Wrap-Up: Our pick of main stories, Monday November 30th, 2015

Kenya’s first SIM BOX culprit netted in raid… Global executive search firm targets East African market, opens new office in Nairobi… VCB launches the MasterCard World Rewards Credit card in Kenya… Microsoft, KidsComp, AISEC JKUAT to train 5,000 kids on basic coding… and more.

Kenya’s first SIM BOX culprit netted in raid 

Last week we reported that Kenyan authorities were planning to round up people operating the illegal call termination (SimBox) businesses in Nairobi and indeed today, the first culprit has been raided by the Communication Authority of Kenya.

Global executive search firm targets East African market, opens new office in Nairobi 

Boyden, a global leader in executive search, announced that the firm has opened a new office in Nairobi, Kenya, further expanding its presence to a third region in Africa. Boyden East Africa will be led by a Boyden team adept at working within a global economy. Client service offerings will include high growth sectors such as financial services, real estate, life sciences & healthcare, technology and industrial.

VCB launches the MasterCard World Rewards Credit card in Kenya

Victoria Commercial Bank (VCB) and MasterCard today announced the launch of the MasterCard World Rewards Credit card, giving the bank’s cosmopolitan customers access to a range of exclusive benefits and privileges in Kenya and around the world. Cardholders will be able to take advantage of exclusive offers on flights, accommodation, car hire, dining, retail, sports and entertainment through the MasterCard Priceless Cities and Priceless Africa programmes.

Microsoft, KidsComp, AISEC JKUAT to train 5,000 kids on basic coding

Microsoft Kenya has partnered with KidsComp Camp and AISEC JKUAT to train 5,000 primary school pupils aged 9-15 years from at least 5 counties in Kenya on basic coding through the WeSpeakCodeKE Initiative. The WeSpeakCodeKE initiative that is part of Microsoft Global Youth Spark Initiative seeks to spark interest and demystify coding among young learners in Kenya. The project that was recently launched has already trained 2581 pupils from 4 counties; Homabay, Nyeri, Kitui and Vihiga and hopes to reach an additional 2,000 pupils in Nairobi and Machakos counties.

ICT players praise exit of Matiang’i

Dr Fred Matiang’i’s move from the ICT ministry came as a relief to industry stakeholders who noted that he overstepped his mandate during his tenure. President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reshuffle on Tuesday last week moved Dr Matiang’i to the Education ministry, nominating Mr Joseph Mucheru, Google regional lead for Sub-Saharan Africa and country manager for Kenya, to take up the position.

NMG’s digital plan takes shape as new press starts rolling

Nation Media Group is banking on its large online presence and a revamped digital plan to double its revenues from advertising and e-papers, the management said. The company’s digital business currently accounts for about five per cent of revenue, riding on the flagship portal, www.nation.co.ke, which has an average of 90 million views every month, making it the biggest website in the region in terms of traffic.