Author: James Wambua

TerraPay
CorporateNews
James Wambua

Safaricom, TerraPay deal takes M-PESA to Pakistan, Bangladesh

Over 32 million M-PESA customers can now send and receive money to and from more than 200 million people across Bangladesh, Pakistan markets. The move follows a partnership between telco giant Safaricom and TerraPay (Mobex Kenya). M-PESA customers will now send and receive money to Bangladesh and Pakistan through the M-PESA Global service under the M-PESA Super App or by dialling *334# and selecting M-PESA Global under the “Send Money” option.  “This partnership opens up one of the world’s largest remittance markets making Kenyans more globally connected,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom. TerraPay joins a roster of more than 35 partners under the M-PESA Global…

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Obesity
HealthNews
James Wambua

High food costs pushing up obesity rates in poor countries – IFAD

The widening gap between the cost of healthy and unhealthy foods in poor countries is driving obesity rates in both urban and rural communities globally, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) says. Ccoupled with the unavailability of a variety of healthy foods, IFAD research says poor populations are increasingly left predisposed to the lifestyle disease. According to one of the studies reviewed (Headey 2019), IFAD notes that is 11.66 times more expensive to obtain a calorie from eggs in poor countries than it is to obtain a calorie from starchy staples, while in those same countries it is only 2.92 times more expensive to…

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Starlink Kenya
NewsTechnology
James Wambua

Karibu Connect to offer Starlink satellite internet in Kenya

Karibu Connect, a provider of internet connectivity services in East Africa, will has been appointed as the first authorized reseller of Starlink in Kenya. This move marks a significant step in the company’s mission to eliminate the digital divide and enhance the connectivity infrastructure across Kenya. Across Africa, Starlink is already accessible in Rwanda, Nigeria, and the French overseas territories of Reunion and Mayotte. Starlink, operated by American aerospace company SpaceX which is owned by billionaire Ellon Musk, offers a revolutionary satellite internet service that uses a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. “Our partnership with Starlink is a substantial progression in our mission…

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Google Bard
NewsTechnology
James Wambua

Google Bard makes historic debut in Swahili, the first African language supported

Google is expanding Bard, its conversational AI service, to 40 new languages including Swahili. Swahili becomes the first African language to be included, pushing Bard’s reach to 59 new countries across territories. New capabilities in the expansion enable users to more fully customize their experiences, foster creativity, and complete more tasks. With the extension, Bard is now accessible in the majority of the world’s countries, including those in the EU. Bard is now available in most frequently spoken languages such as Swahili, Chinese, German, Spanish, Arabic, and Hindi. Now that text-to-speech is available in eight languages, users can enjoy Bard in their favourite language. Swahili…

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KCB Group
ClimateNews
James Wambua

KCB, UNITAR launch 100,000 e-bikes project to power green jobs

KCB will provide financing for riders to acquire e-bikes and Tuktuks in a plan that will see 100,000 riders benefit in the next six years. This plan, which will be executed in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR),  is expected to create over 150,000 new green jobs in the boda-boda sector. KCB will provide green affordable loans to the riders to acquire electric bikes and tuktuks through local electric motorbikes sellers. The project was commissioned by the Cabinet Secretary, Roads and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen in Nairobi and has been rolled out in Machakos County. A plan is underway to extend it…

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Absa Credit Card
CorporateNews
James Wambua

In a first, Absa credit card offers buy now, pay later options

If you’ve been patiently waiting for a great deal on buying that massive TV such as Samsung 98″ NEO-QLED going for 1.39 million at Hotpoint Appliances Sarit Centre, a washing machine, or better yet a cool freezer, Absa Kenya has a great deal that you can take advantage of. What’s more, with increasing number of families’ income squeezed thin by inflation, holiday travel plans become harder to realize, but Absa has news for you on how you can get it done with ease. Absa Bank Kenya has launched Buy now, Lipa pole pole, a product financing program that allows clients to purchase high-value products and…

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Mozilla
NewsTechnology
James Wambua

Kenyan innovators win Sh13 million in Mozilla Africa challenge

The winners will also get technical support to improve their goods and enter the market. The goal of Mozilla Africa Innovation Challenge program is to solve problems in Africa using tech. About 308 active tech start-ups in Kenya employ over 11,000 people. Three tech start-ups: Getpayd, Deaf Elimu and Hali Halisi, and three student-led innovators—Classify Me, Audred and Mama Pesa—have received a total of Kes13 million in grants in the just concluded Mozilla Africa Innovation Challenge held in Nairobi. The winners will also get technical support to improve their goods and establish a place in the market. The program’s goal is to find African digital…

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KCB Foundation
CorporateNews
James Wambua

KCB backing schools’ transition to clean energy

All secondary schools in Kenya, both public and private, would be able to access KCB funding. KCB Foundation will raise between 10% and 30% cost of purchasing LPG system. About 90 percent of public schools in Kenya use firewood for cooking. KCB has unveiled an ambitious plan to extend financial support to learning institutions to transition to clean energy cooking solutions. The undertaking will be carried under the regional lender’s social investment arm, KCB Foundation. KCB Foundation will contribute between 10 percent and 30 percent of the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) system. All secondary schools in Kenya, both public and private, would be able…

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William Ruto Finance Bill 2023
EconomyNews
James Wambua

Housing levy, higher fuel costs to hit Kenyans starting July 1st

President William Ruto has assented to the Finance Bill, 2023 and the Appropriations Bill, 2023 ushering in a new age of strained household earnings as the housing levy and 16 percent VAT on fuel are expected to thrust millions of Kenyans into harder economic circumstances beginning on July 1st. Finance Bill 2023 introduces a number of tax measures that Dr Ruto hopes will raise enough resources to finance his Kenya Kwanza administration manifesto and campaign promises such as affordable housing. As the government increases the existing 8 percent fuel VAT to 16 percent, thousands of motorists should expect to pay more at the pump. The…

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