Kenyaleo.co.ke

Author: David Bogonko Nyokang’i

  • Outrage over Kirinyaga rep attack as legislators demand swift action against perpetrators

    Members of the National Assembly have expressed their outrage over the attack on Kirinyaga Woman Representative Hon. Jane Njeri Maina denouncing it as an act of cowardice and a regrettably primitive manifestation within contemporary political discourse.

    Demanding immediate and decisive action, the legislators have called upon investigative agencies to promptly apprehend not only the assailants but also those who potentially orchestrated and financed the inexcusable attack.

    The assault occurred at the Kerugoya Police Station, where clashes between two factions representing opposing political interests transpired, leaving Honorable Jane Njeri Maina severely injured and grappling with significant head injuries.

    Jane Njeri Maina, an accomplished lawyer, had accompanied her client, Baragwi MCA David Mathenge, to the station to provide a statement in relation to allegations involving the vandalism of a county government water project at Mukandu-ini village the previous week.

    Taking to the floor of the House on Tuesday afternoon, the legislators, led by Minority Leader Hon. Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) asked the investigative bodies to expedite the apprehension of the culprits and their financiers.

    “We must condemn violence in all its shapes and forms. Violence is violence whether it happens in Kondele or it happens in Kirinyaga County,” declared Hon. Wandayi.

    He further asserted, “These atrocities which have been meted against our colleague Njeri Maina by allegedly the county governor of Kirinyaga or her agents need to be investigated very expeditious and stern action taken against the financiers, and the perpetrators of this heinous act,” he added.

    Echoing Hon.Wandayi’s sentiments, Manyatta MP Hon. John Mukunji Gitonga condemned the attack and called on the Inspector of Police Japheth Koome to probe the incident and report to parliament what transpired.

    “We want to see anybody who has been involved and even for those who mobilized for Honourable Njeri to be attacked, brought to book and put behind bars,” said Hon. Mukunji.

    On her part, Embu Woman representative Hon. Pamela Njoki called upon the security agencies to ensure the safety and security of parliamentarians, irrespective of their political affiliations.

    “We must receive the security commensurate with our positions. It is utterly archaic for any individual, regardless of their mental state, to target and harm a defenseless woman,” expressed Pamela, as she fervently urged for the apprehension of the perpetrators.

    Kisii County MP Hon. Dorice Donya Aburi, who brought the matter to the Assembly’s attention, implored her fellow representatives to unite in condemning this act of violence visited upon one of their own.

    She underscored that this condemnable incident could potentially befall any of them, and without a collective stand, they might find themselves defenseless in such circumstances.

    The legislators who addressed Journalists in Parliament buildings said that regardless of who is right or wrong the use of goons is unacceptable with the law enforcers required to take action and arrest those who are culpable for the attack on Njeri whom they described as a vibrant politician.

    Kisii County MP also said.

    “Woman Representatives have been elected to serve entire counties just like Governors and Senators, we are telling them not to feel threatened whenever we move around to serve our electorate who also put them into office, violence is uncalled for and should not be tolerated against any leader,” said Aburi.

  • El niño climate phenomenon will likely bring heavy rains across the greater horn of Africa in Oct-Dec 2023

    El niño climate phenomenon will likely bring heavy rains across the greater horn of Africa in Oct-Dec 2023

    IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) announced that the October to December 2023 climate forecast shows high chances of wetter-than-usual conditions across most parts of the Greater Horn of Africa. Notably, there is an exceptionally high probability (>80%) of experiencing wetter-than-usual rainfall in southern Ethiopia, eastern Kenya, and southern Somalia. On the other hand, probabilities indicate drier-than-usual conditions for isolated areas of southwestern Uganda and southwestern South Sudan.

    As a result of the heavy rainfall experienced across much of the region from March to May (MAM) 2023, increased precipitation from October to December (OND) 2023 may contribute to flooding. Dr. Guleid Artan, ICPAC Director, noted: “We have now entered El Niño conditions which, for Eastern Africa, are synonymous with wetter conditions during OND.

    After three years of devastating drought, this may be seen as a blessing for farmers. Still, it can quickly become a curse. Desert locusts are already proliferating to alarming levels in parts of the region*. The risk of deadly incidents also increases significantly. We all remember the last El Niño in 2015/16 when downpours of torrential rains caused landslides, flash floods, and buildings to collapse. Governments and disaster management agencies are advised to take all necessary measures to save lives and livelihoods.”Dr. Hussen Seid, Climate Modelling Expert at ICPAC, added: “El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterized by the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Its effects can influence weather patterns worldwide.

    Another significant phenomenon known as the Indian Ocean Dipole is developing over the Indian Ocean and will reinforce the El Niño impacts.” October to December constitutes a vital rainfall season, particularly in the equatorial parts of the Greater Horn of Africa, contributing 20-70% of the annual total rainfall. The start of the season will likely occur early in parts of the region where elevated rainfall is anticipated (eastern Kenya, southern Somalia, and eastern Tanzania). In contrast, probabilities favor an average or delayed onset over parts of northern Somalia, western Kenya, Uganda, southern South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and north-western Tanzania.

    ICPAC is a designated Regional Climate Centre for Eastern Africa by the World Meteorological Organization. Its seasonal forecast is based on rigorous analysis of historical data, prevailing climate signals, and advanced modeling techniques. For OND 2023, the consolidated objective temperature forecast from nine Global Producing Centres (GPCs) indicates an increased likelihood of warmer-than-usual surface temperatures for almost all parts of the Greater Horn of Africa, particularly over Djibouti, Eritrea, northern Ethiopia, northern Somalia, and parts of coastal Tanzania.

    The 65th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF65) was convened as a hybrid event on 22nd August 2023 by ICPAC (IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre) in collaboration with the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in the region and other partners to issue the October – December 2023 seasonal forecast. The forum brought together climate services providers and users from key socio-economic sectors, governmental and non-governmental organizations, decision-makers, climate scientists, and civil society stakeholders, among others, to discuss impacts and mitigation measures for the upcoming season. We encourage media and climate information users to consult our weekly and monthly updates of the forecasted season: www.icpac.net

    For downscaled information, please get in touch with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services. ICPAC technical report for the OND season 2023.

  • Is AI the answer to Africa’s healthcare sector woes?

    Is AI the answer to Africa’s healthcare sector woes?

    By Ifthakaar Shaik, Co-founder of Vitruvian Medical Diagnostics

    The African healthcare industry faces an immediate challenge: a dire shortage of skilled professionals, leading to alarmingly low doctor and nurse-to-population ratios in many countries. Training medical professionals, especially specialists like pathologists or oncologists, is a multi-year long process. Moreover, foundational education at the primary and secondary levels is crucial to supply tertiary institutions with a stream of candidates equipped with the necessary aptitude, literacy, and numeracy skills to pursue medicine.

     

    Recent technological leaps catalysed by the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding telecommunications infrastructure, including ventures like Starlink, have bridged some of the distance between communities in need of medical services. Telemedicine offers those with limited physical access to healthcare professionals a chance to benefit from their expertise. Still, the scope of what can be accomplished via a video call is limited. Accurate diagnoses are particularly challenging. Medical professionals rely heavily on information relayed by patients or, in the best-case scenarios, by lesser-skilled colleagues following instructions remotely.

     

    Compounding these issues, Africa grapples with a healthcare brain drain. To shore up shortages in their own healthcare systems, “developed” markets actively poach African healthcare workers, further depleting the continent’s medical resources.

     

    It’s within this landscape that artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a revolutionary force in healthcare. Its precise deployment can literally mean the difference between life and death in underserved areas and can dramatically reduce healthcare costs in the neediest markets.

     

    Creating an onramp for usage before reaching the AI tipping point

     

    AI’s promise in healthcare is undeniable. However, this potential can be wasted if we fail to bridge the divide between the digital realm and real-world applications. The most groundbreaking healthcare software becomes moot if not pragmatically integrated into devices used on the ground.

     

    Our journey at VitruvianMD illustrates this challenge. Though our primary focus is healthcare, AI remains our foundational tool. One significant motivation behind our company’s inception was to address the skill shortage in pathology, an essential but understaffed field in Africa.

     

    Our initial target was malaria. In 2021, malaria claimed around 593,000 lives in Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 96% of global malaria deaths. Initially, it seemed that AI could assist in addressing this problem, however, as our company development progressed, it became evident that we needed tangible means to bridge the gap between AI’s theoretical benefits and practical implementation. Collaborating with experts, we merged AI with biomedical engineering, creating a universal-fit microscope camera. Equipped with cutting-edge software, this camera provides users with detailed analyses of their samples.

     

    Taking this integrated approach, and by working in partnership with the medical community, we were able to develop tools addressing not only malaria but other conditions that benefit from timely pathology services.

     

    We’re even moving towards a space where even non-pathologist medical professionals are able to accurately analyse samples. Additionally, pathologists could soon be able to remotely analyse samples.

     

    AI can fill skill voids and reduce costs

     

    This is no small gain. In transit, a lot can go wrong. A blood sample could become contaminated, be sent to the wrong place or not arrive at all. By providing on-site testers with enough information to either make a diagnosis or communicate what they receive to skilled personnel in a different location, we mitigate the transport risk inherent in a region with such a low pathologist-patient ratio. This doesn’t even factor in the everyday infrastructural obstacles that patients throughout the continent grapple with.

     

    Removing these kinds of obstacles results in quicker diagnoses and decreased expenses throughout the healthcare process. These benefits can then be directly utilised to enhance patient care at the point of service. In severe circumstances, a delay in pathological diagnosis, for whatever cause, could mean the difference between life and death for a patient.

     

    Additionally, by enabling those who are not pathologists to perform tasks within pathology, the camera and its accompanying software assist in bridging a significant skills gap. As it stands, there is only one pathologist for every million people in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, this statistic is somewhat skewed, with the majority of these pathologists being based in South Africa.

     

    The forthcoming decades will witness AI’s transformative impact on healthcare. As we stand on the precipice of this revolution, it’s evident that the integration of AI into healthcare will shape its future, promising substantial benefits for Africa and other developing nations.

     

    Over the next two to three decades, AI is poised to revolutionise healthcare in ways we can only begin to fathom now. At present, we’re merely glimpsing the tip of the iceberg in terms of AI’s potential in this sector. The nexus between the future of healthcare and AI integration will be indomitable. Particularly, African nations and other developing regions have a golden opportunity to reap substantial benefits from these advancements

  • How can African tech talent build greater resilience during the global tech downturn?

    How can African tech talent build greater resilience during the global tech downturn?

    By Ololade Odunsi, Talent Acquisition Lead at Founders Factory Africa

    After years of growth, the global technology sector entered a downturn in the second half of 2022, thanks to a combination of inflation, rising interest rates, and faltering supply chains. As a result, companies that just months before hadn’t been able to hire fast enough suddenly had to shed jobs en masse.

     

    In fact, Crunchbase estimates that there have been nearly 160,000 layoffs among US tech companies so far in 2023 (in addition to the 93 000 that were lost in 2022). In Europe, meanwhile, tech startups laid off some 40,000 workers between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Many of the companies behind these layoffs also have operations in Africa, meaning that the continent hasn’t been spared the impact of the global tech downturn. With funding and investment now more difficult to come by, the worst may not be over either.

     

    But that doesn’t mean skilled African tech ecosystem workers can’t build the resilience necessary to ride out the current downturn and come out the other end thriving. Whether they do so by expanding their skillsets, starting their own businesses, or (for those who remain employed) finding new ways of adding value to the companies they work for, it is possible to acknowledge the very real difficulties of this period while also seeing to the potential for new opportunities.

     

    Growing out 21st Century skills

     

    One of the most important things any tech worker can do right now is build out their 21st Century skills. That’s been important for a while, especially as linear career paths become less and less common. A few years ago, for example, someone might have started out in the product operations team of a company before becoming a product specialist, product manager, and then head of product. While that occasionally does still happen, an employee may be asked to fill different roles in their time with a company and develop skills accordingly.

     

    But developing diverse skills is even more critical if you’re looking for a new position (or are likely to be in the near future). More particularly, tech workers should look to build the most transferable skills possible.

     

    For candidates looking for work, those transferable skills mean a much wider range of potential positions. Those that are still in employment, meanwhile, can fill another position within the organisation if theirs is no longer tenable.

     

    Be entrepreneurial

     

    At the same time, developing an entrepreneurial mindset is important. For some workers that may mean starting their own business. And there certainly isn’t any shortage of available inspiration on that front. Some of today’s biggest tech companies, including Airbnb, Square, and Uber were started in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Even if the business doesn’t turn out to be a runaway success, it’s something a candidate could use to show a prospective employer that they have a greater business understanding than other prospective employees.

    But you don’t necessarily have to build a business to demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset. Participating in bug bounty programmes or building your own portfolio website, for example, shows prospective employers that you’ve kept your skills sharp while looking for work.

     

    Those still in employment, meanwhile, can demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset by looking for and identifying new revenue opportunities for the companies they work for. You’re a lot less likely to be laid off if, for example, you’ve helped the company land a new client or identified a new sector it can pivot into.

     

    Take care of your mental health

     

    As important as practical steps are in surviving a tech downturn, it’s vital that workers look after their mental health. The first step on that front is to acknowledge the gravity of the situation. Having been laid off before, I know how big of a loss it can be. So let your grief out. Don’t try and hold it in.

     

    It’s also important to be realistic about the situation. Chances are, you aren’t going to find a new job in five days. Even three months may not be realistic, in some instances. Having come to terms with the situation, it’s also important to lean on your support networks. Go to the friends and family that you can trust and be completely open with them. As the work of renowned researcher Dr Brene Brown has shown, embracing vulnerability can be vital to building resilience.

     

    At the same time, hold your boundaries. If someone asks you how the job search is going and you’d rather not say, there’s nothing wrong with saying something like, “I’m not really in the right headspace to talk about that right now. Can we talk about something else?” If distraction’s what you need most at that moment, there’s nothing wrong with it.

     

    Over time, you’ll find that this helps remind you of your worth. So, even if you do have to rebuild from a lower salary, you’ll be less likely to feel that you can’t get back to where you were before.

     

    This too shall pass

     

    While it’s incredibly difficult to do in the thick of it, it’s important for tech workers in Africa and around the globe to remember that the current downturn won’t last forever. New companies will start and they’ll find new ways of funding their growth. And when they do, the workers who’ve built professional and personal resilience will be at the top of their hiring lists.

  • Pomp and color as China launch its popular drink in Kenya

    Pomp and color as China launch its popular drink in Kenya

    NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenyans in love with Chinese products now have a reason to smile after China launched its traditional popular drink, Fenjiu Liquor with pomp and color in Nairobi on Sunday night.

    The famous Chinese wine, brewed from steamed rice for over nine months and left to mature for two years, is now available at the giant Chinese outlet, Chinatown Supermarket, located along Ngong Road in Nairobi.

    It is the first time that the crystal-clear drink with a sweet soft taste and an alluring aroma is making inroads to Africa. A half a litre goes for KSh 2000-3000.

    “It’s a very healthy drink, we are confident that Kenyans will like it,” Chinatown Supermarket Director, Mei Hong said.

    “We also believe the pricing is reasonable, but we are still studying the local market to make appropriate adjustments,” Hong stated.

    Hong said about 300-400 boxes have already been imported and are available at the Chinatown Supermarket. Plans are already underway to distribute the high-quality wine in other local outlets.

    According to Hong, Kenya is among the ripe markets in Africa for the product hence the reason for being first in the continent to distribute the drink.

    “I love Kenya, I have lived here for 22 years, I have so many friends who love Chinese products, this is what propelled us to import this liquor.

    “We also have so many Chinese in Kenya and it’s evident they are missing drinks from their mother nation so there was a need to import Fenjiu to fill this void,” she underscored.

    Hong believes the introduction of the drink to the Kenyan market will also help to cement the already existing 60-year-old diplomatic relationship between China and Kenya.

    A number of Corporate Social Responsibility activities have been lined up to help popularize the drink and create awareness about the product.

    Fenjiu originates from Shanxi Province in China where it is made from the natural water of wells located at the Apricot Blossom Village.

    It is among the top five alcoholic drinks in China. Its alcoholic content ranges between 38%-60%.

    The drink is best remembered for having won a gold medal at the Panama International Exhibition in 1916.

    Earlier this year, China introduced Tsingtao Beer in the local market which is also very popular with Chinese, Kenyans and other communities living in the country.

  • Safari WIith Xiaomi Winners Experience The Iconic African Wilderness In The Maasai Mara

    Safari WIith Xiaomi Winners Experience The Iconic African Wilderness In The Maasai Mara

    Last month, Xiaomi Africa launched an online photography campaign to invite fans to show their photography skills with Xiaomi phones. Winners stood to win a 3-day trip to Maasai Mara. Over 1,000 heeded the call and shared their photos under the hashtag #SafariWithXiaomi and true to its promise, Xiaomi took the winners to the Mara along with some professional photographers.

    The winners were Patrick Philemon Kulinganila (Tanzania), John Oluwamokamiyo (Nigeria), Samson Osas (Nigeria), Victor Onokaye (Nigeria), Emmanuel Kenechukwu (Nigeria) and Yonis Mohammed (Kenya). The professional photographers on the trip were Alamin Mutunga, Nimrod Zollo and Kenneth Obina.

    The evolution of Xiaomi phone cameras has brought great imaging very close to users, allowing them to document moments with remarkable precision. A great example is the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G which the photographers took to the Mara. At 200MP and 4K video capabilities, this camera signifies a new era in mobile photography in mid-level phones, empowering users to explore photography skills they didn’t know they had. It is also redefining the limits of what we thought can be achieved with a smartphone camera, given that the exceptionally high resolution is supported by other features like Pro Mode, 8MP ultrawide, 2 MP macro, preinstalled filters, and a great photo editing software.

    This was a fun filled trip to Kenya’s Maasai Mara where the winners got to enjoy the iconic African wilderness, abundant wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and immersive cultural experiences. We caught up with some of the winners as well as photographers so we could get to hear their thoughts on Xiaomi phones and their experience in the Mara.

    Here is what they had to say:

    Alamin Mutunga

    Alamin Mutunga is a Kenya photographer who communicates best through visuals like photographs, arts, and graphics. Some of the highlights that stood out for him with the Xiaomi trip to Maasai Mara was meeting new people and seeing nonprofessional photographers learn and actually improve their phone photography in such a short time. This was his first time in the Mara, and he has had an amazing time shooting wildlife with the Xiaomi devices.

    As a professional photographer, Alamin enjoys shooting with Xiaomi phones because he has a very bulky camera, and yet sometimes all he wants to photograph is people and big cameras make subjects uneasy, hence they don’t look natural in the pictures. Phone cameras solve these problems for him, easily and conveniently.

    Among the Xiaomi devices, he has used the Redmi Note 11 Pro and the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus 5G. He’s very at home with the fact that with the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus 5G’s, 200MP camera allows him to take photos whose raw format is of great quality to remain true in post-production and even printing.

    Alamin feels that Xiaomi is living to its brand purpose of making innovations for all since their phones are putting superior photography power into the hands of everyone. Looking from a perspective of social impact, he feels that good quality cameras make it easier for users to capture everyday things and share. Families for instance are able to capture crisp memories which they can enjoy digitally or print.

    He wishes that Xiaomi could improve on their phone cameras in terms of colour profiles and focus. Sometimes he has seen exposure and focus get lost in the middle of a shoot, though this is not something nonprofessional photographers would notice.

    Patrick Philemon Kulinganila

    Patrick Philemon Kulinganila is a travel, lifestyle, and urban photographer from Tanzania. For him the Xiaomi trip to Kenya had many firsts, like first time on a flight, first time in Kenya and certainly first time in Maasai Mara which has always been a dream of his. He is elated about the great reception by the Xiaomi team and the larger team that he travelled to the Mara with.

    Patrick is currently using the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G which he appreciates for many great features, top among them being the 200MP camera. Through this trip, he has gotten to understand Xiaomi phones better since he has interacted with people who have used them much longer. He has only used three generations so far and feels right at home with the brand. He loves the portrait and wide-angle functions but feels that Xiaomi could improve on the night mode and zoom.

    Patrick’s biggest highlight of this whole time is being picked as the winner of the #SafariWithXiaomi contest among thousands of other contestants back home. Combined with his visit to Kenya and the Maasai Mara trip courtesy of Xiaomi, this is up there among his greatest achievements.

     

    Kenneth Obina

    Kenneth is a Nigeria based tech enthusiast, Youtuber and professional photographer who goes by the brand name Khali Jones.  He’s a visual storyteller with a focus on documentaries and lifestyle, telling everyday life stories in images.

    Some of his most impressive moments of the Xiaomi trip to Kenya are that even before arriving in Kenya, he already felt welcome and upon landing, he felt like he was joining a family. The Xiaomi team and the travel group as a whole was very warm and welcoming throughout the planning and execution. He is speechless about the Maasai Mara which he described as his best experience since he was born.

    Khali whose everyday device is the Redmi 12 does quite a number of tech reviews on his channel, so he has interacted with a lot of Xiaomi phones. Even before he got his camera, he was using a Redmi phone for professional photography. His rich history of the devices has given him the unique position to witness firsthand the growth and innovations of the phones thus far, and he feels that Xiaomi has lived to its slogan, ‘innovation for everyone’.

    Khali was kind enough to treat the group to a masterclass on improving their mobile photography and editing game and having a deeper connection with their phones.

    He feels that now that everyone is a content creator, Xiaomi should improve their cameras to a point where they can almost compete with professional cameras. Then, people will be able to take photos even in places where cameras are not allowed but phones are.

     

    Overall, the Safari with Xiaomi has been a great experience and the trip to Maasai Mara was a perfect opportunity to showcase the innovations in mobile photography. It is right in line with Xiaomi’s brand mission to ‘make friends with users and be the coolest company in the users’ hearts’. The campaign was created to offer Xiaomi fans an opportunity to deepen their experience with Xiaomi phones and learn more photography skills and the inclusion of a photography masterclass by Nigerian photographer Kenneth Obina was a befitting conclusion.

     

  • StarTimes, Vitron TV unveil 4 in 1 TV Sets in the Kenyan Market

    StarTimes, Vitron TV unveil 4 in 1 TV Sets in the Kenyan Market

    Startimes Media has partnered with Vitron Television to introduce an innovative 4 in 1, 32-inch television set dubbed StarTimes INSIDE.
    Startimes INSIDE integrates Vitron digital television sets with inbuilt Startimes decoders, eliminating the need for a separate decoder and ushering in an era of unparalleled simplicity.
    Speaking during the launch, Jimmy Carter, the CEO of Startimes Media, exuded enthusiasm as he shared insights about the revolutionary venture.
    He noted that “Startimes INSIDE” is a seamless fusion of technology and convenience that embodies the future of television and signifies the company unwavering dedication to delivering innovation that truly matters to their customers.
    The 32-inch Startimes INSIDE television is will retail at a cost below Ksh 12,000 in the Kenyan market, offering consumers a remarkable value proposition.
    “Startimes INSIDE represents our unyielding commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation. It’s a fusion of technology and convenience that encapsulates the future of television.” He said.
    He emphasized the significance of this development, highlighting that subscribers can now enjoy diverse content seamlessly without the constraints of traditional setups.
    Vitron Chief Executive Officer Kenya, Steve Hu conveyed his gratitude for the partnership noting that it will have great impact to their company and their customers.
    He noted that Vitron TV has always strived to deliver the latest advancements in television technology to their customers noting that Partnering with Startimes Media for the Startimes INSIDE project aligns perfectly with their vision.
    “Partnering with Startimes Media for the Startimes INSIDE project aligns perfectly with our vision. It’s a reflection of our shared commitment to innovation,” Hu stated. “This collaboration brings together our technical excellence and Startimes’ cutting-edge expertise, resulting in a product that elevates the television experience for our customers.”
    StarTimes Group Brand Marketing General Manager, Ashley Zhao expressed confidence that this product is the absolute game changer in digital TV industry consumer experience, making a resounding impact on African households, enhancing the way they consume and interact with television content.
    She noted that the 4 in 1 television speaks to Startimes buy line of: Access, Afford, Watch and Share the beauty of the digital life.
    “This similar launch is also happening in Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania as we want to change television industry through innovation and technology model to benefit customers,’ she said.
    She also noted that StarTimes will also be launching smart TV next year
  • Maa Inaugural festival to attract international visitors

    Maa Inaugural festival to attract international visitors

    Maasai cultural dancers at past event
    Maasai cultural dancers at past events

    Hundreds of international tourists are expected to join the Maa inaugural festival to kick off at Sekenani Gate from 21st to 24 August this year as the community seeks to cement its grip in keeping to its traditional values.

    Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) acting Chief executive officer John Chirchir yesterday confirmed that several tourists from across the globe already in Masai Mara for the game safari would have their first-hand experience of the Masai Culture.

    “This festival will not only attract Kenyans, but we will be having a good number of international visitors who are already or those coming to Masai Mara for the annual wildebeest migration experience. This will be an opportunity to showcase different cultural traditions by the Maa community,” says Chirchir.

    The Masai Mara game reserve is at the moment receiving an unprecedented number of visitors both locally and internationally courtesy of the annual wildebeest migration phenomenon that is currently at its peak.

    Chirchir said traditional festivals have continued to hype and positively profiled the diversity of Kenya’s cultures amongst different ethnic groups besides fostering peaceful co-existence among communities.

    “Cultural events such as Lamu Cultural Festival, Rusinga Cultural Festivals, and Lake Turkana Cultural Festivals among others have continued to strengthen culture as a tourism experience, besides other attractions we gave for our visitors,” said Chirchir.

    Chirchir lauded the cultural events as having contributed heavily to the economic livelihoods of the hosting regions besides enhancing cultural exchanges and cohesion among communities.

    The inaugural event set in motion the resolve of the community to put their cultural ceremonies on an annual calendar of events to be held rotationally by the Maa-speaking counties of Narok, Kajiado, and Samburu.

    Narok Kajiado Economic Bloc chief executive officer Jackson Mpario said the 4-day long extravaganza has a line-up of cultural showcases ranging from songs, dances, poetry, sports, Maa cuisines, and material culture.

    “This event provides an avenue for cultural celebrations and preservation as well as service as a mechanism for upholding community values that are under threat of extinction with cultural hegemony dues to globalization,” stated Mpario.

    The Maa-speaking counties of Kajiado, Narok, and Samburu will be expected in the event which is attracting an estimated of over 12,000 participants daily.

    Narok County Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu in his Facebook handle after meeting the President along with his Samburu counterpart Jonathan Lati Leleit and Mpario confirmed that the head of state President William Ruto will grace the event.

    According to Mpario, the President will during the event present the document UNESCO rights of passages namely Enkipata, Euonoto, and Olng’esher certificates to the three governors of the Maa community.

    “The event will be an opportunity for nurturing talents and sharpening skills of our local talents especially Maa music and sports besides market of our artifacts made by our blacksmiths”, added Mpario

  • DIG Receives Trophies From The Kenya Shooting Team

    DIG Receives Trophies From The Kenya Shooting Team

    By Steve Sabai

    Today, the Deputy Inspector General(DIG) Mr. Douglas Kanja, S/AIG, received trophies from the Kenya Shooting Team at the Kenya Police Service(KPS) Headquarters, Vigilance House, Nairobi.

    Receiving the team match Royal Airforce trophy(Missile) dubbed ‘Harambee’ won at Bisley, United Kingdom, Mr. Kanja congratulated the team for its exemplary performance.He advised the team to embrace discipline and carry the Kenyan flag higher as they represent the Kenya Police Service and the Country at large.

    On grand aggregate, the shooting team won two medal after IP. Sanford Otundo became position 38 out of 684 and IP. Clifford Kiptarus grabbed position 43 out of 684. The team also won 2 Gold medals, 2 Silver medals, one Silver HPS cross, 2 Silver Bars amongst other medals.

    Amongst Senior Officers who accompanied the DIG at the Ceremony was the Principal Assistant to DIG, Madam Miriam Muli, S/AIG, Director Logistics Mr. Peter Ndung’u, S/AIG, Mr. Philip Ndolo, S/AIG, Director Personnel Ms. Jacinta Muthoni, S/AIG, Director Operations Mr. Ranson Lolmodoni among others.

  • Irvine Partners adds aerospace giant Airbus to its African client roster

    International communication advisory firm, Irvine Partners, has been appointed as the dedicated PR agency for Airbus across Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting their communications in the region over the next three years.

     

    “As a business with a strong foothold across Sub-Saharan Africa and an acute understanding of its audiences, we’re well positioned to tell the Airbus story. We will focus on tangible impact, specifically around socio-economic development on the continent, responsible growth and sustainability, and innovation within the aerospace industry,” says Irvine Partners CEO, Rachel Irvine.

     

    Airbus is a major player on the continent and offers a wide portfolio of aerospace solutions including commercial airlines, helicopters, military aircraft and satellites. The appointment of Irvine Partners as a dedicated PR agency further signals their commitment to expansion and growth across the region.

     

    Irvine Partners has six offices across Africa and the United Kingdom, and is staffed by on-the-ground communications professionals, each attuned to the nuances of their markets. The agency is an ideal partner to elevate Airbus’s standing as a significant player on the continent.

     

    “We were impressed by Irvine Partners’ approach, their reach, understanding and strategic insights into our communications approach across Africa. Irvine Partners has six offices across the continent, it’s important for us to collaborate with partners who possess a comprehensive understanding of market nuances and dynamics. Together we’ll tell stories that matter within the continent,” says Head of Communications  Airbus Africa Middle East, Samsana Ismail.

     

    Airbus is the latest global brand to join Irvine Partners’ impressive roster of clients which also includes Spotify, Google, Salesforce, Airbnb and Huawei, among others.