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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to see significant price hike, base model rumored to debut at $1249 (about KSH. 128,432)

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to see significant price hike, base model rumored to debut at $1249 (about KSH. 128,432)

As the official launch date of the Samsung Galaxy S23 range approaches, leaks and rumors about the new series are picking momentum. Starting with design to specs, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the upcoming phones. However, one report that has been flying under the radar is the price of the new series. According to recent leaks, one model will see a significant price hike.

The Galaxy S22 series reportedly fell short of expectations, and Samsung was wary of passing on the increased costs to consumers. As a result, the brand did not increase the prices of the phones last year. However, it seems that Samsung is ready to pass on the increased costs to consumers with the Galaxy S23 series.

According to recent reports from a Korean source, the Galaxy S23 Ultra will see a price increase of between $10 to $20. This information is further backed by a new leak from a Samsung insider, RGcloudS, who has also shared details on the pricing of the upcoming series. The leak suggests that the standard Galaxy S23 and the S23 Plus will retain their pricing from their predecessors and will not see any price changes.

The 8GB/128GB model of the standard Galaxy S23 is expected to debut at $799 (about KSH. 81,932) and the 8GB/256GB model at $849 (about KSH. 86,632). The Galaxy S23 Plus is expected to come in at $999 (about KSH. 102,932) for the 8GB/128GB model and $1049 (about KSH. 107,632) for the 8GB/256GB model.

Increasing the price of the Galaxy S23 Plus could have been risky for Samsung, as there have been reports of poor sales performance for the S22 Plus. If the trend continues with the S23 Plus, it is possible that we may not see a S24 Plus in the future. Despite this, the S23 and S23 Plus models offer great value for money as they come with advanced features such as improved SoCs, batteries and a new selfie camera, all at the same price point as their predecessors.

The biggest price increase will be on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. According to leaks, the base model will debut at $1249 (about KSH. 128,432), which is a $50 increase from the base model of the S22 Ultra. The base model of the S23 Ultra is also said to feature 256GB storage, but there will be no changes in the RAM department. The base S23 Ultra will still debut with 8GB of RAM.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 range is just around the corner, leaks and rumors about the new series are coming in thick and fast. While the prices of the standard Galaxy S23 and the S23 Plus will remain the same as their predecessors, the price of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is set to see a significant increase. The Galaxy S23 Ultra will debut at $1249 (about KSH. 128,432) for the base model, which is a $50 increase from the base model of the S22 Ultra. With the official launch event set for February 1st, we’ll have to wait and see how the pricing of the new series will impact its sales. We don’t expect any major variations on prices and availability here in Kenya.

Safaricom’s Leadership Changes Spark Controversy as Share Price Drop, but Analysts Believe Impact Will Be Short-lived

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Safaricom’s Leadership Changes Spark Controversy as Share Price Drop, but Analysts Believe Impact Will Be Short-lived

Safaricom, the largest mobile network in Kenya, has recently undergone a series of boardroom realignments that have sparked controversy within the company and caused a drop in the Safaricom’s share price to a two-year low. The most notable of these changes was the departure of the its immediate former board chair, John Ngumi, who left the company barely six months into his role.

George Bodo, an equity and non-equity analyst, suggests that the departure of John Ngumi, former board chair of Safaricom, may have initially caused a decline in the Safaricom’s share price to Sh22.50 on Wednesday. However, Bodo believes that the leadership changes at Safaricom are politically motivated and does not anticipate the company to suffer in the long-term. He stated in a telephone interview with People Daily. “Considering Safaricom is a large company, top shareholders, Vodacom and the government of Kenya, will have a significant impact on the company’s direction, including decisions on leadership.”

Economic expert Samwel Nyandemo shares a similar sentiment, calling the changes “mere gimmicks” whose impact will not impact the firm in the long term. However, Nyandemo expects more “heads to roll” in the coming weeks, perhaps months which he noted could touch the top management as well. “It is just a matter of time before you see more familiar faces leave the company,” he offered, consciously not mentioning names.

The exit of John Ngumi from Safaricom has raised eyebrows, as insiders at the telecommunications company believe that his appointment as Chairman may have had political motivations. Ngumi, an investment banker, was widely recognized as one of Kenya’s most accomplished bankers. Despite the speculation, his departure is considered as controversial.

However, there was a growing conviction, soon after the new administration came into office, that his appointment could be repealed for the aforementioned red flags for a man that has played key roles in developing Kenya’s capital markets, including his leading role in the development of capital markets regulations.

Despite the recent turmoil at Safaricom, it is important to note that the company is a well-established player in the Kenyan market, with a strong track record of performance and a dedicated customer base. As Bodo and Nyandemo have noted, the company’s top shareholders, Vodacom and the government of Kenya, will likely have a significant influence on the company’s direction and its ability to weather this latest storm.

Hustler Fund Reaches 14 Billion Kenyan Shillings in Borrowing and 18 Million Opt-Ins

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Hustler Fund Reaches 14 Billion Kenyan Shillings in Borrowing and 18 Million Opt-Ins

The Financial Inclusion Fund, also known as the Hustler Fund, has been gaining popularity among Kenyans since its launch two months ago. Recent reports show that borrowing has reached 14 billion Kenyan shillings. It represents a significant increase from the last reported figure of 10 billion shillings on December 20.

According to an official from the fund, 18 million Kenyans have opted into the program by January 12, surpassing the initial target of reaching 17.6 million citizens. It clearly indicates that the fund is meeting a real need in the Kenyan population.

The official also revealed that 8.8 billion shillings of the 14 billion disbursed thus far came from the Exchequer, highliting the government’s commitment to supporting the fund and its efforts to provide financial assistance to citizens.

Repayment of loans has also been impressive, with 45% of the loan book already repaid, amounting to 6.3 billion shillings. The official credited this to the small loan amounts offered by the fund, between 500 and 1000 shillings, which have generated significant interest among borrowers.

Moreover, the official mentioned that 711 million shillings have been saved through the fund, as five percent of the borrowed amount is deducted from the loans. It shows that not only are borrowers utilizing the fund, but they are also committed to repaying their loans in a timely manner.

The Hustler Fund is providing a valuable service to the citizens of Kenya, particularly during a time when the economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have hit many individuals and small businesses hard. It clearly indicates the fund is meeting a real need in the population and is contributing to the country’s economic recovery.

Facebook parts ways with African Content Moderation Provider Sama, citing “current economic climate” and ongoing legal issues

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Facebook parts ways with African Content Moderation Provider Sama, citing “current economic climate” and ongoing legal issues

Facebook has recently ended its contract with its African content moderation provider, Sama, due to reports of low pay and trauma for employees and alleged union-busting at Sama’s Nairobi office. The contract will now handled by a legal non-profit organization, the $2.2 billion European outsourcing firm Majorel, which investigates Big Tech companies.

Sama cited the “current economic climate” as the reason for the split. The company will also be laying off approximately 3% of its staff, mostly from Nairobi. It’s contract with Facebook’s parent company, Meta, was worth $3.9 million in 2022, as per internal Sama documents.

It is not the only legal issue Sama is currently facing. The company is also a co-defendant, along with Meta, in a Kenyan lawsuit brought by a former content moderator, Daniel Motaung. He claims that both companies have violated multiple aspects of the Kenyan constitution. A decision on whether the Nairobi court has jurisdiction to continue hearing the case against Meta is set for February 6th, with Facebook arguing that the case should not proceed as it does not conduct business in Kenya.

Sama’s content moderation teams in Nairobi were also responsible for moderating content in Ethiopia, where Facebook has faced criticism for its lack of efforts to stop the spread of inciteful content during a violent civil conflict. The change in providers raises questions about the treatment of content moderators. Fox Glove argues that the new provider Majorel is no better than Sama in terms of its treatment of moderators, which highlights the persistent issues within the content moderation industry.

Content moderators are frequently required to work long shifts, reviewing graphic and disturbing content such as child abuse material and videos of violent accidents and executions. These long shifts often lack sufficient support for the mental well-being of the workers. It is not a problem specific to Facebook, but also faced by other major social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Reddit.

While the “current economic climate” may have played a role in Facebook’s decision to end its contract with Sama, it also brings attention to the persistent problems related to the treatment of content moderators and the necessity for improved support for their mental well-being. It remains uncertain if the new provider, Majorel, will take steps to address these issues and create a more favorable working environment for content moderators.

Government Considers Reviving a Digital ID Card Scheme after Controversial Huduma Namba Flopped

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Government Considers Reviving a Digital ID Card Scheme after Controversial Huduma Namba Flopped

The Kenyan government is again considering the implementation of a digital identity card scheme, similar to the ill-fated Huduma Namba project of the past. ICT Cabinet Secretary, Eliud Owalo, has stated that the current administration is eager to explore the possibility of a digital ID card as part of their newly launched digitization program.

The Huduma Namba project, which was first introduced by the previous administration aimed to serve as a tool for Kenyans to access important public services and spur the country’s digital economic efforts under the Digital Economy Blueprint. The framework promised to improve Kenya’s and Africa’s ability to leapfrog economic growth. However, the project failed to come to fruition due to legal challenges and court battles that declared it unconstitutional.

Owalo acknowledged that the previous attempt at a digital ID card failed due to a lack of proper education and communication, as well as suspicions and political controversies surrounding the project. He stated that the current government intends to roll out a new digital identity card to facilitate virtual transactions between the state and citizens as part of their plan to digitize over 5,000 government services within the next six months.

Currently, Kenyans are required to carry multiple documents such as a national ID card, a KRA personal identification number, a driving license, and a passport among others. The proposed digital ID card, similar to the Huduma Namba project, aims to consolidate this information from different databases into a single source of truth for each individual.

The introduction of a digital identity card system could bring numerous advantages, such as increasing business prospects and generating new employment opportunities. However, it is essential to take the past into account and ensure adequate communication and openness to prevent any mistrust or legal difficulties in the future.

Yego Global Offers Medical and Accident Insurance to Attract and Retain Drivers in the Competitive Digital Taxi-Hailing Market

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Yego Global Offers Medical and Accident Insurance to Attract and Retain Drivers in the Competitive Digital Taxi-Hailing Market

Digital taxi-hailing firms are now offering new benefits to their drivers to attract and retain them on their platforms. This move came after a series of strikes by drivers demanding better working conditions in recent months.

One such company, Yego Global, which recently launched in Kenya, is taking this a step further by establishing a Sacco for its drivers, paying for their medical insurance and offering personal accident coverage. Other companies in the market, such as Little, Uber, Bolt, and Farasi Cabs, have adopted similar strategies as competition for market share intensifies.

In 2019, Little joined forces with APA Insurance to offer third-party insurance to its drivers. Additionally, the company partnered with Britam Insurance to safeguard riders from financial losses when accidents occure while using their service. As part of this, drivers will pay a minimal fee of Sh4.5 per ride for the trip insurance.

Justine Nyaga, Chairman of the Organization of Online Drivers, stated that drivers will pay for the premiums under these partnerships as they are considered independent contractors in agreement with the operators.

Yego Global plans to allocate 10% of its annual profits to the Sacco, where drivers will also make their contributions. Additionally, the company will offer a minimum accident coverage of Sh250,000 which will cover disability or death, a move that is expected to incentivize drivers and increase its market share.

This announcement comes amid a global debate over whether drivers should be classified as employees and therefore entitled to benefits such as overtime pay, social security, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation.

Yego Global’s CEO and founder, Karanvir Singh, stated that the Sacco will provide drivers with payouts after their retirement, much like a pension fund, as the average age of taxi drivers in Kenya is in their mid-40s.

“The Sacco has been registered and will be run by drivers however, the company will provide office space and technology and pay salaries of those who manage the Sacco,” said Mr. Singh in an interview with Business Daily. “10% of the company’s profit will be transferred to the driver Sacco on an annual basis in perpetuity. We wanted to create a fund that will provide for drivers once they have retired, just like NSSF.”

The criteria for lifelong benefits like pensions, will be determined by the group and the number of contributions will also be decided by the management. Yego will only oversee the Sacco, according to Mr. Singh.
Yego, which charges a 12% commission per ride, is currently working with two insurance companies to create insurance coverage for drivers.

The classification of drivers in the online taxi industry has been a topic of ongoing debate. Some argue that they should be considered part of the gig economy, while others argue they should be classified as employees. Recently, in the United States, President Joe Biden proposed a new rule that would categorize drivers as independent contractors, which would exclude them from receiving minimum wage protection, overtime pay, or pay when they are working but don’t have a passenger in their vehicle.

In the UK, courts ruled in 2021 that Uber must classify 70,000 drivers as “workers,” allowing them to receive a minimum wage, vacation time, and access to a pension plan. However, recent digital ride-hailing regulations in Kenya have not specified such benefits.

Yego Global has been operating cabs and motorbikes in Rwanda before establishing itself in Kenya in 2019, where the company plans to replicate its model. As of 2020, the company had over 12,000 drivers on its app and aims to increase its market share by offering these benefits to its drivers.

Starlink to Launch High-Speed Satellite Internet in Kenya in Q2 2023, Posing Competition to Local ISPs

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Starlink to Launch High-Speed Satellite Internet in Kenya in Q2 2023, Posing Competition to Local ISPs

Elon Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet company, has revealed plans to expand its services to Kenya in the second quarter of 2023. The move is still subject to regulatory approvals and coverage availability. Starlink’s entry into the Kenyan market will bring a new form of internet connectivity to the country, and its high-speed, low-latency service has the potential to revolutionize the way Kenyans access the internet.

Kenyans can now pre-order the service by depositing a fully refundable amount of Sh12,260 ($99). Starlink is targeting major cities such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru as well as other towns in the country. The company’s service is powered by a massive constellation of advanced satellites operating in low orbit around the Earth.

This approach is different from the traditional methods of internet connectivity in Kenya, which mainly rely on fiber optic cables, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks. Starlink’s satellite-based system is similar to the global positioning system (GPS) which uses satellites to provide location data to cell phones around the world. However, unlike GPS, Starlink’s service requires a much larger number of satellites for seamless coverage.

The company will face stiff competition from established internet service providers in Kenya, such as Safaricom. The latter has invested billions of shillings over the past five years to build its fixed-data network, catering to the growing demand for online streaming services like Netflix.

Demand for high-speed internet services in the country is increasing due to the ongoing digitization efforts as well as high cost of data charges. The company had previously stated that it could offer internet speeds of up to 100Mbps for home users and up to 220Mbps for businesses.

Starlink’s entry into the Kenyan market will bring a new form of internet connectivity to the country, and its high-speed, low-latency service has the potential to revolutionize the way Kenyans access the internet. However, it will face stiff competition from existing players in the market, and its success will depend on how well it can differentiate itself and meet the increasing demand for high-speed internet in the country.

Government Launches Public Wi-Fi Service in Kericho Town, Aims to Connect 25,000 Hotspots by 2027

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Government Launches Public Wi-Fi Service in Kericho Town, Aims to Connect 25,000 Hotspots by 2027

Kenya’s government has taken a significant step towards connecting the country’s remote and underserved areas by launching a public Wi-Fi service in Moi Gardens, Kericho Town. The launch, which was led by ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, adds to 17 other hotspots that have already been launched countrywide in Nairobi, Nyeri, Bondo, Ahero, and Kapsabet.

The government’s ambitious goal is to roll out a total of 25,000 hotspots by 2027, targeting people in markets, schools, and various value chains within the Kenyan economy. They are collaborating with Google and local telco providers to commission the hotspots and are also rolling out 100,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cable to ensure all parts of the country are ICT enabled. Free internet connectivity is expected to spur social and economic activities and contribute to national economic advancement.

The government’s initiative is expected to bring about a digital revolution in Kenya, particularly in rural areas. With access to the internet, residents will now be able to market, promote, and sell their goods and services online with ease. This will not only benefit individuals but also the entire country as it will boost the economy by enabling small businesses to expand their reach and access new markets.

CS Owalo also urged the youth to take advantage of the government’s digital initiative by tapping into the available platforms that offer jobs online. This, he said, will transform their lives by earning decent wages through online writing, transcription, affiliate marketing, and product reviewing jobs among others.

“Every year in the next five years the government will be launching 5,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in all counties and we are confident that we will meet our targets for the benefit of all Kenyans,” CS Owalo said.

To ensure that Kenyan citizens can access services anywhere, anytime, the government is also digitizing all government services and records, starting with the Ministry of Lands. This move is aimed at making the country efficient, paperless, and user-friendly.

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