The government is selling a huge chunk of a telecom giant to fund infrastructure projects. Officials plan to divest a fifteen percent stake in Safaricom to the Vodacom Group. This partial sale aims to raise over two hundred billion shillings for development financing. Proceeds are earmarked as seed capital for a national infrastructure fund and a sovereign wealth fund.
The transaction involves selling billions of shares at a set price per share, representing a significant premium. Upon completion, Vodacom's ownership would increase to fifty-five percent. The government would retain a twenty percent stake and two board seats. Safeguards include commitments to employment stability and continued support for the company's foundation.
The...
African languages are getting left out of AI, but a new project is trying to fix that. The Masakhane African Languages Hub launched a major funding initiative to build datasets for fifty African languages. It invites researchers and technologists to create speech, text, and image data that reflects authentic cultural contexts. This effort tackles the near-total absence of African languages from the global digital landscape.
The project focuses on three core areas: collecting voice data, testing AI performance in real-world settings, and developing multimodal translation resources. Supported by several major foundations, it aims to prevent harmful biases in emerging technologies. The exclusion of over a billion speakers risks...
SIM swap scams are getting out of hand, but a tech firm claims it has a fix. Hayo has upgraded its National Mobile Registry platform to help governments and mobile operators fight fraud. The enhanced system targets SIM swap attacks and the use of stolen devices on networks. These issues reportedly cost governments significant lost revenue from grey market imports and tax leakage.
The platform offers real-time monitoring to detect suspicious SIM activity instantly. It integrates with international device databases and national blacklists to identify counterfeit phones. The system is designed for full automation and can be customized to meet specific national regulations. Hayo works with police, customs, and regulators to adapt the...
Another day, another program promising to fix the startup funding gap. A new initiative called Startup 360 Connect aims to link Kenyan entrepreneurs with investors and international markets. The program is a collaboration between the UK Kenya Tech Hub, Viktoria Ventures, Anza Village, and POV. It focuses on training new angel investors and preparing founders for investment.
The angel investor program requires participants to commit a specific sum to a syndicated deal. They receive training on investment strategies and legal structures. A separate founder readiness school helps entrepreneurs refine their business models and pitching skills. The third program component facilitates connections for international expansion, particularly...
ODM is closing ranks, telling everyone to stick together before making any deals. Party leader Oburu Odinga stated the Orange Democratic Movement has no plans to expel members, emphasizing internal unity as its primary strength. He argued the party must approach coalition negotiations from a position of power, leveraging its size and national structures. Odinga confirmed plans to engage with other parties, starting with the United Democratic Alliance.
He reiterated support for the existing broad-based government arrangement. The party welcomes internal debate but will actively safeguard its organizational cohesion as a strategic priority. Odinga announced intentions to tour the country, meeting officials to discuss strengthening the...
Uganda just switched off the internet for everyone but a chosen few during their elections. The national communications regulator imposed a widespread shutdown of internet and mobile services following security advice. This action aims to prevent misinformation and potential violence around the voting period. Authorities claim the measure protects public order and electoral integrity, though broader public access remains blocked.
Certain institutions providing critical or lifesaving services have received exemptions to operate. Other entities must apply for special reconsideration to restore their access. The regulator acknowledged the significant inconvenience caused by this unprecedented regional restriction. It requested public...
A major political party just ordered its leader to start cutting a deal with the opposition. The United Democratic Alliance instructed its party leader, President William Ruto, to begin formal coalition negotiations with the Orange Democratic Movement. This move aims to solidify a growing partnership ahead of the next general election. The party's National Executive Committee formally issued this mandate during a recent meeting.
The committee cited the opposition party's own decision to pursue structured talks. It noted existing collaborative efforts between the two groups as a foundation. These include joint support for legislative reports and a previously signed memorandum of understanding. A strategy of reciprocal candidate support...
A wildlife service is telling people to ignore a fake job link going around. The Kenya Wildlife Service issued a public alert about a fraudulent recruitment advertisement circulating online. The scam uses a specific link to trick applicants into submitting personal information or payments. Officials confirm the link has no connection to the legitimate organization.
All authentic hiring processes are announced through the service's official website and verified social media profiles. The public should rely only on those channels for accurate information. KWS warns these online scams can result in financial loss or identity theft. People are urged to report suspicious job advertisements to authorities.
The state corporation handles...
Fuel prices just dipped a little, giving drivers a minor break at the pump. The energy regulator announced reduced maximum costs for petroleum products. Super petrol dropped by two shillings per liter, while diesel and kerosene each fell by one shilling. In the capital city, the new prices set the cost for super petrol at one hundred eighty two shillings, diesel at one hundred seventy shillings, and kerosene at one hundred fifty-three shillings.
These adjusted rates are scheduled to remain active for a thirty day period. The pricing calculation complies with existing petroleum legislation and tax laws. The listed figures include a sixteen percent value-added tax, alongside excise duties adjusted for inflation. Prices vary in other...
