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Trademark Hotel Launches Electric Vehicles for Guest Transfers, Setting a Sustainable Example for the Tourism Industry

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Trademark Hotel Launches Electric Vehicles for Guest Transfers, Setting a Sustainable Example for the Tourism Industry

Hey there, eco-conscious travelers! Get ready to charge up your excitement because the Trademark Hotel in Kenya is taking sustainability to a whole new level. They’re zipping ahead with the launch of electric vehicles (EVs) for guest transfers. Talk about an electrifying experience!

The hotel has taken the first leap by introducing four Nissan Leaf fully electric vehicles. These babies are powered by electric motors and batteries, leaving those old internal combustion engines in the dust. These snazzy models from 2018 and 2019 boast a 40 kWh battery and a 110 kW motor. And guess what? They can comfortably cruise up to 250 km on a single charge. Now that’s what I call a powerful ride!

Not only are these EVs environmentally friendly, but they’re also high performers. With five seats, 435 liters of boot space, and a 5-star NCAP safety rating, you’ll be riding in style and safety. It’s like a luxury hotel on wheels!

According to Manish Shah, the Director of Tribe Hotels Group, there’s a growing demand for sustainable tourism products. Travelers are becoming more aware of their environmental impact and are seeking out brands that align with their green values. By unveiling electric vehicles, the Trademark Hotel is not only positioning itself as an industry leader but also supporting the County Government’s efforts to create a cleaner and greener city. Talk about a win-win for everyone!

Using electric vehicles as a mode of transportation not only reduces carbon emissions but also improves the air quality in the city. Manish couldn’t contain his excitement, mentioning how thrilled they are to provide guests with a clean, smart, safe, and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation. These eco-friendly wheels are already in action, charging up in the hotel’s basement parking lot, where they’ve set up charging stations. It’s like a pit stop for charging up and taking on the world!

The Trademark Hotel isn’t stopping at EVs. They’re going all-out with their “The Green Village” green agenda. From a sewer treatment plant to waste management, textile recycling, and even tree planting, they’re ticking all the boxes to be an environmental superhero. It’s like a green wonderland!

Located within the Village Market, a bustling shopping and entertainment destination, the Trademark Hotel offers the perfect combination of sustainability and convenience. With over 250 outlets and a melting pot of cultures, it’s a hub of excitement and a beacon of eco-friendly hospitality.

The launch of EVs by the Trademark Hotel is a big step in the right direction for the travel industry. By adopting electric vehicles, they’re reducing emissions and improving air quality, especially in urban areas. Not only are they providing a comfortable and safe mode of transport, but they’re also setting an example for other hotels and tourism businesses to follow. It’s like a green revolution in the hospitality industry!

So, get ready to hop on board and experience a sustainable stay at the Trademark Hotel. With their eco-friendly initiatives and electric rides, you’ll be cruising in style while leaving a smaller carbon footprint. It’s time to embrace a greener way of travel!

How to withdraw money from your MPESA Fuliza balance on your phone, no need to send to another number

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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How to withdraw money from your MPESA Fuliza balance on your phone, no need to send to another number

Fuliza is a mobile-based overdraft facility offered by Safaricom, a Kenyan telecommunications company. The service was unveiled back in 2019 and initially, it was limited in terms of its use cases, allowing customers to send cash to friends and family, pay bills and buy goods, and buy airtime for themselves and others.

With the recent addition of the ability to withdraw cash from the overdraft facility, Fuliza has become more functional and versatile. This feature now allows customers from having to get another SIM card, send money to another person who does not have Fuliza, or tell a sender not to send money to them because they have an overdraft. It also makes the product more closely resemble a loan product, despite the company’s insistence that Fuliza is not a loan product.

How to Withdraw from your MPESA Fuliza balance

  • Go to your MPESA Menu
  • Tap on Withdraw
  • Select either “Withdraw at Agent” or “Withdraw at ATM“
  • Follow the prompts
  • When asked to confirm to “Fuliza“, tap on proceed 
  • Fuliza charges will be shown as well as withdrawal charges

Fuliza is also one of Safaricom’s biggest earners, having overtaken other similar products like KCB M-PESA and M-Shwari in terms of earnings. The value of Fuliza disbursements had reached KES 502.66 billion by March 2022, with a 43.1% YoY increase, and a repayment versus disbursement rate of 101.5%. Furthermore, Fuliza’s revenue had reached KES 5.94 billion, a 31.0% YoY increase.

In addition, rates have been adjusted downwards, meaning customers now pay less than the initial rates, which makes the product more accessible to a broader customer base.

It is also notable that Safaricom hasn’t officially announced the new cash withdrawal feature, which might be a strategy of the company. Since the feature is not communicated it may be less likely for people to withdraw large amount of money and non-repayment, which in turn can help the company maintaining the high repayment rate.

 FULIZA TARIFF
 BandTariff20% Excise DutyTotal Charges
0 -100KSh 0KSh 0KSh 0
101-500KSh 2.5KSh 0.5KSh 3
501-1000KSh 5KSh 1KSh 6
1001-1500KSh 18KSh 3.6KSh 21.6
1501-2500KSh 20KSh 4KSh 24
2501-70000KSh 25KSh 5KSh 30
Safaricom MPESA Fuliza Tariffs

Safaricom to lose $20 million in revenue after 41.4% cut in mobile termination rates by Communications Authority of Kenya

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Safaricom to lose $20 million in revenue after 41.4% cut in mobile termination rates by Communications Authority of Kenya

Kenya’s largest mobile service provider, Safaricom, is facing a significant financial blow following a recent decision by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to cut mobile termination rates (MTR) by 41.4%. MTRs are the charges that mobile service providers levy on other operators for terminating their voice calls on their grid. Reduction in rates, from Sh0.99 per minute to Sh0.58 per minute, has resulted in a significant drop in interconnect revenue for Safaricom.

During the half-year ending September, Safaricom saw a decline of 470 million Kenyan shillings in interconnect revenue, and the company expects the impact for the full financial year to be a loss of 2 billion Kenyan shillings. It translates to an average loss of 250 million Kenyan shillings per month, setting the company up for a potential loss of 3 billion Kenyan shillings in the financial year ending March 2024.

Safaricom is the major beneficiary of MTRs due to its leading market share in the voice business and the reduction in rates has resulted in a net gain for Safaricom’s rivals, including Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya, and Equitel. These companies will now save on the fees they were previously paying to Safaricom.

The reduction in MTRs will add to the already declining voice revenue for Safaricom, which is facing pressure from the growth of mobile data usage and the adoption of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, such as WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom, and Facebook Messenger. Additionally, text messaging revenue is also facing pressure as customers turn to these VoIP platforms.

Mobile termination rates have been declining within the country for the last years. Rates have plunched from Sh2.21 per minute in 2010 to Sh1.44 in 2011 and Sh1.15 in 2012. This trend continued with a cut to Sh0.99 in 2013, before last year’s review. However, the reduction in termination rates has yet to trigger any downward pricing among the country’s telecommunications companies, which could have further compounded the pressure on voice revenues.

Safaricom’s earnings from mobile termination rates were originally set to fall by a much steeper margin based on an earlier move by the Communications Authority to reduce MTRs to Sh0.12 per minute. However, Safaricom challenged the decision at the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal. The parties ultimately reached a middle ground and filed consent, resulting in the less severe reduction to Sh0.58 per minute.

With the recent reduction in mobile termination rates in Kenya having a significant impact on the financial performance of Safaricom, the country’s largest mobile service provider. The reduction in rates, along with the growth of mobile data usage and the adoption of VoIP services, has resulted in a decline in voice and text messaging revenue for the company. While this reduction in MTRs may benefit Safaricom’s rivals, the company will have to find ways to adapt and overcome this financial setback.

President Ruto Announces Transfer of National Transport and Safety Authority to State Department of Transport

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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President Ruto Announces Transfer of National Transport and Safety Authority to State Department of Transport

As part of a government reorganization, President William Ruto has issued an executive order transferring the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) from the Ministry of Interior to the State Department of Transport. The NTSA is responsible for regulating and managing the transport sector in the country. The reorganization also includes the appointment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to oversee reforms in the coffee sector and the establishment of the Government Delivery Services agency, which will be led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

NTSA was established in 2012 through an Act of Parliament and has played a key role in improving road safety in Kenya. In 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a directive limiting the role of NTSA officers to motor vehicle inspections and technical support for traffic police, after controversy arose over the deployment of the officers on the roads.

The transfer of NTSA to the State Department of Transport is expected to enhance coordination of services, as key stakeholders such as traffic police and prisons, which produce vehicle number plates, are already under the ministry. The move is also in line with President Ruto’s commitment to improving the efficiency of government agencies and delivering better services to the Kenyan people.

In addition to his responsibilities in the coffee sector, Deputy President Gachagua has also been tasked with dismantling cartels in the coffee, tea, and milk subsectors. This follows the President’s vow to take decisive action against these groups in the coming year. The creation of the Government Delivery Services agency, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi, is another step towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Kenyan government.

Ultimately, these changes are likely to have a positive impact on the transport sector and the broader economy in Kenya. The increased coordination and improved management of key government agencies are expected to lead to better outcomes for the country’s citizens and businesses.

Globeleq secures $72 million to develop 35 MW geothermal power plant in Kenya

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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0
Globeleq secures $72 million to develop 35 MW geothermal power plant in Kenya

Globeleq, a London-based power company, has secured $72 million in funding from the African Development Bank, the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, and Finnfund to develop a 35 MW power plant at the Menengai Crater geothermal fields in Nakuru, Kenya.
The plant will generate clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy for the country as it aims to transition to 100% clean energy by 2028.

Globeleq CEO Mike Scholey stated that the Menengai geothermal project, the company’s first geothermal project, aligns with their focus on investing in renewable energy sources to create clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy for Kenya and address the climate crisis. The company has been an active participant in the Kenyan energy sector for many years.

Currently, approximately 80% of Kenya’s electricity comes from clean sources, mainly geothermal and wind. The Menengai project is the second large-scale geothermal field being developed in the country, following the Olkaria units in Naivasha Sub-County.

Construction of the Menengai power plant is scheduled to begin within the next few months and is expected to be completed by September 2025. Upon completion, the project is expected to significantly boost Kenya’s efforts towards transitioning to 100% clean energy and providing cheaper electricity, while also protecting the environment from the pollution caused by thermal power plants.

Mobile Money Transactions in Kenya Represented 56.8% of GDP in 2021, Expected to Reach 68% by End of 2022

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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0
Mobile Money Transactions in Kenya Represented 56.8% of GDP in 2021, Expected to Reach 68% by End of 2022

As mobile money continues to gain traction in the country, recent data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) reveals that the value of these transactions have reached 56.8% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). It’s an increase from 48.7% witnessed in 2020 and its predicted to surge to 68% by the end of this year.

In 2021, mobile money transactions were valued at KES6.7tn ($61.6bn) against a GDP of KES12.1tn. During the period from March 2022 to October 2022, the number of Kenyans actively using mobile money increased by over 6.2 million. This growth was largely due to the introduction of free transactions, including the transfer of sums below KES1,000, which sparked a rise in the monthly volume and value of person-to-person transactions. These increased from 162 million transactions worth KES234bn to 440 million transactions worth KES399bn, representing growth of 171% and 71% respectively.

On top of person-to-person transactions, the monthly volume and value of transactions between mobile wallets and banks also saw significant growth. These increased from 18 million transactions worth approximately KES157bn to over 113 million transactions worth KES800bn, representing growth of 527% and 410% consecutively.

Kenya’s financial regulator – CBK, reintroduced charges for transactions made between mobile money wallets such as MPESA and bank accounts on 6th December 2022. This followed their removal in March 2020 as part of emergency measures introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19. Banks and payment service providers are however retaining the fee waiver on the transfer of sums below KES100. The move has raised concerns that it may drive people back to using cash and disrupt the cashless economy that has been growing in Kenya. Notwithstanding these concerns, many experts believe the rise of mobile money was a positive occurence for the country’s economy

SKY Girls Initiative announces second season of empowering mini-series ‘PAA – BORN TO FLY’

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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SKY Girls Initiative announces second season of empowering mini-series ‘PAA – BORN TO FLY’

SKY Girls Initiative, a Kenyan empowerment program for teenage girls has announced the return of their highly-acclaimed mini-series “PAA – BORN TO FLY” for a second season. The show was nominated for the Best Viewer’s Choice award at the Kalasha Film & TV Awards in 2022. It follows the lives of teenage girls living in the bustling capital city of Nairobi as they navigate the challenges of social pressure, sexual harassment, bullying, and self-identity.

In the upcoming season, the show will delve deeper into important issues such as HIV and seek to debunk myths surrounding the virus. The goal of “PAA – BORN TO FLY” is to motivate young girls into making healthy choices and also to provide them with a supportive community of peers.

SKY Girls Initiative was founded in August 2020 with the aim of connecting, educating, and informing teenage girls in the Nairobi area. On top of the mini-series, the organization offers a range of resources including a Facebook and WhatsApp community, a magazine, and specialized services to help girls follow their passions and make informed decisions about their lives.

Svetlana Polikarpova, Program Director for SKY Girls KE, emphasized the importance of the organization, saying “SKY Girls is an empowerment program for girls by girls. We co-create experiences and content that empower teen girls with the confidence they need to make the best choices for their lives.”

“PAA – BORN TO FLY” Season 2 will air on the SKYGIRLSKE YouTube channel starting on January 7th, 2023. It is written by Davina Leonard and soundtracked by Emma Cheruto, and produced by Johny (Cash) Musingo through his production company, An Outbox ventures.

Deductions from Hustler Fund reaches SH677 million in savings, set to be invested in government securities

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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0
Deductions from Hustler Fund reaches SH677 million in savings, set to be invested in government securities

Money deducted from the now popular Hustler Fund, a program initiated by the government, has reached a milestone of SH677 million. State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed reported that over 17 million customers have joined the program, conducting transactions totaling SH23,090,600, with 4,971,502 of those customers being repeat users. So far, SH13,551,532,174 has been disbursed to Hustler Fund users, with SH5,877,097,463 being repaid.

During a recent interview with journalists, Kenya’s President Dr. William Ruto said that the money deducted when users borrow from the Hustler Fund will be invested in government securities. This investment areas are known for their reliability and lack of default or other market related issues. The government is et to unveil Hustler Fund Board to manage. Ruto stated that once investments begin, participants in the Hustler Fund will be able to track their saved amounts and profits through an application.

Majority of low-income earners in the country, whom the fund was designed to help will surely welcome the news considering it’s incredible milestones since it was launched. As of now, over 17 million Kenyans have signed up for the Hustler Fund. Deductions from the Fund in form of savings will be invested in government securities and users will be able to access through an online platform. Hustler Fund if well managed will prove to be secure and trustworthy option for saving and growing personal funds.

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