Author: David Indeje

Mercy Mutemi, lawyer with an interest in Internet Law and Policy Legislative Advisory that governs the use of the internet, says Kenya’s Senate should focus on data when probing social media platforms in the country. She was making the remarks in response to how the U.S government had handled the TikTok issue with President Donald Trump approving a deal between TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and Oracle (ORCL). According to Ms. Mutemi, it is all about ‘protection, localization, and jurisdiction’. “And that’s on localizing data. If the Kenyan Senate is really going to carry out an inquiry into social media platforms…

The number of international tourist arrivals to Kenya in August dropped to 13,894, a 91.4 percent lower than the 161,723 arrivals recorded a similar period last year due to the novel coronavirus. According to the Tourism Performance, August 2020 report on the number of international arrivals via airports into Kenya and their purposes of visit following the re-opening of the Kenyan airspace, the highest number of arrivals were from the United States and the United Kingdom, coming in at 2,768 and 2,469, respectively, attributed to ease of travel advisories. Of the total number, 6,368 tourists (45 percent) came to Kenya…

Kenya shilling remained steady, closing at KSh 108.4 against the US dollar on Friday. This was mainly due to subdued dollar demand from importers. It exchanged at KSh 108.38 per US dollar on September 17 compared to KSh 108.40 per US dollar on September 10 said the Central Bank in its Weekly Bulletin terming the trend ‘relatively stable against major international and regional currencies’. However, during the week, on Tuesday the currency hit a historic low to trade at 108.55 to the US dollar.  According to Cytonn Investments, on a Year To Date (YTD) basis, the shilling has depreciated by…

Serena Hotel has opened its first five-star hotel in the populous Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of its strategic expansion plan. The listed hospitality chain which operates upscale hotels and resorts in East Africa, Southern Africa, and South Asia  in a statement said, “Goma Serena Hotel now open for bookings.” Goma in the DRC becomes home to its sixth City Hotel, the Goma Serena Hotel. “And now, for the first time ever, Goma is about to have the only 5-star hotel, Goma Serena Hotel.” Group managing director of TPS Serena Hotels – Africa, Mahmud Jan Mohamed said: “Expansion…

TikTok, a leading destination for short-form mobile video, has reacted to the forthcoming ban on the app in the US. However, according to NPR, President Donald Trump has agreed to TikTok’s deal with Oracle that will keep the app alive in the US market. “I have given the deal my blessing,” Trump said. “I approve the deal in concept.” According to the deal, Oracle will serve as the trusted technology provider accessing up to 12.5 percent stake of the company, while Walmart will have the rights to buy up to 7.5 percent stake in TikTok Global. The two companies will…

Tuskys Supermarket Chief Executive Officer Dan Githua on Friday said the first tranche of credit relief from a private equity firm based in Mauritius will cover its immediate working capital requirements. The financially troubled retailer says Ksh 500 million part of the Ksh 2 billion expected will be used to pay outstanding staff salaries, pending bills to suppliers, and rent arrears. “In particular, the first tranche of the suppliers’ old debt amounting to Ksh 321 million has been settled,” said Githua adding that, “In addition, the August arrears for suppliers on the online custodial trading portal have also been settled…