Author: Francis Muli

As the Internet continues growing in popularity, cases of fraud such as piracy, identity theft, cyberbullying, or even threats are on the increase. Hackers and cybercriminals are on a constant lookout for sensitive personal information they can use for illegal activities, including your credit card information or passwords. Hence, it’s easy to see that staying safe online is more important in our modern technology-driven world than ever before. But what is online safety after all? Simply put, it means that people protect themselves and others against any type of online risk and harm they may endure while being online. This…

Short video-making app, TikTok has ventured into live shopping with an entertainment event slotted for Wednesday. The company started hosting shopping live streams during the Black Friday weekend with other brands and is now planning to host its own two-day shopping event with support from Ryan Clark-Neal featuring influencers, music and a quiz. “We think it’s a really significant moment. E-commerce is a big opportunity for TikTok and it’s something we’re investing in significantly,” TikTok General Manager, UK and EU, Rich Waterworth said. TikTok hopes to capitalize on customers’ increased shopping needs for items such as make-up and sportswear. Facebook…

Nairobi residents should prepare adequately for continued light rains, the Meteorological department says. Through a statement, the weatherman indicated that most parts of the city would be affected. “Precaution should be taken especially for those counties which have already received or witnessed heavy rainfall,” Met said. Read: Expect Rainfall, Storms Over The Next Five Days – Weatherman “Most parts of Nairobi especially Dagoretti South and North, Westlands, Roysambu, Kibra, Langata, Starehe, Makadara, Kamukunji, Embakasi West, Central and North, Ruaraka and Mathare to receive several showers,” the statement said. The notice comes just a week after the Met department sent out…

The owner of a radio station in Nairobi has been taken into custody after the Communications Authority of Kenya shut it down over claims that it was operating illegally. Nelson Githinji Ndegwa has reportedly been operating Gituamba FM from a residential building at Puma Court in Tena Estate. According to the CA, the radio station has been operating without a licence, contrary to the Kenya Information and Communications Act,1998 (KICA) Read: Betting Regulator Bans Radio Stations from Running Lotteries Over Fraud Ndegwa is currently being held at the Buruburu police station as he awaits arraignment. He will be charged with…

Borrowers can now breathe a sigh of relief after President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the Central Bank Amendment Bill on Tuesday. The new law gives The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) the mandate to withdraw operating permits from lenders who violate data privacy standards under the new law. Digital lenders have been given six months to obtain operating licences from the annex bank. Digital lenders in the form of mobile loan apps are notorious for engaging in debt-shaming tactics in efforts to recover money owed by their borrowers. For instance, once they get access to your phone book and messages, they…

Short video-making app TikTok has released its year-end report 2021 on creativity, trends, creators, movements and moments. According to the app, at least 1 billion users were on the app this year. “It’s been incredible to see how our African community has continued to grow and support one another this year on the platform. We’re humbled to see how much joy our community has brought us this year, and we’re excited to experience more incredible moments as we continue this journey together,” said Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok Content Operations Manager, Africa. Among the trends highlighted on the platform this year are recipes, music…

Instagram has announced plans to start rolling out new parental control features in March. According to a blog post by Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, the platform will allow guardians and parents access to set time limits, see how much time their children are spending on the app and get notifications should the child make a report to Instagram. The parental controls are part of the measures developed by the app in efforts to make the platform safe, especially for younger users. The news comes amid backlash to the company after whistleblower Frances Haugen revealed Meta’s moderation lapses. A report publicized…

Candidates sitting for the 2021 national examinations slated for March and April 2022 will have their exams tailor-made to the challenges they faced during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha and Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) will have “a human face.” The two leaders said the government was aware of the challenges the candidates had faced during the period, and the disruptions the pandemic had caused even as they prepare to sit the exams. Read: Expect KCPE Results In Two Weeks…

WhatsApp rolled out disappearing messages for chats last year. The company has announced that it has developed the feature to allow users to set the disappearing messages feature for all chats by default. Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced the development on Facebook. “We’re rolling out a new disappearing messages option on WhatsApp today so you’ll be able to make all new chats disappear by default after 24 hours. Not all messages need to stick around forever.” Read: WhatsApp Testing Brighter Colour Scheme for Android Users In the new update, users who start a new one-on-one chat will see a notification…

The government has partnered with the National Youth Service and the National Transport and Safety Authority to conduct free motorcycle riding classes and issue driving licences Boda boda operators have been given 90 days to ensure that they are registered with the NTSA before they are issued with driving licences. Speaking at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) in cooperation with the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya, the PS indicated that the government will launch a crackdown on individuals who have not cooperated after the three months elapse. Kibicho further stated that the country currently has over 2.5…

Samsung users can confirm that they have started receiving the notification to update their Google photos with the latest locked folder feature. The feature will allow users to protect private images by adding a password firewall. It will also not be visible in the photo feed or in other apps. “With Locked Folder in, you can add photos to a passcode-protected space and they won’t show up as you scroll through photos or other apps on your phone. Locked Folder is launching first on Google Pixel, and more Android devices throughout the year.” the tech giant announced in June. Read: Google…

Safaricom has unveiled the “Pokea Uteo wa Furaha” Christmas campaign that will offer customers numerous gifts and offers in voice, data, M-PESA, and Bonga points among others. The company says that the month-long campaign is aimed at rekindling the elements people love about the festive period by spreading the love, cheer and kindness through the various special delights. Voice and data customers will enjoy deals through the Tunukiwa@21 Offers which will include 21 minutes and 21 SMS for Sh20. M-Pesa customers will get up to 20 per cent discount on purchase of event tickets, payment for travel such as local…

Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna has challenged the youth to avoid complaining and lamenting on social media behind anonymous accounts. He advised the youth to start participating actively in political matters as they are the ones who will determine who the fifth president of Kenya will be. “The fifth President of the Republic of Kenya will be decided by the youth. Choosing to remain anonymous on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as keyboard warriors, specializing in lamentations and being negative on whatever the issue, from the comfort of one’s bedroom or couch is not how to make a difference,” he said. Read…

Nairobi County recorded the highest number of applications for the Kazi Mtaani phase three program concluded yesterday. According to Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, a total of 1,158,893 youths applied for the jobs. Out of these, 179,000 were from Nairobi, 78,000 were from Kiambu and 60,000 from Nakuru. Elgeyo Marakwet recorded the lowest with 8,036, Lamu 8,105 and Samburu 9,679. Read: IEBC Official Tabitha Mutemi Set To Lose Her Two Jobs As ICT Ministry, IEBC Agree On Illegality In Appointment Data from the State Department of Housing also showed that at least 77,259 applications were received on a daily basis since…

In the last 24 hours, 29 people tested positive for Covid-19 from a sample size of 2,933 bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 255,437. This brings the positivity rate to 1.0 percent and the cumulative tests conducted so far to 2,855,761. On a positive note, 22 patients have recovered. 13 of these are from the home-based care and isolation program while nine are from various health facilities across the country. The total number of recoveries is now 248,426. Read: Kenya Announces 550 Covid-19 Cases, 7 Deaths in 24 Hours Currently, 185 patients are currently admitted in various health facilities…