Author: Francis Muli

East African Countries have rolled out a system to simplify the inspection of Covid-19 test results for drivers electronically. The system will ease the movement of goods at the borders which have been riddled with controversy since the outbreak of Covid-19. Drivers have experienced costly delays, sometimes lasting for weeks, as authorities seek to determine their Covid-19 status at the entry points. The EAC Regional Electronic Cargo and Driver Tracking System is designed to enable authorities share test results of drivers and crew facilitating easy communication along the transport routes and highways. The EAC issued a notice to relevant ministers…

Troubled Supermarket Chain, Tuskys, is seeking to sell a majority stake to a private equity firm and an undisclosed foreign retailer as it struggles to stay afloat. The rescue plans were disclosed by a transaction adviser and the Competitions Authority of Kenya which is supervising the company’s settlement of supplier’s debts running into billions of shillings. “The shareholders of Tuskys have communicated that they are also exploring other funding options, including seeking a strategic investor by July 31, 2020,” the CAK said in a statement Monday. The regulator said that should another investor apply to acquire a stake in the…

The Konza technopolis has completed phase I of the National Data Centre and is ready to roll out services, the Permanent Secretary for ICT, Jerome Ochieng, has said. The project was implemented by the Ministry of ICT and the Konza Technopolis Development Authority. It commenced officially in June 2019 with Huawei as the contractor. “By the time I came here, the data center was just starting but now the data center is complete, a clear indication of very good progress. We are in the position to use the data center and as government, we want to see a situation whereby…

Kenyan low-cost airline Jambojet has unveiled a Progressive Web Application (PWA) to allow customers book tickets, check in and access their boarding passes on their smartphones. Jambojet’s Head of Information Systems, Benjamin Collins, said that the PWA, which is available on iOS and Android, will offer convenience to customers while streamlining processes in order to save on time and help reduce physical contact points. “Unlike the standard mobile apps or the web, PWAs consume less data and are reliable even in uncertain network conditions. This is part of our commitment to continue offering innovative solutions that are responsive to our…

The United Nations (UN) in Nairobi has partnered with the Nairobi Hospital to set up a Coronavirus treatment facility that will cater to its staff and family members in Africa. The 160-bed facility, which reports indicate will be located at the old nursing school opposite the main hospital, is expected to be complete in five to eight weeks. The UN embarked on a search for facilities that could have 100-bed capacity capable of caring for Covid-19 victims only. The facility is expected to be fully staffed, operational and diagnostically capable to care for Covid-19 victims who may experience severe and…

An uninvited visitor crashed a zoom class at a high-end private school in Nairobi and flooded the online lesson with pornographic images and videos. The video conferencing class was in session for students in Class 7 and 8. Parents reported that the interlude lasted about 5 minutes in which time the screens were filled with pornography and obscene language. “The Class 7 meeting is out of hand, one pupil is sharing pornographic materials and using foul language. Parents, if you are in a position to do so, please supervise your children,” one parent posted on the school platform. “The porn…

Water CS Sicily Kariuki’s Daughter Wendy Muthoni ‘Noni’ is dead. At the time of her death, Muthoni, popularly known as Noni was second-year law student at Jomo Kenyatta University on Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Karen Campus. President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of comfort to the family of CS Sicily Kariuki following the passing away of Muthoni today at a Nairobi hospital. “The President wished the family God’s fortitude during this difficult period of grief and assured them of his support as they come to terms with the big loss,” the State House said. https://twitter.com/StateHouseKenya/status/1284884861979893765 Deputy President William Ruto…

A new short-video -sharing app, Vskit, is slowly creeping into the African entertaiment scene, and is giving rise to a brand of new online ticklers. The app, in its PlayStore description, says that Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi is among the big names in comedy who are among an estimated 5 million Kenyans using the app, and 30 million across Africa. “Vskit launches a series of activity challenges, stickers and special effects. You can enjoy different wonderful videos from many famous artists and comedians like Mr.P, 2baba, Eric Omondi, Ice Prince, Sydney Talker among others,” the developers say. The app says…

The latest M-Pesa update will show you how much more you can transact during the day, after making a transaction. For instance, If you send Ksh10,000 in your first transaction of the day, you will be able to send/transact Ksh290,000 more, in line with the new capping regulations by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). This means that you will not be required to do a math to know how much you have transacted within the day and how much more you can transact, a feature that will go well with businessmen who are busy in most cases to keep…

Omar Lali Omar, the boyfriend to the late Keroche heiress Tecra Muigai could have been involved in a love triangle with Ms Muiga and a Dutch lady, it has emerged. Omar is now claimed to have sired a child with the Dutch woman, who was in Naivasha between January and February in Rocky Eco Lodge. This is the same time Lali and Tecra Muigani were living in Diamond Beach Hotel in Ras-Kitau Manda Island. This writer is informed that during that period, the Dutch lady left Naivasha for Lamu, and rented an apartment six kilometres from where Tecra and Lali…

Education Cabinet secretary Professor George Magoha has said that only three teachers training colleges in the country may be reopened in September after attaining the required percentage of measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus. Murang’a teachers training college leads at 80 percent, followed by Kericho TTC at 70 percent and Asumbi Teachers Training College at 65 percent. According to Prof. Magoha, the three colleges have put in place the required measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of COVID-19. Speaking during his tour of Asumbi TTC in Rangwe…

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) is on the spot following revelations that it is not covering the Covid-19 testing charges for its members. The senate summoned the Insurer’s top management after Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala claimed in his statement that NHIF has not been covering the testing charges incurred by Hotel and restaurant staff who are undergoing mandatory testing. “They should state the reasons why the insurer is not covering costs,”Malala said. Hoteliers were subjected to mandatory testing of all its staff as a precautionary measure before reopening their premises. The ministry of Health said that the measure was…

The Coronavirus financial crisis in the country has forced more than a quarter of Kenyans to dip into their savings for survival, a report has revealed. The report comes from a study done by research firm, GeoPoll. Millions of workers were affected by the pandemic as it disrupted economic activities resulting in hardships in both the formal and informal sector. “A majority 60 per cent of those who were employed from January to March 2020 say that Covid-19 has stopped them from being able to work,” said the report that surveyed workers in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique and Cote…

Crosscall, the French brand specializing in outdoor mobile technology in both professional and consumer markets is keen on the durability of its products and intends to make durability a major asset in its offer by now offering a complete range, consisting of 3 smartphones and a tablet, with an industry-first a 3-year warranty. Crosscall is committed to the sustainability of its products. Croscall has always built Ultra-resistant, waterproof mobile phones with long-lasting batteries. The mobile phone sector is often singled out for criticism, particularly in the area of programmed obsolescence so by offering particularly durable smartphones, Crosscall is taking the opposite…

The FBI has launched an investigation into the hacking incident on Twitter that saw about 130 accounts compromised. The accounts belonged to high profile personalities including former US President Barack Obama, Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk, Kanye West, Apple, among many others. “At this time, the accounts appear to have been compromised in order to perpetuate cryptocurrency fraud,”  read a statement from the FBI’s San Francisco office, which is leading the investigation. “We advise the public not to fall victim to this scam by sending cryptocurrency or money in relation to this incident.” The attack has been taken seriously with…