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Money Market Funds (MMF) are often perceived as a safe haven for investors in Kenya seeking stability and liquidity. These funds invest in short-term, low-risk securities such as treasury bills, bonds, fixed deposits, and commercial papers, aiming to preserve capital and ensure easy access to funds. However, the key to maintaining this safety and liquidity lies in an effective asset allocation strategy. The Essence of Asset Allocation Asset allocation is not just a strategy but a critical safeguard for your investments in Money Market Funds. It's about spreading your investment across various assets to manage risks and meet liquidity needs efficiently. Here's why it's so crucial: Risk Management: The primary goal of Money Market...

In the world of finance, particularly within the bond market, the terms "dirty price" and "clean price" frequently come into play. These concepts are crucial for investors, traders, and financial analysts to grasp, especially when dealing with transactions in the secondary bond market. Let's dive deeper into these terms, using the Central Bank of Kenya's practices as a practical example to illustrate these concepts. Photo Credit: KenyansOnline/DALL-E 3 Clean Price: The Basics The clean price of a bond is essentially the price of the bond exclusive of any accrued interest. In simpler terms, it represents the bond's value without taking into account the interest that has accumulated between coupon payment dates. The clean price is...

Building wealth is often seen as a daunting task, requiring immense patience, discipline, and unwavering consistency. Yet, the journey to financial freedom becomes considerably more manageable when guided by tried-and-true strategies. In this blog post, we'll explore three powerful approaches to wealth creation that can set you on the path to long-term financial success. Photo Credit: KenyansOnline/DALL-E 3 1. The Golden Rule: Pay Yourself First One of the cornerstones of personal finance is the concept of "paying yourself first." This principle advocates for prioritizing savings and investments immediately upon receiving your paycheck. Here's how to implement this strategy effectively: Determine Your Investment Amount: Decide on a...

Kenya Power Schedules Extensive Blackouts for Upgrades Kenya Power has announced a comprehensive schedule of power outages set for Thursday, February 15, 2024, affecting multiple regions across the country. The planned blackouts, necessary for maintenance and enhancements of the power network, will impact Nairobi, Homa Bay, Embu, Meru, Mombasa, Kitui, and Kiambu Counties. Major Areas Affected: Nairobi County: Key areas including Nairobi Gate Industrial Park, parts of Rossylyn and Kitsuru, Karen, and Joska will face outages at different times throughout the day. Homa Bay County: Blackout from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, impacting Ongalo, Oyuma, Osika, Nyakongo, and surrounding regions. Embu County: Power cuts from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, affecting...

You’ve done it. You’ve found the perfect gift for your partner on Valentine’s Day. A shiny necklace, a cozy sweater, a fancy watch, or maybe a bottle of perfume. You’re confident that they’ll love it and appreciate your thoughtfulness. But deep down, you have a nagging feeling that something is missing. Something that would make your gift more personal, more meaningful, more special. Something that would show your partner how much you really care about them. Do you know what that something is? It’s a card. Yes, a card. A simple piece of paper with some words on it. You might think that cards are outdated, cheesy, or irrelevant in this digital age. You might think that your partner doesn’t care about cards or prefers other gifts...

When Amos Omondi started tinkering with electronics as a student, he never imagined that passion would one day blossom into a successful phone repair company. But through perseverance and smarts, Omondi has grown Amotech Solutions from humble beginnings into a reputable service centre serving clients across Kenya. After feeling stifled and underpaid as a repair technician for a leading smartphone dealer, Omondi decided to bet on himself by launching his own repair shop. But transforming his dream into reality wasn’t easy. With little capital to get started, Omondi struggled in those early days to keep the lights on and build a customer base. After a few false starts and studio apartment-sized offices, Omondi eventually secured a more...

Sebina Chebichi is a famous runner from Kenya who made a name for herself in the world of marathons. She was born in the 1940s in Rift Valley in Kenya. She lived in the countryside and learned to run as a way to get around and to help her family. In the early 1970s, she started running in races. At that time, not many women in Kenya were into sports. Most of the races were filled with men. But Sebina wanted to do well, so she trained a lot even though it was tough. In 1973, Sebina did something amazing. She won a big marathon in Kenya, making her the first woman from Kenya to do this. What makes this even more special is that she ran the race without any shoes and was wearing a petticoat because she didn't have the right clothes for...

Hello, dear readers. Before we dive into today's post, I'd like to offer a small warning: this will be a longer than usual post, but I promise it'll be educational, entertaining, and well worth your time. In our community discussions, I've noticed a recurring question about the difference between smart and Android TVs. So, today, we'll answer this question and delve into the fascinating world of television technology. Let's get started. The Big Picture: What is a Smart TV? Smart TVs and Android TVs might seem like distinct categories, but here's a plot twist: an Android TV is a type of smart TV! Let me explain. A smart TV is a television that goes beyond the traditional roles of displaying content from terrestrial or local sources...

The Vitron HTC3218 Frameless 32 Inch Digital LED Television is a budget-friendly option that offers decent picture quality and a variety of features. It has an inbuilt decoder so that you can watch free-to-air broadcasts, and it also supports multimedia connectivity to connect it to your computer or other devices. The TV has a sleek design and a slim bezel, making it look stylish on any wall. It is one of the most affordable TVs in Kenya. Here is a more detailed review of the Vitron HTC3218 Digital LED Television: Picture quality: The picture quality of the Vitron HTC3218 is decent for the price. It has a resolution of 1366x768 pixels, which is enough for most people. The colors are accurate and the contrast is good. The TV also has...

Are you a Kenyan interested in living and working in the UK? If so, the Skilled Worker Visa might be the perfect route for you. This article provides a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the application process and understand the eligibility criteria. Eligibility for a Skilled Worker Visa To qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must have a job offer from a UK employer with a Home Office-approved sponsorship license. This employer will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a unique reference number containing information about the job offer and your details. The job offer must meet the following criteria: It must be a genuine vacancy in an eligible skilled occupation. The role must be at or above the minimum skill...

In the digital age, mobile data has become an essential commodity. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating Safaricom Bundles Mwitu. Please note that this process involves changing the IMEI number of your phone, which may have legal implications in certain jurisdictions. Always make sure that you are complying with local laws and regulations before proceeding. Prerequisites Before you begin, make sure you have the following: 1. An Infinix or Tecno phone 2. A valid code 3. A Safaricom SIM card Step 1: Access Engineering Mode 1. Dial `*#9646633#` from your phone. This should bring up a popup for engineering mode. 2. Click on the option for 'Connectivity'. 3. Click on 'CDS Information'. Step 2: Change IMEI...

Makmende" is a fictional character that originated from Kenyan pop culture. The term "Makmende" has been used in Kenya for years, and it's often used to describe a hero or a tough guy. The character gained international fame when a Kenyan band, Just A Band, featured a character named Makmende in one of their music videos. Since then, Makmende has been dubbed Kenya's first internet sensation or Kenya's first superhero. He embodies traits such as fearlessness, strength, and charisma. Here are some classic Makmende jokes that broke the internet: 1. Makmende is older than his mum. He stayed with an aunt till his mother was born 2. When Makmende jumps into a swimming pool, he doesn't get wet; the water gets Makmende. 3. When Makmende uses...

Inflation is a topic that often generates a lot of discussion, especially when it comes to financial planning. The effects of inflation can significantly impact your financial health, particularly in how you manage loans and savings. Recently, a question was posted in a forum about whether to use a Ksh 500,000 lump sum to pay off a bank loan or deposit it into a SACCO savings account. While many responses encouraged the individual to pay off the loan and deposit the remainder into the SACCO, an important factor overlooked in this advice is the role of inflation. This blog post aims to shed light on how inflation can affect your decisions regarding loans and savings in Kenya. Understanding Inflation Inflation is the rate at which the...

Image credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group 🏃‍♂️ Ferdinand Omanyala: All Speed, No Brakes! If you thought Kenya was about long-distance running, Ferdinand Omanyala just sprinted over that stereotype. The African 100m record holder took to the Absa Kip Keino Classic at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, like a cheetah on the Serengeti. Omanyala powered through the finish line in 9.84 seconds, leaving some notable names in the dust. Kenneth Bednarek, the Olympic and world 200m silver medallist, had to settle for a season best 9.98 seconds and second place, while world 100m silver medallist Marvin Bracy-Williams came in third at a season-best 10.03 second. Omanyala's victory earned him the world lead time and met the...

With the ever-growing digital revolution, financial services have moved far beyond traditional banking to include mobile money and credit facilities. One such service that's been transforming the business landscape in Kenya is Fuliza ya Biashara. Whether you're a small business owner or running a large enterprise, understanding Fuliza ya Biashara could be a game changer for your operations. What is Fuliza ya Biashara? Fuliza ya Biashara is a unique credit facility offered by Safaricom in partnership with the Commercial Bank of Africa. Essentially, it allows businesses registered on the M-PESA platform (excluding Pochi) to complete transactions even when they have insufficient funds in their M-PESA Business Till. This means you can pay...

Photo Credit: KenyansOnline/DALL-E 3 If you own or are thinking about buying a car with an 1800cc engine, one question you may have is what the fuel consumption per kilometer is. Fuel consumption is an important factor to consider when it comes to the running costs of a car, as it can significantly impact your budget. So, what is the fuel consumption per Km for a 1800cc engine? The fuel consumption per km for an 1800cc engine varies depending on several factors, such as driving habits, road conditions, and the type of vehicle. On average, an 1800cc engine can consume between 8-10 liters per 100 km. It's important to note that fuel consumption can be reduced by practicing fuel-efficient driving habits such as maintaining a steady speed...

When it comes to job interviews, some questions can be quite tricky. It is important to prepare and know how to answer them effectively. Here are some tough interview questions and tips on how to answer them: 1. "Why should I hire you?" This question is all about tying your skills and knowledge to the job description. Do your homework and focus on your unique skills and experiences that make you the right fit for the job. Use examples from your past experiences to show how you can contribute to the company. Response: "I believe my unique combination of skills and experience aligns perfectly with the requirements of this position. For example, in my previous job, I was able to increase revenue by 20% in just six months by implementing...

Here is a list of the most active Save 4 Save WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and Twitter groups. (Download free VCFs attached to this post.) NOTE: Comment below with your number to be added to the VCF file. Download and save contacts for free. Save4save Kenya is a platform designed to boost your social media marketing level. Here you can download thousands of contacts and save them to your phonebook. The system will also notify those saved to save you back. All contacts are WhatsApp and Telegram registered. You will therefore benefit from: Status view WhatsApp broadcast Telegram marketing 👇Visit by clicking these links👇 1. Save for Save WhatsApp Groups Links 2022 (updated) Legit Save-4-Save Forum (We share VCF files) -...

LUO POLITICS AND RAILA ODINGA SUCCESSION First and foremost, ladies and Gentlemen, help me congratulate H.E William Samoei Ruto. The next Luo frontier is without heir. Babu Owino is young. Orengo is old. Anyang Nyong'o is old. Kidero is vanquished. Jaramogi gone. Tom Mboya gone. Robert Ouko gone. Raila Odinga has exited. This electoral lose of Raila Odinga is a communal lose. Make no mistake, Luos have long suffered the brunt of opposition for the last 60 years and are staring another 20 years from government. The Grand Coalition assuaged their gains, but it didn't right the historical injustices that shuttered their political dreams, assassinated their sons and made Luos carry the heavy burden of keeping each...

Someone asked me to share something about Saccos and the question was if it is good to save in a sacco. I decided to share a few ups and downs of a Sacco. The Ups of a Sacco 1. A Sacco allows you to save money and you can borrow three times of the money saved, so the amount you can borrow is pegged on your savings. 2. Saccos are regulated under the Cooperatives Act so there are regulations that govern the conduct of Saccos to protect members' funds. 3. Saccos often have a predictable interest rate on the loans which for the most part is around 12% on reducing balance. This is lower than bank interest rate on loans. 4. Saccos offer a wide variety of loan products so you may be able to access different loan products. 5. Since...