Author: Laiza Maketso

The United States Embassy has made travel even more undesirable for Kenyans by hiking visa fees. For business, pleasure and student visas, the fee has been raised from $160 to $185. “As of May 30, 2023, visa fees will be increasing for certain nonimmigrant visas. Visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s) and other categories, such as student (F) and exchange visitor visas (J), will increase from $160 (KES 21,800) to $185 (KES 25,206), ” the Embassy said. “The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190…

Do you want to decrease or diminish the appearance of stretch marks? Cosmetic products maker L’Oréal East Africa, makers of Nice & Lovely, says it has a new bio-body oil that clears over 80 per cent of stretch marks. The new product, the Flawless Bio Body Oil, an effective blend of four natural oils namely Sunflower, Avocado, Sweet Almond and Apricot, helps women reduce the appearance of stretch marks at different stages of their lives, according to L’Oréal consumer division GM Victoria Karanja. “Stretch marks are a very common problem on the African skin and as L’Oréal we work at…

Safaricom’s coverage of the 5G network has reached 28 towns across 21 counties, with the footprint expected to grow. “By increasing 5G coverage, we are enhancing Kenya’s best internet network and empowering our customers to start exploring the possibilities of 5G,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom PLC. 5G is much faster—10 to 20 times faster—than the currently widespread 4G network, allowing users to download content in seconds rather than minutes. Safaricom has also introduced 5G data bundles to enable its over 400,000 customers using 5G smartphones to browse at ultra-fast speeds, with typical speeds of 400Mbps to 700Mbps. The 5G…

Apparel Group’s leading global fashion footwear and accessories brand, ALDO opened its first store in Kenya at the Sarit Centre Mall. https://twitter.com/SaritYourCity/status/1647914962151505921?s=20 The opening follows the distribution agreement between ALDO Group International and Gedeon & Co, SARL, and the license granted to Gedeon & Co, SARL as the exclusive master franchise of ALDO Group International. Its entry into the East African market was announced by WAMA International Group, a holding company that oversees franchise operations across Africa and has partnered with ALDO Group International. According to WAMA International, the partnership will bring the latest fashion trends and top-quality products to…

Safaricom and Shopzetu have launched a Shopzetu Mini App on the M-PESA app, which will enable more than 7 million M-Pesa customers to shop and pay within the app. The in-app feature gives customers options to shop for women’s and men’s fashion from more than 200 vendors within the app. Upon payment via the app, Shopzetu will dispatch and deliver items to customers countrywide within 3 days after making an order. https://twitter.com/SafaricomPLC/status/1647965852849917959?s=20 “We are delighted to partner with Safaricom and leverage their digital and financial solutions to empower our more than 200 partners. The Shopzetu M-Pesu Mini App expands our…

Food delivery service Bolt Food has expanded its operations to Mombasa, allowing locals to order food from restaurants. Mombasa becomes the second city for Bolt to expand after Nairobi in 2021. The services will be available to residents of Ziwani, Tudor, Makupa, Tononoka, Kibokoni, Ganjoni and the environs. The expansion comes after the Estonian-based company recently announced investment and expansion plans in the country. “We are delighted to launch our services in Mombasa City as part of our nationwide expansion plan,” Bolt Food Country Manager Edgar Kitur said. “Mombasa remains an integral market for us, and we look forward to…