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OPPO Kenya Rolls Out Easter Deals with LOOP and UoN Campus Challenge Featuring the A5 Pro

OPPO Kenya has launched a fun filled Easter Sale with LOOP and is offering discounts on select smartphones including OPPO A38, Reno11 F, and Reno12 F. It’s not just a sales promotion, OPPO is combining offers with on-ground engagement – a campus activation at the University of Nairobi with a Football Dribble Challenge with Onfon Mobile.

The star of the show is the new OPPO A5 Pro – a phone that combines toughness with affordability making it a standout in the budget segment.

OPPO A5 Pro: Built for Everyday Life

Few phones in its class can match the protection and utility of the A5 Pro. With military-grade durability this phone is designed to survive real life accidents – from sudden drops on the pavement to constant jostling in your backpack or pocket.

It has reinforced double-tempering glass which offers 160% better drop resistance than regular glass. Everyday threats like keys, coins or accidental falls pose no risk to its display. Internally an AM04 aluminum alloy shield protects the motherboard while also enhancing heat dissipation thus extending device life.

IP69 Certification: Raising the Bar

A5 Pro goes beyond the typical IP68 rating found in premium phones. It has IP66, IP68 and IP69 certification making it one of the most water and dust resistant phones in its class.

To get this rating the A5 Pro underwent intense lab testing including:

  • IP66 test: 100 liters/min water jets sprayed from 12.5mm nozzles for 3 minutes.
  • IP69 test: Heated 80°C high-pressure water jets directed at the phone from multiple angles on a rotating platform for 2 minutes.

This certification means the phone can withstand rainstorms, splashes and high-pressure water environments – a true everyday companion for active users.

LOOP Easter Deals and Campus Activation

OPPO’s Easter campaign runs from April 17th to April 26th, 2025 and exclusive deals via the LOOP app. During this period customers can get discounts on:

  • OPPO Reno11 F 5G
  • OPPO Reno12 F 5G
  • OPPO A38

To further engage with the youth, OPPO will have a football-themed campus activation at the University of Nairobi. Students will get to showcase their football skills, participate in interactive experiences and win OPPO merchandise and smartphones.

“This Easter we wanted to give more than just offers – we’re giving experiences,” said Fredrique Achieng, PR Manager, OPPO Kenya.

Flexible Financing via Onfon Mobile

A5 Pro is now available at a recommended retail price of KES 29,999 but OPPO has partnered with Onfon Mobile to make premium smartphones more accessible. The “Lipa Pole Pole” plan allows customers to pay a 20% deposit and the balance in monthly installments.

vivo V50 Launches in Kenya: Raising the Bar for Mobile Portrait Photography

vivo has launched its latest flagship device in Kenya, the vivo V50, setting a new standard in mobile portrait photography. Engineered with cutting-edge ZEISS Professional Portrait technology, the V50 is for users who want high-performance imaging, sleek design and long battery life in one device. Its launch marks vivo’s move to dominate the premium mid-range segment with innovation for both professional creators and everyday users.

A New Era of Portraits

At the heart of the V50 is its main feature — a 50 MP ZEISS Co-engineered All Main Camera setup that turns the phone into a professional portrait machine. vivo’s long term collaboration with ZEISS has resulted to what is arguably the brand’s most advanced camera system yet.

The ZEISS OIS Main Camera with 1/1.55″ sensor captures more light even in low light. With VCS Camera-Bionic Spectrum, the system mimics the human eye’s color perception resulting to more natural and vivid photos. The mini gimbal and CIPA 4.0 certified design ensures sharp and blur-free photos especially in low light and action shots.

AI Aura Light Portrait 2.0 and ZEISS Style Bokeh

The V50 introduces AI Aura Light Portrait 2.0 with 143x ultra-soft fill light. It adjusts to different skin tones and lighting environments. New cinematic portrait modes such as Rembrandt Lighting and Butterfly Lighting add drama to photos while ZEISS Multifocal Portrait modes (23 mm, 35 mm and 50 mm) with 7 ZEISS Style Bokeh filters replicate DSLR effects with subtlety and depth.Selfies are not an afterthought either — a 50 MP ZEISS Group Selfie Camera with 92° wide-angle lens and AI 3D Studio Lighting 2.0 gives you detailed and flattering results anywhere. A 119° ultra-wide rear camera for group photos and landscapes and 4K video recordingFilm Camera Mode, and AI Image Studio for cinematic creativity in your hands.

Style Meets Substance

Beyond its camera capabilities, the vivo V50 is a work of art in modern smartphone design. The Ultra Slim 4D Infinity Curved Screen gives you immersive visuals in a super lightweight body. The 41° Golden Curvature and center frame is designed for extended use in entertainment, gaming and productivity.

The V50 comes in Mombasa Blue and Satin Black colors inspired by nature. The Dual Ring Camera Module has luxurious details — a Diamond Pattern matte finish and high-gloss corner cuts showing vivo’s attention to form and finish.

Long Lasting Battery and Flagship Grade Performance

Underneath the sleek body lies a 6000 mAh (TYP) BlueVolt Battery, with second generation silicon-carbon anode and encapsulation technology for longer life and better thermal control. With 90W FlashCharge, you can get up to 6 hours of talk time from just 10 minutes of charging.

Performance is powered by the Snapdragon® 7 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, with 15% CPU boost and 50% GPU boost over the previous generation. An enhanced AI Neural Engine and ISP optimizes everything from app launches to camera functions. With 12 GB RAM and 12 GB extended RAM, the V50 can run more than 40 apps simultaneously — perfect for power users and creatives.

The phone is also IP68/IP69 water and dust resistant, so you can use it in rugged or unpredictable environments.

Price and Availability in Kenya

The vivo V50 is now available in authorized online and offline stores in Kenya for Ksh 69,999. With pro-grade photography, beautiful design and reliable performance, the V50 is the perfect choice for Kenyans who want value without compromise.

High Court Declares Mandatory School Fee Payments via eCitizen Unconstitutional

Government’s eCitizen Directive Overturned

The High Court of Kenya has ruled that the government’s directive to pay school fees through the eCitizen platform is unconstitutional. This follows a petition by Dr. Magare Gikenyi and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) who argued that the directive was not properly consulted and lacked legal backing.

eCitizen Directive Overturned

The government issued a circular in January 2024 requiring parents and guardians to pay school fees exclusively through eCitizen. The aim was to streamline revenue collection and integrate digital transactions in the education sector. But stakeholders raised concerns about its feasibility, accessibility and legality.

Judge Chacha Mwita ruled that the directive had no legal basis and was enforced without public participation. He said school fees are not government revenue and should not be collected through a national platform.

Legal Concerns and Public Outcry

The petitioners raised several key issues with the eCitizen mandate:

  • No Public Participation – The government did not engage parents, schools and stakeholders before implementing the policy.
  • No Alternative Payment Methods – Many rural parents pay school fees through barter trade (maize, beans) which the directive ignored.
  • Lack of Transparency – The court questioned the integrity of the eCitizen platform in handling school funds and accountability.
  • Unjustified Transaction Fees – The KSh 50 convenience fee per transaction was ruled unlawful. Justice Mwita said forcing parents to pay extra fees is double taxation.

What this means

The court’s decision sets a precedent for future digital policy implementations in Kenya. It also shows the need for legal backing and public consultation. It also highlights the need for financial flexibility for parents especially those in marginalized areas who may not have access to digital payment methods.

While digital platforms like eCitizen are convenient forcing mandatory use without alternatives can exclude sections of the population. Going forward the government may need to find a more inclusive approach and allow parents to choose between mobile money, bank payments and digital platforms.

Final thoughts

This is a big win for financial freedom and consumer rights in Kenya. Digital transformation is inevitable but it must be inclusive, legal and transparent. The government may need to rethink its approach to ensure future policies comply with the constitution and cater for all economic classes.

As Kenya goes digital, the balance between convenience and accessibility is key. What do you think about this ruling? Should digital payments be mandatory or should parents have multiple payment options?

OPPO Reno13 Series: Elevating Mobile Gaming with Advanced Performance and Connectivity

As mobile gaming continues to change the game, eSports is one of the hottest trends of the generation. To keep up with the evolving needs of gamers, the OPPO Reno13 series gets major upgrades, a perfect companion for mobile gaming enthusiasts.

Hardware and System Optimization for Seamless Gaming

For gamers, performance is key, but achieving consistency on a phone requires a combination of hardware upgrades, game-centric design and deep system-level optimizations. The Reno13 series delivers this by packing in cutting-edge tech for sustained and reliable gaming.

Better Thermal Management for Peak Performance

Thermal management is crucial for stable performance during long gaming sessions. The Reno13F 5G has a VC cooling area twice the size of its predecessor, 4,364 mm². This means even and efficient heat dissipation, no overheating and no performance drop.

Plus, OPPO’s Frame Partition Technology optimizes internal heat conduction pathways, so heat is kept away from areas where gamers hold their phones, making it more comfortable during long gaming sessions.

Optimized Connectivity with AI LinkBoost 2.0

A strong and stable network connection is important for competitive gaming, the Reno13F 5G has a 360-degree surround antenna system with 10 antennas. So no matter how you hold your phone, you won’t get disconnected.

Key connectivity upgrades:

  • AI LinkBoost 2.0: A network priority algorithm and intelligent multi-antenna switching to boost cellular performance by 175% and reduce gaming latency by 35%.
  • Low-Frequency Antenna Technology: Enhances signal stability in weak coverage areas like underground garages, rural areas and remote locations.
  • Geographic Fencing and Intelligent Network Selection: Optimizes network performance in high-traffic areas, reduces lag and disconnection.

Game Developer Collaborations for Better Gaming

To improve in-game performance, OPPO has collaborated with leading game developers such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and PUBG Mobile (Global Version) to optimize the Reno13 series for heavy gaming scenarios.* In Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, the Reno13 series performance is maxed out during team fights, visuals are smooth, controls are responsive.

  • For daily gaming, the phone maintains stable frame rates and reduce power consumption for longer playtime.

The Gaming Phone

With a powerful chipset, game-centric hardware and system-level performance boost, the Reno13 series delivers seamless gaming experience. With OPPO Adaptive Frame Booster, it boosts gaming performance and efficiency, so you can game carefree.

Availability and Price

The OPPO Reno13 series is available nationwide and eCommerce at Ksh 37,999 (RRP).

Huawei Kenya Trains Top University Students for Regional ICT Competition

Huawei Kenya has welcomed 18 top university students to its offices for an intensive training program ahead of the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Final of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025. These students won in the national finals and will be representing Kenya in the regional contest in late February 2025.

Kenya’s Next ICT Stars

The selected students are from top universities including Moi University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Machakos University, University of Nairobi’s ICT Center, Africa Nazarene University and Mount Kenya University. Over the next few weeks they will go through mentorship, hands-on training and workshops led by Huawei experts. The program covers advanced ICT domains such as networking, cloud computing and artificial intelligence so that the students can compete at the highest level.

Huawei’s Bridge between Academia and Industry

During the orientation Huawei Kenya’s Head of ICT Academy Program, Mr. Michael Kamau reaffirmed the company’s commitment to nurturing local talent.

“These students demonstrate the innovation and determination to drive Kenya’s digital transformation. Huawei will continue to support young talent by providing platforms like the ICT Competition that bridge the gap between education and industry. We believe they will represent Kenya well at both regional and global stages,” he said.

The Huawei ICT Competition is a flagship corporate social responsibility initiative that aims to develop a strong ICT talent pipeline by aligning students’ skills to global industry standards. Those who win at the regional finals will proceed to the global stage where they will compete for opportunities including internships, industry certifications and career development.

Meet Kenya’s Top ICT Talent

The national winners preparing for the regional finals are:

  • Ifrah Hussein – Moi University
  • Banzy Nyaga – JKUAT
  • Beverlyne Ndombi – Moi University
  • Wambura Harriet – Machakos University
  • Alvin Lanton Ng’ang’a – JKUAT
  • Tony Kipruto Oloibe – University of Nairobi
  • Karen Juma – Moi University
  • Mark Omaiko – Machakos University* Ian Omwenga – Machakos University
  • Ephraim Shikanga – JKUAT
  • Mwangi Grace – Africa Nazarene University
  • Leona Nyasani – Machakos University
  • Rukia Mwari Mohamed – JKUAT
  • Brian Kipkoech – Machakos University
  • Odanga Clement – University of Nairobi
  • Daniel Ochola – Mount Kenya University
  • Job Rosana – JKUAT
  • Kimanthi Vincent – JKUAT

Ifrah Hussein from Moi University said,

“This is an opportunity to learn from industry experts and compete against the best in Africa. We are ready to stretch ourselves and give our best.”

Global ICT Competition

After the regional finals Huawei will host the Global ICT Competition in May 2025 where top students from various regions including Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Asia will converge. The competition will give students a platform to showcase their technical skills and get global recognition.

Huawei’s investment in ICT training and mentorship is part of its mission to develop the next generation of tech leaders and drive digital transformation in Kenya and beyond.

Majority of Kenyans Dissatisfied with Communications Authority’s Complaint Handling

A new customer satisfaction survey by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has found that over 70% of complainants are not satisfied with how the regulator handles their issues. The survey shows a huge gap in consumer satisfaction particularly on effectiveness and speed of complaint resolution.

Only 29.3% of consumers who lodged complaints to CA were satisfied with the process, leaving a majority unhappy. The complaints cover various issues including scams, poor service from providers like Zuku and Safaricom, cybercrime, domain registrar issues and courier service problems.

It’s not just the telecom services that are unhappy but internet disruptions, illegal internet provision, TV and radio broadcast concerns and general network performance. The survey also shows that consumers reach out to CA through multiple channels—email (60.3%), phone calls (15.9%), website submissions (7.9%), social media (9.5%) and physical visits and letters. But despite the many channels available, less than half of those who filed complaints in the last one year found CA’s response satisfactory.

CA licensees—telecom companies, internet service providers, courier and postal services and broadcasters—reported higher satisfaction rate. Over 70% of licensees were satisfied with CA’s services particularly on speed, vigilance and accuracy of the quarterly reports.

While 54% of consumers who deal directly with CA are satisfied, a huge number of suppliers and partners are not. The survey shows that 38% of CA’s suppliers and 20.2% of its affiliates including donors and collaborating agencies were dissatisfied with CA’s services.

Overall, the dissatisfaction with CA’s services has gone up compared to last year. In 2024, 28.7% of the surveyed stakeholders were dissatisfied, up from 19.9% in 2023. This trend shows CA needs to improve its consumer engagement and complaints resolution mechanisms.

As CA is the key regulator of Kenya’s technology and telecommunications sector, addressing these gaps is crucial to restore public confidence. As the number of complaints continues to rise, we wait to see if CA will implement reforms to improve its responsiveness and service quality.

Kenya Records a Surge in Smartphone Adoption as Feature Phones Decline

Kenya has seen a smartphone explosion with 2.2 million smartphones bought in the 3 months to September 2024. This is the highest quarterly smartphone uptake since the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) started tracking these numbers.

Smartphone Penetration Growing

According to CA, the number of active smartphones in the country grew from 35.2 million in June 2024 to 37.4 million by September, that’s a 6.3% increase. This is a growing demand for modern devices with advanced features, especially internet and digital apps.

On the other hand, feature phone usage dropped by 200,000 in the same period to 30.7 million from 30.9 million. That’s a 0.6% decline, a trend that has been going on with basic mobile phones losing market share to smartphones.

Kenya’s Mobile Market: Highlights

CA’s latest sector report shows that by September 2024, the total number of devices connected to the network was 67.7 million. Mobile penetration was 131.5% with smartphones at 72.6%. But note that these figures are for multiple device ownership and not individual phone owners.

Why Kenyans are Switching to Smartphones

Here are the reasons:

  1. Growing Internet Demand – The need for internet for communication, work, education and entertainment has forced many to upgrade to smartphones.
  2. Affordable Financing – Mobile network providers and manufacturers have introduced payment plans and consumers can buy smartphones on credit and pay in installments.
  3. Aggressive Marketing – Smartphone brands are investing heavily in advertising and making consumers aware of the benefits of upgrading from feature phones.
  4. Local Assembly and Affordability – The launch of Kenya’s first mobile phone assembly plant in October 2023 by President William Ruto has made smartphones more available with some models retailing at $40 (approximately Ksh 5,170).

Feature Phones are Fading Away

Feature phones that only support basic functions like calls, SMS and simple media playback are being phased out as more Kenyans opt for devices with internet, apps and multimedia. In the last year alone, over 600,000 feature phones were abandoned for smartphones.

Conclusion

The growing smartphone penetration in Kenya will further drive digitalisation, in sectors like e-commerce, fintech and online education. As more people go digital, businesses and service providers must adjust to the changing consumer landscape.

With more affordability initiatives and a push for local assembly, Kenya’s smartphone uptake will continue to rise in the next few years and bridge the digital gap and increase mobile access across the country.

KNH Cybercrime Incident: KES 47 Million Lost, Security Measures Tightened

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has lost KES 47 million in the financial year ending June 2024 after 11 employees were suspended for cybercrime.

After an internal investigation, KNH has recovered KES 16 million and has referred the matter to Public Service Commission (PSC) and other investigative agencies.

Legal Action and Investigations

KNH CEO Evanson Kamuri says the suspects are in custody and their case is in court. He assures the public that KNH is working with investigators to ensure justice is served and prevent future occurrences.

This comes after Auditor General Nancy Gathungu conducted a forensic audit of KNH’s payment system over fraud and fund misappropriation concerns. The report is yet to be released.

PSC’s Figures in Dispute

Earlier, the PSC had reported KES 517.9 million loss at KNH. But KNH has since clarified that the actual figure was KES 47 million. KNH attributes the difference to errors in the PSC’s report.

Dr. Kamuri said,
“The KES 47 million was split among the 11 individuals under investigation, hence the KES 517.9 million figure.”

KNH has asked PSC to correct the report.

Cybercrime and Public Sector Corruption

The PSC report released in January 2025 shows that public sector corruption resulted in KES 643.59 million losses in the 2023/2024 financial year up from KES 605.1 million in the previous year. This figure may go down if PSC accepts KNH’s correction.

The report excludes losses from institutions under independent commissions:
National Police Service Commission
Teachers Service Commission
Judicial Service Commission
Parliamentary Service Commission
County Public Service Commissions

Cybersecurity: A Public Institutions’ Concern

This shows the urgency for stronger cybersecurity in Kenya’s public institutions. As cyber threats get more complex, organisations must act now to secure their systems and protect public funds.

Key steps:
🔹 Regular cybersecurity audits to detect vulnerabilities.
🔹 Strengthened security infrastructure with advanced fraud detection tools.
🔹 Employee training on cybercrime prevention.
🔹 Tight access controls and monitoring of financial transactions.

KNH says it’s putting in place new measures to prevent future cyber fraud and protect public funds.