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Business

Finsco Land Sales On Court Radar, Again

by Mustafa Juma April 25, 2022

Kenyan companies linked to land sales in Kiambu County are again embroiled in controversy after a flagship property was accused of fraudulent dealings.

In court filings, Finsco Africa and Heri Homes are accused of selling land over which the heirs of a coffee farming dynasty are feuding.

The 200-acre parcel, marketed as Legacy Ridges, sits on Ruiru-Kamiti Road and is advertised as “affordability meets lifestyle”, with properties starting at Kshs 8.4 million.

Also known as Wamikey Estate Limited, the family property is allegedly being illegally sold off by Virginia Waithera, in collusion with Finsco Africa and Heri Homes, without the authorisation of other family members.

Waithera is the second wife of prominent Kiambu businessman David Ndua Thuo (deceased).

The children of Thuo’s first marriage to Alice Njeri moved to court to stop Waithera from managing Wamikey “without transparency to the rest of the family to the extent that she has sold and/or transferred shares and/or tampered with the registration of the property.”

“Waithera has entered into an illegal joint venture agreement with developers known as Heri Homes, Finsco Africa, who are developing the property belonging to the estate and have named the development Legacy Ridges,” said Godfrey Alfred Hinga, a son of the deceased businessman.

Following the launch of the real estate project at an event on 22 February 2022, Higa says he wrote to Waithera, Heri Homes and Finsco Africa, but they failed to respond to the letter.

In court filings, Hinga states that the land allegedly misappropriated for Legacy Ridges has a value of more than KES 1 billion and that the Wamikey Estate “as a whole risks being lost to scammers.”

“Virginia Waithera does not have any higher right than the other beneficiaries of the estate,” he states.
The court case risks snarling the Legacy Ridges development.

The woes of Finsco Africa and Heri Homes stretch across Kiambu County to another development, Riverline Ridges, now stalled due to court allegations of a fraud that pits heirs of Bernard Njinu Kiarie, a powerful Moi-era police chief, against each other.

According to court filings, Fisnco and Heri Homes have not purchased the 428 acres but are already selling the land to unsuspecting buyers without disclosing the lack of clear title.

April 25, 2022 0 comment

Business

Fly 748 to Showcase Affordable Flights, Accommodation Packages During 2022 Tourism Fair

by Mustafa Juma April 1, 2022

written by Mustafa Juma

748 Air Services (K) Ltd is set to showcase its new routes, air ticket deals and other tourism packages during during the five-day bi-annual Holiday 2022 Tourism Fair taking place at the Sarit Expo Centre this week.

This comes as momentum grows in air travel recovery.

During the five-day event, the airline will also be looking to connect face to face with current and prospective customers.

According to Fly 748 Managing Director Moses Mwangi, the airline will leverage on the opportunity to showcase its current affordable flight rates and accommodation packages and market its destinations across the country.

In a press statement issued on Friday April 1, 2022, Mwangi said the mouthwatering packages will give their customers unforgettable experiences without breaking the bank.

“The outlook for travel is positive both for domestic and International travel. In line with our vision of having all Kenyans fly, we will be showcasing our competitive ticket pricing and accommodation packages that will give our customers unforgettable experiences without breaking the bank,” said Mwangi.

The event kicked off on 30^th March and is expected to run until 3^rd April 2022.

It will offer the airline an opportunity to share industry insights with travelers to boost their confidence.

“We are slowly leaving the Covid-19 turbulence behind us as the pandemic become endemic, giving more people confidence to fly as economies also open up to boost disposable income,” said Fly 748 Chairman, Ahmed Jibril.

April 1, 2022 0 comment

Business

KFCB To Involve Industry in Regulation of Audiovisual Content

by Daily Trends March 30, 2022

written by Daily Trends

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has proposed new rules that will see the involvement of industry players in the examination and classification of content meant to air on their respective platforms.

According to the Co-Regulation Framework for broadcast, Video on Demand (VOD) and Over the Top (OTT) content, KFCB proposes to allow broadcasters, and online streaming service providers to classify 70 percent of audiovisual content on their platforms using the local film classification guidelines.

Under the proposed arrangement, KFCB will only classify 30 percent of the content meant for broadcast on traditional broadcasting and new media platforms. To ensure compliance, the local film and broadcast content regulator shall undertake regular audits on 70% of the self-classified content.

Broadcasters, VOD and Online streaming service platforms will be allowed to self-classify a predetermined proportion of audiovisual content intended to air on their respective platforms only after their staff undergo training on the KFCBs Film Classification Guidelines.

According to the proposed Framework, content broadcasters, VOD and OTT platform operators will be allowed to affix KFCB’s age-appropriate symbols on self-classified content.

Currently, the law requires KFCB to examine and classify audiovisual content meant for broadcast, distribution, and exhibition in the country. However, digitization and increase in the number of players in the broadcast sector has witnessed a proliferation of unclassified audio-visual content on broadcast, VOD, OTT and online streaming platforms.

The migration from analogue to digital TV transmission and the rapid increase and penetration of the internet has also resulted in an increase in content production and content distribution platforms, making it necessary for the regulator to rethink its regulatory processes and frameworks to cope up with market dynamics.

With the existing staffing levels, the film and broadcast content regulator, KFCB, cannot cope with the legal requirement to examine and classify all audiovisual content meant for broadcast, distribution and exhibition in the country.

Implementation of the proposed Framework is expected to lead to enhanced industry compliance with the Films and Stage Plays Act as well as ease the process of examination and classification for broadcasters, in light of the rapidly evolving market and technological dynamics.

The framework is also meant to facilitate an enabling regulatory environment for the broadcast sector which has come under intense competition from digital platforms, including VOD and online streaming services.

KFCB has published the framework on its website for public and stakeholder comments and input. The consultation closes next month on April 4.

The consultation document can be accessed on https://kfcb.go.ke/policies

March 30, 2022 0 comment

Business

In Whose Hands Are Our Wives Safe At Work? Man Exposes 3 Co-op Bank Bosses For Chewing His Wife Like Nobody’s Business

by Daily Trends March 9, 2022

written by Daily Trends

A Nairobi man has gone viral on social media for writing an official complaint to Co-operative bank of Kenya that his wife has been sleeping with the bank’s three top officials.

The man called Samuel T Mwangi claims that his wife identified as Caroline Wanjiku, who works at Cooperative Bank Westlands Branch, is cheating on him with her office colleagues and as a result, he wants her to be transferred from the branch.

Surprisingly, this has been happening for over a year, and the man just played cool so that he can gather enough evidence.

He wrote a letter to the bank’s Human Resource Officer and presented evidence in PDF form to prove that his wife is having sexual affairs with her office colleagues.

He titled his letter “OFFICAL COMPLAINT-SEXUAL AFFAIR AND INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIPS”.

His evidence included MPESA transactions, CCTV footages and google maps that placed the accused senior officials at the bank at the alleged scenes.

He revealed that his wife even had sex with one of her colleagues in the car along Thika Road.

He goes on to argue that one of the bosses at the bank’s Westlands branch has been blocking his wife’s numerous transfers.

Here’s the evidence that he presented to the HR manager in PDF form and left his wife badly exposed.

March 9, 2022 0 comment

Business

Edward Mwasi Accused of Mismanaging Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board

by Mustafa Juma March 8, 2022

written by Mustafa Juma

Heads of government bodies are gradually attempting to extend their tenures when not working with sidekicks to get ‘some work’ once they get out of office.

Remember the case of Ezekiel Mutua when he was CEO at Kenya Film and Classification Board?

The man Kenyans nicknamed ‘Deputy Jesus Christ’ for playing moral police with content on television, allegedly tried arm-twisting the Board to extend his term in 2021?

In a letter to ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru in July 2021, the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) said Mutua, had planned to extend his term in office, to serve a third term at the helm of KFCB.

He however dismissed the allegation terming it as sideshows. “I’m concentrating on my responsibility of protecting children from harmful content and I have no time for sideshows,” Mutua said, then.

More than that, the ‘Deputy Jesus’ was also accused by the Auditor General Nancy Gathungu of overpaying his salary by Sh3.1 million in 2020 without approval from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

A similar script could be playing out at the Kenya Year Book Editorial Board where the leadership of CEO, Edward Mwasi, is being questioned in some quarters.

Allegations against Mwasi include planning to plant stooges like Peter Okong’o as his possible successor.

Okong’o, who was laid off from mainstream media houses like The Standard over issues related to performance, was hired while another employee (with a Masters Degree) was laid off and has since taken legal action.

Other disgruntled parties who have threatened legal action include contracted writers like Francis Mwaniki, previously an experienced Revise Editor at the Daily Nation.

Mwaniki engaged lawyers over payments for editorial work done for the Kenya Year Book.

Furthermore,Mwasi hoodwinked Information Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru into appointing Wilson Kipkazi “a perennial member of many government boards” into the Board of Kenya Year Book despite having served his full term!

The move was illegal, and George Opiyo, a former hired insider has threatened to take legal action over the matter.

Other murmurs of discontent revolve around arm-twisting the procurement department into favouring specific service providers in publishing books.

Then there are some money-wasting and kickback-inspired projects meant to showcase milestones of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big 4 Agenda.

But the books being churned out by Kenya Year Book feature scanty research and are little more than an “internet compilation of other government reports.”

A source from the ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs said; “Mwasi has created power structures within and outside the organization through which he fights employees and consultants perceived to know the end result of his machinations. Moreover, the Year Book has nothing other than some compilation of other government reports.”

The quality of content in this year’s Kenya Year Book, for one, has been singled out as being below par.

The 2021 Kenya Year Book, which is meant to summarize progress and opportunities in different key sectors of our country, is nothing but 300 pages of photos most of them downloaded from the internet!

It compares poorly to other Kenya Year Books before he took over as CEO.

Basically, the 2021 Kenya Year Book is nothing but a series of photos with deep captions!

March 8, 2022 0 comment

Business

Building Technology That Will See You Reduce Cost of Building by 50%

by Mustafa Juma February 22, 2022

written by Mustafa Juma

PRESS MACHINE MAKES 500 BLOCKS
Make strong concrete paving blocks of different designs with Makiga Paving Block Moulds
Makiga Engineering brings you the most affordable and durable soil blocks in the Kenyan market.

Interlocking soil blocks are a growing trend in the construction sector as they can help you cut approximately half of the total building cost.

Did I hear you ask how? bit.ly/3s6g1c4

1. When you buy a Makiga interlocking block pressing machine you get up to 25% off.

This eco-friendly machine is capable of making upto 500 blocks in a single day.Interlocking Stabilized Soil blocks (ISSBs) technology is able to cut cost of construction by upto 50% as compared to masonry blocks.

In the process of making ISSBs you are required to stabilize the soil with the help of cement in the appropriate ratios depending on the type of soil.

From a 50kg bag of cement you expect 100-150 blocks!!

Curing is done by watering the blocks for 7 days then dry curing for another 7 days.

After the Eco-friendly, solid concrete blocks are cured, they will be able to withstand rain without weathering.

2. In just 14 days your blocks will be ready to use.

This is by far the most affordable and sustainable method of building a house in Kenya.
Since Cement is used sparingly this also makes Makiga interlocking blocks the most affordable blocks/house materials in the Kenyan market.

3. How about making alternative income after building your house or pavements?

The machine can also be used to start a business.

The machines offer an alternative way to make money.

Makiga also offer a wide range of machines from;Curved Interlocking Soil Block Press Machine,Wide interlocking Soil Block Press Machine, Briquette machines among a wide range of eco-friendly products that can be found on https://makiga-engineering.com/

These machines can help you propel your construction business to the next level.

4. Makiga engineering are by far the leaders of innovative products in the construction/building technology

Some of their famous machines include:

Press Machine Blocks
Interlocking Block Press Machine
Non-Interlocking Soil Block Machine
Curved Interlocking Soil Block Press Machine
Wide Interlocking Soil Block Press Machine
Curved Interlocking Soil Block Press Machine
Diesel Engine Hydraulic Block Press Machine

Just to name a few of their bestsellers.
BUild Smart!! Build the Makiga WAY !!

February 22, 2022 0 comment

Business

Advantages of Using a CarCan

by Evans Terer February 18, 2022

written by Evans Terer

Having a litter bag in your can is necessary for keeping the car clean. That’s why a CarCan is handy in avoiding littering in cars.

Read on to learn the advantages of using a Car Garbage Can.

Advantages of using a CarCan

Carcan allows car users to keep their cars clean and well organized.

Used plastic bags litters cars and the environment at large. Thus, these bags are environmentally friendly.
Gifting friends and family is made easy.

You can order these garbage bags and surprise them.

Car Garbage Can can also be used as storage bags by car owners. Having a storage bag in the car keeps the car neat.

Also, they’ve four big pockets to enhance the storage experience.

They’re reusable, washable, and waterproof. Once you’ve used the bag, you can wash it and reuse it later.

In case of rain or contact with water, you’re safe knowing it won’t leak.

They hang easily on the car seat and don’t interfere with space for a headrest.

They’ve got a slight push button to close them. Avoiding foul smells emanating from the bag is easy. Also, opening the bag is simple.

Customer service staff handle their customers well. They answer customers’ questions quickly and guide customers to order the bags.

Communication between the customer ordering and receiving the bag flows effortlessly. The process of ordering the bags online is simple.

Lastly, the bags are easy to assemble.

Car Garbage Cans provide a place to litter inside your car. Keep your car clean. Order online your CarCan today.

I will suggest to you this beautiful site https://carcan.com/ which has the best carcans which are Washable, Resusable and Environment Friendly.

February 18, 2022 0 comment

Business

Fly 748 Signs Deal With Team Tri Fit To Foster Triathlon in Kenya

by Mustafa Juma February 16, 2022

written by Mustafa Juma

Fly 748, the Kenya’s leading airline Wednesday February 16, 2022 entered deal with Team Tri Fit (TTF), a dynamic endurance sporting group that brings together amateur and professional athletes who have a desire to compete and nurture the triathlon, with an aim of growing the sport in the country.

Through a press statement sent to newsrooms, the airline announced that the partnership agreement will offer subsidized air-tickets to TTF members and participants who will take part in upcoming triathlon events.

This starts with the TTF Chale Island Triathlon Challenge scheduled to take place in Diani, Kwale County later in May.

“We are delighted to partner with Team Tri Fit for their Chale Island Triathlon Challenge slated for the 29th May 2022 in Diani, Kwale County as we continue to make a significant contribution to development of sports in the country,” said Fly 748 Schedule Services Manager, Alijan Merdin.

TTF, the 65-membership sporting group seeks to develop triathlon and duathlon and increase uptake of its activities amongst Kenyans to 700 participants by 2025.

The group also seeks to “Increase investment in triathlon sports in Kenya through public and private partnerships by 50 percent by 2025.As a result, I call upon stakeholders to support our efforts in promoting and growing triathlon in Kenya,” said Michael Orwa, Team Manager,TTF.

This partnership is in line with the airlines strategy of revolutionizing air travel in the country to enable more Kenyans take it to the sky through competitive pricing.

The partnership comes barely a month after the airline sponsored the Kenya Police Football Club to the tune of KSh 6 Million.

The partnership was sealed at TTF Offices located at the Court Yard in Lavington.

February 16, 2022 0 comment

Business

How To Buy A House

by Adelide Kamau January 25, 2022

written by Adelide Kamau

Buying a house can seem like a difficult task- it may cost you expensively and emotionally.

However, careful research coupled with determination can earn you your dream house during the pandemic.

But before deciding to buy, you should first consider if homeownership is appropriate for you.

Renting or buying?

When looking for a place to live, the first question you ask yourself will help determine your decision-making process.

Buying may look good since you will end the increasing rent and can build equity.

But the routine maintenance and repairs can drain your bank account. However, renting or buying depends on your needs.

The following are the basic conditions you should consider before buying a house:

How long do you plan to stay there?
How much can you afford?
What’s on the market?
Current market price

This means that as a buyer, you should be ready to make several offers and know that you may need to pay more than a home is listed for.

If you still can’t decide whether buying is appropriate for you, you can calculate your payments at https://www.mortgagecalculator.uk/ to understand more about differences in expenses.

If your lifestyle and the hard numbers converge towards buying, then the next step is to determine how much home you can afford.

The above site provide additional calculators which have features like estimating mortgage affordability based on income, you can check this at https://www.mortgagecalculator.uk/affordability/ among others.

How Much Can I Spend On A Home?

To determine how much you can spend, you should consider your budget. Check your bank statements and spending habits for the last several months to determine how much you spend.

Due to this pandemic, homeownership has become more affordable.

Interest rates on mortgages and near record-low territory are approximately three percent. Once you clearly understand your spending habits, consider how much you want to spend on a monthly home payment.

The amount includes your interest, principal, tax, and insurance payment, which add to your monthly mortgage sum.

However, you should note that buying a home involves additional one-time payments that can easily add up, including closing costs, legal fees, and other expenses related to buying.

There are also other payments such as moving or home improvement fees. The pandemic has also caused the financial stakes on the costs for new homeowners to rise.

This is because real estate is competitive; in a bid to get a boost, many buyers have opted to waive contingencies to have their offers accepted.

Plan your finances

If you have decided to buy, attend workshops, open houses and ask questions to real estate agents, take time to ensure your finances are in order. Other factors that may help include:

Check your credit score
Decide Digital or analog
Obtain a mortgage preapproval
Prepare cash
How Do I Search for The New Home?
Check the neighborhood
Compare between different places or homes.
Visit the site of the chosen house

Conclusion

Even if you decide to begin your journey on a home search to check the existing properties, you may end up deciding to build to get exactly what you want. Also, you may plan to build but later realize an existing home was better. Therefore, seek the help of a qualified professional to ensure the process goes on smoothly.

Citation: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/realestate/how-to-buy-a-house

January 25, 2022 0 comment

Business

Why You Should Try Out Chippin Online Store

by Ian Gitau January 10, 2022

written by Ian Gitau

Hello guys, I want to recommend to you this online store here in the US, I found it very easy to use, reliable, reasonable prices, faster delivery services and amazing offers. I bought food for my dog from them and the products are amazing and cheaper compared to other online stores.

Click this link https://chippinpet.com and buy your favourite product now.

Chippin provides delicious, planet-friendly food for our pets.

https://www.greatpetcare.com/wellness/spirulina-for-dogs/
All their products consume 80%+ less resources than the status quo options. Proteins(Silver carp,cricket,spirulina) ars hypoallergenic and scientifically shown to be more digestible than chicken.
Their Packaging contains recycled plastic and is certified plastic neutral.
Carbon Neutral Shipping

I’m giving them Five star because I think they worth it.

January 10, 2022 0 comment

Business

Optiven Compensates All Customers Affected In Its Kilimo Tujijenge project

by Mustafa Juma January 9, 2022

written by Mustafa Juma

Optiven Ltd took the initiative to compensate all customers who bought greenhouses at the Kilimo Tujijenge project, after the partner who had been paid to do this reneged on executing their part of the deal.

Soon after 2017, it became clear to Optiven that SME Resource Centre Ltd and its CEO Josephine Gathoni aka June Gathoni were bent on not delivering what they had promised. Optiven took a quick step to report this entity and its director to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), upon which a criminal case has been ongoing for the last 4 years at the Kiambu Law Courts. Optiven and several Kilimo customers are state witnesses against SME Resource Centre and Josephine Gathoni in this ongoing case.

Optiven is a caring partner; so pending the determination of this ongoing case, Optiven begun refunding all affected customers through a cushioning Risk Sharing Initiative. Under this Initiative, Optiven has refunded most of the affected customers’ funds that were directly paid to SME Resource Centre for greenhouses. This underlines the fact that OPTIVEN CARES and is a RELIABLE PARTNER.

Customers have either been refunded cash or swapped the amount that they had lost through SME Resource Centre with new plot/s of land across the various projects owned by www.optiven.co.ke or offset any outstanding balances on plots they are already servicing.

The Kilimo Tujijenge Project, which was to begin in 2017 in Kajiado County, was a partnership between Optiven and SME Resource Centre and was aimed at enabling customers who were to come on board to venture into agribusiness through a greenhouse farming model.

Optiven was to provide the land and value additions such as drilling of boreholes and piping water into every plot, which it did successfully.

SME Resource Centre on the other hand was to install and manage the greenhouses on behalf of customers in addition to marketing the produce. Customers were to get directly paid by SME Resource Centre after all the harvested produce had been sold and expenses deducted.

SME Resource Centre however reneged on its contractual obligations, which saw customers lose on their investments.

Optiven believes in the empowerment of its customers and opted this route as a positive outcome from the ongoing criminal case is hopefully awaited.

Meanwhile, Optiven is alive to the fact that there are a few customers who were affected by this reneged execution by SME Resource Centre, and who opted not to take up the offered cushion, but opted to seek for their compensation through a court process. Optiven will await the outcome of this case that is pending at the Kajiado Law Courts and commits to fully respect and follow the ultimate outcome of this matter when and once concluded.

Optiven Leadership takes this opportunity to apologize to the customers who got affected by this venture. We VALUE you and this is the reason why we opted to do a refund of the cash paid for those greenhouses that did not materialize.

In case you paid for your greenhouse and you have not gotten your refund maybe due to change of your contact or for any other inadvertent technicality, call this number for your refund 0790 300 300 or send an email to customerservice@optiven.co.ke for immediate action.

For those who would like to invest with Optiven, check on our unique properties on www.optiven.co.ke and enjoy our 21 years of experience in empowering current and prospective property owners.

For all philanthropic community support, kindly visit Optiven Foundation page; www.optivenfoundation.org

OPTIVEN VALUES YOU.

January 9, 2022 0 comment

Business

How Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements Have Affected International Travel

by Mustafa Juma December 10, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a serious respiratory viral infection caused by a novel coronavirus named SARS-COV2 whose outbreak started in Wuhan City, Hubei Province in mainland China and has since spread globally has remained to be a thread to the entire world.

To offer a life-saving protection against the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists around the globe have worked so hard to come up with Covid-19 vaccines.

Despite the record speed at which they have been developed, COVID-19 vaccines have still been subject to the same checks, balances, and scientific and regulatory rigour as any other vaccine, and shown to be safe.

So far, the vaccines have been spread across the world, with African countries receiving donations from developed nations.

Kenya is among the countries that have been receiving the Covid-19 vaccines from donors around the world, and the country targets to vaccinate a large population by next year.

So far, Kenya has only managed to vaccinate a smaller percentage of her populations, with citizens being encouraged to come out in large numbers and get vaccinated.

However, the vaccination is currently among the requirements of international travels.

According to studies, fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.

However, international travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some COVID-19 variants.

To avoid such issues, many countries have denied entry to visitors who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 pandemic.

In November 2021, Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced that only people who have got both shots of the vaccines, such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna or the single shot Janssen jab will be able to access government services or travel across the country.

According to the health minister, all travellers to Kenya will have to carry a Covid-19 vaccine certificate.

After the announcement, Kenya joined Spain, Iran, Italy, Denmark, Israel and Germany in imposing such strict measures in the fight against the virus.

Kagwe said that visitors, tourists, travellers from the European region must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination before they enter Kenya.

But how is someone considered fully vaccinated?

Well, for you to be considered fully vaccinated, you have to meet the following conditions.

You will be considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose vaccine
Two weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series
Two weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial
Two weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of a Novavax (or Covovax) COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a phase 3 clinical trial
Two weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

The United States of America has also advised U.S Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants not travel internationally until they are fully vaccinated.

In case they travel, they have also been advised to always check their destination’s COVID-19 situation and travel requirements before traveling since countries may have their own entry and exit requirements.

When you travel to the United States by air, you are also required to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before you board your flight. You have been exposed to COVID-19, unless you are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

People have also been discouraged to travel if they are sick or tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t ended isolation (even if you are fully vaccinated).

You are also advised not to travel if you are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test. This is because the results may come back positive while you are at your destination. This means you will need to isolate and postpone your return until it is safe for you to end isolation.

December 10, 2021 0 comment

Business

The Tanzanian pocketing 70% of South Sudan taxes

by Mustafa Juma December 5, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

The South Sudan government is nearly grinding into a halt after it emerged that 70% of the tax collected doesn’t go into government coffers but is siphoned away by none other than the man incharge of South Sudan Tax agency, a Tanzanian Patrick K Mugoya.

The Tanzanian who got the job last year, immediately formed a cartel that siphons money with martial precision, a fate that has even amazed some of the most corrupt South Sudan leaders.

Patrick K. Mugoya, a Tanzanian national was hired in 2020 as National Revenue Authority Commissioner General to help the government of realise effective tax collection and custom administration under a contract funded by the Africa Development Bank

On assuming the office, Patrick landed in the hand of cartels who have always been stealing taxes.

The South Sudan national intelligence agency estimates the money lost in the past 18 months Mugoya has been at helm is at at least USD 240 million.

According to intelligence briefs that was shared with Africa Development Bank six months ago and yet no action has been taken against their employee draining South Sudan government coffers, notably one officer, Mugoya’s deputy Lino Ajang Ajang was the one who recruited the New commissioner General into the cartel, but it is Mugoya who professionalised it to international standards that has even shocked the most corrupt people in South Sudan government, Mugoya began to collect taxes directly from tax payers and transport it by air, using private plane tail number UJF428 to Uganda with the help of Lino Ajang Ajang. At one time Ajang had to carry 3 million dollars in a bag up to Tanzania where is was received by Mugoya’s three children.

Intelligence from South Sudan intelligence agency reveal other members of this cartel include: Deputy Commissioner General of NRA Hon. Africano Mande who joint the cartel after Realizing that he couldn’t stop them. He opened various accounts in the name of NRA in commercial banks who’s collection do not go to government coffers. We have the account numbers and the amounts that have passed through the said accounts, information that was shared to Africa Development Bank.

He turned NRA to spending agency for him to siphon money out through projects and purchase of nonessential things.

The other person in the cartel is Gen. Akol Ayii, the Director General of South Sudan Custom. He is well connected with the first family who protect him from being remove from the office. Gen. Akol takes away 70% of custom duty tax at various border point and juba airport which he shares with other powerful individuals inside the system.

Hussain Abdelbagi Ayii, the Vice-president in charge of services cluster. This VP is one of Lino Ajang Ajang pillars. He is said to be building a powerful Islamic movement in South Sudan in which Ajang Ajang is helping him mobilise funds from government taxes.

The cartel include many people from Domestic Tax Division where Mr Ajang Ajang is a patron.

Unknown to the Africa Development Bank, the person they are paying salary has forgotten expertise role he was hired for/ sourced to come and play, he indulged himself in deadly financial fraud, taking advantage of lack of oversight of his performance.

December 5, 2021 0 comment

Business

The Nairobi West Hospital Unveils 24-Hour Customized Helipad To Bolster Medical Emergency Services

by Mustafa Juma November 24, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

The Nairobi West Hospital has unveiled a 24-hour customized helipad to bolster medical emergency services.

Founded in the1980s with a view of offering excellent care to millions of patients from all walks of life, the facility’s unveiling of the helipad targets a growing local and international demand.

This will boost the hospitals ability to respond to medical emergencies by facilitating air evacuations in the country and across the East Africa region.

According to the Nairobi West Hospital chief medical officer, Dr. Andrew Gachie, the lifesaving resource will speed up access to medical services especially for critically ill patients.

“Each minute will now henceforth make a huge difference in our patients lives. The new helipad will speed up the time incurred transferring critically ill patients to the Hospital, giving them the very best chance of survival,” Dr. Gachie said.

He added that the facility will also cure the challenge of navigating traffic that has been a major headache in medical emergency evacuation especially for ground ambulances that normally waste hours of crucial time.

“We are now moving away from the ground to a more efficient air medical emergency evacuation regime,” Dr Gachie added.

The 50.5 meters-high helipad that is perched atop its 17 story- modern medical facility is designed to give patients quick access to crucial care in cases involving trauma, critical care, surgery, high-risk birthing and premature new-born critical care.

The Helipad has been designed and built to Joint Commission International standards with a capacity to hold up to eight tonnes.
A trauma bay has been developed below the helipad to handle critical events during the emergency evacuations.

The Hospital has expanded into a center offering general and specialized services to clients both locally and from the East African region, since it was founded.

The helipad will be a shot in the arm for the hospital forays into medical tourism bouyed by its solid reputation in the fields of cancer management, Accident & Emergency and transplants.

“We now have the right modern medical facilities that can offer a record 2-5 minutes treatment of critical illnesses. We are changing management of cancer in the country and across the region,” Dr Gachie said.

Through partnerships with Turkish and Indian firms, the hospital intends to offer packages of cancer treatments including bone marrow transplant.

The hospital has a state of the art laboratories, 78-bed ICU facility and six operational theatres that will see the start of organ transplant over the next two months.

Dr. Gachie noted the latest development will be a great addition to the hospitals infrastructural developments.

November 24, 2021 0 comment

Business

Fly 748 Announces Changes In Flight Schedules, Increases Frequency To Mombasa

by Mustafa Juma November 17, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

With just a few days remaining to this year’s festive season, renowned airline 748 Air Services has increased its flight frequency to coastal towns of Mombasa and Ukunda.

In the changes announced on Wednesday November 17, 2021, the airline said this is part of its plans to strengthen its presence in key domestic routes as the peak season approaches.

Fly 748 will adjust departure and arrival times to Mombasa and Ukunda as from December 1, 2021.

According to the airline’s Managing Director Moses Mwangi, the number of people traveling for leisure to the Kenyan Coast has increased as a result of lifting of the curfew and more people getting vaccinated.

The carrier has introduced a third midday frequency to Mombasa, making it three daily flights to the destination.

Consequently, departure and arrival times for flights in this route have changed. The first flight from JKIA will now depart from 9.00 AM and arrive at Moi International Airport by 10.00 Am.

The midday flight will depart from JKIA at 1.00p.m and return from Moi International Airport at 3.00 p.m. The evening flight to Mombasa will leave at 5.00 p.m and depart from Moi International Airport at 7.00 p.m.

For Ukunda route, a morning frequency has been introduced for travellers with the flight departing from JKIA at 8.30 am.

748 Air Services Chairman Ahmed Jibril said that for the airline to meet demand during peak tourism season and ensure their customers continue to seamlessly get the best service with no delays, they have added 2 Dash 8-Q400s to our fleet.

The newly acquired 2 Bombardier Dash 8 – Q400 aircraft will cater to the anticipated surge in customer numbers on these routes over the coming festive season.

Daily flights to Kisumu have been reduced to one afternoon frequency.

November 17, 2021 0 comment

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