Author: Lorine Otamo

MultiChoice Kenya is increasing monthly subscription fees for DStv and GOtv packages starting April 2024.  The South African pay-TV company cites the need to invest in service delivery and ensure long-term sustainability. The price adjustments follow a review of their economic outlook.  Breakdown of the new pricing DStv Premium: Sh10,500 (up from Sh9,900) Compact Plus: Sh6,500 (up from Sh6,200) Compact: Sh3,700 (up from Sh3,500) Family: Sh2,000 (up from Sh1,850) Access (remains unchanged): Sh1,300 GOtv Max: Sh1,499 Supa: Sh1,999 (price increase not specified) “We understand the challenging economic climate,” MultiChoice Kenya acknowledged.  “These adjustments are at the minimum necessary to ensure…

Kenya has joined forces with Meta to launch a new initiative to help find missing children.  The Kenya Emergency Child Alert (KECA), essentially the Kenyan version of the AMBER Alert system, will be available on Facebook and Instagram. Kenya becomes the fourth African nation to utilize Facebook’s AMBER Alerts program.  South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco have already implemented similar systems. Increased Visibility for Missing Children The primary goal of KECA is to raise awareness about missing children by leveraging the vast reach of social media.  When law enforcement issues Kenya Emergency Child Alert, it will be displayed directly in users’…

Music streaming platform Spotify has launched its innovative “Daylist” feature in Kenya.  Daylist dynamically adjusts to users’ moods and listening preferences throughout the day. What is Daylist? Launched in late 2023, Daylist curates unique playlists that adapt to your typical listening habits at different times or on specific days of the week. It updates frequently throughout the day, offering a hyper-personalized and dynamic listening experience that reflects your evolving mood. In addition, new tracks and playlist titles are introduced with each update, helping you discover new music and understand your evolving taste in music. How to Access and Use Daylist:…

Tanzanian music star Ali Saleh Kiba, better known as Ali Kiba, has ventured into media ownership with the launch of Crowns Media.  The new company, unveiled over the weekend, encompasses a radio station, a TV station, and digital media platforms. Inspiration for Crowns Media Kiba spoke about the media’s influence on his career: “Media is a powerful tool. It’s what made me who I am today. As a kid, I’d always have the radio on, much to my father’s disapproval.” “The challenges I faced growing up inspired me to contribute to the media landscape. 1986 marked the beginning of my…

New fees for government services in Kenya are now in effect as of March 1, 2024. This follows a public engagement exercise and gazette notification.  “You may recall that the effective date for the implementation of these charges was January 1 2024. However, the said charges were to be subject to public participation before coming into effect,” said a memo from the Ministry of Home Affairs director. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes: Passports: Costs increased significantly. A standard 34-page passport now costs Sh7,500 (up from Sh4,500), a 50-page passport is Sh9,500 (up from Sh6,000), and a 66-page passport is Sh12,500…

Zanzibar has allowed Kenyan low-cost carrier Jambojet to commence direct flights between Mombasa and the island. From July 1, 2024, the airline will fly four times a week between the two destinations, with fares starting from $113 for a one-way ticket. Jambojet Managing Director and CEO Karanja Ndegwa said the new route marks a significant milestone for the airline as it gears up to its 10th anniversary in April. “Since its inception, Jambojet has been focusing on connecting people in the under-served or unserved routes. Our decision to launch the Mombasa – Zanzibar route is poised to strengthen relations between…