Wrap-Up: Our pick of main stories, Thursday March 26th, 2015

Kenyan Artists launch Easter sell- to- bless campaign…President Kenyatta launches Balozi app to enable ambassadors interact directly with him… Halifax Limited launches the first ever SMS-based Lottery in Kenya and much more

Kenyan Artists launch Easter sell- to- bless campaign

Artists across the country have partnered classifieds site, OLX in a campaign dubbed, Sell-to-Bless which aims to see people sell their unused goods on OLX and use the proceedings to buy dry food stuff from Tuskys supermarkets and donate to needy children’s homes. Some of the artists in the Sell to Bless Campaign are Citizen TV’s Willis Raburu, Abel Mutua of Hapa Kule, Njugush of real househelps of kawangware, Dk Kwenye beat, Size 8, Willy Paul, Bahati, Djs Mo, Johnie Celeb, Sanch, Krowbar, Touch, Soxxy, Gee gee, Njugush, Kambua and many others

Halifax launches Kenya’s first SMS-based Lottery

Lottery operator Halifax Ltd recently launched a one of its kind SMS-based lottery that will allow Kenyan mobile phones users to buy lottery tickets using SMS messages. The entire process from purchase of lottery ticket to the redemption of prize money will be on mobile platforms. The lottery campaign is the first ever end to end SMS based lottery run in the country.

President Kenyatta launches Balozi app, to enable ambassadors interact directly with him

President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched the Balozi app, a mobile application developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to enable envoys to interact directly with the President. The app, according to the President, will create a more private and conducive interaction channel for the Head of State and the envoys.

The President further noted that the app will improve communication and cut on the cost of making phone calls. He added that it is also a way of promoting the adoption and use of technology by the envoys.

Samsung receives positive impressions for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge following its pre-order campaign launch

Samsung Electronics East Africa has already begun to receiving preorders of Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge following its pre-order campaign launch last week. Samsung Galaxy S6 took top honours as the most innovative and creative product this year in Barcelona.

According to Robert Ngeru VP & COO Samsung Electronics East Africa, both the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are expected to be available in Kenya by April 16th.

Strathmore partners with Castalia to launch mobile learning platforms starting from April

Strath­more Uni­ver­sity and Castalia Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a feasibility study of “goo­cus pro” and “goo­cus 3”, mobile learning platforms developed by Castalia, start­ing from April of 2015. This is after the university introduced Master of Science Degree Program in Mobile Telecommunications and Innovation at Safaricom Academy that will incorporate Mobile Learning Platform “goocus” in Education.