How to Stop the KPLC Prepaid Meter Beeping Sound

How to

Maishah

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June 3, 2020

How to Stop the KPLC Prepaid Meter Beeping Sound: The year is 1990. Most people are living comfortably without electricity in their homes. Only a few ‘rich’ homesteads exist in the neighborhood that can afford to power their appliances all day.

Fast forward to 2020. Living in a house with no electricity connection is nearly impossible. Electricity is a major economy driver for both city and rural residents. In fact it is a necessity.

As electricity became a necessity, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), now Kenya Power, connected households to the grid and installed post-paid meters.

Over the years, these meters proved inefficient. Not only did the company have to cater to postage costs to send monthly electricity bills to clients, but also clients failed to pay in the time leading to many power disconnections.

KPLC Prepaid Meters

These meters are more efficient compared to their traditional predecessors. Prepaid power meters require users to purchase electricity tokens in the form of power units beforehand. The customer UI screen allows users to type in the token code they receive after. As such, it allows you to monitor and manage your electricity usage, which you could also do using the Kenya Power Telegram Bot.

Steps to Turn Off the Beeping Sound on Kenya Power Prepaid Meters

For some reason, KPLC did not settle on one prepaid meter model when it started installing them. That is why you will find households having different meter models like Inhemeter, Hexing, Nirav, Conlog Intech, and Actaris. Turning off the annoying beeping sound on these meters varies.

Hexing

Hexing meter model seems to be most common in many households. To stop the beeping sound on this meter you need to press 812, then hash (#), or press 812 then “Enter”.

Nirav

If your meter has the name “Nirav Star Instrument” printed on it, just press 1037 then “Enter” 3 times.

Conlog Intech

In one long press on the hash (#) button will stop the sound on a Conlog meter that keeps beeping when you have few units.

Actaris

After your units fall below 20 units on your Actaris meter, it will start beeping. To stop this sound as you plan to buy additional tokens, long press the “Enter” button.

For one reason or another, a method may not work for your meter model. Try out the steps specified for the other models. These steps will be updated regularly to include new meter models or tricks.

Conclusion

Prepaid meters beeping can be one of the most annoying things when you want to get some sleep, especially if the meter is located in your house.

With this guide, how to stop the KPLC prepaid meter beeping sound, you can sleep tight knowing that the annoying sound will not be a bother again.

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a TV in Kenya

SHOPPING
TVs

Maishah

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May 27, 2020

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Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a TV in Kenya

Tv in Kenya, just like food, water, shelter, and clothing is fast becoming a necessity. Gone are the days when the school headmaster was the only person with a black and white TV in the village.

Today televisions are everywhere more so with the penetration of electricity to rural areas in Kenya and ever dropping prices of television in Kenya.

So before you go buying one, what are the factors should you consider before getting that hard earned cash out of your pocket.

Below are things you should consider before committing yourself to buying a TV in Kenya.

3 Things to Consider Before Buying a TV in Kenya

1. Price

This is the most basic economic factor informing customer purchase. You cannot spend what you do not have. However, with most manufacturers and retailers being intelligent enough to offer slow installment payment options, the price may not be a big issue for diligent savers or those who can readily access credit.

Price has its drawbacks of the general assumption that when it comes to electronics, cheap is fake and expensive is quality. This logic may not be exact especially due to the growth of open licenses for software and expiry of patents.

This does not mean that you lower your guard on substandard and cheap television sets. Best digital TV brands in Kenya come relatively cheap compared to their smart counterparts.

2. Features

Most sets have similar characteristics, especially when in the same price range and dimensions. Software, physical aspects, entertainment experience and other manufacturer specifics broadly categorize features.

While most companies have similar characteristics, others have the advantage of proprietary features that cannot be exactly enjoyed by their competitors.

It is also important to note that specific sets are readily compatible exclusively with your other devices like phone, Wi-Fi, or tablet of the same brand.

Here are some features you may need to consider.

Screen size

Several years back people never paid much attention to screen size; this has changed over the years.

Bigger is considered better, and people consider television to be part of the house aesthetic value. If you are a fan of gaming, watching or concerned with your living room appearance, selecting suitable inches is important. In addition, it is essential to invest in a screen that can be viewed from all angles comfortably.

Resolution

Gone are the times where consumers would squint behind the monochromatic electronic tube screen. This refers to the number of pixels that make up a picture.

Traditionally TV resolution is based on the vertical resolution; there however was a shift to the horizontal orientation; hence the use of 4K classification.

Most older 32 inches often have 720P(1 million pixels), the recently made sets up to 49 inches have 2 million pixels(1080 p); however, the latest expensive models have 33 million pixels(8K) given them the best clarity ever witnessed.

The advancements in technology offer a wide variety of options. If you seek the ultimate viewer experience, you invest in high-quality images.

The resolution of a television is determines this or whether its High Definition (HD 720 P), full HD, 4K(8 million pixels ) at times know as Ultra High Definition(UDH) most screens above 50 inches have his feature, 4K (the pixels here is based on the TV horizontal resolution of 4096 pixels)with HDR. This is most confusing to the pedestrian purchaser who may not be familiar with the terms.

Experts contend that pixels should not be the only factor informing your TV purchase. Aspects like contrast ratio, color, and High Dynamic Ratio performance improve a sets performance.

Refresh Rate

Sets with high resolutions and intense graphics often need high refresh rates of the images per minute or 60 seconds. Usually measured in Hertz, the refresh rate improves image quality and transition from blurry to clear. LCD screens, which have a refresh rating of 60 often at times, go blurry. Modern sets have double this coming at 120 Hz giving you the best viewing experience.

Smart or Digital

Digital TV while considered revolutionary after the cable TV era has soon found its competition from smart TV. Smart TVs depart from the former due to their ability to connect to the internet. Smart TV is upgraded digital television with computing ability tailored for entertainment including Netflix, YouTube, and social media as long as there is reliable internet connectivity. Digital TV will just give you to terrestrial FTA channels.

3. After Sales services

Electrons are unpredictable. Despite investing in a recognized brand, there is always the likelihood of technical failures occasionally.

You would want to spend in a brand that you can quickly call for customer assistance, readily get repairs, warranties honored. It is a stressful affair when you realize that the brand you may have purchased has its care center located in a foreign country.

Therefore, it is always advisable to buy from brands that you can easily walk into their centers for any extra service.

There is no doubt that each consumer has their preference when it comes to a television set, depending on purchase power, design and functionality.

Some brands are slowly gaining traction while others adjust their business models to suit their needs. It is essential to pay attention to factors listed here before embarking on a spending

Conclusion

A TV set in Kenya set is not just a TV. Not all televisions are the same. Besides, we all know of popular brands that will make a neighbor envious.

When choosing a TV, it is important to consider the features above. You may also want to consider how long you want to keep it around. Technology changes so fast that what was is fashionable today, is useless tomorrow. However, whatever you do, get that that will make your heart glad.

Can I Send Mpesa Money To Nigeria?

NEWS

Maishah

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May 25, 2020

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Recently, I got a direct question; can Mpesa send money to Nigeria? Or rather as the question would rather have been framed as can I send money through Mpesa from Kenya to Nigeria?

The short answer is yes, you easily do that.

The long answer of how that is done follows.

First, Mpesa, as you know is a Kenyan startup with a presence in other seven countries in Africa. Therefore, I might understand why the user of Mpesa in Kenya was asking this question because Mpesa is not currently available in Nigeria.

How to send Mpesa Money from Kenya to Nigeria?

I assume that you already have a registered Safaricom line you are currently using. If you do, then you will have to follow this guide down here.

If you do not have a Safaricom line, then you will have to buy one and have it registered.

Then if you are done, you can easily send money to Nigeria via Mpesa Global. However, before you are able to do so, you will need to register to use the Mpesa Global.

This is how to do it. From your phone, follow these steps.

Dial *840# on your phone
Select to Opt-in
Read Terms and conditions(You have no choice here)
Accept / Decline( You just have to accept)
Enter you M-PESA PIN

Once you have done this, you are now genuinely registered and are ready to use Mpesa Global services as soon as you receive the confirmation SMS.

To send money follow the following steps below.

On your phone, dial *840#
Next, select Western Union Location you are sending the money to.
You now need to select New Recipient
Enter the First name
Enter the Last name
Enter Middle name
Enter exactly the Amount you wish to send.
Choose the Destination
Enter the country code
Enter Purpose of funds (eg. for purchase, salary, freelance work, or anything)
Enter the source of funds
You now need to confirm the transaction details and charges
Enter your M-PESA PIN and press send.

Once done, you and the recipient will receive and message stating that the transaction is successful with full details of the transfer.

The recipient can now easily collect his/her money at the at the nearest Western Union location

Sending Via the Safaricom App

The easiest way to send Mpesa money to Nigeria is to use the Safaricom App, more so if you have a smartphone. I love using the Safaricom App because it simplifies the process.

All you need to do is install the app if you do not already have it. Then Select Mpesa, then Mpesa Global.

From the Mpesa global, you can choose to send to Paypal, Bank or Western Union.

Conclusion

Mpesa is not currently in Nigeria, but you can easily send money to that West Africa country.

You only have to use the Mpesa Global and follow the steps above. Can I Send Mpesa to Nigeria? Yes you can.

Startimes Upgrades Subsriber’s Bouquets

Maishah

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May 20, 2020

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Nairobi, 20^th May 2020 … StarTimes Media has today announced a revamped bouquet offering that will see the introduction of 8 new premium channels across news, kids, movies, fashion, novelas, gaming and esports giving subscribers an enriched content experience at the same affordable monthly subscription for their bouquets of choice.

The channels, Sky News, CBeebies, Film Box, Gametoon, Timeless Drama Channel (TDC), Tlnovelas, FashionBox HD and Toonamiwill enrich the already existing content genres available to the broadcaster’s terrestrial and satellite television subscribers.

Speaking on the latest bouquet upgrade, StarTimes Regional Marketing Director Mr. Aldrine Nsubuga noted that the brand is keen on progressively refining the kind of programming availed to subscribers and with new technologies creating new content every other day, it is only strategic that StarTimes deliver the same on TV which is much more accessible.

“We are progressively improving the content available to our subscriber’s key in growing our value proposition and as a way of appreciating their loyalty to the brand. Notably, the monthly subscription rates remain the same as we endeavor to maintain our commitment of delivering premium content at the most affordable subscription rates.” said Mr. Nsubuga.

Sky News being one of the major international news channels will be delivering 24-hour latest global developments with a spirit of innovation covering a wide range of topics such as finance, politics, technology, entertainment, sports among others.

Fans of novelas will be delighted to watch Tlnovelas which will broadcast highly-rated Mexican novelas of all time as Timeless Drama Channel (TDC) delivers critically-acclaimed Turkish shows famous for cross cultural boundaries by capturing universal themes and family values.

FilmBox will be popular with movie enthusiasts as it will offer more than 300 premiere titles every year featuring the best directors’ films, television series and miniseries, as well as high-budget television productions.

FashionBox HD will be the one-stop shop for all things style and will feature inspirational, educational and highly entertaining content on shopping, lifestyle and new fashion trends.

Gametoon, a worldwide entertainment TV channel is targeted at millennials revolving around gaming and eSports and will feature highlights of popular video games, entertainment content from gaming, you tubers and video game tournaments while Toonami will primarily air Japanese animations and occasional American action animations.

CBeebies will be integralinhelping pre-school kids learn whilst they play fun games, watch relevant clips and sing along to related songs.

“It is our commitment to identify the most relevant content for our subscribers while packaging it to fit the whole family entertainment viewing experience,” concluded Mr. Nsubuga.

Huawei Nova 7i Now Available For Pre-Order on Jumia

Maishah

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May 18, 2020

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Huawei Nova 7i Now Available For Pre-Order on Jumia

The Huawei Nova 7i is now available for pre-order in Kenya. We broke the news about it being launched soon in the Kenyan Market.

This is the second device that comes without the usual google play apps, following a decision by the United States to ban Huawei products.

However, the device is available for pre-order on Huawei’s Instagram page and on Jumia. In fact, on Jumia, you can Pre-order on Huawei’s official store for Ksh. 29,999.00. Moreover, on the Jumia Store, you get a free Huawei Band 4 worth 4,699.00 and a Bluetooth headset worth Ksh. 2499.00.

Huawei Nova 7i Full specifications

The Huawei Nova 7i is powered by 8GB of RAM and for storage, you have 128GB. It has four cameras at the back, the main one being a 48MP. The front camera is a 16MP single camera.

Besides these, it comes with a huge 4200mAh battery that allows fast charge. Here below are the full specifications of the phone.

General

Model	Huawei Nova 7i
Release Date	February 2020
Status	Available for Pre-Order

Design

Type	Bar
Dimensions	159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm
Waterproof	No
Weight	Grams

Display

Display Type	TPS IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
Size	6.4 inches
Resolution	1080 x 2310 pixels
Pixel Density	~398 ppi density
Touch Screen	Yes
Display Protection	Yes
Display Colors	~398 ppi density

Hardware

CPU	Octa-core (2×2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 + 6×1.88 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU	Mali-G52 MP6
RAM	8 GB
ROM	128 GB
Memory Slot	NM (Nano Memory), up to 256GB (uses shared SIM slot)
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Software

Operating System	Android 10 + EMUI 10
User Interface	Yes

Camera

Rear Camera	48 MP (wide) + 8 MP (ultrawide) + 2 MP (wide) dedicated macro camera + 2 MP depth sensor
Image	2160p
Video	2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Flash	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Front Camera	16 MP (wide)

Network

SIM	Nano SIM
Dual SIM	Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)

Connectivity

WIFI	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
USB	2.0, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector, USB On-The-Go
GPS	Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
NFC	No
Wireless Charging	No
Headphone Jack	Yes

Battery

Capacity	Li-Po 4200 mAh battery + Fast battery charging 40W
Placement	Non-Removable

Media

Video Playback	Yes
Video Out	Yes
FM Radio	Yes
Ring Tones	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes
Handsfree	Yes

Data

4G LTE	LTE (Unspecified)
SPEED	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps

You can pre-order Huawei Nova 7i from Jumia here.

QuickMart Opens City Centre Branch; Here is Where It’s Location

Maishah

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May 17, 2020

0

QuickMart Opens City Centre Branch; Here is Where It’s Location

QuickMart Supermarket has opened a new branch in the City Centre(Central business district). This is the first branch in this location, giving shoppers a variety in a location already dominated by Naivas and Tusky’s Supermarkets.

QuickMart will occupy the space that was previously occupied by Choppies Supermarket on Tom Mboya Street. Choppies- a Botswana Startup- plans to leave the Kenyan market.

They take up this space at a time when supermarket retail business in Kenya has seen major players in the market in the past have closed shop. Things have not been rosy in this sector, with giants such as Nakumart and Uchumi closing shop and Tusky’s closing some of its branches.

Speaking to the media, Betty Wamaitha, QuickMart head of marketing said, “This store allows us to be part of the action in the heart of Nairobi being our first store in the CBD.”

Taking on Naivas Supermarket

QuickMart, which has 29 branches so far, has in the past open several branches in an attempt to take some of the market share currently under Naivas firm grip. Naivas Supermarket chain is currently the market leader with branches dotted in all towns and estates in major cities.

However, completion in the sector is far from over even at the demise of Nakumatt and Uchumi. In the recent past, the sector has seen international players entering the Kenyan market. Players such as Shoprite, Game Stores, and Carrefour are giving local supermarkets a run for their money.

However, local supermarkets such as Naivas and QuickMart may have an upper hand as they open branches while these international entrants prefer setting up shop at shopping malls and taking over space previously occupied by the Nakumart.

QuickMark has seen a steady growth in the past years as it continues to expand its operations to new territories in Kenya.

Today, it is the third largest supermarket chain after merging with Tumaini Supermarket last year.

KICD, Startimes partner to grow access to online learning

NEWS

Maishah

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May 14, 2020

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KICD, Startimes partner to grow access to online learning

Nairobi, 14^th May 2020. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has entered into a partnership agreement with the StarTimes Kenya, a digital television provider to provide access to interactive education content to learners in both primary and secondary levels in Kenya.

The institute is currently enhancing its coverage of the interactive radio and television lessons through various online platforms at a time when the country is battling with the spread and devastating effects of the Corona Virus pandemic, which forced schools to be closed temporarily early to contain the virus.

KICD Council Chairperson, Dr. Sara Ruto welcomed the partnership engagement, acknowledging that the Institute has enormous task that needs consolidated efforts to make sure that learning goes on and every child is benefitting from the process.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has pointed out a new feature of digital learning, we need to embrace it for the sake of our children and together we will be able to grow. One of the core competencies in the Competency Based Curriculum is learning to learn, this is an opportune moment to put it to practice with such partners key in enriching the future of learning,” said Dr. Sara Ruto.

Through this partnership, StarTimes Kenya will provide access to KICD approved curriculum on their digital television platform including mobile application StarTimes ON as well as other self-produced television channels in making sure that students who are currently at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic continue learning through the broadcaster’s platforms.

“We have partnered with KICD to allow us carry approved education content on our platforms. Currently, we have ensured that EDU Channel is available through our set top boxes as a free to air channel and uploaded approved primary and secondary school curriculum on our StarTimes ON mobile application platform key in ensuring the majority of students have access to the education materials,” said StarTimes Chief Executive Officer Mr. Andy Wang.

The KICD Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Joel Mabonga welcomed the move noting the partnership will grow the number of platforms available to engage students who are learning at home with the content access on mobile application being a strategic option given the high mobile penetration in the county.

“We need to go out of our ways to make sure that learning continues even under the current COVID-19 situation as we establish strategic partnerships that will help us achieve our mandate as an institute tasked with a national responsibility of developing curricula and curriculum support materials informed by research for all levels of education below the university,” said Dr. Mabonga.

The partnership will bridge the gap in ensuring that learners complement the radio and EDU TV education content with that which is now available on StarTimes ON mobile application that is available on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Learners continue to follow the interactive online lessons at home tuning to KBC English Service and Radio Taifa for radio programmes and EDU TV channel and the Kenya Education Cloud for interactive lessons.

Huawei Nova 7i to be lauched in the Kenyan Market.

Maishah

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May 12, 2020

0

Huawei Nova 7i to be lauched in the Kenyan Market.

The Huawei nova 7i will soon be available in the Kenyan market, Huawei has announced today after the successful launch of the Huawei Nova5T.

Speaking to the media, the Huawei Country manager said, “Huawei nova7i is an entertainment mid-range device suitable for millennials and Gen-Z alike. Not only does it have a sleep look and feel, but it also encompasses unparalleled photography features, a large 4,200mAh battery, and the outstanding 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge.

The device is expected to be in the Kenyan stores and online platforms such as Jumia by the end of this month according to the company.

Huawei Nova 7i Specifications

Huawei nova7i comes with the Krin 810 chip that as we know is more powerful than the Snapdragon 730 that you see on midrange Android smartphones. The phone runs on a 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal memory that can be expanded with Huawei’s proprietary NM SD card. Moreover, one appealing feature is its 6.4 inch screen that is a 1080p LCD display.

It also has a huge battery at 4200mAh with fast charge with its 40W fast charge charger, which is a norm the market is quickly adopting.

The other cool feature of the phone is its cameras. It comes with four of them. Yes, four of them. The main 48MP camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP bokeh camera. While the front/selfie camera comes with 16MP.

Just like its cousin the Huawei Y7p, the nova 7i ships with EMUI 10 based on Android 10. In addition, since the US banned Huawei from using google services, the Huawei nova 7i comes with Huawei Mobile services instead of the usual Google services.

As we follow up on this announcement, we still await the launch of the flagship P40 series in the Kenyan market.

Tecno Spark 5 Air Price in Kenya and Full Specifications.

Maishah

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May 11, 2020

0

Tecno Spark 5 Air Price in Kenya and Full Specifications.

This is what we think the Tecno Spark 5 air price in Kenya will be. The phone comes with a 7-inch screen and is expected to cost less than 15000.00.

The phone has be announced in other markets but is yet to arrive in Kenya, but it is expected that the phone will be available in the coming months.