Autochek Kenya, the leading automotive technology company transforming the automotive experience for African consumers, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Turaco Insurance Agency Kenya (T/A Turaco), the innovative insurance company dedicated to providing affordable and tech-enabled insurance solutions.

This collaboration aims to offer Autochek’s clients comprehensive motor insurance with flexible monthly payments, making the insurance cost for car owners in Kenya significantly more attainable.

With the rising need for flexible insurance options, Autochek Kenya and Turaco combine their strengths to provide an unparalleled insurance solution tailored to the diverse needs of vehicle owners in Kenya.

The car financing market in Kenya has seen substantial growth, with a 15% annual increase in vehicle loans and a 10% rise in vehicle imports.

This partnership between Autochek and Turaco directly responds to this market demand by offering a bundled service that integrates vehicle financing, insurance, tracking, and maintenance, all under one digital platform.

The partnership aims to make vehicle insurance more affordable and manageable for Autochek's customers by offering monthly payment plans instead of traditional annual premiums.

This approach allows car owners to better manage their expenses without sacrificing the extensive coverage that comprehensive insurance provides.

The monthly payment option is a significant advantage, ensuring affordability and continuous coverage for vehicle owners.

While inking the deal, Autochek’s Country Manager, Henry Mbugua expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Turaco to offer our clients an innovative insurance solution that aligns with their financial needs. This partnership underscores our commitment to enhancing the vehicle ownership experience by providing comprehensive and affordable services while ensuring we maintain competitive prices.”

Ted Pantone, CEO of Turaco, added:, “At Turaco, we're transforming the insurance industry by making it accessible and attainable for everyone. Our vision is powered by partnerships with like-minded companies like Autochek, who are equally committed to using technology to create seamless customer experiences. By combining our tech-driven approach with flexible monthly installments, we empower Autochek to offer their customers top-tier insurance access and an exceptional experience.”

The insurance offering will be seamlessly integrated into Autochek’s digital platform, allowing clients to access and manage their insurance policies effortlessly alongside their vehicle transactions.

Autochek and Turaco integrated their systems to ensure that customers have an end-to-end digital journey. This tech-driven approach simplifies the process of managing vehicle insurance and ensures that customers have instant access to all their vehicle-related needs in one place.

This partnership is a testament to Autochek's commitment to delivering a holistic automotive experience, where customers can access financing, insurance, and maintenance services all under one roof.

By integrating these services, Autochek is revolutionizing how car owners manage their vehicles, ensuring that every aspect of ownership is both convenient and affordable.

About Autochek Kenya

Autochek is an automotive technology development company that is building the infrastructure to make car ownership more accessible and affordable in Africa.

With active operations in 9 countries across East, West, South, and North Africa, a partner-led retail footprint in over 2,000 dealers and workshop locations, and more than 70 banking partners, Autochek is improving Africa’s automotive finance value proposition by bringing all relevant stakeholders together to enable easier access to more financing options as a catalyst for growth in Africa’s automotive industry.

Turaco is a full-stack, embedded insurance company transforming insurance financing in emerging markets with simple and affordable health and life insurance for low-income earners.

Founded in 2019, Turaco is present in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and Nigeria.

Turaco partners with leading mobile network operators (MNOs), technology companies, and financing institutions to distribute unique insurance products for their customers.

With Turaco, individuals can secure insurance coverage with premiums starting as low as $1 per month.

Using API integrations with their partners, and AI to drive efficiency.

Turaco activates policies, automates payments, and processes claims in a fraction of the time it takes traditional insurance companies.

Popular Mombasa actress Bwire Ndubi will be laid to rest on September 20th.

She died on Thursday. while undergoing treatment in Turkey, barely a month after she appealed for financial help to continue with her treatment.

According to a family source the late Bwire will be buried at her rural home  in Matungu, Mumias, Kakamega county.

Her body expected in the country on Sunday morning.

Bwire had battled metastatic breast cancer for about two years before passing away.

In 2022, she went public about her breast cancer diagnosis in an interview with entertainment journalist, Cheptoek Boyo.

A new premium lounge has been launched at the Moi International Airport (Mombasa).

Located at the international depature lounge terminal 1, the Bosphorous Lounge covering an area of 10,000 feet with a capacity of 150 persons aims to provide comfort, luxury and delightful travel experience.

The interior reflects the Coast culture with unique features like artificial palm trees. The lounge is run by Turkish investor Cemal Ulman.

The official launch was graced by the Turkey ambassador to Kenya Subutay Yuksei.

Speaking during the launch ambassador Yuksei said the opening of the lounge marks a new chapter in partnership between Kenya and Turkey especially in trade and tourism.

"I hope that the opening of this lounge will pave way for the restarting of direct flights from Turkey to Mombasa" said Yuksei.

Adding" Mombasa is a very important destination to many tourists and travellers, as Turkey we are keen to streghtening our bilateral ties with Kenya especially in trade and tourism."

On his part the Director of Bosphorous lounge, Cemal Ulman applauded the local leadership and management of the Kenya Airports Authority for their support.

" We chose Mombasa because this is a gateway to many travellers. What travellers are looking for is such facilities, it is not just about the flying but the whole experiemnce right from the airport" said Ulma.

Adding" Business and First Class passengers will now have the chance and opportunity to check it and the lounge and order their food and drink from our live kitchen. For other walk in passengers they will be paying for our services"

Changamwe Mp Omar Mwinyi called on the government to speed up the process of implementing the open sky policy to help boost tourism at the Coast.

" I will never stop telling the government to implement the open sky policy, this is fo our benefit as the people of the Coast. When you open the skies you open the door of  opportunities" said Omar.

Adding" To our Coastal counties please come together and market the destination, dont wait for the government or privte sector to do it for you."

Amenities include a variety of lounge seating, high-speed WiFi, charging stations, dedicated workspaces, massage lounge, laundry and showers.

Guests can also indulge in the lounge’s gourmet offerings with a diverse menu featuring favourite Kenyan flavours and international cuisines prepared by skilled chefs, ensuring culinary options cater to every palate.

Twenty-four-year-old Kepher Okoth Ooko from Kanga, Migori County, is the grand winner of KES 5 million in the “Shine Kenya Shinda Mamilii Kama Bingwa” promotion.

Okoth, who is a motorcycle mechanic based at Kanga Junction in Migori county, won the amount after participating in the campaign by purchasing KES 20 data bundles, which earned him an entry into the draw.

In addition to the KES 5 million, he also received KES 1 million from the Safaricom Foundation to support a community project of his choice in his home area.

Speaking during the award ceremony at Safaricom headquarters in Nairobi, the joyous father of two, who was accompanied by his wife Zuhura Akoth expressed his disbelief, saying he is still in shock. Okoth further shared that he plans to use some of the money to open his own motorcycle repair garage, purchase a piece of land, build a house, and buy a 14-seater matatu for a transport business. He also intends to support his wife by helping her start a business.

“I am still in disbelief since I received the call from Safaricom that I had won KES 5 million. This is a miracle and a huge blessing for me and my entire family. I never imagined that someone like me, would ever become a millionaire. I plan to start a garage, build a house, buy a 14-seater matatu, and support my wife, who has been a pillar in my life. To Safaricom, thank you so much for the incredible work you are doing, transforming the lives of many Kenyans,” said Kepher Okoth.

With the additional KES 1 million from the Safaricom Foundation meant to support a community project, Okoth chose to renovate and furnish three classrooms and connect water in his former primary school, Kitere Primary School.

This promotion was launched in June by Safaricom to reward, celebrate and empower its customers with daily and weekly cash prizes, including data bundles. It was also meant to support key community projects chosen by winners.

Each of the 30 weekly millionaires received an additional KES 250,000 to support a community project of their choice. This was to ensure that the benefits of this promotion extend beyond individual winners to positively impact wider communities creating a ripple effect of positive change.

The community projects are being actualised through the Safaricom Ndoto Zetu Uwezo Wetu program which supports various community initiatives that have a lasting impact on people's lives. Whether it’s building classrooms, providing clean water, or supporting healthcare initiatives.

“Today, we not only celebrate our 31^st millionaires, but also the 31 community projects that will benefit thousands of Kenyans.  When we began this campaign, we had our customers and the community in mind, aiming to celebrate and empower them by transforming their lives across the country. We believe that true success is shared success, and by supporting community initiatives, we can create a ripple effect of positive change,” said Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom Plc CEO.

In addition to the millionaires, the campaign also rewarded customers with M-PESA cashbacks totalling KES 31.5 million, daily prizes that included airtime for 220,000 customers, data bundles for another 200,400 customers, SMS bundles for more than 301,000 customers, and digital content for over 1.2 million customers.

Popular Sultana actress Bwire Ndubi is dead.

Ndubi died today (Thursday) morning at Maslak Acibadem hospital in Turkey where she was receiving cancer treatment.

"It is with a heavy heart and humble acceptance of God's will that we announce Winfred Bwire Ndubi lost her battle to cancer on 5th September 2024 while undergoing treatment in Turkey," reads a statement from family.

The late Ndubi had travelled back to Turkey for treatment last week after developing some complications from her previous treatment.

In her last video appealing for help, which was shared on her social media pages on August 14, the actress revealed she was experiencing some side effects from her treatment.

"You wouldn't believe it—it has over 41 side effects, and you never know which one will hit. You experience some of them at different times, and it keeps changing," she narrated.

Friends and relatives held a fundraiser in Mombasa to raise the ksh 5 million needed for her to get back to Turkey for further treatment.

Ndubi who played 'Dida' in Sultana shared her struggle with breast cancer with fans in 2022.

Tanqueray has announced the renewal of its support of the Nairobi Polo Club’s competition calendar as the experience partner.

This renewed partnership underscores Tanqueray’s dedication to supporting polo and celebrating the magnificence and heritage that defines both polo and the brand’s ethos.

“We are happy to continue our partnership with Nairobi Polo Club as the sport embodies the very essence of magnificence that we strive for,” said Scaver Saitaga, Brand Manager at Tanqueray.

Adding “This partnership provides us with a platform to connect with both our loyal consumers and new audiences, as we showcase our brand values in a dynamic atmosphere. Polo offers our consumers an ideal setting to enjoy an exhilarating afternoon accompanied by our diverse range”.

Nairobi Polo club will be hosting the 10 Goal International Tournament between the 6th and 8th of September.

This will be followed by the 6 Goal International that will take place between the 13th and 15th of the September.

The two weekends will feature an exciting competition line – up that will showcase the pinnacle of skill and athleticism in the sport.

The tournaments at the Nairobi Polo club are a highlight of the season’s calendar providing an opportunity to celebrate style, elegance and the vibrant social scene that surrounds the sport.

The game of polo transcends itself and provides an immersive experience that allows one to enjoy the best of Kenyan culture and fashion.

The previous polo season concluded in spectacular fashion with Tanqueray collaborating with local fashion designers such as Afrostreet Kollections and NCNairobi to showcase high fashion at the Soldiers’ Salute and Chairman’s Cup tournaments.

Safaricom PLC (NSE:SCOM) has today hosted the fourth series of the ‘Grow with Safaricom Business’ targeting MSMEs in the Coast region.

The forum aims to equip the entrepreneurs with knowledge that will enable them scale their businesses through technology.

The engagement forum will also give the MSMEs an opportunity to exchange ideas on how they can leverage digital technologies to enhance their market reach, streamline operations, and create a strong brand presence online.

According to the Kenya Institute of Public Policy, Research and Analysis, there are over 7.4 million MSMEs, employing approximately 14.9 million Kenyans in various sectors of the economy, generating 30% of the GDP.

“Despite the significant contribution MSMEs make to the economy, they continue to face considerable challenges, such as inadequate knowledge and skills and rapid technology changes among others that hinder the growth of their businesses. At Safaricom, we believe in the power of technology and its potential to transform businesses, which is why we are hosting the Grow with Safaricom Business to empower MSMEs,” said Cynthia Kropac, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Safaricom.

As the global economy rapidly digitalises, it is estimated that 70% of new value created over the coming decade will be based on digitally enabled platform business models.

Launched in March this year, the Grow with Safaricom Business forum will provide ample networking opportunities for MSMEs to connect with peers, industry experts, and potential partners.

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA)  has recognized outstanding journalists reporting on Environment and Climate change in Africa.

The ceremony took place in Abidjan on the sidelines of the 12^th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa CCDA-XII.

Among those who were recognized is Mombasa based journalist Jasmine Atieno.

Jasmine who works with the People daily newspaper was the only journalist from Kenya who won the award,  with Leleti Jassor from Nation media group being the runners up.

"I am very excited and humbled for this win. Thankful to Pan African Climate Justice Alliance for recognizing and rewarding our efforts and commitment as journalists in highlighting critical environmental issues and advocating for climate justice." said Jasmine.

Adding "I have to also say, the winning story was my first opinion article on climate change. I decided to write this article especially motivated by the devastating effects the floods had to Kenyan families and especially to women, which we all witnessed and reported about. As a features writer we are so used to collect everyone else's voice but we should never forget how important our voices and opinions also are in driving for change. And I really hope to see this change happen in terms of empowering Kenyan and African women to mitigate effects of climate change."

The theme for this edition was 'Advancing for accountability for Adaptation finance for enhanced resilience, climate justice and equity'.

478 journalists submitted their entries for the awards. Out of 478 candidates, 16 were selected winners in six categories.

Contestants submitted entries in six categories namely: print media, Broadcast media, Digital Activists, Investigative, Coverage of local Climate Change Issues, and opinion/commentary.

During his address to the participants at the gala night, Carlton Cofie, the chief judge, expressed his admiration for the impressive quality of all the entries. He emphasized the difficulty in selecting the winners due to the high level of competition.  He said that the next competition will be improved as journalists will be equipped with more skills in climate change and environmental issues.

The ACCER awards are currently in their 8th edition, with the inaugural event held in 2013. Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of PACJA, emphasized that the media is the strategic ally of PACJA in advancing and promoting climate justice advocacy in Africa and beyond.       

The African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting (ACCER) Awards have been held biennially since 2013.

These awards aim to acknowledge and encourage exceptional journalists and media networks who utilize their skills, reach, and influence to simplify complex environmental-scientific discussions and raise awareness about how they affect people's lives, societies, economies, and the health of the planet.  The following annex indicates the winners of for  8^th ACCER Awards.

By Phenyo Mokgothu

When a species becomes extinct in the wild, the loss is permanent. For Africa, a serious loss is the extinction of the Tanzanian Kihansi spray toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis) due to habitat change and infectious disease.

This should serve as a wakeup call for policy makers to prioritise and implement conservation measures for endangered species.

Found only in the Udzungwa Mountains, the species experienced a population decline after the construction of the Lower Kihansi Hydropower project and an outbreak of a fungal disease. This is according to a study co-authored by Prof Ché Weldon of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) subject group Zoology.

The hydropower project reduced water flow in the toads’ habitat tenfold, and by March 2001 the population had dropped to fewer than 2 000 toads. Although restoration efforts increased the population to nearly 18 000 by June 2003, this recovery did not last.

The final blow was an outbreak of chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. This infection affects the outermost layers of amphibians’ skin, impairing their ability to breathe or thermoregulate correctly. This led to the toad population's rapid decline. By 2009, the Kihansi spray toad was declared extinct in the wild.

Putting two and two together

The NWU study used spatiotemporal surveillance and mitogenome assembly of the fungus from archived toad specimens. It showed that the outbreak was caused by the BdCAPE lineage of the fungus which, according to molecular dating, appeared in southern Africa around the time of the extinction of the spray toads.

Further surveillance of other amphibian species in the Udzungwa Mountains showed BdCAPE infection without noticeable health impacts, suggesting that these species can tolerate the fungus under stable conditions. However, the spray toad's vulnerability increased due to habitat change.

The findings show that despite habitat restoration efforts, the BdCAPE fungus led to the Kihansi spray toad's extinction. This is the first documented instance in Africa of a host species being driven to extinction by this specific pathogen.

The study highlighted the use of molecular techniques, such as shotgun sequencing, to analyse archived specimens and understand disease outbreaks and their impacts. It calls for comprehensive efforts to assess the risks posed by habitat modification, climate change and emerging diseases on vulnerable species.

According to the authors, the extinction of the Kihansi spray toad shows the need for integrated conservation strategies that consider environmental changes and disease dynamics.

They say policymakers must recognise the threats posed by habitat alteration and emerging infectious diseases to prioritise and implement conservation actions for endangered species.

Stanbic Bank Kenya has launched the Stanbic Money Market Fund (KES) and the Stanbic Fixed Income Fund (USD) following approval by the Capital Markets Authority earlier this year.

The funds will be managed by SBG Securities Limited, a subsidiary of Stanbic Holdings Plc.

This launch marks Stanbic Bank’s official entry into asset management through its newly established Insurance and Asset Management Unit, with plans to introduce more investment products in the future.

This initiative aligns with the Bank’s strategy to offer comprehensive solutions, creating a seamless, one-stop financial services hub tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients through a range of client-centric products and services.

It also supports the Bank’s purpose to drive growth by providing meaningful solutions.

With minimum investments of KES 1,000 and USD 100, the funds are designed for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and achieve long-term growth with minimal risk and high liquidity.

Clients’ investments will be managed by a team of seasoned investment professionals.

Commenting on this, Dr Joshua Oigara, Stanbic Bank Chief Executive Kenya and South Sudan said, “To drive growth, we must mobilise domestic savings and investments by strengthening our capital markets and developing investment products that cater to our people’s needs."

Adding "We need to create accessible entry points for investors, offering affordable and user-friendly solutions that lower barriers to investment. Our Asset Management unit is strategically positioned to deliver investment solutions that drive growth for both retail and institutional investors.”

"We strategically set up a fourth business unit called Insurance and Asset Management to ensure that we were offering a holistic suite of Banking and non-Banking solutions to our clients. Investing in Stanbic's Unit Trusts offers vast advantages, including expert management and diversification across various asset classes” said Anjali Harkoo, Head Insurance and Asset Management, Stanbic Bank Kenya.

"Licensed and regulated by the Capital Markets Authority, these funds adhere to stringent investment guidelines , ensuring stability and security for investors. Leveraging our extensive asset management experience across our Group network, we will implement best investment practices and utilise our robust internal capabilities to deliver value to our clients.” added Anjali.

The funds currently provide investors with an annualized yield of 15.12% for the Money Market Fund (KES) and 5.56% for the Fixed Income Fund (USD).

The Money Market Fund charges up to 2% in management fees, while the Fixed Income Fund charges up to 1%.

The funds will be available to both existing and new Stanbic Bank clients, catering to both individual and institutional investors.