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Kenyan Government Announces Members of Advisory Board for President Ruto’s Hustler Fund Initiative

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Kenyan Government Announces Members of Advisory Board for President Ruto’s Hustler Fund Initiative

The Kenyan government has revealed the members of the advisory board for President William Ruto’s flagship project, the Hustler Fund. The Fund officially referred to as the Financial Inclusion Fund aims to support and empower young entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the country.

To lead the Hustler Fund, Irene Karimi was appointed as the Chairperson for a three-year term. Karimi brings a wealth of experience to the table, boasting over 30 years in project management. She has worked with organizations such as USAID/Kenya, Chemonics International, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Kenya Investment Mechanism (KIM). Karimi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Andrews University, Berrien Springs in Michigan, and is a Certified Performance Technologist (ISPI, 2007) and has other relevant certificates in her field.

Moreover, Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui has appointed Lawrence Kibet Chelimo, Paul Ndore Musyimi, and Hardlyne Lusui to the Hustler Fund Advisory Board. These appointments, made under Section 10 (I) of the Public Finance Management Act, are effective as of January 13, 2023, and will be for three years.

The Hustler Fund Advisory Board appointments came after CS Chelugui stated that the recommended individuals were subjected to background checks by various State agencies. The board will oversee the Hustler Fund’s administration and consist of three other persons who are not public officers. An ex-officio member will be the administrator.

The Hustler Fund is a vital initiative to empower young entrepreneurs and small business owners in Kenya. The appointments of experienced and qualified individuals to the advisory board will provide the necessary guidance and oversight to ensure that the Fund’s objectives are met and that it positively impacts the Kenyan economy.

Uber cracks down on offline trips and fare overcharging by taxi operators on its platform

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Uber cracks down on offline trips and fare overcharging by taxi operators on its platform

Uber is taking action against taxi operators on its platform who have been breaking the rules by running trips offline. The company has sent out a survey to customers asking for information about instances where a driver requested an offline trip or charged more than the fare displayed on the app.

“We want to hear from you if your driver asks for an offline trip or charges more than expected. Please use this link to report any issues,” said a message sent to Uber users, along with a link to the online questionnaire. This form is to report any instances where the driver on your recent trip requested to take the trip off the Uber app, refused to take your trip because it was a card trip, or asked for more than the fare displayed on the app,” the questionnaire further explained.

Uber is encouraging customers to provide the driver’s name and phone number in case of such instances. This action aims to ensure that all drivers on the platform abide by the rules and guidelines, providing customers with a smooth and reliable experience.

This move comes just two months after the company revealed that airport requests on the app in Kenya had increased by 51.93% compared to last year as the tourism industry recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Uber’s Head of East Africa, Imran Manji, said in November that Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was one of its customers’ most visited places, followed by Moi International Airport in Mombasa. He said a significant portion of the riders taking these trips were national and international visitors. Uber is seeing a steady growth in popularity as a preferred mode of transportation for tourists.

This effort by Uber to enforce compliance among its taxi operators is a positive move toward ensuring customer satisfaction and safety. Additionally, it demonstrates the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to its customers and its willingness to take proactive measures to ensure that all drivers on its platform adhere to established guidelines.

WhatsApp to Introduce New Feature Allowing Users to Share Voice Notes as Status Updates

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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WhatsApp to Introduce New Feature Allowing Users to Share Voice Notes as Status Updates

The facebook-owned messaging platform, WhatsApp, has announced a new feature that will allow its users to share voice notes as status updates. The feature was reported by WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo on Wednesday, stating that it will be available in the app’s latest version.

WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp’s latest version, 2.23.2.8, will allow users to share voice notes as status updates. This feature will give users more control over their recordings by enabling them to discard a recording before it is shared.

Like video status updates, the maximum recording time for a voice note will be limited to 30 seconds. The updates will also be end-to-end encrypted, meaning only people selected within the privacy settings can listen in. It guarantees that the voice updates will be private and shared only with the intended audience.

The voice updates will automatically disappear after 24 hours; however, users will have the option of deleting them for everyone before the expiry of the period. It allows users to decide when they want their voice updates to disappear.

Currently, the status feature allows WhatsApp users only to share photos, videos, written texts, and links with their contacts. With the introduction of voice notes, users will have more options to express themselves and share their thoughts with their contacts.

The addition of voice notes as a status update feature is a great addition to WhatsApp, allowing users to communicate more personally and authentically. It also provides users with the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas more naturally and easy way.

WhatsApp’s upcoming feature of sharing voice notes as status updates will offer users more control and flexibility in communicating with their contacts. It is a valuable addition to the app that allows users to share their thoughts and ideas more personally and authentically.

BasiGo unveils 15 new electric buses, further revolutionizing public transportation in Kenya

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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BasiGo unveils 15 new electric buses, further revolutionizing public transportation in Kenya

Kenyan electric bus start-up BasiGo has taken another step towards revolutionizing public transportation in the country with the arrival of 15 new electric buses from BYD Automotive, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles. The buses were shipped partially assembled to Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) in Miritini, Mombasa, where they will be completed and finished before being deployed on Nairobi routes.

This new shipment of buses is the same model as the two pilot buses launched in Nairobi in March 2022. The pilot program has been a resounding success, with the buses logging over 120,000 kilometers and carrying over 150,000 passengers with two separate bus operators: Citi Hoppa and East Shuttle.

BasiGo CEO Jit Bhattacharya said in a press release that these new buses would soon be plying routes across Nairobi, giving residents access to safe, comfortable, and clean public transport for their daily commute. He also highlighted the importance of finishing the assembly of these buses in Kenya, as it demonstrates that these new electric vehicles can be manufactured locally.

According to Moses Nderitu, the CRO of BasiGo, local assembly is crucial, and as a result, all-electric buses supplied by BasiGo will be assembled in Kenya from next year. He also mentioned that efforts are being made to increase localization by incorporating local components such as interiors and telematics to develop the capacity for assembling electric buses within Kenya.

The buses are fully electric with a 25-seater capacity and cost $46,698. BasiGo also has a separate contract option where operators pay $0.16 per kilometer. It is a game-changer for the public transportation industry in Kenya, as it offers an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered buses.

As a trailblazer in adopting electric vehicles in the public transportation industry, BasiGo is making strides in revolutionizing how residents of Nairobi commute. With the recent addition of 15 new buses, more citizens will have access to a sustainable and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation. The company’s decision to assemble all of its electric buses locally in Kenya is commendable for its environmental impact and potential to boost the local economy by building capacity for electric vehicle manufacturing.

Millions of Safaricom Subscribers allowed to Join a Class Action Lawsuit Over Data Privacy Concerns

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Millions of Safaricom Subscribers allowed to Join a Class Action Lawsuit Over Data Privacy Concerns

A recent ruling by a Kenyan High Court judge has given millions of Safaricom subscribers the green light to join a class action lawsuit against the telecoms provider. The suit centers around a clause in the SIM card registration process that allows the company to collect and store the bank details of mobile phone users.

The clause in question, Clause 3.2.1 in the data privacy statement, requires subscribers to provide information such as credit or debit card details, bank account numbers, and Swift codes as part of the SIM card registration process. The court has authorized two senior counsels, Wilfred Nderitu and Charles Kanjama, to invite other subscribers to join the suit and have them remove this clause from the registration process.
The lawyers argue that Safaricom’s dominant market position in Kenya forced subscribers to accept this clause, as they had no other options to access mobile services. Safaricom currently holds a 66% market share, while its closest competitors, Airtel and Telkom Kenya, save 26.3% and 4.9%, respectively.

It is not the first class action suit against Safaricom and the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), the sector regulator. A customer filed a previous claim over SIM Swap fraud, which has seen scammers drain millions of shillings from mobile phone subscribers’ bank accounts. The outcome of this case is still pending.

Justice Mwita has also ordered Safaricom and the CA to file their defense within seven days and will hear again on March 14. The plaintiffs, Nderitu and Kanjama, seek a temporary order to stop Safaricom from collecting and storing their personal financial information, arguing that this violates their rights and could cause harm that cannot compensate through damages.

This class action suit serves as a wake-up call for the significance of data privacy and security in the digital era. It also emphasizes the necessity for consumers to pay attention to the clauses in the terms and conditions of the services they use and holds companies accountable for collecting and using personal information. The general public and the industry will closely monitor the outcome of this case.

Kenya Accelerates Adoption of Electric Vehicles with Rollout of Charging Infrastructure and Financial Incentives

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Kenya Accelerates Adoption of Electric Vehicles with Rollout of Charging Infrastructure and Financial Incentives

Kenya is accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. The government announced plans to roll out EV charging infrastructure in all urban areas and along highways, as well as create incentives for the adoption of electric mass transit systems in all cities and towns.

The move comes as interest in EVs continues to grow as countries worldwide look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and transition to cleaner forms of transportation. Many automakers and governments have announced plans to phase out diesel and petrol-powered vehicles by 2040, and Kenya is racing to catch up with these efforts.

Transportation, particularly road transportation, is a significant source of carbon emissions in Kenya due to the predominant use of fossil fuels for vehicle propulsion systems. However, the shift to EVs is gaining momentum with the entry of electric motorbikes, tuk-tuks, taxis, and the planned buses for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

To further promote EV adoption, the government will provide financial and tax incentives for public service vehicles and commercial transporters to convert to electric vehicles. Car and General (C&G), a Kenyan company, announced last year that it would start selling EVs and tuk-tuks as part of a plan to diversify into the ‘green’ mobility business and contribute to managing climate change and pollution.

The government also plans to leverage the financial support provided to the bodaboda sector through the Hustler Fund to develop the nascent electric vehicle and motorcycle assembly industry. It is seen as a win-win proposition as it will contribute to Kenya’s emission reduction commitment and provide cheaper transport and build an electric vehicle industry.

Kenya Power, the country’s leading power supplier, has already committed to constructing electric charging systems for homes, businesses, and the public across the country as the shift to clean transport gathers momentum. The government is also intensifying national connectivity through road, rail, port, energy and fibre-optic infrastructure to foster an enabling environment for economic recovery and inclusive growth.

Kenya is taking bold steps to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles to combat greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. With the government’s efforts to roll out EV charging infrastructure, provide incentives for electric mass transit systems, and financial support for EV adoption, the country is on track to catch up with the rest of the world in the shift to clean mobility.

KRA Links Systems with Telcos to Increase Taxes and Reach Sh3 Trillion Collection Target

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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KRA Links Systems with Telcos to Increase Taxes and Reach Sh3 Trillion Collection Target

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that it will link its system to telecommunication companies to increase tax compliance and reach its Sh3 trillion tax collection target for the 2023/2024 budget. This move will enable the KRA to track the 16 percent value-added tax (VAT) on sales and the 20 percent excise duty charged on mobile money transactions.

Mobile money transactions, which started as a way to send money between friends and relatives in 2007, have since evolved to include payment of bills and government services. Banks have also begun to use this financial technology to earn billions in fees through mobile banking. According to data from the Central Bank of Kenya, there were 73.2 million mobile money accounts as of November 2022, with transactions valued at Sh639.84 billion.

By linking the taxman’s system to telecommunication companies, the KRA will gain visibility of real-time mobile money transactions, providing a rare peak into Kenyans’ lifestyles. The amount of money transacted on mobile phones was more than half of all the goods and services produced in the economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), by the end of 2021. A bulk of these transactions, over 80 percent, were carried out on M-Pesa, Safaricom’s mobile money transfer service.

It aims to expand its tax base by utilizing technology to identify individuals with substantial income yet evading taxes. To achieve this, the KRA will gather data from external sources such as telecommunications and betting companies to compare cash flow against tax payments to detect those who avoid paying their dues. The KRA has already connected with 16 betting companies to enable real-time calculation of taxes, ensuring that the firms pay taxes on betting, gaming, lottery, and winnings by 1 am every day.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has taken steps to integrate its system with telecommunication companies to achieve its Sh3 trillion tax collection target for the 2023/2024 budget. The government plans to increase revenue collection efforts by the KRA as part of its economic turnaround plan. It’s targeting to reach a total collection of Sh3 trillion in the Financial Year 2023/24 and Sh4 trillion in the medium term, as stated in the draft 2023 Budget Policy Statement released by the Treasury on Wednesday evening.

KRA’s linking its system to telecommunication companies is a significant step towards increasing tax compliance and reaching revenue collection targets. The integration will provide the KRA with valuable real-time data on mobile money transactions, allowing it to identify and target those who are not paying their fair share of taxes. Additionally, the KRA’s plan to rely more on technology to match data from third parties such as telcos and betting firms will help it capture the cash flow against tax remittances and nab those evading duty payments.

Schneider Electric Kenya Strengthening Assembly and Manufacturing Operations with Transfer of Assets and Employees to Key Country Partner

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Schneider Electric Kenya Strengthening Assembly and Manufacturing Operations with Transfer of Assets and Employees to Key Country Partner

Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has announced plans to transfer its manufacturing operations, assets, and employees to a key country partner in a move aimed at strengthening its assembly and manufacturing operations, services, and products to its partners. The company is committed to its East African business and is focused on positioning the company with key technology partners.

Devan Pillay, the Anglophone Africa cluster president at Schneider Electric, emphasized that the company remains dedicated to its East African business, and the transfer of its manufacturing and assembly operations reflects this commitment. The company is actively positioning itself with key technology partners by carefully selecting, developing, and supporting its partner network in various business streams.

Scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2023, this move will enable the company’s assembly and manufacturing plant employees to continue their professional growth at the partner while maintaining Schneider Electric’s high standards. Additionally, this move allows Schneider Electric to increase its presence in Eastern Africa, offer more products, and expand its partner network to provide its customers with advanced technology and more competitive value.

Carol Koech, the country president for East Africa at Schneider Electric, states that the company will maintain its sales, marketing, projects, services, and logistics operations from Kenya, to serve the East African market. The company’s goal is to optimize the use of energy and resources, which will enable progress and sustainability for all. It is important for the company to have clear business goals and for its partner network to be empowered to execute this shared purpose and mission.

In due course, Schneider Electric Kenya will provide more detail on the assembly and manufacturing partnership. This move indicates the company’s commitment to its East African business and its focus on positioning it with key technology partners. Schneider Electric is dedicated to carefully selecting, developing, and supporting its partner network in various business streams to ensure that its customers continue to receive the best possible service and products.

Schneider Electric Kenya is taking a proactive step forward by transferring its manufacturing operations, assets, and employees to a key country partner. This move will enable the company to expand its reach in Eastern Africa, commercialize more offers, and enhance its partner network, allowing it to provide its customers with more advanced technology and competitive value. The company will continue to conduct its sales, marketing, projects, services, and logistics operations from Kenya, serving the East African market.

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