Author: Francis Muli

Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene will now retail at Ksh134.72, Ksh115.60 and Ksh110.82 per litre respectively in Nairobi starting midnight. This is according to September 2021 fuel review by the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). The prices of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene have increased by Ksh7.58 per litre, Ksh7.94 per litre and Ksh12.97 per litre respectively. “In accordance with Section 101(y) of the Petroleum Act 2019, Legal Notice No.196 of 2010 and Legal Notice No. 26 of 2012, the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has calculated the maximum wholesale and retail prices of petroleum products, which will…

Apple has warned iPhone users against exposing their iPhones to motor cycle vibrations as the phone’s camera system may be impaired. The tech giant issued the warning, saying the phones should not be attached to powerful motorbikes. The engine vibrations from such bikes can interfere with the optical image stabilization or closed loop autofocus system. The warning comes after a number of motorbike users complained of the damages after attaching the iPhones on their bikes. Read: Apple Rumoured To Be Working on a Foldable iPhone Apple says that affected camera systems are “designed to improve picture quality by counteracting movement,…

IFC and the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) have launched a competition to allow established local businesses operating in Kenya’s Turkana County to demonstrate how their businesses can have sustainable development impact by creating opportunities and jobs in the Kakuma refugee-hosting area. Established businesses in any sector already operating in Turkana are invited to apply for the Local Enterprise Development competition by submitting a business proposal and the amount of funding needed to bring the proposal to fruition. The competition, which runs from September 14 to November 5, 2021 is being conducted by the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF), a…

Zoom is working on a translation function for 12 languages to start running in 2022. During its annual Zoomtopia event, the company demonstrated the feature, saying it would help break down language barriers during video calls. The demonstration showed zoom employees speaking English and the app translating it in real-time subtitles in Chinese and Japanese. The same was done from other languages such as German to English. Zoom says the technology uses an algorithm powered by Artificial intelligence to transcribe spoken word to text. The app then uses machine translation programs to translate the text to different languages Zoom hasn’t…

Kenya Power workers have issued a three-week strike notice. Issuing the notice, Kenya Electrical Traders & Allied Workers Union (KETAWU) has accused the Board of sidestepping management in running the firm. The workers have fingered four board members currently under the radar of the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) including Chairman Vivienne Yeda, Caroline Kitonny, Elizabeth Rogo and Sachen Gudka. “The current Board though vigilant has gone into micromanagement and frustrated all internally generated ideas in favour of non-actors in the sector,” said KETAWU secretary-general Ernest Nadome. This comes days after the board was summoned by EACC after allegations…

Facebook partnered with Ray Ban to develop its first wearable tech, a pair of smart glasses. Dubbed Ray Ban Stories, the glasses allow users to capture photos and videos which they can upload to their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The Ray Ban stories can also be used for non-Facebook platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Twitter. Once the media is recorded, an app called Facebook view is used to share to the social media platforms. The glasses are built with two 5-megapixel cameras, three microphones and built in speakers. These features allow users to capture video…

Liverpool-based SPS Sportsoft Limited is set to lose assets worth Ksh2 billion to the UK government after failing to renew its operating licence. SPS Sportsoft Limited has the same shareholders as Kenya-based Pevans East Africa Limited, and ceased operations in 2019. The UK government refused to renew SPS Sportsoft’s licence, claiming millions from the firm as unpaid taxes. “The Registrar of Companies gives notice that, unless cause is shown to the contrary, the company will be struck off the register and dissolved not less than two months from the date shown above. Upon the company’s dissolution, all property and rights…

The ministry of health has reported 204 new cases of Covid-19 from 2,963 sample tests taken in the last 24 hours. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 243,929 and the cumulative tests to 2,457,626. The Positivity rate is now 6.9 percent. The total number of recoveries has now reached 233,902 after 984 people were discharged in the last 24 hours. Out of these 518 have been discharged from various health facilities across the country while 466 were discharged from the home based care and isolation program. Read: Researchers Findings Suggest First Covid-19 Cases in Kenya Date Back…

Non-residents earning income from delivery of services on digital platforms will now be required to remit Digital Service Tax (DST) every month as stipulated in the Finance Act 2021, the Kenya Revenue Authority has announced. Also, vendors trading in the digital marketplace in Kenya will be required to register for KRA Personal Identification Number (PIN) in the changes announced by the taxman. The digital services tax rate is 1.5 percent of the gross transaction value. The gross transaction value is the payment received as consideration for the digital service. In the context of a digital marketplace provider, the transaction value…

Apps have become instrumental for businesses looking to scale their operations online. However, they are quite costly. In Kenya, a regular app will cost anything from Sh100,000 running into millions. Companies and large organisations may not feel the cost implications of developing an app, but for small and medium size businesses, it is quite a heavy investment. Below are a few reasons why apps cost as much as they do Functionality Apps are developed based on various business models. Unlike websites, there is no basic app structure. They are all custom-made to fit the business model. That is why a…

The Cabinet Secretary for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Joe Mucheru has urged the youth to take up online jobs using available resources by the government. He urged the youth to make use of the opportunities available through Ajira Digital Program to avoid being misused by politicians. “Don’t be cheated again that you have no value. Don’t get lost,” he told the youth. He said about 1.2 million people are currently working online through the Ajira program. Mucheru said the government has provided over 350 work stations with free computers and WiFi to facilitate the program. Read: IEBC Official Tabitha…

Tender tussles, corruption, nepotism, crowned by massive losses have seen power distributor Kenya Power run on the red, even as board members allegedly engage in a looting spree. As a result of recent tender wars, former CEO Benard Ngugi became the latest casualty, being unceremoniously forced out after a heated meeting with the board in August 2021, barely two years after his appointment. The news of his exit was announced as a “step down”, without any reason being given. However, details are emerging that the board tried to interfere with the procurement process in Kenya Power, which would have seen…

Learning has resumed in Laikipia after the government reopened closed schools amid tight security. Around 25 Schools in Ol Moran area had been affected by the skirmishes and closed due to bandit attacks causing insecurity in the area. The government announced that the bandits had fled the settlement following intense security operations at the Lailipia Nature Conservancy. “With calm having returned to Laikipia disturbed areas, schools that had been closed have reopened and smiling children who had missed on education are streaming back to school. Security presence remains high with intensive patrols in all surrounding areas continuing.” A statement from…

The famous InterContinental Hotel in Nairobi’s city centre might never resume operations, even as the owners put up movable assets for auction. Among the assets put up for sale include vehicles, bedsheets, televisions, carpets, and kitchen equipment. The owners, who were close allies of former President the late Daniel Moi want to lease the building that housed the hotel or convert it into a mixed-use property. “Duly instructed by Kenya Hotel Properties (KHP) we shall sell the undermentioned goods belonging to the former InterContinental Hotel located off Parliament road through a public auction,” said Garam auctioneers. Read: InterContinental Hotel Mulls Permanent…

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leaders have castigated Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi and his allies for storming out of a religious event in Butere, after politicians were barred from speaking in the event. Mudavadi had attended the historic consecration of the first female ACK Bishop in Kenya, Rev Rose Nereya Ayiemba Okeno. During the event, ACK archbishop Rev Jackson Ole Sapit declared that he would not allow politicians to speak during the event, something that irked Mudavadi and his allies. “We have said this before and leaders have failed to honour this. Today I want to…