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KCB Bank Customers to enjoy WhatsApp Interactions through the Digital Customer Service platform

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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KCB Bank Customers to enjoy WhatsApp Interactions through the Digital Customer Service platform

The Kenya Commercial Bank customers are expected to enjoy new ways of customer care interactions to access services previously only available through traditional methods such as email and telephone. The move is expected to bring on board one of the most popular messaging systems as a method that customers could easily contact the bank’s customer care center to access services on what it calls – “a different level”.

Several telco companies in the country have been exploiting additional methods that customers’ can access services on the go by utilizing technologies that come with increased penetration of internet enabled smartphones. A few months back, we witnessed Safaricom employ the Zuri Chat Bot that gave customers access to support services that were previously only accessible via their contact center or email, that was a territory we could only associate with Zuku’s telegram option.

WhatsApp is by far one of the most popular platforms utilized on mobile devices amongst the youth and by adding the service to their contact platform, KCB care agents will now be able to offer support services to customers. This became possible after the top bank in the country employed services of the Digital Customer Service platform which is designed by Sparkcentral – the customer experience solutions provider with Headquarters in San Francisco, US.

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) will therefore become one of the few top African financial institutions to be approved for the WhatsApp Business solution. The platform will become part of the bank’s customer interactions platform, allowing KCB to leverage on one of the most-used messaging systems and take communications to the next level as part of an overall digital transformation effort.

Other messaging services utilized by KCB

Besides the valuable addition of WhatsApp, KCB customers can make enquiries on services through popular messaging services such as Facebook’s Messenger, Instagram, Twitter as well as through a bi-directional SMS and modern live chat.

While speaking on the development, Kenya Commercial Bank’s Customer Experience Director Job Njiru said the bank was defining ways the institution could offer services to customers through its digital transformation efforts. He also added the addition of WhatsApp to the platform was critical in delivering excellent services by allowing the bank collect real time data on customers, then analyze and use it to make informed decisions on how to improve their operations on an ongoing basis.

He also acknowledged the move will combine enterprise scalability with ease of use, making it a smart investment in terms of the bank’s long-term growth. The move was driven by the need to see customers get answers and information they need from KCB as quickly and conveniently as possible and on the platforms they want,” he added.

WhatsApp enjoys a massive usage in the world with over 1.5 billion monthly active users, making it a dominant platform in markets such as Africa, Europe, and South America.

Xiaomi Mi A3 is now official, here is what you need to know before buying

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Xiaomi Mi A3 is now official, here is what you need to know before buying

Xiaomi unveiled a new member to its budget themed “A” series smartphone with a rather surprising package that’s obviously destined to please many – at least from the spec sheet. Entering the lineup is the all new Xiaomi Mi A3 that comes loaded with some features most of us find interesting as well as minor flaws that helped keep prices within reach for average Kenyans. Interestingly, the new “A” series device costs just a fraction of similar spec devices we consider flagships, in Kenya for example, we expect prices not to surpass the KS. 25,000 mark. And as most of us in the tech-world can confidently advise; for that price, it’s worth your consideration.

 For those who’ve had a Xiaomi A series handset can attest to just how the manufacturer is keen on keeping prices low while cutting as low corners as possible, but as we all have come to appreciate, not everything is to notch and this might concern some of you – especially the so called power users. Currently, there are two devices preceding the new Xiaomi Mi A3 smartphone within the “A” series lineup, basically covering the entry level base for the manufacturer.

Xiaomi Mi A3 has cut some corners to keep prices low

Cutting corners isn’t always a bad thing, especially if it results in reduced prices. There are some obvious omissions on this device and its upon consumers to decide whether it deserves a second chance or a pass basing on what they are really looking for. Unlike the highly regarded Xiaomi smartphones that come equipped with Xiaomi’s MIUI android skin, the Xiaomi Mi A3 opts for Google’s “Android One” instead. Depending on how you look at it, it could either please or disappoint but one thing is for sure – since its stock android underneath, you’d get two years of OS updates – something that’s not guaranteed on other android based devices.

Xiaomi Mi A3 Design

Instead of the almost extinct large bezel design, Xiaomi is going for notch instead. Shaped like a tiny teardrop, the notch at the top of the phone is used to house a selfie camera. While at the bottom, you’ll get a medium-sized bezel and rounded display corners. Both the front and back are made of Gorilla Glass 5 which sits uniform across except for the triple camera setup on the back. Underneath the display is an optical fingerprint reader. Xiaomi Mi A3 comes in three colors; White, Gray, and Blue. According to Xiaomi, here’s a “nano-level holographic pattern” on the blue and white models.

The Mi A3 is powered by Snapdragon 665 SoC that unveiled back in April and uses eight of Qualcomm’s custom “Kryo 260” cores (based on the Cortex-A73 design) at 2GHz, along with Adreno 610 GPU, all built on a 11nm manufacturing process. You’ll get 4GB of RAM, a 4030mAh battery, a USB-C port and comes equipped with both an IR blaster, and a MicroSD slot. There are two options when it comes to internal storage; 64GB or 128GB. The rear triple camera setup uses a 48MP sensor for the main shooter, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP depth camera. The selfie camera is 32MP.

Display Panel

Remember when I talked about cutting corners? Well the screen resolution is definitely the main culprit at 1560×720 on 6.1inches, though we loved the fact it’s OLED meaning blacks are really black and for the price, it comes down to personal preference.

The future of Slots

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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The future of Slots

Slot machines have come a very long way since Charles Fey produced the first game in 1895 and with numerous updates, mainly with regards to technology, slots are one of the most popular games found in both brick-and-mortar and online casinos. Whether you’re playing video slots, progressive slots, Vegas slots or participating in a slots tournament, there’s no denying the thrill and excitement of watching the reels spin and seeing which winning combinations will appear. But where do developers go next? What does the future of slots potentially hold? Read on and we’ll list some of the possibilities.

Cryptocurrencies as payment

There’s still a hype around cryptocurrencies and in the same way that gamers love the convenience of playing in online casinos, there’s also a convenience about paying with virtual money. Although some casinos already accept cryptocurrencies, we can certainly see them being far more prominent in the future. But why are they so advantageous, or seen as beneficial?

Well, they are seen as a safer option, as users aren’t required to provide personal details such as their home address, phone number or bank details. Secondly, they are instantaneous, so rather than waiting three or more working days to receive a withdrawal via a bank transfer, a transaction via an e-wallet could take only a number of hours. There are also no transaction limits and are available worldwide. Need we go on?

The use of virtual reality

Virtual reality is seen as the future of casinos, providing players with the ultimate gaming experience. Imagine putting on a headset and mimicking the sights and sounds of a brick-and-mortar casino from the comfort of your own home – how cool would that be?

Imagine walking around the casino, surrounded by your fellow slots fans and being able to control things the same way you would in a standard casino: adjust your stake, select your pay-lines and utilise the autoplay function, if you’d like. But the most exciting part is when you land a winning combination. Watch the symbols come to life and burst out of the screen, with your winnings falling around you. A truly immersive experience for all of your senses and one that is certainly an exciting prospect.

The use of voice control

We find voice control everywhere – on our mobile phones, computers, home hubs and sat-nav systems – but what about the use of voice control in the casino world? Imagine telling your casino to launch a specific table game, or asking your slot portal to spin the reels. Obviously, it probably wouldn’t be ideal if you’re gaming on-the-go, sat at a bus stop or in a public place and you don’t want others to know what you’re doing; but if you’re sat at home, it seems like another convenient option.

Skill-based games

Slots are very much based on luck, you don’t need to know any specific terminology, rules or have experience of spinning the reels. This makes them a great option for newbies; but what about those experienced players that demand more, or find the action a little too repetitive?

How about skill-based games where players can try and better their score, or others’ scores. Slots tournaments are already in existence and add a competitive element, even if it isn’t directly skill-based. But having a slot game, whereby your skill level dictates how you get on in a bonus round or side-game seems like a good option to us. It will add more excitement to the game, while adding another element of competition, to freshen up an otherwise mundane game to keep even the most ardent slots fan happy. What do you think? Is there anything we’ve missed out or anything you’d like to see? Leave us a comment below with your suggestions.

How Little Cab drivers can own Smartphones at affordable rates through “Pata Simu Lipa Mdogo Mdogo” Program

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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How Little Cab drivers can own Smartphones at affordable rates through “Pata Simu Lipa Mdogo Mdogo” Program

Taxi hailing firm – Little Cab has partnered with Pioneer Credit to enable drivers on its platform be able to own quality advanced smartphones at quite reasonable rates. The move allows drivers operating on the Little Cab’s platform purchase handsets on credit thanks to Pioneer Credit – a local firm in the financial services sector.  

The program which is dubbed “Pata Simu Lipa Mdogo Mdogo” allows drivers to acquire decent quality handsets by following a simple three-minute application process. Divided into five categories, drivers will access credit to purchase devices that cost between KS. 10,000 and KS. 20,000. There are several taxi hailing apps in Kenya with Uber claiming the most users followed by Taxify (Bolt) that require both riders and drivers to have their respective apps installed on their smartphones.

Since users can only access services thorough installed apps, both riders and drivers must therefore have smartphones that run iOS or android to install from their respective app stores. To the common Kenyan, owning a quality smartphone could be a stretch on their savings and “Pata Simu Lipa Mdogo Mdogo” program couldn’t have come at a better time. Smartphones have introduced technologies that create employment for those who are in a position to take heed of the opportunities – but these opportunities aren’t always cheap.  

While speaking on the development at the signing of memorandum of understanding, Little Cab’s Managing Director Alex Mwaura indicated that drivers will now work efficiently while conducting their day to day business. He also added that Little Cab drivers will have access to quality smartphones that in the end will improve their service delivery.

How Little Cab drivers can apply for Pata Simu Lipa Mdogo Mdogo program

  • On your device, dial *454# then proceed with registration if currently not registered and proceed with prompts
  • The process should take less than 3 minutes
  • Drivers can then verify their details before they select one out of five different models of mobile handsets.
  • Once the process complete, drivers will then be directed to an outlet to pick their handset within a few hours
  • Payments will then be remitted using the driver’s handset on a daily or weekly basis for a period of three months.

Pioneer Credit Executive Chairman Evans Nyagah indicated the company was keen to grow “Pata Simu Lipa Mdogo Mdogo” product and expand to various regions within the county and potentially to the different Taxi companies that operate here in Kenya. He also acknowledged the program was going to benefit taxi drivers by allowing them carryout their operations in a more efficient manner.

Drivers opting into this program will have their devices insured through Kenya Orient from theft or damage. In the end, it’ll guarantee continuity of business for drivers in case of damage or theft.

Safaricom has suspended SportPesa’s 955100 and 955700 PayBill Numbers

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Safaricom has suspended SportPesa’s 955100 and 955700 PayBill Numbers

Kenyan’s trying to deposit cash into their SportPesa accounts are currently receiving a failed error message from Safaricom informing them, that the two Pay Bill numbers are unvailable following the government’s directive. The move comes days after the cabinet secretary of internal security Matiangi issued new orders compelling all gambling firms to reapply for their licenses, which was to be issued only after compliance with the tax man.

Recently, several betting companies in Kenya including SportPesa and Betin have been embroiled in court orders with the Kenya Revenue Authority on the exact amount the tax man is supposed to receive from the firms.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) had ordered Safaricom to suspend M-Pesa pay bills and SMS short codes for 27 betting firms including owing to the authority’s refusal to renew their operating licenses. The regulator had indicated that a total of 27 firms were yet to meet licensing conditions and were being vetted to establish if they are fit to hold gambling permits.

On its part, SportPesa through its senior content editor Ms Lola Okulo had reaffirmed that the firm is law-abiding and had paid and met all tax and regulatory requirements. She also added the betting firm was continuing to address the matter with industry regulators and stakeholders. Ms Okulo further pointed out that an order from the High Court of Kenya allowed the firm to continue with its operations uninterrupted.

SportPesa Paybill numbers 955100 and 955700 are unavailable;

Mpesa users depositing money in their SportPesa accounts are getting a failed message from Safaricom as quoted below;

“Failed. Dear Customer, this Paybill is unavailable due to the Government directive to suspend Betting Paybill numbers. Kindly contact your Betting Company,” read a response from Safaricom.

Withdrawals from the blocked betting firms seems to be working so far and we also understand that Safaricom had sort clarification from the betting and licensing board through its lawyers to place a public notice and delay suspending withdrawals so that Kenyans could withdraw funds from the affected companies.

Kenyan’s often find it easier to deposit cash into their betting accounts through mobile platforms technologies such as Mpesa and Airtel Money since transactions are completed right on their mobile devices. It’ll be very difficult for a common Kenyan to deposit money without mobile wallets since alternative methods are ambiguous, inaccessible and often unreliable.

Below is the official statement from SportPesa;

SportPesa is extremely disappointed by the recent malicious actions by Betting Control & Licensing Board (BCLB) to block our payments systems despite the existence of a court order. This is the latest in a series of abrupt measures from BCLB that only serve to discourage and disrupt business. The prejudicial process that has been followed by the regulator has the potential to drive the industry underground as well as have far reaching repercussions on the social and economic agenda of the country.

SportPesa has been fully compliant with all tax and legal requirements in Kenya. Our business has uniquely and consistently boosted sports development in the country and we have not minced our support in community investment. This as witnessed by our widespread impact in areas such as football, boxing, rugby and social projects involving water access, environment and skills uplift in the country. These are now at severe risk following the measures taken by BCLB. We wish to assure our customers and stakeholders that we are challenging these actions and remain in contact with key stakeholders with the aim of resolving this matter very soon.

 

How to Stop Unwanted Promotional Messages on your Safaricom Line

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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How to Stop Unwanted Promotional Messages on your Safaricom Line

Have you been experiencing an increase in the number of unsigned for promotional messages on your Safaricom line? Well, as it turns out, you are not alone. Notwithstanding where they got our contact details, several businesses in Kenya have embarked on an aggressive adventure to woo Safaricom subscribers with irrelevant promotions regardless of whether someone opted in or not. Personally, I’m that kind of a guy that strives to maintain things a little bit organized and relevant in my inbox and lately I’ve really been struggling, at least until I discovered a way to go around the problem by a USSD Code.

If at some point you’ve been irritated by such spamming in your inbox, there’s an ample way you could stop promotional messages on the Safaricom network. It doesn’t require some expertise skills but just your phone with a Safaricom line and the name of the sender of promotional messages. And if you mistakenly block senders relevant to you or those you’d like to receive their promotions, there’s always a way to unblock them.

Irrelevant Promotional Messages;

Not all promotional messages are spam, in fact, there are some that could be containing very important information that could save you several bucks for example. Consider a text message containing a current promotion that concerns your data plan for example, or plane tickets and so forth that you’ve really been longing for. At the same time, think of a person from a certain religious affiliation receiving promotional messages to subscribe and receive inspirational quotes from a different unrelated religion! It could be bothersome even just thinking about it, and as someone once said; technology comes with both good and bad tidings, we just have to embrace what’s good and block what’s bad.

How to Stop Unwanted Promotional Messages on Safaricom line

  • On your safaricom line, Dial *456# then select “STOP” from the list
  • After responding with the digit corresponding to your choice i.e. 9, select “PROMOTIONAL MESSAGES” and proceed
  • Next choose “Stop Promotional Messages” followed entering the senders name for example; “200974” or “ORIGINALWIN” then send.
  • You’ll receive a confirmation message from Safaricom
  • And if for some reason you’d like to unblock the sender, just repeat this steps but instead of “Stop Promotional Messages” select “Check Stopped Promotional Messages” and select the sender you’d like to reactivate.

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE Review, Price in Kenya and What you need to Know before buying

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Xiaomi Mi 9 SE Review, Price in Kenya and What you need to Know before buying

It’s hard to imagine just how the budget segment in smartphones has technically outgrown the so called top tier, offering some top notch features while keeping prices within reach. When the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE was unveiled a few weeks back, there were several corners we expected the manufacturer to compromise and let the senior sibling shine all the way; but as it turns out, there’s just so much to love about this device we never expected. For example; it was beyond imagination to have a 5.9 AMOLED display panel with somewhat decent resolution – a feature we’ve grown to expect from the high-end devices.

There’s so much options to choose from in the mi-range smartphone category but the manufacturer here has really played smart with the release of Xiaomi Mi 9 SE, owing to its unexpected flagship level features. By far, it’s one of those devices you’d easily say – it’s worth every buck. Personally, I’d prefer to get such an awesome combination of great hardware and affordable price tag, rather than spending thousands of bucks on a flagship with overrated features I’d probably never need. let’s take a walk along the memory lane, and since I’m unapologetically Apple guy – we’ll look at the now dated iPhone 6S. before and after it was officially released, there was so much fuss about the so called “Force Touch” feature, I could spend sleepless nights just thinking how I’d finally utilize the feature once I got mine. Well to cut the long story short, when it came down to it, I never used it and probably won’t.

I will stop short of declaring the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE un beatable as there are still plenty of awesome choices once considering, like the Google’s Pixel 3a. it’s certainly a fantastic device for the price – estimated to cost around Ksh. 40,000 in Kenya. Additionally, the budget segment is growing and growing really fast that we’d probably be seeing a better device in weeks. Technology is evolving every minute, and just to mention a few; screen sizes beyond the 4.7inches we’d traditionally expect on the flagships is now mainstream with superb resolutions.  

Here is what you need to know about Xiaomi Mi 9 SE before buying

Impressive Hardware and Design

We love the fact that Xiaomi combined a fantastic hardware and impressively manageable price tag in this device. Carrying a flagship design concept with impressive hardware just did more than justice to the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE. unlike the cheap and low cost feel we often get on budget devices, Xiaomi Mi 9 SE is surprisingly compact with a class to appreciate. At 155grams, the Mi 9 SE has a nice assuring weight to it you’d hardly expect on a device of its caliber.

It comes with a glass sandwich design that feels more premium, but as you’d expect on a device with metal-glass combination, fingerprints are a problem. You’ll have to constantly wipe-off fingerprints and smudges from the display and rear panel.

The spec sheet doesn’t disappoint either, underneath you’ll get a Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 processor, 6GB RAM, and 64 GB or 128 GB of storage. In comparison, there’s lots of goodies the Mi 9 SE offers than the competition. That said, there is no headphone port or expandable storage, which you find on some similarly priced handsets and the battery is a tad smaller than most devices within the category at just 3,070mAh.

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE Display Panel

The Super AMOLED display does not disappoint and is about as good as you can get. Coupled with the FHD+ panel at a 1080 x 2340-pixel resolution, Xiaomi Mi 9 SE manages to pack an impressive 432ppi that’ll make text appear crisp and vibrant images.

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE Price in Kenya

For such an impressive handset that packs just enough in a compact casing, it’s more than a deal to part with around Ksh. 30,000 here in Kenya.

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE spec sheet

  • Design and Body: measures 147.5 by 70.5 by 7.5mm, at 155grams. The casing is a combination of an aluminum frame and a Gorilla Glass 5 front.
  • Display Panel: 5.97inch Super AMOLED screen with a screen resolution of 2,340×1,080px, packing 432pixels per inch.
  • 3 Rear cameras: Primary: 48MP, Telephoto Camera: 8MP, Ultra wide Camera: 13MP
  • Front camera: 20MP
  • Operating System: Android 9 Pie; MIUI 10.
  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 712: octa-core Kryo 360 CPU, Adreno 616 GPU.
  • Internal Storage: 64/128GB storage
  • RAM: 6GB of RAM
  • Battery Capacity: 3,070mAh Li-Po (sealed); 18W fast charging.
  • Security: Under-display fingerprint reader

how to instantly deposit cash to your cooperative bank account via Lipa na mpesa

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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how to instantly deposit cash to your cooperative bank account via Lipa na mpesa

convenience has prevailed over most financial operations that were otherwise only possible by physically visiting a banking agent or banking hall. Mobile money services such as Lipa na Mpesa are so easy to use and doesn’t require one to be physically present at the bank. Today for example when I needed to make an online transaction with my funds in the cooperative bank account and couldn’t because the available funds were insufficient, I couldn’t tell just how Safaricom’s fuliza and Lipa na Mpesa services could come in handy.

I was poised to purchase something on Aliexpress using available funds in my bank account when I was presented with a dreadful error of insufficient funds. Have you ever been so eager to buy something especially one of the latest high-tech gadgets only to realize that the amount you have isn’t enough? Or wanted to deposit some funds in your cooperative bank account but agents or banking branches are so far away? And of course the seller was only accepting card as the only means of payment.

Well that happened to me and just wanted to share with readers how that activity could be so simple with Lipan a Mpesa. The service is currently available to many financial institutions and just like any other transaction, you can deposit money into your Cooperative bank account through MPESA Paybill Number 400200 in seconds.

Here is how to instantly deposit cash to your cooperative bank account via Lipa na mpesa

  • First of all, you’ll need to ensure yo have an active Mpesa account with enough funds to deposit to your coop account
  • Head over to your Mpesa menu, just as you would with any other Lipa na Mpesa transaction and select Lipa na Mpesa. Please note this process can as well be done using the Mpesa app
  • Select Pay Bill from the list then Business No
  • Enter Cooperative bank Lipa Na Mpesa business Number 400200
  • Type in the Co-operative Bank account number you are transferring money to as the “Account No” and press “OK”
  • Enter the amount you intent to transfer
  • Enter your M-PESA PIN and press “OK”
  • Confirm all the details are correct and press “OK”

You should get a confirmation message from Mpesa confirming the transaction as well as a separate confirmation message from the Cooperative bank of Kenya confirming receipt of the amount in your account.

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