Author: Cyrus

One of the Google Internet balloons under the Project Loon and in partnership with Kenyan telecommunication provider, Telkom, fell from the sky this week raising questions on the safety of balloons. According to sources within Kenya’s aviation sector, the 130 Kilograms’ internet balloons filled with helium gas came tumbling down after what is now believed to be a technical error in the pump system. The balloon and its components were recovered by aviation services provider Tropic Air and flown to Nanyuki Airport where it is currently located. The balloon is currently identified as that with flight number HBAL 131 and…

Twiga Foods is introducing Smart Crates Technology in its packaging courtesy of Silafrica. According to a media release, the companies claim that the launched Smart Crate packaging “will be the first-ever of its kind on the continent.” The crates are made from 100% recycled plastic and falls in line with the company’s commitment to a circular economy, and creating responsible and sustainable solutions that respect the planet and its biodiversity. READ: Sistema.bio Announces Ksh1.2 Billion Investment For The Kenyan Biogas Sector The technology uses an integration of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Near-Field Communication (NFC), which use radio waves to send…

There is a massive scare in Kamiti Maximum Prison as the officer in charge Gerald Charles Mutembei returns after treatment from COVID-19 related illness. According to sources within the maximum-security prison, the Officer in Charge (OiC) spent more than 30 days at Mbagathi Hospital getting treatment from Coronavirus (COVID-19) related illnesses until two weeks ago when he was discharged after results declared that he is virus-free. But with many COVID-19 victims getting reinfection, the prison authorities are lost for what they can do as any small outbreak in the facility can be hard to contain. READ: Chaos Rocks Kamiti Prison As…

Mediamax staff who have been embroiled in a court fight with the management are now hopeful after President Uhuru Kenyatta personally drove himself into Mediamax offices located along Kijabe street and held a meeting with top management. According to staff who were caught off-guard on Saturday evening when President Uhuru arrived in his signature Mercedes G-Wagon driving himself and escorted by 3 other Toyota Landcruisers, the Head of State and key shareholder in the Mediamax group looked concerned. Sources close to State House and Mediamax have revealed that President Uhuru personally felt touched when key employees went to court to…

Floods have displaced many who reside in Kisumu County, along the River Nyando forcing many to seek shelter in schools and churches within the area. According to sources on the ground in Ahero, Apondo, Ayweyo, Nyang’ande, Korowe, Ojola, Karanda and other villages, the River Nyando has now broken banks on both sides forcing the Ahero Market to be vacated and many businesses established along the river to be flooded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqfmgNmLnO4 The water level almost got to the top of the bridge while many who decided to build closer to the river after many years of lack of floods have been…

Online recruitment portal BrighterMonday Kenya has launched an initiative dubbed ‘Unity In Adversity’ that offers free job listing services for individuals or companies seeking to hire as the country battles Coronavirus (COVID-19). The campaign which runs for the next 90 days will see companies post jobs for free on the portal. It also seeks to boost the continuity of businesses efforts by enabling organisations to recruit the right people to steer them during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic Accordig to the company CEO Emmanuel Mutuma, the move is aimed at boosting the capacity of healthcare providers and others at the…

Safaricom (NSE: SCOM) and Vodacom have announced that they have completed the acquisition of the M-PESA brand, product development and support services from Vodafone through a newly-created joint venture. The transaction, first announced in 2019, gives both Vodacom and Safaricom full control of the M-PESA brand, product development and support services as well as the opportunity to expand M-PESA into new African markets. Nick Read, Vodafone Group’s CEO, said: “M-PESA is hugely successful and enables millions of unbanked people in Africa to transfer money, pay bills and trade. It benefits communities and helps create a multitude of small and micro-business ventures.…

Tanzania police in Morogoro region has arrested 24-year old Awadhi Luguya for opening a Facebook page and naming it Coronavirus Tanzania where he gave periodic updates on the virus and its impact in the country. According to the Tanzania police, Awadhi Luguya was arrested for giving “unofficial information” on the page, away from what the government was doing. Tanzanian government led by President John Pombe Magufuli has dismissed the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and urged the citizens to go about their daily lives as “God will protect its people.” Recently, Dar-es-salaam regional commissioner Paul Makonda was reported urging residents to…

As part of DStv’s ongoing efforts to enhance its customers’ television viewing experience and offer them with content as COVID-19 lockdown continues, MultiChoice Kenya has announced the launch of EDU TV on DStv in Kenya. From April 2, 2020, DStv Access, Family, Compact, Compact Plus and Premium subscribers will be able to watch EDU TV on Channel 316. The channel will broadcast, amongst others, classroom-based learning, and life skills programs for children of all age groups, based on the Competency-Based Kenya national curriculum. The channel will air lessons for learners in pre-primary (ECDC), primary and secondary school levels.  EDU TV…

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) yesterday conducted raids and seized uncertified sanitizers products produced by Laser Chemicals at Saika Estate, Jirani Court along Kangundo road in Nairobi. The raid was conducted by the KEBS market surveillance team led by Nicholas Nzesya. The KEBS team has been on the lookout and has collaborated with members of the public to prowl on unscrupulous traders manufacturing and selling substandard and uncertified sanitizers. Speaking after the raid, KEBS managing director Col (Rtd) Bernard Njiriani cautioned manufacturers who are taking advantage of the Covid 19 pandemic to enrich themselves by selling substandard uncertified sanitizers…

Multichoice Africa has announced that it is allocating at least Ksh 500 million to support creatives throughout the continent during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown. According to the pan-African entertainment behemoth, the disruptions and delays caused by the pandemic have disrupted the creative industry in the continent, necessitating the move to cushion them. READ: 4 Days to Nairobi Analogue TV Switch-off, GOtv Partners with K24 to Offer Free Decoders The coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic has disrupted productions, affecting the creative ecosystem in the continent. In some countries, there has been a complete halt as resources are channelled towards sustaining the health of…

Airtel Kenya has announced a new partnership which will see students using the Longhorn Publishers e-learning platform access it without internet charges during the lockdown period. Through the deal, subscribers of Airtel Kenya data services will have access to portal charged zero cost for the duration of lockdown as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic. Airtel Kenya has indicated that it’s doing this as a response to the government’s directive to close schools and help contain the spread of the deadly COVID 19 virus. This free access period will be enjoyed by Airtel Kenya subscribers only. Airtel Kenya…

Safaricom has today launched a partnership with public transport sector (Matatu) to accept cashless payments through M-PESA in the ongoing battle to combat the spread of the Coronavirus through person to person interactions. Through the partnership, the Matatu crew will begin accepting fares through their phone numbers like it was tried with Beba Pay and others which later failed. The move has been prompted by the demand of many businesses to accept payments without exposing the parties to the risks of contracting or spreading the dreaded COVID 19 or Coronavirus. READ: Blogger Robert Alai Charged With Publishing False Information On COVID-19, Freed…

Kenya’s Mobile Games developer, Usiku Games, is opening the platform and allowing gamers to play free of charge and kill boredom during the Coronavus lockdown. Through a media release, the company has indicated that the gamers on the Kenyan Mobile gaming platform will not pay the usual Ksh.10 (for 1,000 digital coins) to access the games but will play for free until further notice. Founded by Canadian techie Jay Shapiro, Usiku Games, is a localised gaming platform available in leading app stores. According to Jay Shapiro, zero-rating the platform will allow users to enjoy themselves as they practise social distancing…

Airtel Kenya has announced that it’s abolishing all charges on Airtel Money for a period of 90 days following the directive from Central Bank of Kenya to operators. In the directive which has been honoured by other operators like Safaricom and Telkom Kenya, the telcos were required to abolish charges on the Ksh 1,000 and below transactions while also increasing transaction limits to Ksh 150,000 and daily limit to Ksh 300,000. With Airtel Kenya announcing a 90 days waiver on fees, it will be interesting to see if subscribers join the network to exploit the opportunity. READ: Telkom Kenya Partners With…

Panafrican Pay TV provider MultiChoice has announced new offers that will keep GOtv and DStv customers in Kenya entertained in the month of March, delivering more value, while making offerings on various entertainment bouquets even more accessible. The launch of Phase 2 of the Step-Up campaign will see active and disconnected DStv customers get upgraded to the next higher package at no extra cost and GOtv customers get a discount on their package when paying for their subscription. According to MultiChoice Kenya Managing Director, Nancy Matimu, the campaign’s objective is to thank DStv and GOtv customers. Below are the two exciting offers: DStv Pay…