Author: Francis Muli

In most developing countries like Kenya where most homes are not connected to electricity, solar power is highly reliable. When families buy the solar panels, all they look for is the power output. They do not know that the output is only maximum when the panel is directly facing the sun. Most of the panels are flatly placed on the rooftop, hence the only they give maximum power is at noonday, when they are directly facing the sunlight. This is exactly what inspired Inspirefest 2018 speaker and software/mechanical engineer Eden Full Goh to develop her SunSaluter device from cheap, recycled materials found across the…

Kenyans with Paypal accounts linked to their Mpesa’s woke up to a rude shock, with their accounts in limited status, most of them permanently. The move was done without prior notice, even affecting users who have fully adhered with PayPal’s terms and conditions. If your account is limited, it means that you won’t be able to do certain things with your PayPal account. For example, you might not be able to send or withdraw money. Upon inquiry, customers received a mail telling them that the ‘decision to leave their accounts in a permanent limitation is final.’ “Paypal reserves the right to limit access to…

A group of 56 institutional and individual investors representing nearly Ksh71.3 trillion ($713 billion) in assets sent a letter to General Electric (GE) calling on the company to reconsider its recent decision to acquire a 20% stake in Kenya’s proposed Lamu coal plant. The investors state that starting the coal plant will negatively impact human health as coal production releases toxic pollution into the air and leaves behind ash that can contaminate groundwater supplies. “Tremendous amounts of water will be needed for cooling processes, and waters discharged back into ecosystems at higher temperatures will damage marine ecosystems. This will harm…

Giant search engine Google is set to be fined 4.3 billion Euros (Ksh502 billion) by the European Commission over its Android operating System. According to the BBC, the European Commission’s action followed a three year probe into claims the firm’s mobile device strategy had unfairly strengthened its dominance of search. Google was accused of requiring Android handset and tablet manufacturers to set its search engine as the default and pre-install the Chrome browser before allowing them to offer access to its Play app store Read: Truecaller Introduces Call-recording Feature The search engine was also accused of preventing manufacturers from selling…

Police on Wednesday took over all public toilets in Nairobi, following a management dispute between a group of youths who had taken over the toilets and the Public Toilets Operators Association of Kenya. The officers were deployed to block youths who had taken over the management of some toilets in the CBD. The groups prevented access by those who initially ran the facilities. The deployment followed a court order obtained by the initial operators after the groups forcefully took over management in March. Public toilets at OTC, Muthurwa, Machakos Country Bus Station and Bus Station were affected by the standoff. Read:…

Dr John Ndavula, a Communication Lecturer and editor at Borderless Press has launched a new book on social media and political campaigns in Kenya. In his new book, Social Media & Political Campaigns In Kenya,  Ndavula explores the relationship between digital networking and contemporary Kenyan politics. He addresses such issues as impact of social media on Kenya’s political landscape including the theoretical underpinnings for adoption of social media in political campaigns, practical implications for social media use in the political exercise as well as pros and cons of social media use in the democratic process. This is the first comprehensive…

In an emotional speech at the Wonderers Cricket Ground in South Africa, President Obama has urged African leaders to follow the footsteps of former South African President the late Nelson Madiba Mandela. Obama was delivering a public lecture in commemoration of 100 years since the founding father of South Africa was born, where he called on Africans to rescind politics of fear, tribalism, corruption and discrimination. “Plain fact is that racial discrimination still exists in both the United States & in South Africa,” said Obama. “He (Mandela) came to embody the universal aspirations of dispossessed people all around the world…

Data released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that Kenya exported goods worth Ksh10.54 billion ($100 million) to Tanzania between January and May, 28.58 per cent more than the same period in 2017. This has placed Tanzania almost at par with other Kenyan goods importers. For instance, in the same period, Pakistan which has remained at the top of the list, ordered goods worth Ksh23.07 billion ($229 million), a 7.11 per cent drop compared to a similar period last year. First runners-ups Netherlands imported from Kenya goods worth Ksh21.65 billion, reflecting 13.45 per cent growth. Uganda’s appetite for…

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has issued a one year ultimatum to broadcasters to comply with new rules that require them to ensure 100 per cent signing during news and events of national importance as well as all emergency announcements. This means that they have to hire sign language experts to comply with this new regulation. The new rules published last week through a gazette notice are seeking to boost information access among persons with disabilities (PWDs). “The Authority shall, by subsequent Kenya Gazette notices, require licensed broadcasting service providers to comply with additional requirements necessary to make broadcasting services more…

American Restaurant Association has announced that the price of a standard box of 48 avocados in the international markets has risen from $37.25 (Sh3,725) to $83.75 (Sh8,375) over the last one year. The rise is driven by high demand of the crop due to the health benefits. Kenya is the sixth largest exporter of avocados in the world ranking behind Peru, Mexico, Dominican Republic, USA and South Africa In 2017, The Netherlands for instance imported 900,186 tonnes of avocados up from 820,775 tonnes in 2016. France on the other hand imported 145,813 tonnes up from 95,000 tonnes in 2016. The…

Visa, the Official Payment Services Partner of FIFA, has today released a report showing that the fans of top ten countries (in terms of expenditure) spent Ksh2.07 billion (20.73 USD) in the recently concluded World Cup Tournament. The analysis of spending inside the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia stadiums runs from the opening match on June 14 through the semi-finals on July 11 and shows that Russia spent the most, Ksh1.2 billion followed by US, who spent Ksh300 million. Fans on average spent 1,408 rubles (approximately Ksh2,300) per transaction inside the stadiums throughout the tournament. The largest average individual purchases were seen on in-stadium…

Family Bank Ruiru branch has lost Ksh20 million and 560 USD after it was broken into by thugs last night in what is suspected to be an insider job. According to Ruiru Ocpd James Ng’etich, the banks security manager John Muchiri said that on reporting to work, he found the banks alarm tampered with and fire alarm vandalized. “After opening the bank, Muchiri discovered that the alarm system had been tampered with and on further checking, he discovered that the fire alarm system had been vandalized and concluded that all was not well in the bank,” read a police signal as…

A group of employees attached to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) have written to the chairman complaining of cases of tribalism and favouritism in appointment and transfer of regional managers (RM’s). In the letter seen by this writer, the employees noted the case of Nyanza regional manager Mr Ezekiel Koech, who boasts of having connections with Mr Job Chirchir, NTSA’s board member. Despite being unqualified for the position, his connection with top managers keeps him going. According to the letter, Koech holds a degree, masters and post graduate diploma from European Business School, which is not recognised in…

The ministry of energy has announced a new team that will hold office at the helm of Kenya power to replace officers facing graft charges, who stand suspended. The team will be in charge for three months, in an acting capacity. Jared Omondi Otieno, who has worked with the company for over 30 years will take over as the CEO, fitting into the shoes of troubled CEO Ken Tarus. He will work closely with Ambrose Lemaoni who will head the Finance docket. Read: Kenya Power Directors Remanded At Gigiri Police Station,Pending Bail Ruling Peter Waweru who will be the acting general…

Trouble for the Lands Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri is far from over, as he is  on the spot yet again after failing to answer audit queries on the expenditure of Ksh7.1 billion. According to financial statements checked by the Auditor General Edward Ouko, the money was used to resettle internally displaced persons and Mau Forest evictees. Ouko says that Dr Muraguri failed to provide documents justifying the expenditure. This is the second time the PS is being put on the spotlight over questionable expenditure. He was transferred from the Health ministry following the Ksh5 billion Afya House scandal. An internal…