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How to install and use safaricom and other loan/banking apps on a rooted android device

The main difference between android and iOS lies in the ability to have full control over your device; while android operating system traditionally comes equipped with numerous customizations, iOS on the other hand believes they know exactly what you need and not need. There’s however ways you can access more tweaks on an iOS device at least on those still running older versions of the OS through jailbreaking as apple has recently caught up with the jail break community by patching most exploits in their latest software.

What is rooting in android and effects on your device

Rooting in the android ecosystem basically refers to the process that allows you to attain root access to the operating system code, thereby giving you ability to enhance functionality and or tweak how the device behaves. Understandably, this should be a good thing mostly, however; rooting your device can negatively impact the security of your data as some applications might maliciously use your data if given root access.

If you only use a handful of trusted applications you might not need to worry about malicious apps, but still not all is rosy. There are a ton of applications especially banking apps, mySafaricom app and a few loan apps that won’t natively run on a rooted device. There are however a few ways to use these applications flawlessly on a rooted device by using a few applications such as Magisk to hide root from them.

how to install and use safaricom and other loan/banking apps on a rooted device using Magisk

  • First, you’ll need to install Magisk manager apk on your device
  • Assuming you already have recovery installed on your device, if not find my best TWRP – Team win software here and follow their instructions to install
  • Launch Magisk manager and select to install Magisk select the zip version and boot after download has completed into the recovery mode
  • Choose install and select the downloaded zip file
  • Reboot your device and launch Magisk Manager, then on the settings select Magisk Hide
  • Select all the applications you want to hide root from and that’s it!

Important tips for buying genuine value for money refurbished and used phones in Kenya

We understand “New” is not for everyone especially if you are limited financially but still prefer to get some Oomph from your hard earned money. Even though the situation has not always been so especially when it comes to buying new smartphones here in Kenya but most have come to appreciate and embrace used devices as a way to own great phones without paying handsomely.   

There are a ton of places you’d easily be able to purchase a great phone, at the same time as time can tell, we also need to be careful so as not to purchase devices that have been stolen; and let’s face it phones that most muggers in Nairobi streets steal from unsuspecting Nairobians usually end up on some of these markets. We therefore need to have a list of minimum threshold so that as we maximize value for our hard earned cash, we also don’t profit thieves.

Here are some of important tips we need to adhere to when buying refurbished and used smartphones;

Source / market – where the refurbished phones are sold

Local classifieds platforms have sprung up as one of the most common places to buy used or refurbished phones, however we also must consider these platforms can as well be used buy scrupulous Kenyans to dispose items acquired illegally. We therefore need to be careful unless the seller has a physical shop and ca issue some type of documentation. From my experience, popular online platforms such as amazon and ebay have been my go-to whenever I need a used device. Some sellers will go as far as to avail background checks on the device such as IMEI and so forth. Otherwise I’d be at peace buying from a friend or someone I can hold accountable in case I have a bad run with the law enforcement.

Type of smartphone – I always prefer previous flagship devices and for a good reason

Phone manufacturers usually unveil two or more devices in a financial year targeting two of the most important niches on the market. More than often you’ll see the likes of Samsung and Apple unveil a smartphone targeting the so called power users of high-end marketing with a price tag of a thousand dollars as well another device within the hundredths range targeting those who are keen to spend less. Occasionally; after a period of two or more years, you’d be able to purchase these flagships with just a few dollars – and this is what I call value for money.  

Software Support – in the world of custom ROMS, this is a big deal

Except for iPhone users, popular flagships such as the galaxies and phones from Taiwanese manufacturer – HTC come with an unlockable bootloader. This basically means you’d be able to install the newest versions of android OS long after the manufacturers have stopped supporting the device. I’ve always had a good run with HTC as the manufacturer offers an ample way to unlock the bootloader through the HTCdev tools.

Specifications

The specs must have been on the killer side within the period that device was unveiled. We don’t just buy because it cheap but has to meet some basic requirements such as amount of RAM, internal storage and whether or not supports an external MicroSD.

Grade

Examine the photos to make sure the device is presentable and still usable. You’ll be at peace with a device with all of its hardware in a usable condition than one having to be repaired or parts replaced. Finally, be ready to purchase a new battery, it’s a small price you’ll have to pay for a longer lasting device.

Safaricom and digital learning content providers partner to enable free access

Schools in most countries are not operational following the spread of corona virus, this has led to most learners depending on digital learning platforms instead to continue with their education. Safaricom – Kenya’s largest mobile service provider in both data and voice has partnered with Eneza Education, Longhorn Publishers and Viusasa to provide free access to educational content for primary and secondary school students studying from home here in Kenya.

Speaking on the development, Safaricom’s new CEO Peter Ndegwa indicated that during this difficult times in Kenya and the world at large, Safaricom was continuously looking for avenues it can be beneficial to its customers. He also acknowledged the initiative was meant to ensure that all students can access education content, whether through feature phones or smartphones, so as to keep up with their studies for the time they will be at home.

By partnering with Eneza Education, students from grade 4 all the way to form 4 will be able to access learning and revision content on the SMS-based Shupavu291 free of charge following a 60-day waiver of the daily KES 3 subscription fee.

Learners will also be able to access education content on Shupavu Web, Viusasa E-learning and the Longhorn E-learning portal through the Safaricom network at no data cost, up to 250MB per day, for the next 60 days [Update: offer has been extended to September while schools are closed].

Eneza Education on its part through CEO Wambura Kimunyu noted they were excited with the partnership resulting in making Shupavu291 platform free to learners across the country during this time. He also added that content would be delivered via SMS and does not require an internet connection, and this ease of access had seen more than 5.3 million students use the platform.

How to access free learning content during the corona period

In 2019, Shupavu291, which is accessed via USSD *291# or through the short code 20851, saw 6.2 million quizzes taken and more than 1 million questions asked on the Ask-A-Teacher platform.

The free to access platforms are as below and will also be available on www.safaricom.com/elimu:

Shupavu Web: www.mwalimoo.com/m

Viusasa E Learning: https://viusasa.com/elimu

Longhorn e-learning: https://elearning.longhornpublishers.com/login/index.php

This is how you can pay for your Matatu fares using Mpesa on participating Saccos

Kenyans commuting in certain matatus will now have an option to pay for their fares via Mpesa rather than carrying cash that’s been linked to highly likely transmit the Corona virus through contact with infected people. The current trend is introducing the use of cashless payments in almost every sector in the country and for a good reason. A much as we’d effectively practice social distancing and disinfecting our hands every now and then, carrying cash has always been a thorn likely to undermine all of these efforts in curbing the spread of the virus.

However, we can now breathe easy as most merchants as well as public service transport operators now accept cashless payments via Mpesa mobile money thanks to Safaricom. Safaricom earlier on when the first patients of Corona virus were confirmed in the country, partnered with public transport sector players to accept cashless payments through Mpesa.

It should also be noted that the government has always strived to introduce cashless payments in the matatu sector as a means to stem cartels in in the sector without success. We all remember the now vanished pepea card from KCB as well as others that failed miserably in eliminating the need for commuters to pay cash by just swiping their cards every time they boarded a matatu.

Speaking on the partnership, Safaricom’s Chief Financial Services Officer Sitoyo Lopokoiyit noted that many businesses were seeing an increase in demand for Mpesa payments after the effects of Corona virus and that Safaricom’s move to eliminate transaction fees on KES 1,000 and below made it easier. He also acknowledged the move to partner with different public transit players brought convenience and safety of M-PESA to the crucial sector given the widespread uptake of public transport across the country.

Currently, the cashless matatu fare through Mpesa service has already been deployed to more than 300 City Star Shuttle vehicles in Nairobi and will be rolled out to additional players in the coming days, helping them further comply with the Government’s recommendations to combat the spread of Coronavirus.

How to Pay for matatu fare using Mpesa

Passengers paying their fares through the service will follow the standard procedure when sending money to another person, keying the number provided by the crew.

  • Matatu crew will provide an Mpesa number such as 0720000000, rather than till number as is with many merchants
  • To pay, Mpesa customers need to head-over to Mpesa menu, select “Send Money”
  • Then select “Enter Phone no”
  • Put the number given by the crew followed by fare amount and your Mpesa PIN

By accepting Mpesa payments, the matatu sector will be implementing a vital measure to help minimize the impact of Coronavirus to its customers and to help them avoid the use of cash, Safaricom has announced all its M-PESA customers can Send Money for free for transactions of KES 1,000 and below for a 90 day period.

Tips on how to restart automatic Google drive backups of your android phone

For a long time, I’ve relied on the Apple devices as my daily drivers owing to their perceived advanced level of security and simplicity in use, but I’ve just come to realize since android 10 (Q), Google has just as well made commendable strides in the arena. But as expected, when I decided to have a ride with the latest version of Google’s OS, the pixel devices were my first choice. I had heard of their snappy operations; furthermore, this was a device from Google itself we’re talking about.

As expected, my journey had to overcome some hiccups first; I settled on the affordable Google Pixel 3a and boy-oh-boy, I couldn’t be happier. The device is just as fast as apple alternatives and given it’s from Google themselves, often than not is used to benchmark numerous alternatives on the same platform. Now Apple backs up everything on your device to the iCloud, so that in case you change a device or just want to clean it up, there’s always somewhere to restore your precious data from. Google does this as well but only better.

For starters, you have lots of storage to deal with and pixel devices such as the 3a are entitled to unlimited original quality backups of photos and videos at no extra cost! But my experience wasn’t as smooth as I expected. Heading over to System – Backups kept saying “waiting to backup” for days with a greyed out “backup now” button! This basically meant nothing was being uploaded. But there was a way to handle this, only that it need some bit of patience as well as hands-on with ADB commands. A proven easy way out would be disabling any form of screen lock, but this is just not the best solution.

How to restart automatic google drive backups when your android phone keeps showing “waiting to backup”

  • First, you’ll need to download the adb tool from here
  • Make sure your phone has usb debugging enabled in the developer tools
  • Then run below command in the adb tool
adb shell bmgr run bmgr backupnow --all

Backups should now resume and the backup now button back to its blue color.

Members of the NSSF tenant purchase scheme will now pay their installments via MPESA

Owing to the current corona – covid-19 virus pandemic that’s causing havoc globally, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Safaricom have inked a deal that will see members of NSSF tenant purchase scheme remit their installments via MPESA mobile payment service. This is a move that’s touted to limit spread of the virus by eliminating the need to make cash payments which could otherwise be a source for these infections.

While speaking on the development, the NSSF tenant purchase scheme intents to combat the spread of Covid-19 by availing alternative cashless payment options to members that will as well limit their movement and physical contact when making their payments.

 Safaricom’s Chief Financial Services Officer, Sitoyo Lopokoiyit said that Convenience and speed continued to be a major concern while making payments leading to unending demand for M-PESA among Safaricom’s customers. He also added that the partnership with NSSF introduces a new era for their Tenant Purchase Scheme customers empowering them to make payments from the comfort of their homes wherever they may be, and at any time.

How to pay for your NSSF Tenant Purchase Scheme via Mpesa

Instead of making those long queues at banking halls, the initiative further saves the scheme’s customers from having to travel in order to make payments. Customers will therefore be able to make payments by a USSD code – *303*3#. Which will prompt them to key in their details and make payments from their M-PESA account. Or use Paybill no 333300

On it’s part, the National Social Security Fund’s CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa announced that the strategy was adopted by the NSSF to go digital by placing all of its services at the fingertips of customers, thereby ensuring they are able to access wherever they are and at their own convenience. He also added by acknowledging the importance of this partnership with Safaricom which in turn has made it possible to achieve this goal by taking advantage of the unique, world class capabilities they provide through M-PESA.

The partnership will primarily target NSSF Tenant Purchase Scheme members in Nairobi’s Nyayo estate Embakasi, Hazina, Kitusuru, Mountain View and Eldoret’s Kapsoya estate. In addition to the cashless payments, the new service also provides the Scheme members with the capability to reconcile and generate reports of their payments and standing.

The NSSF Tenant Purchase Scheme allows Kenyans to own homes over a period by making monthly installment payments to offset the cost. The move will also allow NSSF Tenants a way to make service charge payments too.

The partnership is among other measures rolled out by the two organizations to provide NSSF customers with increased convenience and speed when accessing services. Members can either opt to use the USSD Code- *303*1# or through paybill number: 333300

Safaricom waives fees for M-PESA transactions below KSH1,000

After having a consultative meeting with the Central Bank of Kenya Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge following the current health pandemic occasioned by the COVID-19, Safaricom has waived transaction fees for sending money to loved ones via Mpesa. The meeting was hosted by the counties banking sector regulator and attended by Safaricom alongside other industry players to discuss the evolving situation around the COVID-19 (Corona Virus) pandemic.

The meeting follows the directive issued by Kenya’s President H.E Uhuru Kenyatta to explore ways of deepening mobile money usage to reduce the risk of spreading the virus through the physical handling of cash. The President also directed that we consider reducing the cost of using mobile money during this period.

In the meeting, it was agreed that all person-to-person transactions below Ksh1,000 shall be free. This means that from tomorrow morning, M-PESA users will be able to send any amount below Ksh1,000 for free over the next 90 (ninety) days.

To support this, and in particular small and micro business enterprises (SMEs), CBK has also approved the increase of daily M-PESA transaction limits from the current Ksh70,000 to Ksh150,000. Kenyans will also be able to transact up to Ksh300,000 up from the current limit of Ksh140,000, and hold up to Ksh300,000 in their M-PESA wallets.

Safaricom also committed to work hand in hand with the Government by providing a Call Center and integrating a toll-free line 719 which has been set up by the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus to support Kenyans in understanding how to prevent and manage suspected cases.

Dimkes Sacco unveils M-chipuka, app based e-loan platform for members to access remotely

M-chipuka an e-loan facility has been unveiled by the Dimkes Sacco seeking to enhance members access to loans wherever they are. The facility is both accessible from an iOS app, Android App as well as via USSD code. M-chipuka touts itself to be available from anywhere whether members are in public transport, at their homes, offices or businesses.

How to access M-Chipuka;

  • Via an android app available on the google play
  • Or through the app store for those with iPhones
  • And through USSD code if you don’t have a smart device by dialing *850# then selecting option 7.

While commending on the development during the launch event, Dimke’s CEO Benson Macharia acknowledged that digital loan apps had disrupted the market thus challenging traditional players such as banks and Saccos to rethink their strategy. He also added that their entrance into the digital lending space was to protect their interest and prevent members from relying on other sources for short term loans.

He also pointed out that businesses today are dynamic and uncertain due to globalization, and that the ever changing customer needs and the accelerating pace of technology among other market forces compel them to keep changing and evaluating their strategies. Concequently, the CEO was quick to note that M-chipuka will therefore seek to provide credit to its members as required by the Kenyan Laws and to acquire leverage technologies to be able to survive and achieve superior performance.