Wrap-Up: Our pick of main stories, Monday May 11th, 2015

Kenya’s ‘Maramoja’ disrupts Uber model using social connections… Safaricom launches the Box, now awaits CA approval for its broadcast licence… Huduma Kenya gets the 2015 UN public service excellence award. For these and other articles, read on…

Kenyan students among world’s young innovators competing for $4 million in prizes

Four Kenyan students have left for Pittsburg Pennsylvania, USA to attend International Science and Engineering Fair, world’s largest international pre-college science competition a program of society for science and the public. The four youngsters, from SCLP Samaj School in Nairobi will join other young innovators selected from 422 affiliate fairs to showcase cutting–edge inventions.

Huduma Kenya scoops UN public service excellence award 2015

e-Government public service platform Huduma Kenya has been rewarded  the United Nations Public Service Award  for 2015 for improving public service delivery in Kenya since its inception.

Safaricom launches the Box, now awaits CA approval for its broadcast license

Finally, Safaricom has launched its decoder, the Box, which will enable access to TV content and the internet. Through the launch the company looks into pushing data more, however, the telecom giant still awaits an approval by Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) for a broadcasting licence that will enable the company develop and host more content.

Ericsson in multi-year deal to upgrade Safaricom network

Ericsson has today announced the signing of a multi-year agreement with Safaricom to support the upgrade and expansion of its converged mobile network infrastructure. Under the terms of this agreement, Ericsson will deploy Wi-Fi technology for the first time on the Safaricom network as well as expand and enhance the MINI-LINK microwave transmission network; enabling subscribers enjoy a richer quality of mobile broadband in Kenya.

Kenya’s Maramoja disrupts Uber model using social connections

Kenyan taxi app Maramoja may have lost its first mover advantage, with Uber and Easy Taxi launching in the country while it was undergoing a series of reiterations and technical issues, but it still believes by leveraging on social connections it offers a more trustworthy alternative that will allow it to carve out a share of the market.

Safaricom Kenya offering Microsoft’s latest devices

Safaricom has announced that it is introducing Microsoft’s mobile devices, the Lumia 930 and Lumia 830. According to the company, the devices will be available in either black or white with a premium gold finish at Safaricom outlets at recommended retail prices of Kshs 57,999 and Kshs 42,999.