Author: Francis Muli

Nigerian bus sharing platform, Plentywaka, has launched a logistics unit, Logistics by Plentywaka (LBP), an expansion of the company’s bus transportation network. The company will now provide customers with same day service responding to the need for a wide range of logistical vehicles including trucks, cooling vans and bikes during this lockdown period when there is restriction of movement. The LBP app is available on Google playstore and Apple’s app store where users can select a vehicle depending on their requirements. The logistics company aims to remove the stress of transporting packages across the city by providing a wide range…

Andela has been in the news in the last few months for laying off its staff in the African countries. The software engineering company started the job cuts last year starting with the junior staff with the COVID-19 pandemic worsening the situation as Andela effected more lay-offs and salary reductions across all staff. In a tweet on May 8, Jeremy Johsohn, Andela’s Chief Executive Officer, admitted that the company was going completely remote and cited that it was part of their strategic plan. https://twitter.com/JeremyJ/status/1258734517919064064 Word is Andela is now closing up its offices in Africa and selling its property. A…

A report from Counterpoint’s Refurbished smartphone tracker shows that the global market for refurbished phones declined by 1 percent year-on-year in 2019 with about 137 million units sold. In the second half of the year, particularly the last quarter, there was a growth in the market due to Apple upgrades gaining strength, but that did not mitigate the decline from the first half. The Research director at Counterpoint, Jeff Fieldhack, commenting on the market dynamics said “This is the first time in the last four years that the refurbished market has declined for the full year. The trend is mainly…

Kenyans are known to be fun-loving, from creation of memes from the simplest situations to the most serious issues, with a convergence point on social media. Sometimes it is just a joke, but a slight mistake could land you into bullying online. The bullying sometimes happens to be the  breakthrough for some people like Azziad Nasenya, the TikTok queen. However, the bullying could end up destroying a personality or brand, the latest being radio host and comedian Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o, who admitted to losing business after being trolled online. But it does not end there; Kenyans will tear you…

Police in Uganda have advised motorists to remove their vehicle number plates every night to avoid them being stolen. According to report by The Observer, thieves usually steal number and demand ransom from the owners so that they can return them. Addressing journalists today, Ugandan Police spokesman Fred Enanga said although the practice might be cumbersome, it’s better than going through the process of replacing them when stolen. “On the issue of number plates, we’re not saying remove the number plate and put it on another vehicle, it is meant for that car. If you can have it detached and…

Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru has revealed that the position of Data Commissioner will be filled in two weeks time. The person will be responsible for the enforcement of the Data Protection Act with duties such as exercising oversight on data processing operations, promoting self-regulation among data controllers, promoting international cooperation in data protection related issues and conducting research on data processing development. “Data protection law is already in place. We shall be employing a commissioner in two weeks time,” Mucheru said. “Our goal is to protect people’s privacy.” The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner…

The government has ordered the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and Internet service providers to come up with a plan on training Kenyans on the safe use of technology. ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru announced this in response to the rising cases of cyber vices The CS said that training will help protect the minors and also assist parents on ways they can filter material that their children can access on the internet. “We want to ensure safety in the cyber space for our people,” Mucheru said. He also said that Kenyans should expect to have technology in their daily…

Huawei, in partnership with the Kenyan Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has developed a plan to end the Nairobi traffic menace using its Intelligent Transport System (ITS) that uses Artificial Intelligence to manage urban traffic. The system has already been successfully piloted at several intersections outside the City centre. The ITS uses intelligent cameras, variable timing traffic lights connected to a control centre to observe and control the traffic, reducing the burden on police officers. “So far, the system has been implemented on the Western Ring Road from Yaya Centre through to Kileleshwa Ring Road extending to Waiyaki Way,” says Stone…

Garissa Township MP and the immediate former Majority Leader of the National Assembly has finally spoken after his ouster early today. In a tweet, Duale, a DP William Ruto lieutenant, painted a picture of a person who leaves the seat heads high, after serving tor a period of seven years in the role of a Majority Leader. “I came, I saw and I conquered. Today marks the end of my seven years of service to the great people of Kenya as the Leader of Majority of the National Assembly. I was the first occupant of the seat under article 108…

The National Business Compact on COVID-19, (NBCC) has partnered with the Shujaaz Inc in an effort to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in the country. The coalition, through its members contributions, has donated 20,000 re-usable facemasks and over 500 washing stations that will be distributed to the youth and businesses through the Shujaaz youth network. The contribution was made in a bid to ensure the fight against the spread of the deadly virus COVID-19 is undertaken back to the grass-root level. The team of young people has recruited superfans in different areas within the country who work as volunteers who…

The 90 day deal between the government and Mobile money operators which saw transaction fees for Sh1,000 and less waived has elapsed. The deal saw Safaricom lose approximately Sh1.7 billion worth of revenue every month between March and June, amounting to Sh5.1 billion in three months. This was just one of the measures put in place to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenyans were advised to avoid handling cash and use electronic money transfer for most of their transactions. The deal also roped in banks, who waived costs for moving money electronically from bank to mobile money…

Social media is abuzz with reports of people finding the Covid-19 contact tracing system running on their phones without their permission. Android and iPhone user are claiming that Apple and Google have suddenly and stealthily installed a COVID-19 tracking app on their phone and advising other users to check theirs. However, that is not quite the case. iPhone and Android phones now have a new tool dubbed COVID-19 Exposure Logging which is a contact tracing system. The tool will enable users to see if they have been in contact with someone exposed to Covid-19.  However, that does not mean that…

Safaricom has partnered with Radio Africa Group and Mediamax to enable customers purchase The Star and People Daily e-Papers for Ksh10 per issue. This follows the unveiling of a digital portal that allows customers to use their airtime to purchase and access newspapers on the go. The partnership with Radio Africa Group (The Star) and Mediamax (People Daily) brings the number of media partners to four with all leading publications now available on the portal. The other two include Nation Media Group (Daily Nation, Business Daily, Saturday and Sunday Nation) and The Standard Group (The Standard, Saturday & Sunday Standard…

Last week, K24 dropped out of discussions into a deal with KTN News that would have seen the former source news from the popular News channel. As reported, K24 decided to spruce up its production team and enhance their News delivery. Word is K24 is planning to unveil a new team this Monday which includes top personalities from rival, Switch TV. The presenters alleged to be heading to the Media-max owned station include:- Diana Rose A former health reporter and News Editor at Switch TV, Diana will join K24 as a producer in the health reporting docket. Read: K24 TV…

On July 11, 2010, at least 74 people were left dead and 80 others suffered serious injuries, after terrorists twin-bombed crowds that were watching the 2010 soccer World Cup in Kampala, the country’s capital. One of the survivors, Mr SSemujju Robert, had his skull blown and taken to the morgue after he was suspected to be dead. He later woke up, and was treated to full recovery but the scars are still visible. “I was sited watching the match. I did not know what happened. My skull had been blown and (my head) was open. I think God never wanted…