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Opinion: Let’s Stop The Unfair Reporting On The Betting And Gaming Industry in Kenya

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A recent article reported that Kenyans are spending over Ksh 160 billion on betting annually according to data acquired from Mpesa.

According to the report, this was alarming and calls for stringent regulations such as an increase in taxation to the gaming companies and even revocation of operating licenses.

It’s important to clarify that, the Kshs 160 Billion above is just the deposits by the punters and it doesn’t necessarily mean a profit to the gaming companies. Why not compare the figures to the annual payouts by the companies to winners for instance 70-80% of this amount goes out as payments to winners and in taxes which is astronomically high in Kenya and unreasonable compared to other global markets.

Gaming companies in Kenya are subjected to a very high taxes and this has been pushing them out of business. 7.5 % excise tax, 20% withholding tax on net winnings, 15% gaming tax and 30% corporate tax. All these are far too much and above what happens in ideal markets. They also have other normal bills such as salaries, premise bills and other overhead costs to take care of and that dimples the income even further. This is perhaps an area the incoming leaders need to think about and work hand in hand with the gaming firms to rationalize operations for the benefit of everyone.

They remit taxes worth over Ksh 1.5 billion monthly to both local and National governments and this is an area that has hugely been ignored when reporting on matters gaming companies. These are monies that are used to develop sports and other sectors of the economy.

The gaming companies are also hugely involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and this was very evident at the onset of the covid-19 pandemic. Majority of sporting organisations are also directly sponsored by gaming companies. They are an important contributor to the economy through the creation of jobs, continued capital expansion and the payment of taxes to the national government.

The gaming industry has provided significant funds for financing government organisations and other associations aimed at improving the socio-economic and social status of persons with disabilities, vulnerable groups, and other persons in need of social assistance, social welfare institutions, sports, local self-government, and the treatment of rare diseases. The gaming companies have extensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, embracing issues as diverse as responsible gambling, education, environment, health and well-being and social inclusion.

Achieving growth in the economy requires the creation of a business-friendly environment in order to improve the country’s competitiveness through structural reforms, market liberalization and foreign capital inflows for investment. Therefore, fiscal policy should support growth by establishing a stable internationally competitive and socially fair tax system. The media has an important role to play in all these and it all begins with fair reporting.

The media should be fair in their reportage of the gaming companies. This is an industry just like any other and they are legally doing business. The gains to the economy from the gaming industry are massive and deserve to be covered as well.

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Business

Domestic Worker Earnings Still Below Minimum Wage- Report

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma
  • Many respondents are being paid less than last year and well below the minimum wage
  • There has been a high increase in job losses for domestic workers over the last year due to semigration and other factors
  • A high number of domestic workers are likely to face abuse in their workplace

The 2022 SweepSouth Report on Pay and Working Conditions for Domestic Workers for Kenya and South Africa has been released.

This is the fifth year that SweepSouth has released their annual report, each year painting a picture of what domestic workers go through and endure. 

This year, the survey was sent to more than 1 000 domestic workers in Kenya and over 25 000 domestic workers in South Africa.

The report continues to be the largest and most detailed survey of its kind on the African continent, offering the most comprehensive view to date of the living and working conditions of domestic workers. 

The survey’s findings show that respondents in Kenya reported earnings far below the minimum wage, suggesting resistance to wage laws and a lack of enforcement.

According to Luke Kannemeyer, SweepSouth’s Chief Operating Officer, this puts a large amount of pressure on domestic workers, 70% of whom head up single parent homes, and 83% of whom are the main earners in the family, financially supporting an average of three dependents.

“The past year’s massive increases in transport and food costs have made it even harder for domestic workers to make ends meet,” says Kannemeyer.

“Worryingly, indebtedness also appears to be on the rise, with nearly three out of four of our respondents saying they are in debt, and around 40% feeling hopeless about being able to pay that debt back.” 

The pandemic’s continued impact is evident in the 69% of Kenyan domestic workers who lost their jobs in the last year. Reasons for this include semigration – where employers move to different cities as people now live and work anywhere – and the fact that employers can simply no longer afford domestic workers, a result of COVID-19, the knock-on effects of the war in Ukraine, and the pressures felt by escalating food prices around the world. 

The survey further reveals that Kenyan workers are more likely to face abuse in their workplace than their South African counterparts. While rates of physical abuse were similar in both countries, Kenyan respondents are 62% more likely to face verbal abuse and almost four times more likely to face sexual abuse. 

Another key finding is that a high number of domestic workers in Kenya spend more than an hour travelling in one direction to get to work.

This indicates having to leave home very early or reach home late, which could pose a safety threat. In the long run, the exhaustion from these commutes may have a negative impact on their mental and physical well-being, with the former continuing to be a concern in addition to the worries about the current high cost of living. 

This year’s report also highlights that 54% of domestic workers knew someone who had passed away because of COVID-19. A significant majority of respondents from both Kenya and South Africa said they had been tested for COVID-19 at some point, with close to 9 out of 10 receiving their test for free. This points to a relatively successful public health response within both countries.

Key KE findings at a glance: 

  • 69% of domestic workers lost their jobs in the last year, with 31% indicating that their employer could not afford to pay them anymore
  • Domestic workers are spending more on food, rent and electricity 
  • The deficit between earnings and basic expenses has grown by close to 30%, compared to last year
  • The number of domestic workers’ saving has dropped by 13% over the past year, with 25% of those surveyed stating that they do not have sufficient income to save
  • 73% spend more than an hour travelling in one direction to their place of work
  • 13% work more than 10 hours a day, and 11% work seven days a week
  • 73% are in debt and 39% feel hopeless about being able to pay it back 

“We went into this survey knowing that the numbers would paint a grim picture,” notes Aisha Pandor, SweepSouth CEO. “These past few years have been trying times and the recent increase in the cost of food, fuel, transport, and more is felt the hardest by those who already have little to spend. This in turn, affects mental health, physical health and so much more. As a platform and company that advocates for the rights of domestic workers, we will continue to lend a voice to this sector of society, educate our clients and assist those who use our platform in new and innovative ways,” Pandor concludes.

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BusinessLatest News

Opinion: Leading Gaming Firm And Local Authorities Are Pushing Out Rivals From The Market

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Kenya’s state coffers are empty yet some gaming companies that pay Ksh 20 billion shillings into the budgets, provide 55,000 jobs even, helped communities even during the onset of the corona virus pandemic are being forced out by unethical and unfair practices led by a leading firm in the industry under the watch of local authorities.

The global economy received the strongest blow during the coronavirus pandemic crisis, to which almost no branch of the economy was resistant. Companies in the gaming industry saw a 90 percent drop in turnover at that time, but employees did not have to worry about financial stability, because their jobs remained secure and salaries were paid regularly.

Kenya today is on the verge of becoming an undesirable environment for investors because this leading gaming company has put its personal interests before the state. The affairs that firm is trying to carry out in the past days is not a joke, 55,000 people working in this gaming industry are scared for their jobs. Instead of progress, individuals are persistently trying to destroy what sustains Kenya economic stability and labor market even in times of crisis.

Investors, you are not welcome! Is that the message Kenya needs to send to the world? Is the personal interests of individuals, we are unable to receive the millions that companies would pour into the empty state coffers.

Instead of the progress of the entire country, the gaming company is persistently trying to destroy what sustains economic stability and the labor market in Kenya even in times of crisis. The procedure that is currently taking place is scandalous – to prevent some companies from extending their licenses and continuing to work in the market. In this whole affair surrounding the fixing of licenses, the stability of the economy in the country is also being hindered, all because of the domestic lobby in the background trying to remove the competition and take over the business in an unfair way.

Who is behind all these shenanigans and who is trying to sabotage the work of a socially responsable company – we will find out on Monday, when the meeting for renewing licenses is scheduled.

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Business

Fly 748 Projects Positive Prospects For Airline Industry Despite Tough Economic Times

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

The rising demand for air travel since the Kenyan government eased COVID-19 restrictions has continued to boost the airline industry.

According to Fly 748 services, the demand is helping the sector manage higher operating costs as the world continues to face tough economic times.

The higher operating costs have been caused by increased fuel prices, inflation, higher tax on spare parts and fluctuating foreign exchange rates.

The tough economic times being witnessed across the globe has been fuelled by Ukraine war, COVID-19 and politics.

According to Fly 748 Managing Director Moses Mwangi, more and more people are taking advantage of airfare discounts and bundled travel accommodation packages to fulfill a long held desire especially for first time travelers.

Mwangi in a press statement sent to newsrooms noted that more people are taking to the sky compared to two years ago when Kenya was at the height of the pandemic.

“The sector is returning to pre-pandemic levels and operators are cutting losses on their way to full recovery,”said Mwangi.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts net losses in Africa’s Aviation sector to be 0.7 billion dollars in 2022 on rising passenger numbers- Demand (RPKs) is expected to reach 72 percent of pre-crisis (2019) levels, and capacity to reach 75.2 percent.

Fly 748 was recently nominated as one of the best domestic airline of the year by the Africa Mashariki Transport Awards (AMT) following its sustained efficiency in operations, a track record of safety, reliability and an overall strategy of demystifying flying in Kenya through competitively priced air fares.

Fly 748 Chairman Ahmed Jibril said he was impressed by the growing number of first time travelers and those who are building a strong loyalty to the airline.

“It is an affirmation of our efforts to revolutionizing air travel in the country,” he said.

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Business

The New Infinix NOTE 12 VIP – True Leadership in Industrial Design Slim Iconic Design With Exceptional Performance

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Creating a slim yet powerful smartphone has been the goal of smartphone manufacturers all over the world since the release of the first smartphone back in 2008.

The main challenge arises when packing in powerful internals such as a bigger battery, high refresh rate screens, high performance camera modules and fast-charing capabilities that take up a lot of room internally.

These powerful features make smartphones thicker and slimming them down is often prohibitively expensive on the supplier raising costs for the end user.

In many circumstances, the consumer is left with the choice of having a bulky powerful smartphone or a beautifully slim device with lower performance.

Infinix aims to change this dynamic, with the release of the new NOTE 12 VIP by utilizing next-level industrial design to fit powerful mid-range internals into a slim and sleek smartphone body, available to consumers around the world at truly attainable price points.

Looking at the NOTE 12 VIP

The NOTE 12 VIP takes inspiration from sports car designs to deliver a sophisticated looking device that oozes style while providing top-notch performance.

Coming in with a thickness of just 7.89mm and a weight of only 198g, the NOTE 12 VIP is marvel in industrial design with its powerful package containing a large 6.7 inch display, 120W Hyper Charge capabilities and a
stunning 108MP cinematic camera.

Fitting these incredible internals into such a slim and lightweight device makes the NOTE 12 VIP stand above the crowd as one of the thinnest 120W ultra-fast charging smartphone available on the market today.

Design with Ultra-thin Glass Fiber

Fiberglass as a form of glass that is made when glass is drawn or blown into extremely fine fibers, these fibers retain the tensile strength of glass and yet very flexible.

Although it has the advantage of being both thin & light, but the sprayed on glass fiber used throughout the industry often makes the devices its present on feel cheap and plastic like.

The ultra-thin glass fiber used on the NOTE 12 VIP is an ultra-thin composite material based on ultra-thin glass fiber material combined with optical coating and UV texture.

The material consists of 8 layers of glass fiber stacked on top of each other, each layer of glass fiber consists of a precision fusion of glass fiber cloth and resin, with a thickness of only 0.05mm.

Combined with a multi-layer nano-level surface process, the glass fiber back cover has a durable and aesthetic looking frosted texture, tested with puncture resistance and an astonishing thickness of just 0.45mm and weighing only 8.5g.

The end result is a flexible covering that presents both thin & strong protection to the NOTE 12 VIP in Cayenne Gray and Force Black color schemes for an understated luxurious aesthetic.

A Stunning AMOLED Screen

By using a flexible AMOLED screen, the NOTE 12 VIP maintains a slimmer profile when compared to standard AMOLED displays along with the added benefit of richer colors and transparency with the addition of stronger drop resistance.

Flexible AMOLED screens have fewer structural components and only weigh a tenth of standard variants allowing the NOTE 12 VIP’s screen to both look better with a thinner profile.

In addition, the NOTE 12 VIP adopts COP packaging technology that gives the device a bottom bezel thickness of just 3.1mm with an ultra-high screen to body ratio of 93.1% for a truly immersive smartphone experience.

The Future of Smartphone Design

Infinix has always followed a user-centric and demand-oriented design philosophy for all of it’s clients, which paid dividends gaining Infinix certifications from prestigious organizations within the industry for respective device launches.

The Infinix Zero 8 and Infinix Note 10 Pro have consecutively won the German IF Design Award, while Infinix Concept Phone won the CMF Supreme Gold Award of the CMF Design Award.

These awards represent the quality of Infinix devices and their strive to continue making the best possible devices for users at attainable price points for young consumers worldwide.

Infinix is a brand that’s moving forward, seeking to improve and democratize high-end technology, making it accessible & available at reasonable and fair price points.

Stay tuned to all things Infinix for up-coming device launches and exciting updates coming soon.

For more details visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/

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Business

Infinix Note 12 Series: A VIP Launch!

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Infinix recently launched its NOTE 12 Series at its elegant event at the Sarit Centre Expo, a trendy and contemporary location that aligns with the brand’s vision and mission.

This is the first official product launch in 2022, since the Note 10 launch in Diani last year.

“At Infinix we are creating a new standard for high-quality smartphone performance and design especially with the new NOTE 12 Series, which represents impeccable form and function. This series packs quick charging power and strong chipsets into an iconic design that is perfect for emerging professionals who need a light, flexible and high-performance device,” InfinixCountry Manager, Mike Zhang.

In the coming days, the Note 12 VIP and Note 12 G96 will start rolling out in different Infinix outlets countrywide and major e-commerce platforms.

“The Note Series has always been an important series which has evolved with every launch. Innovation is motivation for Infinix. We put all our efforts to make products and applications interesting and of great value. Our goal to innovate our products, especially in the NOTE series is to deliver users a fantastic operating and visual experience,” Infinix Country Manager, Mike Zhang.

Price and Availability: The Note 12 Series will be available in 3 variants Note 12 VIP 256+8GB Ksh 41,999, Note 12 128+8 GB Ksh 27,999 and Note 12i 128+8GB Ksh 20,999 in Infinix outlets countrywide and online at Xpark.

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BusinessLatest News

Triathlon Challenge: Fly 748 MD Takes On Experienced Athletes in a 7Km Race

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Moses Mwangi, the Managing Director of renown airline Fly 748 services has taken part in the inaugural triathlon challenge.

The provisional challenge organized by Team Tri Fit (TTF)which is taking place in Chale Island, Kwale County seeks to grow and mainstream this sporting event in the country.

Mwangi took on experienced athletes in a seven kilometers off-road trail after being handed the baton by Stephen Mutuku from fly 748’s finance department who had cycled on 30 kilometer off-road track.

Fly 748’s Revenue Manager, Angel Kamae also participated in open water swimming -a distance of 1 kilometer.

Mwangi congratulated all the participants, noting that the event was more than just sporting, but about mental resilience, motivation and self-discipline.

The event has seen amateur and professional triathletes aged between 17 years to 65 years and three persons of all fitness levels- with a desire to nurture the triathlon compete.

Mwangi promised that moving forward, Fly 748 was going to support the growth of triathlon in the best way possible.

Team Tri Fit (TTF) had in February this year signed a deal with Fly 748 that will see her members fly across the country at subsidized prices from the airline.

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

TTF which boasts of 65 members seeks to develop triathlon and duathlon and increase their uptake amongst Kenyans to 700 participants by 2025, in its five-year plan.

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Infinix All-New Show Stopping NOTE 12 Series With Ultra-Fast Charging Launches in Kenya

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Infinix today released its all-new NOTE 12 Series that includes high performance variants with the 120W Hyper Charge capabilities, a sleek 6.7” FHD+ Super Light AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, 108MP Cinematic Triple Camera and more.

The series includes two variants – the NOTE 12 VIP, NOTE 12 G96 that offer well rounded, innovative performance features such as aerospace-grade ultra-thin glass fiber, up to 5GB of extended random access memory (RAM) and 103 charging and battery protections that keep users’ devices charged safely up whenever they need them.

“Infinix is creating a new standard for high-quality smartphone performance and design with its new NOTE 12 Series, which embodies impeccable form and function,” shared Vento Lin, Product Manager of NOTE Series at Infinix Mobility.

“This series packs quick-charging power and strong chipsets into an iconic design that is perfect for emerging professionals who need a light, flexible and high-performance device,” Infinix, Country Manager, Mike Zhang.

The Future of Fast Charging

The NOTE 12 VIP is one of the thinnest smartphones equipped with 120W ultra-fast hyper charging
speeds, making this lightweight smartphone more portable than ever while staying powered all day
long.

Infinix integrated the NOTE 12 VIP smartphone with 120W Hyper Charge and a 4500mAh battery to give
users maximized battery capacity and supersonic charging speeds that power up the device from 0% to 100% battery power in just 17-minutes.

To help achieve fast-charging capabilities, Infinix incorporated a dual-charge pump and dual-cell battery. This enables the NOTE 12 VIP to adjust the voltage and amperage to the optimal ratio, as well as doubles the available input.

Keeping ultra-fast charging safe, the smartphone includes 103 charging and battery protection features, which span the entire charging cycle for the charger, circuit and battery.

On top of the all-encompassing projection features, the NOTE 12 VIP also has 18 thermal sensors to monitor the device’s temperature in real-time to ensure that the smartphone charging is always safe.

Enhancing the charging benefits even further, the NOTE 12 VIP uses platinum superconducting material that increases the corrosion resistance of the charging cable for great charging material longevity.

By combining all of these beneficial features, the NOTE 12 VIP’s charge cycle counts up to 800 with up to
85%2 battery capacity retained.

Additionally, the NOTE 12 VIP’s 120W Hyper Charge is certified by the Tü V Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System certification, which proves its reliability and longevity when charging daily.

In addition to the NOTE 12 VIP, the NOTE 12 G96 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery with 33W Super
Charge.

Breathtaking Design Language

The NOTE 12 VIP boasts a stylish and sophisticated design wrapped with high-performance features to
create the ideal smartphone.

The device utilizes aerospace-grade ultra-thin glass fiber material with the texture of glass and the strength of carbon fiber. The material gives the NOTE 12 VIP feather-light proportions and a 7.89mm ultra-sleek design that weighs only 199 grams.

Encased in this next-level design is a 6.7”3 FHD+ Super Light AMOLED display that provides users with a
crisp screen packed with crucial image features such as 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 10-bit color depth
with over 1 billion colors and great contrast ratios.

The AMOLED display features a flexible screen that enables a stunningly capable 3.1mm narrow lower bezel and a 93.1% screen to body ratio with stronger screen impact resistance.

The display also provides users with a silky-smooth visual experience with a sharp 120Hz ultra-refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling that instantly synchronizes with every swipe.

Additionally, a low blue light eye comfort certification, accredited by TÜV Rheinland, the NOTE 12 VIP allows users to enjoy hours of use with less eye fatigue.

Users can also experience immersive visuals with the NOTE 12 G96’s 6.7” FHD+ True Color AMOLED
display that yields crystal clear brightness even in broad daylight offering a range of flexible options for
different consumers.

Capture Fantastic Photos

The NOTE 12 VIP smartphone’s 108MP Cinematic Triple Camera, consists of a 13MP Ultra-wide angle
lens and a Depth lens with Laser Detection Auto Focus that shoots fantastic photos.

The camera incorporates a large 1/1.67-inch sensor with a 12000×9000 ultra-high resolution. It supports 9-in-1 pixel binning, producing large 1.92μm pixels that take in more light for maximum detail.

The addition of Laser Detection Auto Focus also effectively improves the phone’s focus in low light conditions.

The NOTE 12 G96 is equipped with a 50MP Ultra Night Camera with a depth and AI lens. All devices in the NOTE 12 lineup feature a 16MP selfie camera for the perfect selfie.

All the Speed & Power You Need

The MediaTek Helio G96 Ultra Gaming Processor provides more speed and power to the NOTE 12 G96
and NOTE 12 VIP.

The octa-core processer incorporates two powerful Arm Cortex-A76 processor cores clocked up to 2.05GHz and Arm Mali G57 GPU that works in tandem to harness next-level intelligence for groundbreaking performance.

This is paired with fast 2133MHz LPDDR4X memory and turbo-charged UFS 2.2 storage that yields super-fast data bandwidth.

Infinix expands the NOTE 12 VIP, NOTE 12 G96’s 8GB memory to 13GB by integrating RAM and ROM to provide users with up to 5GB extended RAM. This improves the smartphone’s processing speed and accelerates performance when users are using their smartphone to multi-task with various functions and tasks delivering extra power when it’s needed.

Additional key features:
• Dual Speakers with DTS: The NOTE 12 Series creates a powerful 360-degree surround sound
with enhanced audio.
• Graphene Cooling System: The NOTE 12 VIP has 9-Layer Colling System with graphene and
Vapor-Chamber Liquid Cooling for up to 15-degrees Celsius reduction4 in core temperature.
Additionally, the NOTE 12 G96 is equipped with a 10-Layered Graphene Cooling system.
• Linear Motor Tactile Systems: The NOTE 12 VIP integrates a Dual X-axis Linear Motor Tactile
System giving users a completely new touch experience while gaming. Meanwhile, the NOTE 12
G96 boasts a Linear Motor Tactile System that simulates shorter and crisper vibrations while
gaming.
• Infinix’s Dar-Link 2.0: The software improves image stability based on an AI algorithm, while
simultaneously reducing device temperature for an immersive gaming experience.
• XOS 10.6 Software: The NOTE 12 Series features new XOS 10.6 software based on Android 12,
which includes new features such as Storage Optimizer, Lightning Multi-Window, Privacy
Guardian and more. Additionally, the NOTE 12 VIP supports Folax AI voice assistant adding
quality of life improvements.

About Launch, Pricing and Availability

Prices will be announced at the product launch happening at the Sarit Centre Expo you can catch the event through live stream here https://bit.ly/3abUzM7.

The NOTE 12 VIP will be available in Cayenne Grey and Force Black in 256+8GB; the NOTE 12 G96 will be
available in Sapphire Blue, Force Black and Snowfall in 128GB+8GB and NOTE 12i 128+4GB.

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Business

Nzoia Sugar Company To Close For 2 Months

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Nzoia sugar company is set to close for a period of two months for to undergo repair and maintenance.

Speaking to the press at the company, the company’s Managing Director Chrispin Ogutu said that the sugar miller has been operating on old equipment which has affected the production.

He said that the company needs modernized equipment for efficiency in production of sugar.

The national government had recently allocated 500 million shillings to aid in reviving the miller and some of the money was used to import new equipment from overseas to at least boost the production.

Ogutu went ahead to note that 216 million shillings is going to be used for that exercise where by 150 million shillings will be used on spare parts while the remaining will be used to pay the experts who will participate in repairing the equipment and also paying the skilled casuals and laborers.

The managing director went ahead to ask the farmers whose sugarcane is ready for cutting to be patient and reserve them as they wait for the company to resume saying that when it resumes, it will be able to process more sugar hence more canes will be needed.

Ogutu also noted that the company still owes the farmers 787 million saying that since the reopening of the company in 2020 which was languishing in debts, it has paid to about 1.5 billion shillings debt as at April and it looks forward to pay more farmers when the company resumes.

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Infinix Launches All-New HOT 12 Series at Tech Week 2022 At Kenyan Universities

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Infinix today announced the launch of the all-new smartphone HOT 12, a fresh smartphone that integrates long endurance and fun.

The announcement was made at the University of Nairobi during this years’ Tech Week, an event where students are offered an opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas through projects and exhibitions they
are working on.

Established in 2018, the event is currently being occasioned by 20 universities country wide with this years’ event being hosted at the University of Nairobi.

In partnership with Infinix the winners were awarded cash prizes of up to Ksh 50,000 and brand new Hot 12 Play Series phones that were officially launched at the event.

Winners of Tech Week 2022, Taifa Hall UoN

About The HOT 12 Series

The Infinix HOT 12 is equipped with a Helio G85 processor, a 6.82″ 90Hz Pro-Level gaming screen for electronic sports to create an ideal game entertainment platform.

It comes with a 5000mAh battery, an 18W fast charger and the famous Dar-link game optimization engine to stimulate all-day gaming pleasure.

The trendy straight-edge design presents light and thin scientific and technological aesthetics, for a powerful and stylish Infinix HOT series mobile phone.

Eric Zheng, Infinix Product Manager expressed: “We are continuously committed to designing intelligent smartphones with excellent performance and trendy aesthetics for young consumers, and we will constantly bring the latest, best and most cost-effective products to users.

“The Infinix HOT 12 has achieved a breakthrough in improved performance, ultra-long endurance and trendy
aesthetics, which allows young people around the world to express themselves through their smartphones. ”

A Blazing-Fast Chipset

Thanks to the blazing fast MediaTek G85 gaming chipset, The Infinix HOT 12 comfortably handles higher frame rates to run demanding games resulting in shorter response times and faster communication connections.

The G85 gaming chipset adopts dual-core flagship CPU architecture, two fast ARM Cortex-A75 cores up to 2 GHz for performance tasks and six small ARM CortexA55 cores up to 1.8 GHz for efficiency.

All eight cores can be used together thanks to heterogeneous multiprocessing support.

These headline features combined make for a fantastic gaming smartphone enabling HOT 12 to run the top games in sublime quality for an immersive gaming experience.

Power All Day Long

The Infinix HOT 12 uses a massive 5000mAh battery, fast-charging and ultra-power mode to ensure consistent performance alongside rapid juice ups for all day long battery life.

Equipped with a 5000mAh “Big Mac” high-density and large-capacity battery, which can support the power consumption of demanding apps, games and general use, users can enjoy power all day long.

Additionally, it also supports Type-C interface18W supercharge with a 50% power up time of just 50 minutes allowing users to focus more on their games and less on their battery levels.

To further improve battery quality, The Infinix HOT 12 is equipped with Infinix self-developed battery lasting technology, which improves the longevity by approximately 25% in a single click.

With just 5% power remaining, an additional 2.6 hours of usage can be unlocked using Ultra Power
Mode.

Packed With Memory

Coming stacked with 128GB+6GB of memory & RAM, the HOT 12 allows users to run multiple demanding applications with ease and operate them smoothly with the ability to switch between apps without lag and the storage to keep everything in one place.

Gamers can enjoy fluid frame rates and blazing speed when playing the latest games giving them a considerable advantage over players with older devices.

Infinix’s self-developed RAM fusion technology allows HOT 12 phones to support 5GB of extended RAM and up to 11GB of combined RAM, increasing the number of background cached applications by three to nine and improving the average launch time of TOP20 applications by 10%- 50%.

The extra RAM gives users power when they need it for a sublime smartphone experience in a wide variety of usage scenarios.

Trendy Eye-catching Design

The Infinix HOT 12 features a superbly trendy flat-edge flagship smartphone design language for an eye-catching look.

The straight-edge design gives the device a visibly thinner effect of a 3mm textured look with cleaner lines. The angular exterior is paired with a rich reflection of flowing light and shadow representing a strong & bold image.

The devices come with rich & vibrant color options including Racing Black, Legend White & Origin blue giving young consumers a color option for every occasion.

The HOT 12 features a full 6.82″ 90Hz Pro-Level esports screen for a silky-smooth display. It also

provides almost instant visual feedback on touch input with a 180Hz touch sampling rate giving the
HOT 12 a snappy response rate which is absolutely ideal for smartphone gaming and demanding applications.

Rich Immersive Sound

HOT 12 comes fully upgraded with both dual upper and lower speakers for a truly immersive audio experience with deep lows, clear mids and rich crisp highs.

Users can enjoy a top-quality audio experience when listing to music, consuming online media and playing fast-paced games where footsteps can be heard giving gamers an advantage when another player is on the hunt.

The Infinix HOT 12 also delivers a fantastic photographic experience for users with a clean user interface.

Fully equipped with an 8MP AI front camera, 13MP AI triple rear camera, and a powerful image algorithm, HOT 12 provides an AI portrait that enhances the focus of every snapshot in the best way possible.

The XOS 10 operating system redefines style with a brand-new design and artistic chromatic aberration through Smart Scene and integrates some applications designed for a smarter life.

Its built-in XArena enhances your gaming experience by integrating game applications on smartphones into a single area and enabling game boosters to boost performance.

There is also a quick setting that mutes messages and calls during a gaming session so users can focus on the task at hand.

Combined with the underlying game optimization algorithm through Dar-Link, it brings users an immersive gaming entertainment experience unrivaled by smartphones at its attainable price point.

Availability

Infinix HOT 12 will be available in 3 variants HOT 12 Play 128+4 for Ksh 18,499, HOT 12 Play 64+4 for Ksh 16,499 and HOT 12 128+4 going for Ksh 19,999 soon in outlets countrywide.

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Business

Finsco Land Sales On Court Radar, Again

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma


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.

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Fly 748
Business

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

by Mustafa Juma
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 30th March and is expected to run until 3rd 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.

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Business

KFCB To Involve Industry in Regulation of Audiovisual Content

by Daily Trends
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

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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
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.

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Business

Edward Mwasi Accused of Mismanaging Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board

by Mustafa Juma
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!

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Business

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

by Mustafa Juma
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 !!

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