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Suspended KQ Employee Who Blew The Whistle About China Plane Claims Life in Danger

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The suspended whistle blower of the China Southern plane that landed at JKIA on Wednesday morning is living in fear after he apparently received word that he might be getting followed.

Gire Ali, who was suspended by Kenya Airways on February 27, 2020 after being accused of participating in recording and sharing of the video, showing 239 passengers aboard the China plane being ushered in, says his life is now in danger.

“They have been calling and I’m yet to go and meet the team because someone warned me that my life might be in danger and that they were watching me. I handed over my work identification documents through the fence and left. I fear about what could happen to me,” Gire is quoted by a local daily.

He also intimated that the employees had earlier on in the month asked for protective gear but never heard from management.

“We’re required to maintain security presence on this flight as long as it is on the ground. Our staff are badly exposed since we do not have protective gear while discharging our duties. We kindly request that similar masks be provided to our staff working on this flight,” a letter dated February 2 read in part.

So far, China Southern Airlines has suspended flights to Kenya.

A high court also ordered that the 239 passengers be quarantined at a Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) facility.

In Africa, three coronavirus cases have been confirmed. They are in Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt.

While being relieved of duties, Gire was accused of going against company policy and exposing poor management of passengers coming from the Coronavirus infested nation.

“It has been determined that you be suspended from duty with effect from 27th February 2020 in accordance with provision of clause 16.5 of the Company HR Policy,” a letter signed by chief human resources officer Evelyne Munyoki read in part.

KQ’s actions angered netizens who thought Gire’s actions were heroic.

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Khalwale Tears Into KQ For Suspending Staff Who Blew The Whistle About Chinese Plane

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Kakamega County senator Boni Khalwale on Friday tore into Kenya Airways for suspending one of their staffs who blew the whistle about a Chinese plane that landed at JKIA with 239 passengers from China.

On Wednesday, Kenyan authorities allowed the plane to land in the country despite of the corona virus fears.

Southern flights./COURTESY
Chinese Southern Airline Plane. PHOTO/COURTESY

Kenya Airways was pissed off with the rate at which the video showing the Chinese Southern Airline landing at JKIA spread on social media.

As a result, Gire Ali, their staff who is alleged to have recorded and spread the video was suspended with effect from February 27, 2020.

“Following a report of video of China Southern flights arrival at JKIA and circulation of the video clip widely on social media and your alleged involvement in the matter, it has been decided that you be suspended from duty with effect from Feb 27,” KQ Chief human resource Evelyne Munyoki said in a letter dated February 27, 2020.

According to Munyoki, the suspension is in line with the company policies.

“This is to pave way for further investigations into the matter. During the period of suspension, you will be required to avail yourself to the investigating team,” Munyoki said.

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But Khalwale the bullfighter in a quick response to the suspension has termed the decision as a wisdom of fools.

Khalwale says that Mr Gire Ali is just a mere whistle blower and does not deserve the suspension.

He has termed Mr Gire as a hero to Kenyans.

“Suspend Mr Gire Ali? He is a mere whistle blower. Now our hero. Kenya Airways, yours is wisdom of fools,” Khalwale tweeted.

Gire alerted Kenyans of a China plane that had landed at JKIA with authorities silently ushering in the 239 passengers by only advising them to quarantine themselves for 14 days.

So far, 17 suspect cases have been recorded in the country and all have tested negative.

On Thursday, a section of MPs demanded that all the Chinese airlines be suspended from landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Led by Minority leader John Mbadi the MPs said it was a careless move for those responsible to have cleared a China Southern Airline plane on Kenyan soil despite the scare of the coronavirus outbreak.

Mbadi said it was laughable that the Health ministry cleared all the 239 passengers and asked them to ‘self-quarantine’ without proper monitoring mechanisms.

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KQ Suspends Staff Who Recorded The Arrival of Chinese Airline Loaded With 239 Passengers

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya Airways has suspended one if their staffs who recorded the arrival of a Chinese Southern Airline loaded with 239 passengers from China.

The video went viral o social media, triggering an uproar from concerned Kenyans.

Jumping into action, KQ decided to suspend the whistle blower with immediate effect, citing that the matter was under investigations.

In a letter dated February 27, 2020, Gire Ali, the suspended staff is ordered to go on a suspension with effect from February 27, 2020.

During the suspension period, the staff is required to avail himself to the said investigating team, his manager or any other person in authority.

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The Kenyan government on Wednesday allowed 239 Chinese to land at JKIA amid Corona Virus fears, triggering an immediate uproar.

Angry legislators confronted Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo to explain what informed what they termed as a reckless’ move to allow in the Chinese plane.

The National Assembly’s departmental committee on Defense and Foreign Relations wondered why Kenya is out “to pamper China” even at the point of endangering the lives of its own citizens.

The situation got worse when the CS tried to inform the committee that the decision to allow the Chinese into the country was done in the best interest of the country.

“The aeroplane did not originate from Wuhan because Wuhan has been under lockdown and people quarantined and no aeroplane goes there. The passengers were cleared under the guidelines of World Health Organization..The decision was made in the best interest of the country,” Omamo said.

The CAS in a media conference later in the day said the Chinese arriving in Kenya are not from Wuhan, the city where the corona virus outbreak began. 

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Uhuru Secures Multi-Billion Deals With Donald Trump

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has assured that a new bilateral trade deal between Kenya and the US won’t undermine the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The Kenyan leader spoke shortly after a meeting with the United States President Donald Trump at the White House during which the two leaders agreed to commence talks leading to a trade pact between Kenya and the US.

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President Kenyatta made the assurance when he addressed over 350 business leaders attending a US-Kenya Trade Forum in the US capital.

He said the proposed new trade arrangement with the United States of America would in no way undermine Kenya’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

At the White House meeting, Presidents Kenyatta and Trump said a new trade agreement would help increase volumes of trade and investment between Kenya and the US.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer who spoke shortly after the meeting between Presidents Kenyatta and Trump said, America recognizes Kenya as a leader in Africa and an important strategic partner of the US.

He said a new trade agreement presents the two countries a rare opportunity to explore ways of deepening Kenya-US economic and commercial ties.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we look forward to negotiating and concluding a comprehensive, high-standard agreement with Kenya that can serve as a model for additional agreements across Africa,” Amb Lighthizer said.

In line with the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability law of 2015, the Trade Representative will now officially notify Congress of the US government’s intention to start trade negotiations with Kenya.

Currently, trade between Kenya and the US stands at about USD 1billion a year with over 70 percent of Kenya’s export into the expansive American market in 2018, worth USD 466 million, entering under AGOA.

President Kenyatta told the Kenya-US forum that his administration is committed to developing and concluding the strongest ever trade and investment framework that would deliver increased trade between the two nations.

“Today I want to assure all of you of Kenya’s unwavering commitment in developing the strongest ever trade investment framework with the United States of America.

“We are very keenly looking forward to concluding the trade arrangement between our two countries and I believe that these trade agreements would not only serve Kenya and United States but would probably set the base for a new engagement between the United States and other African countries,”President Kenyatta said.

He dismissed speculation that Kenya is breaking away from its commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) saying the new arrangement with the US is only aimed at bolstering and deepening trade not only with Kenya but also with other African countries.

“At this juncture I just want to put away a few doubts because there has been a feeling that by Kenya engaging with the US to have a trade arrangement, we are running away from our commitment to the African Continental Free Trade arrangement. And I want to assure you that there can be nothing further from the truth as that is definitely not the case,” President Kenyatta said.

The Kenyan Head of State pointed out that Kenya was among the first countries to sign and ratify the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and that its commitment to the agreement is steadfast.

He said Kenya needs to move faster and set the pace for other African countries in formulating new trade and investment arrangements with the US as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) comes to an end in 2025.

“All we are saying is that there are some of us like Kenya who feels that we are ready. We are ready to move forward and what we are saying is, let the rest of the continent see us as pacesetters.

“Let them see us as the people who are clearing the field for future negotiations with the rest of the African continent because Kenya feels ready for this arrangement,” the President said.

He noted that even as Kenya and the US work to strengthen their trade and investment ties, there is need to preserve and build on mechanisms and regulatory frameworks that already exist.

“As you may be well aware, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been a key mover for trade between Kenya and the USA. Through AGOA, the US is the third export destination for Kenyan products, with a share of about 8 percent of total Kenya’s export globally.

“Moving forward, we need to maximize the remaining years of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) that ends in 2025,” President Kenyatta said noting that the US is an important source of Kenya’s foreign direct investments (FDI), with the country holding an FDI stock of over USD 405 million in 2018.

President Kenyatta challenged American businessmen to explore new investment opportunities in Kenya and assured them of an enabling business environment.

“We have a wide range of potential areas for investment and I urge US companies to consider investing in key sectors of the economy such as; Agriculture & Agro-processing, Manufacturing, Construction & Real Estate development, infrastructure development, ICT, Blue Economy, Energy, Hospitality & Tourism, Health, FinTech & Financial Services, Petroleum, Mining, among others,” the President outlined.

Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs of the US Chamber of Commerce Myron Brilliant said the American business community is keenly following what President Kenyatta is doing in terms of improving trade between Kenya and the US and assured that the chamber will continue to support him by wooing more American investors to the country.

“We see your vision, we see your ambition, we understand what is happening in Kenya and we want to embrace it and support you,” Mr Brilliant assured the President.

President Kenyatta is accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries James Macharia (Transport), Adan Mohammed (East African Affairs) and CS designate for Trade Betty Maina among other senior government officials.

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Software engineer Michael Peres sends out valuable GMAT resources free for MBA hopefuls

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Software Engineer and Mathematician Michael Peres is making a wave online with thousands of valuable resource materials for Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) being requested from his website and LinkedIn account daily.

Peres, 29 and a travel entrepreneur,  worked with Chemical Engineer and Venture Capitalist Ariana Desiree Thacker to create important resources that aspiring Master in Business Administration (MBA) students would need to pass or even ace the GMAT exams.

Peres devoted 1.5  years of personal time to devise a system that can facilitate the easy access of the resources file dubbed as the Mega-GMAT to interested individuals.

Since the Mega-GMAT folders became accessible in 2018, thousands of people are continually requesting daily. Today, there are over 120,000 individuals reached by the GMAT resources file and more are still contacting Peres through his website, www.michaelperes.com and LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/mikeyperes.

Listed below is an example of a post Peres’ created on LinkedIn requesting individuals  to comment their email in order to gain access to the GMAT resource file. This post generated over 1600 personalized requests. 

The Mega-GMAT resource includes links to ebooks, free GMAT tutorials and exams, application materials and Thacker’s Quick B-School Tips to Save Time and Money.

Peres, 29 and a native of Montreal Canada, owns two popular web hosting and web development companies, the Hexa Tiger and Hecto Fox, which clients continue to grow over the years.  

Michael Peres speaking at Microsoft in Seattle, Washington. 

Meanwhile, recipients of the Mega-GMAT resources folder are appreciative of this simple act by Peres.

Aside from the email messages he received from individuals requesting access on the resource folders, constant messages of thanks and confirmation about how helpful the resource materials are, come to his inbox everyday.

Most email senders would note the diligent effort Peres is devoting everyday to give GMAT access to the thousands who request for his resources folder.

LinkedIn followers Nicolas Gomez, Vaanya Gauri and Merilloyd Lim are grateful to Peres’ selfless acts of sharing the resources without asking something in return.

Mabinouri Agboola and Shailendra Chaudhary, stressed that as an act of paying forward, they are obliged to share the resource materials to everyone as they are very helpful for MBA students.

Other followers such as Suraj B, Stuti Ahlawat and Ikjot Singh acknowledged that the Mega-GMAT resource file was really helping them in their GMAT preparations.

Also, Melissa Franco, Mokhamad Dwiki and Richa Asthana, emphasized Peres’ innate goodness for creating the free resources that are really valuable for aspiring MBAs like them.

Even Training and Placement Officer Dr. Ankit Khan expressed his gratitude for the “great” resource that can be used by his students to expand their “knowledge horizon.”

Peres, who also operates a science, tech and business podcast site, believes that when starting out, a company should focus on learning how to offer value, hone their skills rather than prioritizing on earnings. He is doing free work to establish trust with his clients deeming it beneficial to the company in the long run.

Peres also offers free consulting and mentoring for students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) related fields.

Aside from Mega-GMAT, Peres also created MBA resource files in collaboration with Lucas Miller, a local business author. The MBA Summaries have given access to over 54,000 individuals since 2018.  

Just recently, he also teamed up with product manager and travel hacker Julien Bortz to create resource folders on the best credit cards to use when travelling, which has reached over 2,000 people at present.

Peres was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 9. He looks at this disability as strength to continually create innovative ways that would benefit him and other people live their personal and professional lives based on their own terms.

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iPhones 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max officially launched in Kenya

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Multinational technology company Apple through its Apple Appointed Independent Value Added Distributor for Africa Redington has launched the iPhones 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max in Kenya. The new generation of iPhones launched at the premier event in Nairobi, are the most powerful and most advanced iPhone models ever built.

The iPhones 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max come in 5.8” and 6.5” Super Retina XDR displays respectively and boast of all day battery life, the fastest chip in a smartphone, the brightest iPhone display yet and its most iconic feature; the all new triple camera system.

 L-R: Christine Judy – Marketing Manager East Africa, Redington Telco, Mr. Amit Bose – Regional Sales Head,Redington Telco,  Mr. Jacob Kimani – Sales Manager Kenya Redington Telco and Ms. Simran Saleh.

Speaking at the launch event, Amit Bose, Redington’s Regional Sales head Telco, East Africa noted that the event was to celebrate innovation and evolution adding that With Redington ‘it’s not just a Transaction, it’s a Journey, it’s a relation to Cherish for Life.’ ‘

“As you may have come to observe from our advent with Apple in Kenya as a Value-Added Distributor, we are always excited about our legacy and partnerships with you all, bringing Apple products that you love, and connecting you to the people that love them as well. We are here to make the products within your reach and ready to support thereafter. It is my pleasure to tell you that we are happy to continue delivering the unrivalled Apple customer experience to our partners and loyal customers,” said Amit.

The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max mark the latest additions to the iPhone family, now with amazing camera capabilities featuring a powerful new dual-camera system, Night mode, spatial audio, water and dust resistance, faster Face ID, wireless charging, all-day battery life, the highest quality video, Wi-Fi 6, six beautiful new colors and latest hardware accompanied with iOS 13.

“These are the first iPhone models to be christened “Pro”, and they, as you will experience truly live up to their name. Over the years, Apple has never put the “Pro” label on an iPhone the way it does with MacBooks and iPads. ‘Pro’ often means better processors and bigger displays. The iPhone 11 Pro and the 11 pro max has all that in display and processor plus a third telephoto camera that Shoots amazing videos and clicks photos with the Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto
options,” said Christine Judy Redington Marketing Manager.

Redington, through its Authorised Resellers now offer VAS – Value Added Services such as 24 month warranty of products, 1 year on free screen or liquid damage and the latest addition that offers affordability with a % deposit and easy monthly installment scheme.

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Goldenscape merges with Silverstone to enable investors own land

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Local agribusiness company Goldenscape has merged with Silverstone Property sellers to enable investors own land in addition to leasing greenhouses.

The offer will see investors own land in prime spots in major towns in Kenya by contributing 85 per cent of Sh500,000 capital of the home through roll over from their Agribusiness returns and pay in flexible instalments.
“We decided to merge the two projects owing to the demand we have from our clients, who have enjoyed returns from the green houses,” said Goldenscape Group chairman Peter Wangai.

The company plans to launch their agribusiness model of land ownership countrywide after a successful 100- acre pilot phase in Laikipia County which started in April last year. The move comes after the firm successfully rolled out the lease a greenhouse project where more than 500 investors took up the opportunity that has seen them earn more than Sh30 million from sale of horticultural produce grown in their leased greenhouses.

Apart from greenhouse management, the firm sells the groceries on behalf of the owners, partnering with more than 3,000 grocery stores to stock and sell the produce.

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Michael Joseph reveals how, why Safaricom landed on Peter Ndegwa as CEO

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Safaricom Interim Chief Executive Officer Michael Joseph has revealed how the telecommunication giant landed on Peter Ndegwa as the CEO of the company.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Citizen TV, Michael Joseph said the newly appointed CEO Peter Ndegwa was given the chance as a way of natural progression rather than giving in to demands.

Micheal Joseph was responding to questions from Citizen TV’s Yvone Okwara.

“I wouldn’t say we gave in to demands but becuase it is the right thing to do especially after 19 years of safaricom. By now a Kenyan should run the company,” he said.

Michael Joseph is a Kenyan-American businessman who was the founding CEO of Safaricom Limited, the largest telco in Kenya.

Currently, he is acting as the interim CEO after the death of former CEO Bob Collymore.

He is also the Chairman of Kenya Airways.

In the interview, Michael Joseph said it is true there has been pressure to get a Kenyan to replace Collymore.

There was pressure and it has always been there people asking why not a kenyan while others said why Kenyan and not just have the best person for the job,” he said.

He added, “This is the right time to define the right kenyan for the job”.

Micheal Joseph said Safaricom is not jus an ordinary company but has a specific DNA.

“It is not just about voice, data and SMS company but touches on financial services and impact communities in different corporate social resposbibilities. So this is a big company that touches on every facet of the Kenyan society.

Safaricom on Thursday announced that it had appointed Peter Ndegwa as the new Chief Executive Officer.

The Safaricom PLC Board of Directors in a statement Ndegwa’s appointment will take effect from April 1, 2020.

Ndegwa joins Safaricom from Diageo PLC where he is the Managing Director of Diageo Continental Europe.

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Safaricom introduces a NO EXPIRY DATE data bundles after being sued

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Telecommunication giants Safaricom have introduced a no expiry date on their data bundles after they were sued.

Safaricom on Wednesday morning got themselves in yet another data and airtime heist where Kenyans got a chance of stealing from them due to a technical problem.

In screenshots shared on social media after the heist that happened between 3:00am and 4:00am, safaricom has introduced the no expiry date on their data.

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A city-based lawyer on Tuesday filed a complaint against Safaricom ,Airtel and Telkom Kenya over high cost of data and expiry of unused data bundles.

In his complaint to the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal, Adrian Kamotho accused the three firms of unlawfully and irregularly depriving consumers of their unused data bundles.

Mr Kamotho said the firms have failed to provide an option to consumers to roll over unused data thus illegally depriving them of their property.

“The complainant is immensely aggrieved over the high cost of data and profoundly frustrated by the arbitrary expiry of hard earned data bundles…Expiring data bundles have become a thorn in the flesh of Kenyan mobile users. Despite charging an arm and a leg for data, the Respondents have been depriving off consumers, the right to quiet enjoyment of legitimately acquired data bundles,” Mr Kamotho said in his complaint.

Further, Mr Kamotho accused the telcos of discriminating against their consumers by charging them “out of bundle” rates that are different from normal bundle rates.

The lawyer wants consumers allowed to keep the data that they have purchased for as long as they remain active on the vendor’s network.

“Data should not have an expiry date until used up‚ as long as the SIM card is active and the consumer keeps recharging,” said Mr Kamotho.

Mr Kamotho said the data expiry model is unfair to the poor majority, who can buy low-amount bundles, which are designed to expire sooner than big bundles, which only the rich can afford.

He said requiring consumers to use their bundles within a given period is irrational, given the phenomenal deficiency in network coverage in various parts of the country.

He said the firms should send consumers reasonable depletion notifications to enable them to track usage.

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Patrick Njoroge: Central Bank Governor of the Year for Sub-Saharan Africa

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The Governor of Central Bank of Kenya Patrick Njoroge has been named the Central Bank Governor of the Year for Sub-Saharan Africa.

The annual award by GlobalMarkets magazine recognises exemplary individual effort by CBK managers across the world.

Njoroge was awarded for improvements in the banking sector in Kenya during his tenure and for helping the expansion of Kenya’s domestic capital markets.

”Njoroge has presided over a period of consolidation within the Kenyan banking sector that has helped clean up the country’s banks and vastly improve oversight over the sector. Banks have tightened their lending standards in response, thanks to the central bank’s oversight,” GlobalMarkets said.

In a statement to media houses, the apex bank said the award reinforces Njoroge’s high acclaim amongst central bank managers in the continent and globally, having scooped the same award in 2016.

While accepting the award, Njoroge recognised the work done by CBK staff, and pointed to the ongoing work in support of the innovation and green finance.

He dedicated the award to the youth of Africa.

Njoroge is serving his second term as CBK governor, having been reappointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta in June for another period of four years.

He has been on the forefront of fighting for the repeal of the interest capping law that was introduced in his early days in office in 2016.

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Sakaja files petition to have Mary Wambui’s appointment to NEA revoked

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja wants appointment of former Othaya MP Mary Wambui to the National Employment Authority (NEA) quashed.

The Senator says the the appointment goes against the provisions of Section 10(2) of the NEA act.

‘I have asked her to politely decline this appointment’, Sakaja said in a statement.

The appointment of Mary Wambui and many other old people brought to sharp focus the issue of youth unemployment since last week.

Sakaja believe that Mary Wambui is no fit for the position and can serve Kenyans ‘in a different capacity’.

‘Hon. Mary Wambui Munene is known to me, as we served together in the 1 1 th Parliament as well as having been a member of The National Alliance party which I chaired. I have confidence that she has the ability to serve Kenyans in a different capacity but not as the vision carrier and Chairperson of the National Employment Authority. I therefore urge her to politely decline this particular appointment’, he wrote.

The Senator went a step further to file a petition to have the appointment revoked.

‘I have further instructed my lawyers as well as those of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association to file a petition this morning seeking to quash this appointment. The respondents of this suit are The Cabinet Secretary of Labour, The Hon. Attorney General and Hon. Mary Wambui Munene’, the statement concluded.


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Atwoli sacked from NBK board

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has been relieved his duties as board member of the National Bank of Kenya (NBK) recently acquired by the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

According to a local publisher, KCB has announced the purging of the former board and appointed seven new directors who are expected to breathe a new lease of life into the previously troubled bank.

Atwoli who occupied one of the two seats reserved for the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) nominees represented workers’ interests in the lender.

Besides Atwoli, former NBK Chairman Mohammed Hassan, Mark Obuya and Joseph Kering have also been given the boot.

The new management has also done away with board seats reserved for treasury cabinet secretary and the managing trustee of the NSSF.

“Following the completion of all the regulatory processes for the takeover of National Bank of Kenya, changes have been made to the board of directors,” reads the public notice.

“The directors have voluntarily retired from the board to pave way for the smooth transition,” adds the notice.

In their stead, KCB has appointed  NBK chief executive Paul Russo, John Nyerere, Stanley Kamau, Jones Nzomo, Linnet Mirehane, Gen (Rtd.) Julius Karangi and KCB CEO Joshua Oigara.

“The new board will provide oversight over all the operations of National Bank in line with the overall KCB Group strategy,” adds the notice.

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You Can Now Bet With Sh1 Bob on Odibets

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

You heard right, with only Sh1 Kenyan shilling, you can now place your bet on Odibets and win up to Ksh1 million betting on sports. Nothing significant can be done with a shilling but the popular betting firm has given you a chance to become an instant Millionaire.

FREE bonuses and bets

To add the icing on the cake, Odibets offers free bonuses and bets for the first deposit you make after signing. The website has a free bet worth 30 bob to all new customers and 20 bob Odi League bet to get you started in the right direction.

Punters are lucky since the betting firm offers numerous free bonuses to customers daily. New customers get a refund of the Mpesa service fee charged on their first deposits on Odibets.

Bet “insurance”

Although Odibets religiously pays winners, it doesn’t neglect those customers who lose a bet. They have a bonus scheme targeting customers who lose a bet. If you lose the first bet of the day, you qualify for 30% cash back on your stake.

Friendly website

The Odibets website has been designed to work well on all devices especially mobile phones.  With the simple design, customers can navigate unlimited football bets, boxing, volleyball, basketball bets, tennis and other sports 24/7.

Boosted odds

This is a distinct feature on Odibets offers. If you’re looking for the biggest odds in Kenya, Odibets is the answer – providing up to 130 markets to bet upon. And if that’s not enough, Odibets also boosts your winnings. Every bet gets 10% more on each win, with simpler terms and conditions.

Odibets is one of the few betting websites that have been given leeway to operate. The website has the highest number of bet winners who stake small in Kenya. Don’t wait to try this betting website. Get your free bet by clicking here to join: https://odibets.com/freebet

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CBK Governor Reveals Amount of Money Recovered in Demonetisation Exercise

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Central Bank of Kenya Governor Dr Patrick Njoroge has revealed the amount of money in old Ksh 1000 the state was able to collect in the just concluded demonetisation exercise.

Speaking during a press conference at the CBK headquarters in Nairobi on Wednesday, Njoroge said that the State has collected 209.66 million old-generation Ksh1, 000 notes out of the 217 million pieces that were in circulation by September 30

Njoroge said that throughout the exercise that began on Madaraka Day, June 1, the State flagged 3, 172 suspicions transactions.

He noted that Kenya had two reasons which triggered the demonisation exercise.

“Demonetisation is done for a number of reasons. In Kenya, we did it for two reasons: the first one, was to deal with illicit financial flows in Kenya and other countries. The second reason was that we needed to deal with counterfeiting of the Kenyan currency; the bank note of choice was Ksh1, 000,” said Njoroge.

“We did not do that to destabilise your financial position,” he added.

The CBK chief said the regulator chose a 4-month window to wipe out the old-generation Ksh1, 000 notes so as to give Kenyans ample time to exchange the old money with new tender.

“There are two general approaches to demonitisation. The first one is what is called the shock approach, where you demonitise overnight. This happens where there is significant dislocations in the economy. The other approach is the gradual approach, which minimises disruptions to the economy and also enhance the effectiveness in addressing the objectives; in our case, it is corruption, money-laundering and tax evasion,” said Njoroge.

“There are some questions that Kenyans asked throughout the exercise: Some said: ‘was 4 months enough’? Others said: ‘Was 4 months too much? Maybe we should have done 2 months’. We had to strike a balance between being overly generous for the common mwananchi to allow them a lot of time to exchange the old money,” said Njoroge.

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Personal Systems Launches Apple Mono-Brand Store to Enhance Customer Experience

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Authorised Apple Reseller Personal Systems Limited, has launched its refurbished Apple products and accessories store situated at the Ground floor of the Yaya Centre, Nairobi. The refit, worth over USD 50,000(Ksh 5,000,000) was fully funded by Apple through Redington; the Apple Appointed Independent Value Added Distributor for Africa.

The refurbishment was occasioned by Apples’s continuous desire to enrich the customer experience in tandem with the industry’s fast changing trends. World over, Apple has a legendary focus on customer experience that Redington, in partnership with Apple Premium Resellers (APRs) and Authorised Apple Resellers (AARs) front to ensure every customer touch point (products, the website, ads, app store, and retail store) yield a consistent Apple experience.   

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Redington Marketing Manager Ms Christine Judy said that as a true Value Added Distributor (VAD) Redington not only offers top-notch pick, pack and ship services, but offer also programs and services that add value to the distributed products that increase their value or worth.

‘ Our job is to offer value addition to products we distribute, that is why the success of this project is a boost to our portfolio and a continuation of our splendid partnership with Apple. The refitting of this store to boost the Apple in store experience, Ladies and Gentlemen is one of the many assists we offer to our customers,’ she added.

According to Redington, this revamp is one of many more to come as Apple seeks to further position its products on pole position in Africa and on the world map. Established in 2009, Personal systems Limited’s refitted Yaya Centre store apart from celebrating its 10th year anniversary marked an evolutionary milestone as the premier refit store.

Personal Systems Managing Director Mr. Mahmood Khambiye while speaking at the launch noted that Mono-brand stores are the next big thing locally. He added that the approach, which allows customers to experience Apple’s computers and devices hands-on and receive knowledgeable advice from the highly trained technicians, was the future of brand marketing.

‘As a technician and an AAR since the year 1994, I can authoritatively tell you that this approach is set to revolutionize marketing trends for Apple products locally while at the same time offering world class Apple experience. The Apple experience is King, it is what drives us, it is why we strive to make sure our customers are catered to in a way only Apple can,’ said Mahmood.

The store’s new identity, according to Redington’s Christine Judy is much more than a renovation – it signifies new energy and new direction. It combines Apple’s core values and reflects a collective vision of taking Apple stores, products and services to the next level of growth and expansion.

‘ We are delighted to be partnering with Apple and our AARs on this journey, we look forward to many more of these refits. In addition, we are setting the pace, keeping up with innovation as we endeavor to cement Apples footprints locally,’ she added.

Apple stores world over command the most traffic, it is the reason Apple strives to maintain standards and offer premier Apple experience.

‘Our mission is to offer great customer experience, a wide variety of products and accessories but above all, when a customer walks into a store, they must feel wanted, welcome and appreciated, that is what this restore is all about; our customers,’ noted Personal System MD Mahmood Khambiye.

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Beware of Fake Notes as CBK Rolls Out New Currency

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The old Ksh 1000 notes are becoming obsolete at the end of this month, but do you still remember the features of the new currency?

Well, the Central Bank of Kenya has maintained the scheduled deadline and has warned the public of fake currency circulation ahead of the September 30 deadline it set earlier.

The public should remind themselves of the features of the new generation banknotes; their feel, look and tilt.

Let’s run our fingers over the note and feel the text ‘Kenya’, value and the edge where Sh50 notes have one bar, Sh100 (two), Sh200(three), Sh500 (four)and Sh1,000 have five bars.

Tilting the new banknote at an angle thus the security thread changes colour from red to green on all the banknotes.

The new currency however faces some hurdles after activist Okiya Omtatah filed a a petition to bar the roll out.

His verdict is expected from the High Court on September 27.

Chief Justice David Maraga appointed judges George Kanyi Kimondo, Anthony Charo Murima and Lady Justice Asenath Nyaboke Ongeri to handle the case.

Mr Omtatah accused the Central Bank of Kenya and its governor Patrick Njoroge of violating Article 231 (4) of the Constitution that prohibits the use of individual portraits in currency notes and coins.

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