Author: Francis Muli

Follow me on Twitter @francismuli_ Email: Editor@Kahawatungu.com

WhatsApp has rolled out a new privacy measure that will hide the “last seen” status from people you have not communicated with on the app before. Before the new update, the messaging app applied the preferred status for “everyone” by default. The new update means that only people who are added to your contacts list will be able to view your “last seen” status. “To improve the privacy and security of our users, we’re making it harder for people you don’t know and haven’t chatted with from seeing your last seen and online presence on WhatsApp.” The company replied to…

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Since automating their services, the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) now allows users to select, change or confirm their preferred hospitals remotely. By using a mobile phone, one can simply dial the USSD code *155# to access the services. The other options are to access the NHIF website or download the NHIF mobile app for self-care. Below are the steps for each method – Dial *155# from your phone – Select your preferred language – You will receive an OTP (One-time Pin), enter it and send. – A Pop-up screen will appear with the options to choose or change the…

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Website owners and publishers are familiar with the web-ranking tool, Alexa which helps to gauge online traffic and performance. Amazon has announced that it will be shutting down the service effective May 2022. The company already stopped renewing client subscriptions as of December 8. “Twenty-five years ago, we founded Alexa Internet. After two decades of helping you find, reach, and convert your digital audience, we’ve made the difficult decision to retire Alexa.com on May 1, 2022. Thank you for making us your go-to resource for content research, competitive analysis, keyword research, and so much more,” a statement from the company…

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Microsoft is attempting to tackle the issue of pirated software with a 50 percent discount on Office suite purchases. According to reports doing rounds online, a new message offering a 50 percent discount for genuine Microsoft 365 subscription is appearing on the office ribbon bar on Pirated Office apps. The notice purportedly directs users to Microsoft’s own website, which includes a warning that “pirated software exposes your computer to security hazards.” Those who pirate Office software are also at danger of infections, malware, identity theft, data theft, and missing out on critical upgrades, according to Microsoft. Read: Microsoft Launches Teams Essentials…

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Instagram will start rolling out a version of its feed that shows users’ posts in chronological order. The company’s CEO Adam Mosseri said while appearing to the senate on Wednesday. The company’s communications department also announced the same on social media. “We want people to have meaningful control over their experience. We’ve been experimenting with Favorites, a way for you to decide whose posts you want to see higher up, and we’re working on another option to see posts from people you follow in chronological order” Read: Instagram Combines IGTV and Newsfeed Videos to New Format Dubbed Instagram Videos Instagram…

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Tech giant, Google has released the top trending searches for the year 2021. We kicked off the year with several trending topics such as the swearing-in of US President Joe Biden, followed by the loss of Tanzania’s President John Pombe  Magufuli and the subsequent re-election of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni. The EPL Table topped the country’s trending searches followed by the Uganda elections and the Kiambaa By-elections on the third position. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) came fourth while Kazi Mtaani Application took fifth position. Kenyans also had a number of questions and how to find love was…

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A woman is facing theft charges for failing to reverse money sent to her M-Pesa erroneously. Nancy Chonge Chepkemoi reportedly received Sh73,000 mistakenly sent to her from Vincent Maina Wambutu. She was charged with stealing the money contrary to section 268 (1) as read with section 275 of the penal code. Section 35 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act states, “If you fail to reverse an M-Pesa payment that was made erroneously, you risk a two-year jail term, Sh200,000 fine or both.” Wambutu says he was transferring the money from his bank account to his M-Pesa but entered a…

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As the Internet continues growing in popularity, cases of fraud such as piracy, identity theft, cyberbullying, or even threats are on the increase. Hackers and cybercriminals are on a constant lookout for sensitive personal information they can use for illegal activities, including your credit card information or passwords. Hence, it’s easy to see that staying safe online is more important in our modern technology-driven world than ever before. But what is online safety after all? Simply put, it means that people protect themselves and others against any type of online risk and harm they may endure while being online. This…

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Short video-making app, TikTok has ventured into live shopping with an entertainment event slotted for Wednesday. The company started hosting shopping live streams during the Black Friday weekend with other brands and is now planning to host its own two-day shopping event with support from Ryan Clark-Neal featuring influencers, music and a quiz. “We think it’s a really significant moment. E-commerce is a big opportunity for TikTok and it’s something we’re investing in significantly,” TikTok General Manager, UK and EU, Rich Waterworth said. TikTok hopes to capitalize on customers’ increased shopping needs for items such as make-up and sportswear. Facebook…

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Nairobi residents should prepare adequately for continued light rains, the Meteorological department says. Through a statement, the weatherman indicated that most parts of the city would be affected. “Precaution should be taken especially for those counties which have already received or witnessed heavy rainfall,” Met said. Read: Expect Rainfall, Storms Over The Next Five Days – Weatherman “Most parts of Nairobi especially Dagoretti South and North, Westlands, Roysambu, Kibra, Langata, Starehe, Makadara, Kamukunji, Embakasi West, Central and North, Ruaraka and Mathare to receive several showers,” the statement said. The notice comes just a week after the Met department sent out…

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The owner of a radio station in Nairobi has been taken into custody after the Communications Authority of Kenya shut it down over claims that it was operating illegally. Nelson Githinji Ndegwa has reportedly been operating Gituamba FM from a residential building at Puma Court in Tena Estate. According to the CA, the radio station has been operating without a licence, contrary to the Kenya Information and Communications Act,1998 (KICA) Read: Betting Regulator Bans Radio Stations from Running Lotteries Over Fraud Ndegwa is currently being held at the Buruburu police station as he awaits arraignment. He will be charged with…

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Borrowers can now breathe a sigh of relief after President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the Central Bank Amendment Bill on Tuesday. The new law gives The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) the mandate to withdraw operating permits from lenders who violate data privacy standards under the new law. Digital lenders have been given six months to obtain operating licences from the annex bank. Digital lenders in the form of mobile loan apps are notorious for engaging in debt-shaming tactics in efforts to recover money owed by their borrowers. For instance, once they get access to your phone book and messages, they…

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Short video-making app TikTok has released its year-end report 2021 on creativity, trends, creators, movements and moments. According to the app, at least 1 billion users were on the app this year. “It’s been incredible to see how our African community has continued to grow and support one another this year on the platform. We’re humbled to see how much joy our community has brought us this year, and we’re excited to experience more incredible moments as we continue this journey together,” said Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok Content Operations Manager, Africa. Among the trends highlighted on the platform this year are recipes, music…

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Instagram has announced plans to start rolling out new parental control features in March. According to a blog post by Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, the platform will allow guardians and parents access to set time limits, see how much time their children are spending on the app and get notifications should the child make a report to Instagram. The parental controls are part of the measures developed by the app in efforts to make the platform safe, especially for younger users. The news comes amid backlash to the company after whistleblower Frances Haugen revealed Meta’s moderation lapses. A report publicized…

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Candidates sitting for the 2021 national examinations slated for March and April 2022 will have their exams tailor-made to the challenges they faced during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha and Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) will have “a human face.” The two leaders said the government was aware of the challenges the candidates had faced during the period, and the disruptions the pandemic had caused even as they prepare to sit the exams. Read: Expect KCPE Results In Two Weeks…

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WhatsApp rolled out disappearing messages for chats last year. The company has announced that it has developed the feature to allow users to set the disappearing messages feature for all chats by default. Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced the development on Facebook. “We’re rolling out a new disappearing messages option on WhatsApp today so you’ll be able to make all new chats disappear by default after 24 hours. Not all messages need to stick around forever.” Read: WhatsApp Testing Brighter Colour Scheme for Android Users In the new update, users who start a new one-on-one chat will see a notification…

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