Kenyaleo.co.ke

Author: David Bogonko Nyokang’i

  • Bahati MP Demonstrates Her passion for Education

    Bahati MP Demonstrates Her passion for Education

    Honorable Irene Njoki, the Member of Parliament for Bahati, continues to show her commitment to education. In an update regarding the NG-CDF (National Government-Constituency Development Fund) project, it was announced that the construction of classrooms at Kianda Primary School is 65% complete. Once finished, this project will alleviate the strain on the current infrastructure of the school.

    During a recent visit to the school, Honorable Irene Njoki, who serves as the Bahati NG-CDF patron, reaffirmed her vision to refurbish and construct necessary facilities in more schools across the constituency. This demonstrates her enthusiasm for improving the educational infrastructure within Bahati, aiming to create a conducive learning environment for the students.

    By prioritizing education and investing in school projects, Honorable Irene Njoki shows her dedication to the betterment of the educational system in the Bahati constituency, ultimately aiming to provide quality education to the students and contribute to their future success.

  • MCA’s Urged to prioritize the welfare of citizens and set aside threats

    MCA’s Urged to prioritize the welfare of citizens and set aside threats

    Hon. Caroline Wanjiku, a member of the County Assembly in Kirinyaga County, has called on her fellow MCAs to prioritize the welfare of the common citizen, known as “Wanjiku,” and set aside their threats. She criticized the MCAs’ pressure on the government, deeming it premature, and instead urged them to give the government time to fulfill its responsibilities.

    According to Hon. Wanjiku, since the current government is relatively new, it is important to allow it sufficient time to serve the citizens effectively. She suggested that instead of solely focusing on salary increments for MCAs, a more inclusive approach should be adopted. One such approach is increasing the allocation of bursaries.

    Honorable Wanjiku highlighted her personal experience in her ward, where she was only able to provide a meager Ksh 1,000 for bursaries to needy students. She compared this amount to a needle in a haystack, emphasizing the limited impact it had. She proposed that if the government could increase the county’s allocation, it would enable a broader reach and help more deserving students receive bursary assistance.

    In conclusion, Honorable Caroline Wanjiku urged her fellow MCAs to abandon their threats and concentrate on the well-being of the common citizens. She called for patience and a more inclusive approach, such as expanding the bursary program, to address the needs of the community effectively.

  • Parliamentary Sports Committee rescues musicians and comedians, Music society wins big after Hon Dan Wanyama interventions

    Parliamentary Sports Committee rescues musicians and comedians, Music society wins big after Hon Dan Wanyama interventions

    The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has today received its CMO operating license which was being held by the regulator contrary to the law and established procedures.

    The issuance of the license today Wednesday 17th May followed a directive by the Parliamentary Committee on Sports & Culture chaired by Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, who last week ordered KECOBO to unconditionally issue MCSK with the license and support enforcement to ensure that all users of copyrighted musical works paid the tariffs gazetted by Government for use of music in their businesses.

    MCSK CEO Dr. Ezekiel Mutua, during his submissions to the Parliamentary Committee last week, complained that the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) had frustrated his organisation’s efforts to effectively execute its mandate. He said that by refusing to issue MCSK with an Operating license and encouraging users not to pay for music belonging to MCSK members, KECOBO had become an impediment to the growth of the music industry.

    “KECOBO recalcitrant behaviour and sabotage has totally frustrated our efforts to serve our members effectively and efficiently. Most business premises across the country, public services vehicles and broadcasters have been exploiting our members’ works for free as KECOBO hides behind technicalities to deny us licenses,” he said, adding that compliance levels for the past five years have been below 10%.

    He said MCSK had not been able to effectively collect and distribute royalties to our members.

    But yesterday the MCSK team led by
    Its Chairman Mr. Lazarus Muli, Vice Chairman Joseph Shisia and Dr. Ezekiel Mutua met with KECOBO officials led by the Executive Director Edward Sigei following a directive by the Parliamentary Committee and agreed on a working relationship, paving way for the issuance of the License.

    Dr. Mutua thanked the Parliamentary Committee on Sports & Culture for its intervention and pledged his commitment to ensure that artists are effectively served by MCSK.

    “With the license and support of the Government, our members will soon be laughing all the say to the bank,” he said.

    The issuance of the CMO license to MCSK by KECOBO brings to an end the two-year tussle between MCSK and the regulator.

    The Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture chaired by Webuye West Member of Parliament Hon. Dan Wanyama had vowed to streamline the music industry by reviewing the Copyright Act and strengthening the CMOs.

    “CMOs are private companies and the Government should not appear in any way to micromanage them. The work of the Government should be to provide oversight and a conducive environment for CMOs to thrive as businesses so as to serve their members effectively. This is what we want to see,” said Mr. Wanyama.

    Dr. Mutua urged consumers of musical works to pay for the same. He said many musicians were facing serious financial strains because their music is used for free because the regulator had meddled with the CMO operations to the point of publicly telling businesses not to pay.

    Today’s meeting between MCSK and KECOBO signals a new era for uniting artists, streamlining operational and legislative framework for the CMOs, added Dr. Mutua.

  • Octagon Africa Receive Regulatory Nod for Tier II Pension Contributions Custodial

    Octagon Africa Receive Regulatory Nod for Tier II Pension Contributions Custodial

    Octagon Africa, a leading regional financial services provider with local operations in Kenya, has received approval from the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) to manage Tier II contributions from employers who opt out of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) through the Octagon Umbrella Retirement Benefits Scheme.

    The regulatory approval is in line with the NSSF Act, 2013, which was validated and declared constitutional by the Court of Appeal in Kenya in February 2023. The Act, in Section 21, provides an opt-out option for an occupational retirement benefits scheme,  an umbrella retirement benefits scheme and individual retirement benefits scheme that have been approved and registered by the RBA for purposes of receiving Tier II Contributions.

    Octagon Africa Group CEO Fred Waswa said that it would be prudent for employers to put  the Tier II contributions into a privately managed pension scheme such as the Octagon Umbrella Retirement Benefits Scheme which gives employers influence in the governance of the scheme through the Committees set up under the RBA Regulations.

    “We are delighted to receive regulatory approval from RBA to manage Tier II pension contributions. Our scheme is well managed, well administered, and able to give clients better returns. In addition, our processes are highly automated,” Mr. Waswa said.

    This landmark approval comes as the Kenyan government seeks to deepen and broaden the country’s pension industry, providing more options for Kenyan workers to save for their retirement.

    The pension contribution is set at 12% of the pensionable wages made up of two equal portions of 6% from the employee and 6% from the employer, subject to a total upper limit of Kshs 2,160 for employees earning above Kshs18,000 in the first year of implementation.

     

    Octagon Africa has a proven track record in providing pension fund administration and consultancy services since 2007 and currently manages over Kshs.100 billion in assets for over 200,000 customers. The company offers Employee Benefits Administration and Consultancy services.

    “We believe that our expertise in pension administration, coupled with our innovative solutions, enables us to provide our clients with a unique value proposition in the Tier II pension market,” Octagon Africa Commercial Director Florence Muchiri said.

    Octagon Africa is committed to ensuring that its clients receive the best financial advice and investment solutions at the most favorable and competitive rates, and this approval is a step in the right direction.

  • The 10th Annual East Africa Property Investment Summit Kicks off in Nairobi

    The 10th Annual East Africa Property Investment Summit Kicks off in Nairobi

    Real Estate investors in East Africa are upbeat about the opportunities within the region that have seen an increased interest in the sector.

    This was revealed during the 10th Annual East Africa Property Investment Summit Kicks that kicked off today in Nairobi.

    Absa Bank Kenya Managing Director, Abdi Mohammed noted that as East Africa continues to experience rapid urbanization, the demand for affordable housing will continue to soar.

    “There is also growing awareness of the importance of sustainable development with developers increasingly incorporating green technologies and sustainable building practices in their projects, meeting the growing demand for eco-friendly properties. Investors and developers who keep abreast of these trends and adapt their strategies accordingly are likely to succeed in this exciting and rapidly evolving market”, Mr. Abdi noted.

    Pricing Opportunities

     

    Additionally, the resilience and performance of the Light Industrial and Warehousing sector in the region provide a new frontier for investors to acquire new assets and increase returns in the short term. “While it is still in its infancy, A-grade industrial real estate in the region has shown outstanding performance potential to be able to weather any downturns expected,” said Donald Borthwick of London-listed Grit Real Estate Income Group.

    The region’s maturing sub-segments are also supporting allocations and strategy. These include retail, student housing and industrial which appear to exhibit a higher level of maturity than other regions in the continent except South Africa. “Nairobi’s position as the hub of East Africa has also enhanced occupier demand. So far, Kenya has seen a 9% increase quarter on quarter in the number of registered businesses in Q1 2023 resulting in 37,176 registrations in Q1 2023. Key occupiers in the financial services and tech sectors are continuing to drive demand in the commercial sector pointing to cautious optimism on the traditional real estate sectors as well.” Tilda Mwai, Research Associate at Estate Intel noted.

    Property analysts remain cautiously optimistic about middle-income residential, student housing, corporate accommodation and data centers, as well as performing retail and office sectors.

  • The Role Of Technology In Creating Personalized Home Appliances

    The Role Of Technology In Creating Personalized Home Appliances

    1.   What are some of the personalized home appliances created by Samsung technology?

     

    We have the Smart refrigerators, which are refrigerators that can be controlled and monitored remotely via smartphone apps. They feature touch screens that allow users to leave notes, make grocery lists, and check the weather forecast. We also have the Smart ovens. These are ovens that can be preheated, set to specific temperatures, and even turned off using a smartphone app. They also have built-in cameras that allow users to monitor the cooking process remotely. We can also add to the list the Smart washing machines which can be remotely controlled and monitored via a smartphone app. They also have features that allow users to customize their wash cycles, such as the water temperature, spin speed, and detergent levels and the Smart air conditioners. These are air conditioners that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app. They feature sensors that detect when people are in the room, and can adjust the temperature and fan speed accordingly. Lastly, we have the Smart vacuum cleaners that can be controlled and monitored via a smartphone app. They feature sensors that detect obstacles and adjust their cleaning patterns accordingly. Some of these products are not available locally but can be purchased on order at our various Samsung stores.

     

     

    2.   How does Samsung technology enable greater customization and control over household devices?

     

    Samsung technology enables greater customization and control over household devices through the use of smart home technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning algorithms. With Samsung’s smart home platform, SmartThings, users can control and monitor their Samsung appliances from their smartphones. This allows for greater convenience and flexibility, as users can adjust their appliances from anywhere and at any time. Furthermore, Samsung also utilizes AI and machine learning algorithms in their appliances to learn user behavior and preferences. This enables the appliances to personalize their functions based on the user’s habits and needs, such as automatically adjusting the temperature in a room or optimizing the washing cycle based on the type of clothes being washed. We also have Samsung appliances that are designed with sensors and internet connectivity, which allow them to gather data on their usage and performance. This data can be used to further personalize the appliance’s functions, predict and prevent malfunctions or breakdowns, and improve energy efficiency. Overall, Samsung technology enables greater customization and control over household devices by leveraging smart home technology, AI, machine learning, sensors, and internet connectivity.

     

    3.   What is the role of Samsung’s smart home platform, SmartThings, in creating personalized home appliances?

    SmartThings is a platform that connects Samsung’s smart home devices, allowing users to control and monitor them from a single smartphone app. This integration allows for greater customization and control over household appliances, as users can set up routines and automations to suit their needs and preferences. For example, with SmartThings, users can set up a routine that turns off all the lights in the house and locks the doors when they leave. These routines can be customized to fit each user’s lifestyle and preferences. SmartThings also allows for third-party devices to be integrated into the platform, further expanding the possibilities for personalization and customization. For example, users can integrate their smart locks, and even their car’s GPS system into the SmartThings app, creating a seamless and personalized smart home experience. The role of Samsung’s SmartThings platform in creating personalized home appliances is to enable seamless integration and control of Samsung’s smart home devices and third-party devices, providing users with greater customization and control over their household appliances.

     

     

    4.   What are some of the unique features of Samsung’s personalized home appliances, and how do they benefit consumers?

    Samsung’s personalized home appliances have several unique features that benefit consumers, and this includes the AI and machine learning algorithms which Samsung’s appliances are designed with. They learn from user behavior and preferences. This allows the appliances to personalize their functions based on the user’s habits and needs, providing a more customized experience. We also have sensor technology, whereby Samsung appliances feature sensors that can detect changes in the environment, such as temperature and humidity levels. This allows the appliances to adjust their functions accordingly, providing optimal performance and energy efficiency. Samsung’s appliances are connected to the internet, allowing users to control and monitor them from anywhere using their smartphone or tablet. This provides greater convenience and flexibility, allowing users to adjust their appliances on the go. Furthermore, some of Samsung’s appliances, such as their smart refrigerators, feature touchscreen displays that can be used to leave notes, make grocery lists, and even watch TV. This provides an added level of functionality and convenience. Overall, the unique features of Samsung’s personalized home appliances benefit consumers by providing a more customized and convenient experience, optimizing performance and energy efficiency, and making it easier to interact with their appliances.

     

    5.   How does Samsung utilize AI and machine learning in their personalized home appliances?

    Samsung utilizes AI and machine learning in their personalized home appliances to learn user behavior and preferences, and provide a more customized experience. With personalized settings, Samsung’s appliances can learn the user’s behavior patterns and preferences, and automatically adjust their settings to provide the best possible experience. For example, a washing machine may learn the user’s preferred water temperature, spin cycle, and detergent level, and adjust these settings automatically. Samsung’s appliances can also use machine learning algorithms to predict when maintenance is required, and even alert the user in advance. This helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and prolongs the life of the appliance. We also have a few Samsung appliances, such as their smart refrigerators, which feature voice recognition technology that can learn the user’s voice and provide a more personalized experience. For example, the refrigerator may learn the user’s voice and recognize when they ask for specific information, such as the weather or news updates. At Samsung, we try to be very energy efficient. That is why Samsung appliances can use machine learning to optimize energy consumption, reducing energy costs and minimizing their impact on the environment. For example, an air conditioner may learn the user’s habits and preferences, and automatically adjust the temperature and fan speed to minimize energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable environment.

     

    6.   How does Samsung ensure the security and privacy of their personalized home appliances?

    Samsung takes several measures to ensure the security and privacy of their personalized home appliances through secure communication. Samsung appliances use encrypted communication channels to ensure that user data is transmitted securely between the appliance and the cloud. This helps prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. There are regular software updates where Samsung appliances receive regular software updates that include security patches and bug fixes. This helps ensure that the appliance remains secure and up-to-date. To further ensure safety we have authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access the appliance and its data. For example, a smart lock may require a password or fingerprint scan to unlock the door.

    Lastly, Samsung has clear privacy policies that outline how user data is collected, used, and shared. They also provide users with control over their data, allowing them to delete or modify their data as needed

     

    7.   What are some future plans or innovations for Samsung’s personalized home appliances?

    At Samsung we are constantly working on new innovations and improvements for our personalized home appliances through enhanced connectivity of our appliances. We want to make it easier for users to control and monitor their appliances from anywhere and that is why we are improving our AI and machine learning algorithms by investing in technologies that will improve the personalization of our appliances to provide a more customized experience. As for being energy efficient, Samsung is working on developing more energy-efficient appliances that help users reduce their energy consumption and save money on their utility bills. They are exploring new technologies, such as solar power and advanced sensors, to improve energy efficiency. Samsung is committed to sustainability and is exploring new ways to use sustainable materials in their appliances. We are investing in research and development to find new materials that are eco-friendly and reduce the impact of our appliances on the environment. Our plans and innovations for our personalized home appliances demonstrate our commitment to improving the user experience and making our appliances more efficient, sustainable, and connected.

  • Bahati MP Makes it To Top 5 Position Countrywide

    Bahati MP Makes it To Top 5 Position Countrywide

    The Honorable Irene Njoki, has achieved the fifth position among the best-performing legislators in Kenya, according to Politrack Africa, an independent pollster. This recognition places her among the top-performing Members of Parliament in the country.

    The pollster determined the rankings based on a satisfaction ranking given by the constituents of each constituency on a scale of 1 to 10. The top position was secured by Kiharu Member of Parliament, Ndindi Nyoro, who received a 73.7% approval rating from his constituents. Hon. Babu Owino, the MP for Embakasi East, came in second place with a 72.1% approval rating. Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and Mavoko MP Patrick Makau tied for third place with a 70.6% approval rating. In a tie for fourth place, Kiminini MP Hon. Maurice Kakau and Westlands Member of Parliament, Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, both received a 69.8% approval rating.

    Despite being a first-time Member of Parliament, Hon. Irene Njoki achieved the fifth position, which is an impressive accomplishment. She is also the leading female Member of Parliament among the women MPs who made it to the top 20, alongside Lilian Gogo of Rangwe and Roza Buyu of Kisumu West.

    The constituents’ satisfaction ratings were based on several factors, including the management of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) kitty, bursary allocations, and initiation of development projects. The voters also considered how vocal and accessible their MPs were in addressing the issues that affected them.

    Hon. Irene Njoki is commended for her dedication, enthusiasm, charisma, and strong determination in fulfilling her duties. Her ultimate goal is to make Bahati the leading constituency in Kenya in terms of development and set a benchmark for other constituencies to follow.

  • Kenyatta National hospital officials appear before public investment committee on social services, administration and agriculture to respond to audit queries

    Kenyatta National hospital officials appear before public investment committee on social services, administration and agriculture to respond to audit queries

    Officials from the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) led by CEO Dr. Evanson N Kamuri were tasked to respond to tough questions raised by Members of the PIC-SSAA concerning the audit queries in the Auditor General’s report before the committee.

    Among the key concerns were issues regarding high number of unsettled debts owed by patients, unutilized leave for staff,among others.

    The outspoken CEO also highlighted the issues of land taken from KNH for the road and police hospital without compensation. The land was hived off for the link road with no compensation from KURA and also the police hospital land

    Dr. Evanson pleaded with the Committee to consider allocating more funds to the facility to enable them recruit more staff and sort the current challenge of under staffing. This, he noted, would ensure services are not interrupted when some employees proceed on leave.

    The legislators also sought to understand from the officials why the facility has a lot of unsettled debts owed by patients over the years. Members were also concerned on why the facility has been unable to follow up on the patients after they are discharged to ensure defaulters settle their bills.

    “The debt relates to patients who absconded from hospital before paying bills or entering into a formal credit arrangement with the facility,” explained Dr. Evanson.

    The CEO further explained that efforts have been made to follow up the debts through demand letters and short messages (SMS) using last known addresses for the patients. He added that the recovery of these debts has not been successful due to several factors among them, change of address by patients.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • SAMSUNG SMARTTHINGS FIND HITS NEW MILESTONE WITH 200 MILLION NODES HELPING FIND LOST DEVICES

    SAMSUNG SMARTTHINGS FIND HITS NEW MILESTONE WITH 200 MILLION NODES HELPING FIND LOST DEVICES

    Samsung Electronics announced that the SmartThings Find service has grown rapidly and now comprises more than 200 million find nodes working to help users locate their misplaced devices. Find nodes are devices that have been registered on the SmartThings Find service to help other Samsung Galaxy users to locate their lost devices.

    “We’re proud and excited to see the rapid growth of the SmartThings Find service. In less than two years, 200 million devices have opted in to help fellow Samsung Galaxy users find their misplaced devices making it one of the fastest growing services at Samsung,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ MX (Mobile eXperience) Business. “Losing a device can be stressful, but SmartThings Find makes it easier to quickly locate and recover your device. It’s just one example of how a connected ecosystem of devices creates meaningful experiences for Samsung Galaxy users all over the world.”

     

    As a rapidly growing location service, SmartThings Find enables Samsung Galaxy users to quickly locate registered Samsung Galaxy devices from smartphones, tablets, watches and earbuds to personal belongings such as keys or your wallet that have a Galaxy SmartTag or SmartTag+1 device attached. SmartThings Find leverages Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate your item. If your device is outside of your phone’s range, other nearby Samsung Galaxy users who have opted into SmartThings Find can help you locate it. If you grant SmartThings Find permission, SmartThings Find can also alert users that they have left their device behind.

    Ensuring the security of sensitive information like location data is a top priority for Samsung. SmartThings Find encrypts user data and keeps it protected by the defense-grade security platform, Samsung Knox. A device’s location data is only revealed to other people with the user’s permission and the ID of each user’s device changes every 15 minutes and is stored anonymously. SmartThings Find also helps users identify unknown SmartTags that follow them for a certain period of time.

     

    To find out more about SmartThings Find, visit SmartThings Find website.

     

     

     

    About SmartThings:

    SmartThings is the premier technology enabling connected living and driving the future of IoT. Its open platform already supports thousands of devices across hundreds of brands and offers endless possibilities to innovators and developers seeking seamless connectivity in a vast IoT ecosystem. The company is committed to bringing smart functionality and capabilities everywhere consumers want to be, while enhancing the user experience. There are currently millions of people in more than 200 countries accessing SmartThings technology daily to create automations and control facets of their smart homes via the SmartThings App and through a range of Samsung products such as phones, TVs and digital appliances. SmartThings offers the most flexible amount of protocols, including the new IoT standard, Matter. Launched in 2012, SmartThings is headquartered in Mountain View, CA and is a founding board member of Connectivity Standards Alliance, an organization of hundreds of companies creating, maintaining and delivering open, global standards for the IoT. For more information, please visit www.smartthings.com.

  • World Animal protection condemns the brutal Killing of six Lions in Kajiado County, Kenya

    World Animal protection condemns the brutal Killing of six Lions in Kajiado County, Kenya

    World Animal Protection is deeply saddened and appalled by the recent incident in which six lions from Amboseli National Park were cruelly killed following an alleged break-in at the nearby Nashipa village in Kajiado Sub-County. This tragic event comes just days after four other lions were killed, bringing the total number of lions killed in the Amboseli Ecosystem to a devastating ten (10).

    While we understand and empathize with the losses incurred by the community, we strongly condemn the cruel act of killing lions without considering alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. We appeal to the community to demonstrate compassion and respect towards wildlife. Furthermore, we urge them to refrain from invading wildlife territories, as habitat loss and depletion of natural food sources within the ecosystem may force wild animals to seek sustenance in nearby areas.

    This distressing incident serves as a stark reminder that wildlife have a right to a wild life and there can never be a peaceful coexistence between wild animals and humans if either keeps encroaching on the other’s ecosystem. To avert such tragic occurrences happening in future, we call upon the authorities tasked with the protection of wild animals to be proactive in safeguarding these magnificent creatures.

    World Animal Protection is committed to advocating for the welfare and protection of animals worldwide. We stand ready to collaborate with local communities, government authorities, and relevant stakeholders to promote sustainable practices that protect wildlife.