Author: Francis Muli

Safaricom’s latest sustainable business report indicates that the company created a total value of KES 664 billion for the Kenyan society in its last financial year, which is ten times greater than the profit made during the year. According to the report’s ‘True Earnings’ highlights, the firm contributed KES 557.1 billion to the economy in the 2020/2021 financial year, which is 5.2% of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The independent analysis of Safaricom’s true value to society identifies the socio-economic and environmental impacts of the company and quantifies them in financial terms. Read: Safaricom Rolls Out Free Data Campaign for Subscribers…

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has revealed that half of Kenya’s jobless population is not looking for jobs even as hard economic times persist. According to recent data, 1.23 million out of the total of 2.49 million jobless Kenyans aged between 15 and 64 are not actively looking for jobs, despite being qualified. Those not looking for jobs aged between 20 and 24 are 363,018, while those aged between 25 to 29 are 232,146. “It is a reflection of the reality in the economy right now, depending on the sectors. So long as businesses are not back to full…

Facebook has started rolling out Reels to Facebook users. The feature was first being tested in the Beta stage for a month prior to roll out. Both iOS and Android users in the US will be able to access the feature for now. Reels is Facebook’s TikTok clone which was first introduced in Instagram in August last year. Just like TikTok, Reels allows users to create short videos using a variety of editing tools including music and audio, AR effects and times among others. Facebook Reels will allow users to create their short form videos directly from the app or…

Kenya has suspended the visa-free transit arrangement with Pakistan following the influx of travelers of Asian origin in the country. In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country will no longer admit passengers from Pakistan without entry visas to the country. “Till further notice, Kenya will require visas for passengers from Pakistan to Kenya. Kenya will therefore not accept passengers from Pakistan without entry visas to the country. 3. Those who fail to abide by these provisions will be turned away and required to leave the country immediately upon arrival,” the statement read in…

The first batch of Kenyan nurses expected to join UK’s healthcare workforce is slated to depart next month. A number of top government officials are already in the UK negotiating for better terms for the nurses who will arrive mid October. Among the officials who participated in the interview for the implementation of the Bilateral Labour Agreement for Collaboration on Healthcare Workforce are Health PS Susan Mochache and Labour PS Peter Tum. Read also: Ministry of Labour Invites Unemployed Medics to Apply for UK Jobs in New Deal The joint interview was held at Oxford University Hospital Trust. Kenya and…

Young Scientists Kenya (YSK) has today received a KES 9 million boost from BLAZE by Safaricom ahead of its 4th Annual National Science and Technology Exhibition for secondary school students. This year’s exhibition will be conducted virtually from 5th to 8th October 2021 and follows a successful online adaptation of YSK’s outreach and mentorship programme. It will feature 111 projects by 214 students from 30 counties, an increase compared to last year’s edition that featured 64 projects by 122 students from 21 counties. “We recognize that in today’s world, science has helped us solve some of the most monumental societal challenges while creating…

Crown Motors Group, the official distributor of the Nissan brand in Kenya has launched its latest SUV model, the Nissan Magnite into the Kenya Market. The Magnite model is being launched globally this year and it gathered a lot of interest and excitement because of its bold fresh styling, powerful performance and high-tech safety features. “Kenya is one of Nissan’s oldest markets, and we are proud to launch The Nissan Magnite SUV model into this market. This is a SUV like no other, from its attractive aesthetics to its powerful functionality and safety features. We are confident that Kenyans will…

Multichoice has launched fixed home internet plans  for users through Dstv internet. The entertainment company launched the service as an alternative to fibre internet, especially for clients who do not have the infrastructure within their proximity. The service has been rolled out for DStv users in South Africa. To sign up to DStv internet, customers are given a SIM card and WiFi router to connect to a fixed wireless LTE network. DStv has partnered with MTN as its network provider. Read: Facebook Building Robust Undersea Cable To Boost Internet Connection In Africa “DStv Internet provides South Africans with connectivity for all…

MPs have passed a bill that will require every Kenyan over the age of 18 to be a member of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). In the changes to the NHIF Act passed on Tuesday evening, employers will be forced to top up contributions of those who pay less than Kshh500 monthly. In the remodelled Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, every adult should contriute Ksh500 monthly or Ksh6,000 annually for outpatient and inpatient services, including maternity, dialysis, cancer treatment and surgery. “A person who has attained the age of 18 years and is not a beneficiary shall register as…

Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) CEO Ezra Chiloba Simiyu has been appointed as the new director-general of the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) for a renewable period of four years. Chiloba replaces Mercy Wanjau who has been the acting Director-General since 2019 when former director-general Francis Wangusi left at the end of his term. Mr Chiloba is a policy consultant and Principle Partner with Chil and Kemp consultancy and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He holds an undergraduate degree in Law from the University of Nairobi a Master of Arts degree from Central European University…

Google has rolled out a number of creative images designed to be used as profile images. Dubbed Google illustrations, the images can be used in place of real photos which are normally used on the display profile image. The images are diverse with categories ranging from animals to technology and space. Read: Google Photos Stops Backing Up Pictures From WhatsApp And Instagram By Default Google’s variety of images differ from Snapchat’s and Facebook’s avatars which allow users to create personal representations of themselves. The tech giant is instead offering a number of generic images to be used based on personal interests.…

Cabinet Secretary for Information,  Communication and technology Joe Mucheru has called on the youth to utilize digitization for public good instead of using it to spread hate speech. He said the youth should take up roles as ambassadors of peace, as they stood to lose more in cases of conflict in the country. The CS was speaking at the 11th International Research Conference for the School of Business and Economics 2021 at Kabarak University on Monday. “Youth form almost three quarters of the country’s population. If there is peace in the country, youth will benefit the most at the same…

iPhone customers will have to wait a bit longer before they can get their hands on the latest gadgets. The tech giant cites high demand and supply chain issues for the long delays in the acquisition of iPhone 13. This is one of the longest periods customers will be required to wait in recent years. After the launch, Apple uses the delivery time for new series as a measure to gauge demand. However, the delay this year has highlighted supply chain issues affecting smartphone manufacturers ahead of the holiday season. According to analysts J.P.Morgan and Credit Suisse, customers who had…

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating Gender Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Beatrice Elachi over irregularities performed during her tenure as the Speaker for Nairobi County Assembly. In a letter dated September 22, 2021, to the Nairobi County Assembly speaker, EACC says that Elachi, while serving as the Speaker and Chair of the Nairobi City County Assembly Service Board, made 28 promotions in disregard of the law. “The Commission pursuant to its constitutional and statutory mandate is investigating allegations of abuse of office against Hon Beatrice Elachi, the former Speaker and Chair, Nairobi City County Assembly Service Board, and the illegal conduct of…

Mobile money agents handled Ksh4.44 trillion in eight months to August as compared to Ksh3.07 trillion handled in a similar period in 2020. This is according to new data by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), which shows that the number of times money was withdrawn or deposited increased by  244 million (20.8 percent) to 1.418 billion from 1.174 billion. The number of active M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and T-Kash agents increased to 304,822 in August from 252,703 in the same month in 2020. M-Pesa controls the largest number of agents at 89.8 percent of 283,357 operating in the period ended…