Wrap-Up: Our pick of main stories, Wednesday March 18, 2015

Our wrap-up today features interesting stories from all around the web that involve Kenya and technology: Safaricom opposes calls to declare it dominant market player, Strathmore Uni’s Cyber Security Masters program targets CIOs, to name but a few, to access the rest read on…

Safaricom opposes calls to declare it dominant market player

Safaricom has termed as unfair the push to declare it a dominant player in the market. Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore noted that the integrated telecoms services provider rolled out its network at the same time as others. Collymore, who spoke when he paid a courtesy call on Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, said declaring Safaricom a dominant player as proposed by some of its competitors will disadvantage it.

Strathmore Uni’s Cyber Security Masters program targets CIOs

Strathmore University recently launched the first Information Security Master’s of Science (Msc.) program in the region targeted at to providing high level cyber security training targeting experienced security professionals such as Chief Information Officers. The University said the Msc. program is targeted at Chief Information Officers, Network Security engineers, Information Security Architects, Incident Responders, Penetration Testers, Forensic Experts in Defense, Police Service, quasi government agencies and private enterprises.

I&M Bank Partners with MobiKash to roll out agency banking services

I&M Bank Ltd and MobiKash have launched a partnership that will see the Bank provide its financial services at authorised MobiKash Agent outlets. This signifies the launch of I&M Bank’s foray into Agency Banking with the brand “I&M KARIBU”. The roll out enables I&M Bank to tap into MobiKash’s expansive network with an objective of increasing convenience for its customers to easily access banking services, as well as to increase its customer base.

Satellite technology helps reduce drought risk

Besides the strength and location of the drought, information is also provided about the spatial extent and the duration of the drought. Luigi Luminari, a technical advisor at Systems for Drought Management in Kenya, says that before the technology came in, it was very difficult to monitor drought in Kenya.

Matatus 1, Google 0: A sobering lesson on digital payments from Africa

Just a few months ago, Kenya’s infamously chaotic transport sector, populated by swarms of matatu minibus taxis know for their thumping music and anarchic driving, was all set for a high-tech shake-up led by none other than search giant Google. Despite government support and the offer of free technology, the cards were never widely adopted by matatu drivers themselves, who were meant to be able to read them using Android phones. The switchover deadline came and went, but card-friendly matatus were still few and far between.