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How to check your remaining HELB loan balance on your mobile phone using USSD code

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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How to check your remaining HELB loan balance on your mobile phone using USSD code

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has been a life saver for most of us who didn’t have enough savings to pursue higher education. The board allocations some funds every year to support needy students who are expected to pay back when they get a job or are able to. For those who have already started paying for their loans, there’s a simple way to check your remaining HELB loan balance using your mobile phone.

The process is simple and doesn’t require connection to the internet, all you need is a mobile phone with some airtime that can effectively run a USSD code. Since there’s no internet connection needed, users don’t need a smartphone or to download an app for that matter.

To check your remaining higher education loans board – loan balance, follow below steps

  • On your mobile phone, dial *642#
  • Then select “Log in”, usually option 1
  • You’ll be prompted to enter your PIN, then press OK
  • Choose Loan Repayment on the next prompt
  • Then select Loan Balance
  • You should receive a text message with your remaining Loan Balance.

Here is what you get with Telkom Kenya’s PAWA 20 that costs only Ksh. 20

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Here is what you get with Telkom Kenya’s PAWA 20 that costs only Ksh. 20

Telkom Kenya has some of the cheapest rates in the country compared to the likes of Safaricom. For quite some time, I’ve been using the PAWA 20 bundle just to see how an ordinary Kenyan can manage spending Ksh. 20 to communicate via text messages, make calls and browse the internet. The amount is relatively low – like a drop in the ocean from what someone would consider enough to effectively communicate on a daily basis. But for an average consumer, it might just be enough to communicate with friends and family for the day.

If you are on the Safaricom network, the best deal you can get for Ksh. 20 is probably the 70Mbs you get after subscribing to data bundles. Beyond that, you can get some talk time, usually capped within what they’ve considered as your target depending on your spending history.

I was actually amazed with just how much you’d be given for the amount on Telkom Kenya’s network. For Ksh. 20, you can subscribe to the PAWA 20 package that gives you access to the following;

  • 5 minutes worth of talk time to any network in the country
  • 100Mbs data bundle to browse the internet
  • Free Telkom to Telkom text messages

Its obvious that you get more value if your contacts are mostly on the Telkom network, but the deal is worthwhile considering what you get on other networks.

To subscribe, just dial *544# and follow the prompts on your Telkom phone.

Why Has The Introduction Of Video Technology Gone So Badly In Soccer?

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Why Has The Introduction Of Video Technology Gone So Badly In Soccer?

The soccer fraternity has been integrating technological innovations to help improve several areas of the sport. One such area is refereeing. For years there have been complaints from fans and Football betting punters about referees making erroneous decisions in matches. The introduction of Video Technology was regarded as the answer to these concerns. However, several years into its implementation, there are fresh complaints about the use of the technology in soccer. What went wrong? Read on to find out more.

Why the technology was introduced

Football fans and punters on Betway were infuriated on many occasions after poor decisions by the referee affected a match’s outcome. Examples of the mistakes included goals incorrectly ruled offside, penalties rewarded from deliberate dives, handballs going unpunished, or determining whether the ball crossed the line. 

Why has it gone so badly in soccer?

The big query at the moment is whether the technology has served its purpose. If so, why are there many complaints from stakeholders? Here are some of the concerns:

There is the time issue 

There are concerns that whenever the game is stopped to review every questionable decision, it alters football’s character. The natural fluidity of the game is affected. The frequent stoppages degrade into a long and annoying stop-start pattern. 

However, proponents of video technology refer to the successful implementation of the technology in faster games such as rugby and ice hockey. For the technology to be effective, it has to be implemented in a manner that preserves the character of the game. 

Refereeing is supposed to be an art, not a science

Soccer diehard fans argue that the wrong decisions are the ones that make the game more interesting. They argue that a game of football is run by its own inexplicable internal fatalism. That there is a chain of events that determine the direction the match will go. Video technology has made the game scientific hence taking away the flavor of the game. 

Major stakeholders have painted it in a bad light

Some major stakeholders have made it difficult for the technology to be accepted. There have been several cases when managers of big European clubs have questioned the use of the technology. The managers have successfully sold narratives that suggest that the technology seems to favor particular teams. Such sentiments have led to a general rejection from other, less influential stakeholders. 

Teething problems

Another issue that has led many to question the use of video technology is inconsistency in decision making. There have been cases where the VAR has reviewed similar incidents and given different verdicts. Such decisions have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the technology. 

Final Thoughts

The introduction of video technology in soccer match management has received mixed reactions. Punters on Betway must have felt the effects of the technology when it skewed results in their favor or against them. Nevertheless, it has enabled referees to have a chance to make more accurate decisions during matches. After all, they are only human, and they need help to make their work easier. Soccer fans will be hoping that the technology will be seen to be doing what it was brought to do with time.     

Apple rejected Kenya’s request to have two iPhones unlocked in a police investigation

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Apple rejected Kenya’s request to have two iPhones unlocked in a police investigation

Most of us are privy to how Apple goes out of its way to ensure unrivaled user privacy on its devices, the US tech giant has been in media for refusing to unlock devices subject to investigations. According to information retrieved from the tech giant’s Securities Exchange Filing (SEC), the company turned down Kenya’s request to unlock two iPhones that were apparently under police investigation. The request was made within six months ending December of 2020. According to a December 23rd filing with the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), the tech giant received a request from Kenyan authorities, seeking access to communication details on a locked iPhone.

The regulator didn’t provide additional information as to what type of data Kenyan authorities wanted from the two iPhones nor the ownership of those devices, and if at all they were involved in some kind of criminal activities. The unsuccessful request resembles similar attempts that governments across the world made to the iPhone maker only to be turned down. In Apple’s defense, unlocking an encrypted iPhone was compared to violating free speech rights that Apple is keen to uphold.

According to the US regulator, the request echoed those made by law enforcement agencies working on behalf of users whose devices were either stolen or lost. SEC added that Apple often receives requests to unlock various devices, in most cases to gain details on users of those devices or connections to Apple services. Data sort from these gadgets include photos, contacts and call logs, mainly to assist in criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Sometimes, governments request Apple to create a back-door in their software that can be used to by-pass device security in criminal investigations. Back in 2016, Apple refused a demand by the US government to unlock an encrypted iPhone to one of San Bernardino Shooters who died in a police shootout after killing 14 people and injuring 22 others. Apple rejected the request leading to debate to how much law enforcement and intelligence officials should be able to monitor digital communications.

There are efforts by the Kenyan government to compel users to provide necessary information on their mobile phones or communication devices deemed important in matters of national security breaches. These efforts are entailed in a bill presented by the government seeking to amend the official secrets act of 1968.

WhatsApp multi-device support is finally going into beta with anticipated rollout soon

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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WhatsApp multi-device support is finally going into beta with anticipated rollout soon

We recently wrote a bout a new feature coming to WhatsApp users that will enable them have the same account on different devices regardless of their platform. The feature which is expected to finally bring multi-device support on the popular messaging app is reaching completion soon with an expected beta rollout to follow soon-after. Users will be able to login to different devices with one WhatsApp account without necessarily having to be connected on the internet.

The public beta is expected anytime from now according to hints found in the latest source code, as reported by WABetaInfo. WhatsApp is by far the most popular messaging platform across various devices and has been adding features to allow cross-device support that has been sort after for a very long time by users. The company which is owned by Facebook has been rolling out the feature to some users which only points to an imminent beta rollout soon.

No need to connect your Phone to the internet when accessing WhatsApp Web

Once the feature has been unveiled, users will see a new “WhatsApp Web Beta” tag under the WhatsApp web menu – the place we usually go to enable WhatsApp on our computers. If the rumors are correct, you won’t need to have your phone constantly connected to the internet to access WhatsApp on your computer, the platforms will work independent of each other.

Multi-device support

You’ll be able to connect a single WhatsApp account to up to four devices simultaneously. Consequently, users will have access to WhatsApp web on their computers, as well as on other devices at the same time. you can then use any device to send a WhatsApp message, even if the primary device is not connected to the internet and your messages will automatically sync across linked devices.

Limitations

The source code hints on various limitations during the preview period. You’ll not be able to archive, mute or delete chats from a companion device during the beta test. Additionally, deleting individual messages won’t be possible as well as placing calls using the desktop app.

As of this writing, we don’t have an exact timeline as to when the feature will go live but one thing is for sure, many users will appreciate having this functionality, given it has been requested severally.

Airtel and Telkom make marginal gains in mobile data business against Safaricom

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Airtel and Telkom make marginal gains in mobile data business against Safaricom

Airtel and Telkom Kenya mobile data business in the quarter ending to September made some marginal gains against Safaricom according to data released by the Communications Authority of Kenya. This happened when data consumption was at its peak following the effects caused by the pandemic that forced many employers to opt for staff working from home. Demand for data has generally been high after the pandemic happened and most of these service providers revised their offerings to tap on the demand which somehow led to Airtel and Telkom Kenya gaining the overall market share.

Despite Safaricom holding onto the leadership crown in mobile data business, statistics released by the industry regulator shows it shaded at least 1.2 percent in favor of Airtel and Telkom. While Safaricom was still a head with 67.5 percent of subscribers, Airtel gained by 26.8 percent and Telkom grew by 5.4 percent.

According to the Communications Authority report, Safaricom was down by 1.2 percent in the market share for mobile data subscriptions at 67.5 percent while Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya gained by 0.8 and 0.4 percent to record 26.8 and 5.4 percent respectively. Equity bank’s Equitel lost about 0.1 percent to record a market share of 0.3 percent.

It should be noted, Telkom and Airtel failed to merge last year, a move that was aimed at taking on the industry leader – Safaricom who enjoys a massive following in mobile money business via MPESA. The two firms complained on stringent conditions placed to get regulatory approvals that finally led the firms to shelve plans on amalgamation.  

Safaricom has continued to promote its data business as an alternative to dwindling revenues in voice segment as well as diversifying its product offering on the MPESA platform. The firm has plans to introduce additional products on MPESA including unit trust, insurance and savings. There are also plans by the financial regulator – Central Bank of Kenya to force Safaricom to allow it’s vast MPESA agent network to operate competing mobile money products as well.  

Vivo announces availability of selfie-centric Vivo V20 in Kenya for Ksh.45,999

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Vivo announces availability of selfie-centric Vivo V20 in Kenya for Ksh.45,999

Slightly over two weeks ago, vivo revealed its intention to bring the selfie-camera-centric V20 in Kenya, with notable selfie camera capabilities and a top-notch AMOLED display panel. The firm has finally announced availability of the device to Kenyan consumers looking for a mid-range smartphone with superior selfie-camera capabilities. The most highlighted feature on the device is a stunning 44MP eye autofocus selfie sensor that can take videos and photos with the vibrancy and clarity we only get with rear sensors.

Front-facing 44MP selfie camera

And while the Vivo V20 packs some interesting specs underneath, its not cheap by all means with a price tag of Ksh. 45,999, which is way over what an average Kenyan can spend on a smartphone. Most average consumers would most likely go for a device that’s less than Ksh. 20,000; but that’s not to say the V20 will struggle to sell in the country, it has clearly marked its expected fan base. Consumers looking to capture professional level selfie photos or videos such as vloggers are most likely to go for the device given its unique front sensor.

Aside from it’s massive megapixels, the front camera incorporates software tweaks to achieve unique capabilities such as tracking and focusing moving objects, taking 4K selfie videos in normal and slow-motion modes. This will play in tandem with what Vloggers expect from a professional level smartphone when capturing videos with their devices.  

Speaking on the launch, Vivo Kenya brand manager Mr. James Irungu said the company was always looking for ways to innovate with the consumer in mind. Irungu further acknowledged that Vivo V20 was developed after having deep insights on what consumers were looking for. He concluded by saying the V20 was aimed at young consumers who often take photos and record videos on their devices.

Other specs

Even though we get a one-of-a-kind selfie camera, Vivo V20 packs a somewhat not so good rear camera setup. It comes with a triple camera setup comprising of a 64MP, 8MP and 2MP sensor, which is not at par with Quad-camera setup that’s become industry standard for devices within its price range.

The display panel is however on another level; instead of a cheaper IPS panel, V20 comes with a 6.44 AMOLED panel with all the goodness associated with OLED tech such as vivid colors, better contrast ratios with deeper blacks and importantly low power consumption.

Under the hood is a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 720G processor with an 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM, expected to deliver a smooth performance for applications and games. The battery maxes out at 4,000mAh with vivo’s 33W FlashCharge technology enabling fast charge capability. The device will retail in the country for Ksh. 45,999 and users will have two colors to choose from; Midnight jazz and the Sunset melody.      

NTSA licenses over 20 companies to offer cashless payments in the public service transport

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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NTSA licenses over 20 companies to offer cashless payments in the public service transport

The National Safety and Transport Authority (NTSA) has licensed over twenty firms to offer cashless payment platforms in the Matatu industry. The move comes barely a few years since the government embarked on a mission to tame cartels in the public service vehicles industry, and has been further reinforced by the need to manage the spread of the corona virus in the country. The authority had advertised for providers in a tender notice dated June 16th, 2020 attracting several firms in the IT industry as well as financial sector.

Notably, amongst firms that have been issued with a license is Safaricom – which currently owns the largest mobile money service in the country – MPESA. Once various platforms become operational, Kenya aims to eliminate the use of cash in public service vehicles, instead using a cashless alternative that would also enable contact tracing in a bid to halt the spread of covid-19.  

So far, the authority has licensed a total of 29 companies including Safaricom, Craft Silicon – owner of Little cab, JamboPay, Cellullant, CBA, and KCB. They’ll be tasked with installing a mobile based software and web application that would cater for over 200,000 public service vehicles (Matatu) in the country. Additionally, the platform will also feature a technical capability to contact trace passengers in the fight of the current pandemic.

After the cashless payment platforms have been rolled out in the sector, commuters plying various routes will have to pay for their fares using either of the licensed systems via mobile money such as MPESA, TKash and Airtel Money. In return, the government will have access to their details that would come in handy while contact tracing possible infections of the virus.

Various efforts to implement cashless payments in matatu

As of date, various efforts by the government to implement cashless platforms in the matatu sector has flopped, due to strong opposition from operators who viewed the move as a way to monitor their daily earnings. Notably, a similar move back in 2014 died from the onset.

What you’ll need to make cashless payments in matatu

Passengers will need to have a prepaid card or mobile money to make their payments. Cashless payments were intended to solve various issues in the matatu industry before the corona virus struck. They were intended to eliminate criminal cartels in the industry giving the taxman a way to track incomes in the sector. Additionally, the platform was aimed at eliminating employee fraud by the matatu crew, since employers would easily track revenue in real-time.

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