230 of the parcels of land…

Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru now says Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho is the person behind her political woes, a day after she was grilled by the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) over Ksh10.63 million imprest. In an open letter to the PS, Waiguru says that Kibicho was behind her recent impeachment which was rejected by the Senate. “We are aware of other interested parties and those of opposing political camps that support members of the county assembly but you are the primary catalyst,” she told Dr Kibicho. The governor says her administration has been unable to complete the Kerugoya Referral…

Passengers aboard late-night international flights arriving into the country will be exempted from the 9pm to 4am curfew imposed as part of efforts to curb the spread of Coronavirus. The Ministry of Transport said the exemption was to facilitate smooth operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) “International passengers will be exempted from restrictions on movement past curfew hours when the international flights resume,” the ministry said. In his State address on July 6th, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the phased reopening of air travel starting with domestic flights on July 15th and International flights on August 1st. Passengers are…