WhatsApp is suffering an outage. The Downtetector website, which tracks interruption of services among major social networks, reported that over 60% of users had disclosed having problems sending messages on the platform on July 19, 2023, around 4:17 PM ET.
At the time of publishing, most users had taken to other social sites like Twitter to complain about the WhatsApp failure, further indicating the application is not connecting to the internet, and the number seems to be rising. On their part, the Meta-owned messaging app stated that it has taken on the issue and it is now working to restore the service.
“We’re working quickly to resolve connectivity issues with WhatsApp, and we’ll update you here as soon as possible,” WhatsApp tweeted a few minutes after the outage.
If the issue persists, over 2 billion users who use Whatsapp almost on a daily basis will experience further delay in getting in touch with their family and friends as the company continues to work on the glitch.
A cross-check by How.Africa indicated that WhatsApp Android App is inactive in most African countries, but WhatsApp Web is working quite well.
Almost every laundry day, many people reach out to a fabric softener for its pleasant scents because it leaves clothes smelling fresh, cozy, and clean. A good example of this is Downy concentrate.
Downy concentrate is a laundry product, a liquid fabric softener that contains surfactants and other lubricating agents that reduces friction between fabric fibres in clothes to make them feel softer, thus very comfortable against the skin during wear.
Those are not the only advantages. Fabric softeners like downy concentrate also reduce wrinkling in clothes, making it easy to iron them. Further, it prevents clothes from fading by minimizing abrasion on the surface of the linens which are under wash.
How do you use Downy concentrate?
Downy fabric conditioner is best known for its nice smell, wonderful softness, and ease of use during washing because it can be used during hand washing or in a washing machine:
Using Downy concentrate when handwashing
1. Wash your clothes with soap and other detergents up to the rinse cycle
2. Put clean water in a basin, enough for rinsing your clothing
3. Add Downy concentrate and agitate to mix
4. Put your clothes in the water-fabric softener mixture
5. Wait 5 minutes
6. Now rinse your clothes and put them on the hanging line to dry
That is how to use Downy concentrate when hand washing.
Using Downy concentrate in a washing machine
This guide applies if you are using either a front loader or top loader washing machine;
1. Measure out the recommended amount of Downy concentrate in a cap
2. For the front loader washing machine, pour the fabric softener on the automatic dispenser or in the central column for top loaders
3. Start the washing machine to begin the laundry
Downy concentrate will be released during the spin cycle in the washing machine, and your clothes will be coated with the softener, leaving them fresh and sparkling clean.
How to measure Downy concentrate
When washing your clothes and using Downy concentrate as your preferred fabric softener, put 20ml for every 10 litres of water. Simply, you’ll need 40ml of Downy when cleaning with 20 litres of water.
How much is Downy concentrate in Kenya?
Downy fabric softener in Kenya costs Ksh20 for a small 20ml sachet and an average price of Ksh600 to Ksh750 for a litre of the conditioner when you purchase it at supermarkets or malls. This product is available countrywide.
Can Downy concentrate be used on all kinds of clothing?
Downy fabric softener is safe for use on all types of fabric EXCEPT for towels, sportswear, swimwear, and microfibre clothes like bathrobes and underwear.
Do not use Downy concentrate on these clothing because, for example, it reduces the porous quality in towels and damages elastane in underclothes, inhibiting its stretching abilities.
Driving without a driver’s license will cost you 10,000 Naira in Nigeria.
That doesn’t sound like much, right?
Well, that law only applies at the federal level. The punishment is more strict at the state level. For example, in Lagos, if you’re caught driving without a license, you will pay a 30,000 Naira fine and spend 3 months in jail.
Think of the long-term cost of damaging your criminal record with such a petty crime.
Let me guess. You think the punishment isn’t fair. After all, the driver’s license renewal process is manual and stressful.
I’ll tell you what though. Your excuse isn’t true. You can renew your driver’s license online in less than a day.
Let me walk you through the entire process.
How to Renew Nigeria’s Driving Licence Online
Step-by-Step Guide to Online Renewal of FRSC Driver’s Licence
I know you want me to jump into the meat of the content. But before we move any further, here are the requirements for FRSC (Federal Road Safety Corps) driver’s license online renewal process:
Your license expiry date should be less than 30 from the date of renewal
Printer
Bank cards
Now. The FRSC’s driver’s license online renewal process has two stages:
The online payment stage.
Physical examination stage
The Online Payment Stage
Use this step-by-step guide to complete the online payment stage:
Step 2: Click on the DL application menu. It’s at the top of the homepage.
Step 3: Select the “Renewal of Driver’s License” option in the menu bar.
Step 4: Fill out your date of birth and driver’s license number on the next page.
Step 5: Click on the search button on the same page.
Note: if your license’s expiry date is more than 30 days, you won’t be able to exceed this point.
Step 6: The next page will prompt you to renew your license for either 3 months or five months. 3 years renewal cost 5000 Naira for class A licenses and 10,000 Naira for other classes.
The 5 years renewal option cost 8400 Naira for class A licenses and 15,000 for other classes. Choose your preferred payment option.
Step 7: Scroll down the page, and examine your biodata. You can edit the information if you spot any errors.
Step 8: Select your Processing Office — the office you’ll do your physical examination. This option is on the same page as your biodata.
Step 9: Choose whether to recapture your biometrics. If not, click on bypass capture and submit.
Step 10: The portal will display a preview of biometric data. Confirm the accuracy of the information, and click on next.
Step 11: Pay with a bank card or e-wallet (NetPostPay e-wallet). You can use either VISA or MasterCard bank cards.
12: The portal will load your “Driver’s License Acknowledgement Slip” if your payment is successful. Copy your application ID, and print the acknowledgement slip.
Step 13: Return to the DL application menu. This time, click on the Track DL Application Status option.
Step 14: Fill out the application ID you copied and your date of birth on the page that loads. Then, print your Payment Confirmation Slip.
Now that’s all you’ve got to do at the online registration stage. Let’s move to the next stage.
Physical Examination Stage
You’ll write a short test at the physical examination stage. The FRSC conducts this test at its Processing Offices. So, you’ll have to visit your Processing Office.
Here are the documents you need for this stage:
Two passports photographs
A copy of your Driver’s License Acknowledgement Slip.
The original and a photocopy of your previous driver’s license.
A copy of your Payment Confirmation Slip
Use the following steps to complete this stage:
Step 1: Head to the Processing Office you chose in your online application.
Step 2: Introduce yourself and your objective to the reception officer.
Step 3: The reception officer will guide you to the MVAA (Motor Vehicle Administration Agency) department. The presiding officer of this department will verify your documents.
Step 4: Proceed to the VIS (Vehicle Inspection Service) office. You’ll write a 10-item multi-choice test in this office.
Step 5: After the test, the officer in the VIS office will lecture you on driving and traffic rules.
Step 6: The officer will ask you to return to the Processing Office to collect your ID card after 3 months. You’ll use a copy of your acknowledgment slip for that duration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Cost of FRSC Drivers License Renewal?
The cost of Nigeria Drivers License renewal is 5000 Naira for a 3-year class-A license and 10,000 Naira for other classes. Similarly, a 5-year class-A license cost 8400 Naira, and other classes cost 15,000.
That said, you’ll pay at least 2000 Naira for your physical test. And the total cost of your license renewal depends on the mode of payment.
How long does it take to Process a driver’s License in Nigeria?
It will take you a day to get the temporal driver’s license and 3 months to collect your permanent driver’s license.
What are the Classes of Nigerian Driver’s Licenses?
The FRSC denotes its driver’s license class with alphabets. The possible license classes are A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and J.
Class A licenses are for motorcycle drivers. And class B and C licenses are for vehicles that weigh less than 3 tonnes.
Conclusion
Gone are the days when the Nigerian driver’s license renewal was a stressful activity. Today, all you need to renew your license is an internet connection.
This article outlines the stages and requirements involved in how to Renew Nigeria’s Driving Licence Online. It also provides a step-by-step guide to help you scale both stages.
Hopefully, these tips, outlines, and requirements will help you renew your driver’s license without stress.
“Starlink for sale in Kenya! Note, buying a Starlink with global roaming allows you to travel almost anywhere,” Elon Musk announced, confirming that users in Kenya can now subscribe to the satellite internet provider created by his aerospace company SpaceX.
Starlink is a satellite-based broadband internet service that delivers high-speed internet connection of 50 Mbps to 200 Mbps with unlimited data access through its advanced network of satellites in the low earth orbit.
Compared to other Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that use gigabit and Digital subscriber line (DSL) networking technologies, Starlink has a low latency of less than 20 milliseconds, drawing the most out of the available gigabyte.
Latency is the time delay between the processing of data in a network. The lower the latency, as in Starlink, the faster the response. Today, internet speeds are everything when many companies and startups incorporate cloud-based systems that require high internet speeds to meet computation demands and real-time data management.
If you are looking forward to getting a Starlink satellite internet in Kenya, here is the guide:
How to order Starlink satellite internet in Kenya
Here is how you can buy Starlink internet and start browsing at faster speeds in Kenya;
2. On the homepage, below the headline image, click the ‘SERVICE ADDRESS’ box and enter your location
3. Click ‘ORDER NOW’
4. On the new page, enter your contact information like name, phone number, and email address
5. Proceed to fill in your shipping address
6. Confirm the details and click ‘PLACE ORDER’ for Starlink internet
You will be redirected to a new page where you will key in your billing information (banking card number) to pay for Starlink shipping to your location.
How much is Starlink internet in Kenya?
First-time buyers of Starlink satellite internet (Starlink Residential, specifically) in Kenya will pay a total of Ksh92,100 to get the hardware which sells at Ksh89,000, a shipping and handling fee of Ksh3,100, and another Ksh6,500, which will be the subscription cost, to be renewed each month to access Starlink internet.
Starlink internet plans and pricing in Kenya
Starlink offers these five internet packages in Kenya. Starlink Aviation and Starlink IOT are not yet available in Africa. The table below shows how much you will have to pay to get your desired Starlink equipment in Kenya, packages, speeds, and everything you need to know about Starlink plans and pricing;
Looking for a good airline to fly to or from the UK? Kenya Airways might be a really promising option, considering its reliability, comfort, passenger safety, and affordability due to its close-to-cheap rates.
Kenya Airways was voted Africa’s Leading Airline in 2021 and 2021, two years in a row, after receiving the highest customer satisfaction score due to timeliness, crew professionalism, up-to-speed baggage handling, and ease of booking and boarding flights.
This Kenyan flag carrier has been operational since 1977, and it is connected to over 40 destinations in the world, including London, UK, operating from its hub in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. It celebrated 45 years in the air in 2022.
Here is what you need to know before booking a Kenya Airways flight ticket to fly to or from the UK:
How to book a Kenya Airways flight ticket to the UK
If you want to fly in or out of the UK with Kenya Airways, it is easy to book your flights online directly with KQ by following these simple steps:
1. Visit www.kenya-airways.com
2. On the homepage, scroll down to the booking widget
3. Choose your preferred flight as either Round Trip, One Way or Multi-City
4. Enter your departure location and destination
5. Select your departure date
6. Enter passenger’s cabin info – number of passengers and preferred suites (Economy or Business Class)
7. Enter Promo Code (if you have any). Hit the ‘Book Now’ button
On the new page, you’ll view similar available flights with a choice of editing your details by booking early or late flights that fly to your desired destination on different dates with their indicative prices. If you want to proceed with your initial booking, scroll down and confirm your flight booking time, and press ‘Continue,’
8. On the new page, enter your personal information like name, flyer number, and number of items of baggage to be checked
9. Key in your contact information – emails, personal and emergency phone numbers
10. Press ‘Continue’
You’ll open the Services page; select the type of services you may need before and during the flight. Here, you can book your seat number, meals, and other airport services. To finalize booking your flight ticket to or from the UK, select ‘Continue’ on the right side of the page to complete your payment.
Kenya Airways allows payment of flight tickets using Visa credit or debit cards, PayPal, bank transfer, WeChat Pay, SOFORT, UnionPay, Ali Pay, iDeal and Giro Pay.
Kenya Airways’ baggage policy
When traveling with Kenya Airways Economy Class, you can carry one bag of L55xW25xH35cm weighing a maximum of 12kg plus an accessory like a laptop or a purse for free. On the other hand, Business Class occupants can board the plane with two similar bags of not more than 18kg, alongside other small-sized personal accessories.
On flights routed to the UK, passengers can carry two checked bags of 23Kgs each for Economy Class occupants and two bags weighing 32 kg maximum each for those who booked Business Class.
How much does Kenya Airways charge to screen bags? To check the first two bags on KQ’s free checked baggage allowance, irrespective of the booked suites, customers pay a $200 flat fee and an extra $200 for each additional baggage.
Can you travel with pets on Kenya Airways?
Kenya Airways accepts travel with domesticated pets like cats and dogs but not on the cabin with other passengers or the owner but in climate-controlled baggage compartments inside a pet crate. This area is heated and ventilated for the pets to travel in comfort.
Only service dogs aiding disabled persons are allowed on Kenya Airways cabins upon written recommendation from a professional medical doctor to KQ. These dogs will travel free of charge without a cage or a crate in the passenger compartment.
Kenya Airways destinations in the United Kingdom (UK)
Here is where Kenya Airways fly to and from in the UK;
* Aberdeen, Scotland – Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ)
* County Antrim, Northern Ireland – Belfast City Airport (BHD)
* City of Birmingham – Birmingham Airport (BHX)
* Bath County – Bath Airport
* Somerset – Bristol Airport (BRS)
* Cambridgeshire – Cambridge City Airport (CBG)
* Rhoose, Wales – Cardiff Airport (CWL)
* Edinburgh, Scotland – Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
* Glasgow – Glasgow Airport (GLA)
* Kirmington – Humberside Airport (HUY)
* West Yorkshire – Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
* London – London City Airport (LCY)
* West Sussex – London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
* London Borough of Hillingdon – Heathrow Airport (LHR)
* Oxfordshire – Oxford Airport (OXF)
* County of Essex – London Stansted Airport (STN)
* Bedfordshire – London Luton Airport (LTN)
* Greater Manchester – Manchester Airport (MAN)
* Woolsington – Newcastle International Airport (NCL)
* Norfolk County – Norwich Airport (NWI)
* Darlington County – (MME)
Which airplanes does Kenya Airways operate?
At the time of publication, Kenya Airways has 34 aircraft in its fleet;
Since the establishment of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in June 1966, when only those public servants earning Ksh1,000 and above were cushioned from out-of-pocket medical expenses after making a monthly contribution of Ksh20, this state health protection provider has evolved to include even the informal sector (1972) and the self-employed. Now, NHIF covers many Kenyans regardless of economic status.
From as little as Ksh500 per month, anybody above 18 years can purchase medical cover from NHIF after paying a registration fee of Ksh1,500. On its part, NHIF will be mandated to provide affordable healthcare to the purchasers (policyholders) and their families (dependents). Learn more about NHIF dependents in this informative piece:
Who is a ‘dependent’ on an NHIF card?
A dependent is a person who is eligible for coverage under a policyholder’s health insurance coverage, and according to NHIF Act No 9 of 1998, which governs the state parastatal health insurer, only your children, both biological and adopted and your spouse qualify to be the beneficiaries of your NHIF cover in Kenya.
You cannot add your mistresses, girlfriends, uncle, aunts, boyfriends, and cousins as dependents in your NHIF health cover.
Can I add my parents as dependents on my NHIF card?
No. The cover is only for the contributor, declared spouse, and their adopted or biological children.
What do I need to add dependents on NHIF?
To curb the fraudulent cases of listing distant relatives and those who do not qualify to be beneficiaries as dependents, NHIF introduced essentials as proof for legal dependents.
Here is what you need to add a dependent on NHIF:
* To add your husband or wife to NHIF, you need to submit copies of your national IDs, a marriage certificate, or an affidavit from a magistrate’s court.
* To list your kid(s) as an NHIF dependent, you must produce their birth certificate or notification of birth for those below six months.
How to add dependents on NHIF card
With all documents set, you can now add dependents on your NHIF card for use when they visit a hospital for; either outpatient or inpatient services.
There are two ways of listing beneficiaries on your NHIF cover: through a manual process and by adding them online.
Adding dependents by visiting Huduma Centre or an NHIF branch
1. Download NHIF 26: Application for Amendments/Updates online or by visiting any Huduma Centre or NHIF branch
2. Complete Part I of the form by adding your principal member details and stating your requested changes
3. Enter your dependents’ particulars
4. Attach the required documents
5. Confirm the entered details and sign the form
6. Visit any Huduma Centre or NHIF branch and submit the documents for verification by a relevant officer who will afterward sign Part IV ‘For official use only’
After you are done, your NHIF card will be updated.
Adding NHIF dependents online
1. Visit the NHIF self-care portal (selfcare.nhif.or.ke) and log in or register if you are a first-time user
2. After accessing your dashboard, navigate the menu and select ‘Dependent’s Registration’
3. Enter your national ID number and key in the required details
4. Attach the required documents: either a birth or adoption certificate, marriage certificate, or an affidavit
5. Submit passport-size photos of your dependents
6. Save the documents and submit it
7. Confirm the process by entering the One time pin sent to your registered phone number
It is a hassle-free process. After the dependents’ registration, your NHIF card details will be updated immediately.
How many dependents are covered by NHIF?
According to a memo that took effect in January 2020, the maximum number of dependents on your NHIF card is six: your spouse and five children.
What is the age limit for NHIF Dependants?
NHIF national scheme covers the principal member and spouse for a lifetime or until the NHIF account defaults. However, for children, it’s very different. Children are considered NHIF dependents up to 21 years of age or 25 years for a child enrolled in full-time formal education.
There are no age limits for people living with disability who are members of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.
Except for visitors, who are on their first vacation in Nairobi, for the first time, everyone else knows that the best way to get around the city is by car, and traffic is close to horrible in the rush hour when people are leaving their workplaces. It is insane!
However, today, we are going to talk about the good side of this Kenya’s administrative and economic hub – in Nairobi, if you own a car and you are navigating its bustling streets, finding a parking spot is really simple because you can park your vehicle wherever you find a vacant spot.
Pulling over a designated space is allowed so long as you are not obstructing traffic. Moreover, it is affordable, and drivers don’t have to stretch their pockets too far to afford parking fees.
Here is what you need to know before parking your car in Nairobi:
How much is parking in Nairobi?
The daily parking fee in Nairobi is Ksh200 – for all on-street and off-street parking spaces, which are managed by Nairobi City County Government. Private parking spaces are also available but tend to be costlier, with charges of up to Ksh700 per day, but more secure.
For people who are working in Nairobi and prefer a seasonal parking ticket, they can get a monthly parking ticket from the County govt of Nairobi at Ksh3,000, or for three months parking tickets pay Ksh13,000 and Ksh24,000 for a parking ticket that is active for six months.
Is there free parking in Nairobi?
Yes. According to Nairobi City County laws, motorists are allowed to park their vehicles for free from 2:00 PM on Saturdays, the entire day on Sundays, and during Public Holidays. Recently, Governor Johnson Sakaja permitted free parking on Fridays at all mosques within Nairobi during prayers time from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
How to pay parking fees in Nairobi
Almost every service in Nairobi City County is digitized, not excluding parking. This was done early in January 2023 when the county government allowed the use of the revamped revenue collection system NairobiPay which was made at Ksh160 million by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and past city’s transitional administration Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
NairobiPay is now used to make payments for Nairobi City County Government services like parking. To use it, you have to register on the platform first:
How to register on NairobiPay
Follow these steps to get registered on NairobiPay and pay for all Nairobi City County services like parking and related penalties online;
1. Visit Nairobiservices.go.ke
2. On the homepage, click the ‘Create Account’ button
3. Enter your national ID number and hit ‘NEXT’
4. Enter your year of birth to verify your ID number and press ‘NEXT’
5. Add your phone number and email to get a One Time Password (OTP)
6. Click ‘Verify’
7. You will receive a four-code OTP from NRBSERVICES. Enter to verify the account
8. Create and confirm your new password
9. Check the consent box and click ‘Register Account’ to approve account creation
Congrats! You have created your NairobiPay account. You can now pay for county services like parking.
How to pay parking fees in Nairobi online
You can only pay for parking spaces in Nairobi online via NairobiPay – it is the easiest way. After creating the account, you can follow this step-by-step guide to prepay or pay your parking fees within Nairobi;
1. Visit Nairobiservices.go.ke
2. On the far right of the top navigation menu, click the ‘Login’ icon
3. Enter your national ID number and password to log in
4 A OTP will be sent to your phone. Enter and verify the code to access NairobiPay
5. On the landing page, navigate down to ‘Services’ and choose ‘Parking Services’
6. Select between Daily, Seasonal, and Reserved Parking
7. Enter the vehicle number plate and parking zone and click ‘Next’
8. NairobiPay will process car details. Proceed to pay
On the new page, you will choose your preferred payment method. NairobiPay platform accepts paying for parking fees from Mpesa, Airtel Money, debit cards, Eazzypay, Pesalink, and bank payments. These payments are processed automatically on the platform before you receive a digital receipt.
Another way of paying your parking fees in Nairobi is using USSD *647#, an alternative to NairobiPay. Here, you can access and pay for all county services like parking. However, it is not a free service, and you will be charged around Ksh1 or Ksh2 to use the USSD service. If you do not have sufficient airtime, you will not access NairopiPay services via USSD and pay for your parking ticket.
The time has come for avid gamers to gather on the virtual pitch and start kicking the ball after EA Sports announced the release of its newest soccer game – EA Sports FC 24 – to mark a new post-FIFA era after the video games publisher ditched partnership with the football regulator in 2022.
It doesn’t matter. EA Sports has promised bigger and better versions of FIFA 23 under the banner EA Sports FC after inking new deals with Premier League, UEFA, and Spain’s La Liga to include their in-play tournaments.
Here is everything you need to know about EA Sports FC 24; release date, prices, consoles, cover and more:
Release date
The official release date for EA Sports FC 24 is September 29, 2023. Seven days early access is available from September 22nd for gamers who will pre-order the new game before August 22nd.
EA Sports FC 24: What consoles can I play it on?
* PlayStation 5
* PlayStation 4
* Xbox Series X
* Xbox Series S
* Xbox One
* PC
* Nintendo Switch
Trailer
EA Sports FC 24: What is new in the game?
“Football is never static. It is always evolving and moving, and at EA Sports, we carry these two principles as well. We call it authenticity and innovation. With authenticity, we are going to create FC experiences that champion a new culture of play through everything that makes up the soul of football, and with innovation, we are going to take the single biggest leap in technology and immersion that interactive football has never seen,” EA Sports CEO Andrew Wilson said during an official reveal live stream in Amsterdam.
EA Sports FC 24 is built with advanced HyperMotion V technology based on 11 vs. 11 Capturing and Machine Learning that has the ability to track real motion data and provide lifelike animations and sublime images for a close-to-reality gaming experience.
Further, this new football game utilizes an enhanced Frostbite Engine that renders high quantities of destructible environments for an elevated matchday experience. It also uses Play Styles that hype players’ on-pitch skills beyond capped ratings.
For the first time in gaming history, EA Sports FC 24 allows both male and female teams to play on the same pitch and take part in common competitions. Women players also feature on the Ultimate Team.
Womens’ league on EA Sports FC 24 now totals 5, including those from FIFA 23. These are;
* Spain’s Liga F
* Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga
* Barclays Women’s Super League
* Division 1 Arkema
* National Women’s Soccer League
How to pre-order EA Sports FC 24
EA Sports FC 24 is available for pre-order until August 22, 2023. Follow these steps to get your new game:
3. Choose your FC24 desired package – Ultimate Edition or Standard Edition
4. Click ‘Pre-Order’ to open a new payment window
5. Make payment for EA Sports FC 24
EA Play members are entitled to a 10% discount when they pre-order EA Sports FC 24.
How much does EA Sports FC 24 cost?
The game’s Standard Edition for PlayStation 4 and 5 is $69.99 and $99.99 for Ultimate Edition. For Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, the prices are also $69.99 for Standard Edition and $99.99 for Ultimate Edition.
The cheapest place to buy EA Sports FC 24 is Nintendo Switch, selling FC 24 at $59.99 and giving out 300 Nintendo Points for purchasing other games at discounted prices.
How much will EA FC 24 cost in Kenya?
Kenyan gamers will buy the EA Sports FC 24 game at Ksh9,910 for Standard Editions on Nintendo Switch, Epic Games, Xbox Series X\S, and PlayStation platforms. Ultimate Editions will be available for Ksh14,158, with EA play subscribers getting 10% off these prices.
How much will EA Sports FC 24 cost in the rest of Africa?
Savings accounts are a good place to grow your money quicker. With many options in the market, a high-yielding savings account is the best because it offers top interest rates, enabling you to reach your financial goals faster than traditional savings accounts. An excellent example of these high-yield savings accounts is Branch Savings by Branch Microfinance Bank.
Branch Microfinance Bank, popularly known for its Branch loan products, is an online microcredit firm and a digital bank that maintains only two branches in Nairobi, with its headquarters situated at Reliable Towers (9th floor), off Chiromo Lane in Westlands.
This micro-financer used to operate as an online lending platform under the Branch loan app of Branch International Inc (BI), providing loans to low-income individuals who lack resources to get loans from mainstream banks until January 1, 2022, when the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) approved its acquisition of 84.89% shareholding at Century Microfinance Bank Limited (Century MFB) to become a fully-fledged licensed deposit-taking institution.
In the photo (from left to right): Peterson Mwangi, Chairman of Century Microfinance Bank; Rose Muturi, Managing Director East Africa of Branch International Limited; Florence Muchiri, CEO of Century Microfinance Bank; and Matt Flannery, Co-founder and CEO of Branch International.
Branch Microfinance Bank (MFB) provides its services primarily through the Branch Loan app for consumers to borrow micro loans, send, receive, and request money, make bill payments, and most importantly, access savings accounts.
In this article, we’ll discuss Branch MFB savings accounts for savers who want to earn a high return on their money. Read on.
Branch loan app savings products
Branch Microfinance Bank savings accounts are best for savers who want a digital bank offering with the best rates in the Kenyan market. Through the Branch Loan app, this microlending institution offers two types of saving accounts: Flexi Savings and Target Savings. Let’s explore them;
Branch MFB Flexi Savings account is a safe place to deposit your money and earn returns through its interest of 9% p.a. It is a promising option for those seeking to build an emergency fund because you can withdraw funds at Flexi Savings account whenever you need to.
There are no minimum deposit or balance requirements for Branch Flexi Savings Account or monthly account maintenance fees. Interest rates are calculated upon the commencement of the savings plan based on amount and tenure.
When the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) reviewed its repo rate upwards to 8.43% on June 6, 2023, to curb inflationary uncertainties in the country amid a global economic downturn, it was good news for thrifty individuals who save money on fixed deposit (FD) accounts like Branch Target Savings account.
The repo rate, ‘repurchase option,’ or ‘RP’ is the interest rate at which CBK lends money to banks to meet their short-term liquidity requirements. In cases of repo rate hikes, the cost of funds increases, and the banks have to consider using their customers’ FD deposits to meet their cash demand at a specific time. This makes the FD market lucrative.
Branch Target Savings account is a fixed deposit account offering a competitive yield of 15% p.a. The minimum amount required to open this high-interest saving account is Ksh10 for a period of 1-12 months before the funds attain maturity.
Aside from the impressive interest rates, the Branch Fixed Savings account also has an Amount Goal Account whereby you can save money for a specific goal, let’s say buying a car, allowing you to allocate and organize your money for the things that matter to you in life.
When can I withdraw money from Branch Savings account?
If you keep your cash in the Branch Flexi Savings account, you can withdraw them anytime because it is a regular savings account. However, when you save at the Branch Target Savings account, you must wait until the maturity date for the funds to be paid to your branch wallet.
Upon emergency liquidation of your Branch Target Savings account, you have to give up the interest earned. Therefore, this savings product is best for savers with long-term investment goals.
Is saving with Branch Microfinance Bank safe?
Yes, Branch MFB is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and all deposits by customers are insured by Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC), whose mission is to promote public confidence in the financial system through deposit insurance, risk management, and timely resolution.
Further, Branch Microfinance invests only in low-risk securities with guaranteed returns and cash maintenance.
Established in 1999 by prominent businessman Samuel Kamau Macharia, better known as S.K Macharia, Citizen TV has evolved to be one of the biggest media brands in Kenya under Royal Media Services (RMS), with a market share of 38%, according to the latest report by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK).
Further, the media regulator’s study findings alluded that Citizen TV’s parent company is one of the most trusted media organizations in Kenya, with a score of 62%.
Citizen TV produces a variety of programs, content, and services in English and Kiswahili as primary languages to audiences in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
Despite cutthroat competition from other broadcasters such as NTV of Nation Media Group and KTN of Standard Media Group, this RMS-owned station has continued to hold its nerve, developing and adapting new market strategies to keep up with relevancy in the digital age – like coming up with Citizen Digital and video on demand service Viusasa.
Because of its impartiality and boldness, Citizen TV is popular for delivering in-depth news coverage in news broadcasts like Day Break, Jeff Koinange Live, Citizen Nipashe, and Sunday Live, among others.
Citizen TV is available for watching in digital boxes like StarTimes, GoTV, and DSTV, plus other free-to-air decoders, but you can also watch it online at no cost. How can you watch Citizen TV online?
Watch Citizen TV online
Citizen TV offers free live streaming of news and other shows on two platforms – YouTube and Citizen Digital. Here is how you can watch Citizen TV live on the internet around the world.
Citizen TV live: YouTube
1. Visit www.youtube.com
2. On the YouTube search bar, type ‘Citizen TV live’
3. In the top results, you’ll see a live video by a verified Citizen TV Kenya YouTube page
4. Click to watch the Citizen TV live stream
Citizen TV live: Citizen Digital
1. Visit www.citizen.digital
2. On the top bar, click on the ‘LIVE TV’ red icon
On the new page, you’ll watch Citizen television live from anywhere in the world for free. The advantage of streaming Citizen TV is that you get to watch all past episodes of shows and insightful interviews, recorded, uploaded, and updated on a daily.
How many TV stations does Royal Media Services own?
Royal Media Services (RMS) owns 3 television stations in Kenya. These are Citizen TV and vernacular TV stations Ramogi TV of the Luo and Inooro TV that targets Agikuyu-speaking audience.
How many radio stations does Royal Media Services own?
RMS, the S.K Macharia-owned organization, has 13 radio stations under its name: One of the biggest radio stations in Kenya, Radio Citizen, Hot 96 FM, and vernacular stations Inooro FM (Agikuyu), Ramogi FM (Luo), coastal culture-focused station Bahari FM, Egesa FM (Gusii), Mulembe FM of the Luhya nation, Kamba language station Musyi FM, Muuga FM that targets Ameru audience, Chamgei FM of the Kalenjins, Wimwaro FM that broadcasts in Aembu dialect, Sulwe FM of Bukusu language and Vuuka FM, the country’s number one Maragoli station.
How many people watch Citizen TV daily?
Ostensibly, Citizen TV is the leading competitor in the Kenyan media landscape, with extensive infrastructure, a huge audience, and a reputation. According to its website, Royal Media Services television stations (Citizen TV, Ramogi TV, and Inooro TV) receive over 7 million viewers, per day, with Citizen TV claiming a significant part of the general audience – over 2.5 million viewers daily, making it a coveted tool of national influence.
Who are Citizen TV journalists?
The following table shows journalists: news anchors, reporters, and personalities of Citizen TV with their job function at the largest privately owned media company in Kenya:
