Tag: 2022

Digital Lenders Under Scrutiny By Central Bank of Kenya and Office of The Data Protection Commission Over Malpractices
A lot has been going on lately around digital lending apps or loan apps as many call it in Kenya. In a move to regulate this sector, Central Bank of Kenya(CBK) have listed requirements they need digital lenders to provide in order to be licensed.

Players in the digital lending business had until September 2022 to submit these requirements for approval.

By mid September 2022, Central bank of Kenya had approved only 10 digital lenders out of 288 applications they received. They said the process is ongoing and will update the public once more lenders are approved.

List of Approved Digital Lenders in Kenya
1. Ceres Tech Limited
2. Getcash Capital Limited
3. Giando Africa Limited (Trading as Flash Credit Africa)
4. Jijenge Credit Limited
5. Kweli Smart Solutions Limited
6. Mwanzo Credit Limited
7. MyWagepay Limited
8. Rewot Ciro Limited
9. Sevi Innovation Limited
10. Sokohela Limited
You can find full details of these digital lenders including their contacts and location here.

While the process of regulation by Central Bank is ongoing, the Office of the Data Protection Commission (ODPC) in a notice dated 5th October 2022 said they are auditing 40 digital lenders whose practices regarding the processing of personal data has been raised to the data commission as complaints by various members of the public.

Public Notice from the ODP

It’s important to note here that Data Protection (Complaints Handling and Enforcement Procedures) regulations 2021 took effect on February 2022.

With new regulations in progress, digital lenders still have a long way to go.

On the other hand, opportunities in the digital lending space is still huge.

Overview of Digital Lending Services in Kenya

So, will the regulation by Central Bank of Kenya and ODPC help protect customers from Exploitation? Yes, definitely.

To be honest, there is a lot of unethical business practices by mobile app lenders. This going by the ratings and reviews left by customers on the google play store on each of the listed apps.

The most popular unethical practice by loan apps is them calling customers several times a day and sending them many threatening messages even before the loan deadline is due.

This takes me to the big question which is, why did it take CBK so long for them to move and regulate the digital lenders?

Were they speculating first on how they operate then proceed to regulate them in order to protect the public from exploitation?

Well, this might be true. But let’s wait and see actions that will be taken against unscrupulous operators in this market space.

What Central Bank Want Digital Lenders To Do

While announcing their move to regulate digital lenders serving customers in the Kenyan Market, Central Bank of Kenya listed a number of key things they need digital lenders to adhere to when issuing credit/loan. This was gazetted in a special issue of Kenya Gazette supplementary No.45. Among these key things are;
1. Provision of credit – A digital credit provider may set borrower limits in its credit policy and the limits shall comply with any requirements prescribed by the Central Bank.
2. Credit Collection -A digital credit provider, it’s officers, employees or agents shall not in the course of debt collection engage in any of the following conduct against the customer or any other person:—
  - Use of threat, or violence or other criminal means to physically harm the person, or his reputation or property;
  - Use of obscene or profane language;
  - Make unauthorized or unsolicited calls or messages to a customer’s contacts;
  - Improper or unconscionable debt collection tactic, method or conduct.
  - Any other conduct whose consequence is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt.
Take time to real all the regulations here.

Do you think regulations by central bank will help protect Kenyans from preying digital lenders? Let me know in the comments section below.

And if you need professional video production services, you can request a free quote here.

Until next time, bye bye and take care.

Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.
October 18, 2022
5 Important Things That Clients Look At In A Video Production Consultancy Proposal
The requirements needed in order to submit a video production consultancy proposal varies. Some requests for Proposals (RFP) are simple and straight forward while others are detailed and a bit complicated.
Irrespective of the demands that the client is requiring; one thing remains clear, the client wants a video in a certain format delivered to them. E.g Documentary.

Video – 5 Important Things That Clients Look At In A Video Production Consultancy Proposal

Always have the ‘end product‘ in your mind. Irrespective of the qualifications the client is demanding, ask yourself;
- Can I deliver what the client is requesting?
- Do you have access to the tools needed or knowledge to do the work?
- Can your experience replace the academic qualification you don’t have?
With this in mind, what carries weight in a video production consultancy proposal, is your experience. On this blogpost, I will share with you 5 things to focus on in your proposal in order to stand out.

Understanding TOR

First, the client is interested in knowing your understanding of their Terms Of Reference. Terms of reference in this case is a description of what the client is looking for. e.g A 15 Minutes documentary. This must be demonstrated in your cover letter. Take time to summarize this in one paragraph.

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

After telling your client that you understand the assignment, explain your approach to solving your clients problem which is providing video production services.

Read and re-read the Terms Of Reference while preparing your proposal to ensure you don’t miss a thing. If you find something that is not clear, request for clarification via e-mail. Its easy to prepare a proposal when you understand what client is looking for from you.

Your Resume/Company Profile

Your individual, business or company resume is what follows next after the cover letter. The ‘work experience‘ section of your resume is what the client will focus on.

Does your work experience match with the type of video production skills the client is looking for? If it does, then you will be the lucky person to be invited to the next phase of this process which is the interview.

When writing your resume or curriculum vitae, put as much detail as you can about your work experience so that you can stand a chance for the position the client is calling for.

Also, ensure that the reference persons you have listed in your resume is up to to date.

Links to Samples of Your Work

Photo by Amar Preciado on Pexels.com

In the creative industry, samples of your past projects have a lot of weight. After the client is done looking at your paper work, they will now proceed and look at links to works you have successfully completed in the past. It can be linked to your work experience. e.g Link to a documentary you produced for a client.

Always keep record of every job you complete for your clients. In this case, if its photography, videography or graphics designs; have them saved somewhere in the cloud where you can easily share when requested.

Note: It’s always good practice to seek consent from your client to use the content you produced for them in your website as part of your portfolio. Many clients are more willing to give you consent especially when you are sharing a link originating from them as it benefits both of you.

Preliminary Plan and Timelines

In many occasions, the client gives their expected start date and end date for the project in their Terms of Reference. Based on this, you are therefore required to propose your plan and timeline for the project as you foresee.

Use details like the locations the client has indicated for filming and the subject of the shoot, stages of production you will be involved in(preproduction, production and post production) and review and revisions stage.

Some companies indicate dates in which the contract will start and end while others don’t. Make sure the duration you have proposed does not exceed their time in days unless you have a valid reason.

Financial Proposal

You can only provide an accurate quote when you have a plan and set timelines in place. The plan and time will guide you to prepare your quotation.

For instance, if you are expected to travel to 10 locations, you can evaluate the distance and allocate time as needed. Use the time to come up with the cost based on your daily or hourly rates.

After all is said and done, Financial Proposal is what will determine who gets the contract. It’s important to mention that organizations vary. Some are operating under a budget while others don’t.

Don’t underquote because you really want the work. Quote what you are worth because you have the skills and experience to complete the job.

And that is it.

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments section below.

And if you need Videography and Photography services, request a quote for free on Techtube Video Studio by clicking here.

And until next time, bye and take care.

Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.
September 9, 2022
How to Update Your NHIF Outpatient Hospital Online

Video Tutorial: How to Update NHIF Outpatient Hospital

Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.

July 19, 2022
4 Factors to Consider When Deciding Which TAX PIN to Use In Your Business in Kenya

Many people find themselves in dilemma when deciding which PIN to using for tax purposes in their business. Before making a decision on this, there are several factors that one must consider.

Video Guide – Which Tax Pin Do You Use in Your Business in Kenya

Photo by Oladimeji Ajegbile on Pexels.com

Before we delve in, its important to have in mind that one can use his/her personal Pin to run business.

In this blogpost, I will share with you 4 factors to consider when deciding which tax PIN to use in your business. The information I am going to share with you here is based on my personal experience.

Business Registration Level

Business registration levels vary and matters. There is the Sole Proprietor Business, Partnership Business, Private and Public Limited Company and Company Limited Guarantee. Each of these have different requirements at the time of registration.

Its only possible to use individual tax Pin with Sole Proprietorship and Private Limited Company businesses. This is because an individual can register and run them as the only director. The rest type of businesses don’t qualify because it requires more than one director when registering.

While with Private Limited Company, one can use their own personal pin, I recommend getting an independent Pin for this type of business. It will safe you a lot of trouble as your the business grow.

Individual Preference

Some people prefer to have their business affairs separated from their personal life. In this case, it will be good to get a separate PIN for your business if you fall in this category of people. This way, all the activities associated with your business will be dealt with separately e.g VAT returns, WHT returns e.t.c.

Alternatively, if it’s a Sole Proprietorship business or Private Limited company and you are okay with using your individual PIN for business transactions, you can do so.

Number Of Business Owned

How many businesses do you own? If you own more than 2 businesses, I will advise you to have separate tax PIN’s for each of the businesses. This will make your record keeping and management easy. As each of your businesses grow, more accountability is needed.

This means that at some point, you will employ an accountant to help you keep the books of account and file your tax returns. For security purposes on your individual taxes, I recommend having a separate tax PIN for business.

Type of Taxes Your Business is Eligible

Your business will be taxed according to the products and services the business supplies. I suggest your check out the various taxes levied on different businesses in Kenya on the KRA website here.

When you know which taxes your business will be required to pay/remit, its easy to decide on whether to use your individual PIN or not.

Conclusion

When deciding on which TAX PIN to use in your business, its important to consider your business registration level, your individual preference, number of business owned and the type of taxes you are eligible for.

Additionally, its good to put into account your projected business growth. As your business grows, you employ people to manage your accounts. When this happens, it will be save not to allow people to access your individual tax account. This thus means that having a business tax PIN is preferable.

With all this said, I hope this information is helpful to anyone setting up their business out there.

Finally, if you are looking for professional video production services, Techtube Video Studio is ready to help you out. Request a quote today on their website here. You will get a response within 12 hours.

And until next time, bye bye and take care.

Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.

July 1, 2022
How to Close a KRA Pin Online

In this video I am going to show you how to close a KRA Pin online. Stay tuned.

How to Close A KRA PIN Online

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Other related videos

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8 Kenyan Websites And Apps That Topped My List in 2021

June 7, 2022
5 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Business or Company Name To Register in Kenya
Photo by nappy on Pexels.com

Before deciding to register a business or company, having a name in mind that want to register is key. Most business name choices are dependent on many factors like brands, associations, type of business, location and more.

When choosing a business name, it’s important to draw inspiration from the popular successful businesses around you.

Ask yourself; What makes their name unique? Can you recall their name easily? These questions will be very helpful when you are deciding a business name to register.

On this blogpost, I will share with you 5 factors to consider when you choosing a business name to register.

Watch video : 5 Factors to Consider When Choosing A Business or Company Name To Register in Kenya

Choose A Name That’s Simple And Easy to Pronounce

Stick to a short name with few words. Choose a name that anyone can easily read and recall. For example, the name Lincolyn Ventures may be unique, but a bit hard for some people to read and master. On the other hand shortening the name to Linco Ventures will make it easy for anyone to read, pronounce and write.

Consider the customers you are going to interact with when telling them about your business. How easy will it be for you to pronounce the name to anyone?

Pick A Name Around Your Type of Business

What type of business are you into? Many a times, coming up with a name that is neutral or related to your business is key. Draw inspiration from other successful businesses that you see around.

For example, YUM! BRANDS owns many fast food franchise outlets across the world. These includes KFC, Pizza Hut and Tacco Bell. The first word in the business name is simple, unique and easy to master -YUM. We all know that when the food is sweet it’s ‘Yummy.’ This is what makes it easy to master.

Consider A Neutral Name

Doing business in todays fast paced world is tough. Trends change thus what we do or offer as a business entity. It’s therefore important to come up with a neutral business name that you can use in any field.

For instance, business name Dan & Jeff Consultants can only work well in consultancy type of businesses. This is unless you have different brand names operating under the company name.

Business name Linco Ventures Limited is a good example of a neutral name. If you find an opportunity to do business in any field, you can accept it without any conflict.

Think of A Name Around Your Origin And Identity

Which country do you come from? Do you come from a region with rich traditional cultures? Think of an easy name that identifies with your culture of origin. This will make your business stand out. The idea of forming a business name around your origin can be a secret that you can only share when asked.

Avoid obvious names that sounds tribal. Carefully sort out the words you use to make it neutral. Relative names will remind you of where you come from as a business person.

Follow Business Name Reservation Guidelines

When thinking of registering a business, it’s very important to first go through the business name reservation guidelines available here on the Business Registration Portal (BRS). The list outlines what one needs to have in mind when planning to apply for business name reservation.

For instance;
- Businesses with the word “Enterprises” at the end cannot use Initials e.g J.K and Brian Enterprises.
- Single words are not accepted.
- Names with the word “Foundation” must be registered as Companies limited by guarantee.
- Names starting with the word “Kenya” are only reserved for the government.
- Names with “welfare”, Organization, Association, are not allowed.
There are nine more conditions you have to adhere to when registering a company in Kenya which can be found here on the BRS portal.

Conclusion

Business registration is the first step towards starting and running a legal business in Kenya. It’s guided by the business registration service act 2015. Please take a moment to read the article, How to Start a Business In Kenya Today here to learn more.

Don’t be a in a rush to register any business name. Be patient with your yourself and take your time before going ahead and applying for a name reservation. Do it only when you are ready.

Is there any other factor that I missed out that one need to consider when registering a business in Kenya?

Please let me know by sharing your thoughts in the comments section below.

And if you are in need of professional video production services, let me know here. You may want to request a free quote on www.techtubestudio.com.

That is it from here today.

And until next time, bye bye and take care.

Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.
February 9, 2022
8 Kenyan Websites And Apps That Toped My List in 2021

Online service delivery is proving to be very efficient and convenient in Kenya. 2 years ago, you could not get an e-mail reply from many of the government institutions’ websites if you contacted them via their contact form. That’s still the case today in a some of them.

Watch Video – Kenyan Websites That Topped My List in 2021

I used and reviewed some of the Kenyan websites in 2021 which include government, parastatals and banks. Based on my experience, all of them got good rating when it came to resolving issues related to their services.

On this blogpost, I will highlight some of the top sites and mobile applications which many Kenyans use on their daily basis. Almost all of the services that I am going to review here saved me a great deal in 2021.

Mpesa App

I love this app for what it does. Let me start with its ability to allow users to transact globally. Some of the clients I work with reside in different parts of the world and pay me using Paypal. Being able to receive payments from PayPal in minutes to Mpesa with good exchange rate is great deal.

Paypal to Mpesa and vice versa

Inside the app, you can see the link to either top up PayPal or Withdraw money from PayPal. The process is as easy as paying a bill. Also, you will receive your money within few minutes.
The second beautiful thing I love about Mpesa app is being able tag expenses each time you spend. E.g when you pay for shopping, you can tag the expense as ‘shopping.’
At the end of the month, you will be able to see how much money you spent on shopping. This really helps in managing expenses and being accountable.

The third feature I have been using and love is the Mpesa mini-apps. The mini-apps within the Mpesa app is quite convenient to those using the app. E.g With mini-apps, am able to book a flight, train, buy electricity tokens, pay for insurance e.t.c.

If you are someone who is looking for ways to save time and money, then you will enjoy using Mpesa App for the convenience that it brings.

KRA iTax Portal

KRA iTax portal services

KRA iTax portal is another very convenient website for me that I use in filling my monthly Tax returns.

I visited the iTax portal a lot in 2021 to file returns, request for waiver, update my personal information and more. The portal really saved me time and money.
You don’t have to pay someone to help you file returns if you have little transactions every month. It’s easy to file returns once you learn how to do it.
One can use iTax portal to file returns, generate payment receipts’, clear all penalties associated with their PIN and more.

Also, I used the portal to request for a Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC).

For more information on the tasks you can accomplish on the kRA iTax portal, here is blogpost that I wrote on 10 things you can do there.

Business Registration Portal (BRS)

Register Business in Kenya

This is a site I like when it comes to registering and managing my businesses.

On BRS portal, I was able to update my registered businesses’ contact information directly on the portal. Also, I updated the beneficiaries of my company as per companies act 2015.

At the the comfort of your home, you can apply and pay for business registration on the BRS portal today.

Office of The Attorney General(AG) Portal

This is the site for requesting company closure or strike off.

Closing a company in Kenya

Towards the end of the year 2021, I initiated the process of striking off Trendline Network Ltd here. You can access the portal on the address www.ag.ecitizen.go.ke.
When you make an application to strike off your company, it will take up 5 days to be reviewed. It will either be approved or rejected.

Kenya Gazette Weekly

Kenya Law

You can find useful resources related to law on Kenya law website.

I found this site last year when looking for the weekly Kenya Gazette publication. The Gazette is free to download on the site.
After my application for company strike off was approved, I was advised to regularly check the weekly Kenya Gazette, for the first publication on the first month, and the last publication after 90 days.
Kenya Law website has been very helpful to me when following up on company closure.

NHIF Portal

NHIF Self Care Services

NHIF selfcare portal was very helpful to me in 2021. After many years of not paying for my medical insurance, In 2021, I was able to finally update my personal data via the NHIF self care portal.
Also, I was able to change the outpatient hospital via the portal.

It’s easy and secure to use NHIF online services besides being able to do everything at home.

Ardhisasa Portal

I did a review of ArdhiSasa portal in 2021 and published it here. During the review, I tried different things on the site and I was contented with the portal speed and ease of use.

Ardhisasa Kenya Review

On Ardhisasa, you can search and transfer property, order a plan and order a tittle of any property in Nairobi county. They say they aim to expand the service to contain land information from all other counties in Kenya.

Online Banking Service

KCB online banking services

I signed up for online banking with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), KCB Bank and I &M Bank owing to the fact that I have an account with the banks.
My experience with their online banking services was satisfying. I was very happy with each one of them.

They embrace 2 factor authentication which is a good practice when it comes to safety online.
With the introduction of online banking in Kenya, customers now have an additional option of transacting money from their bank accounts when other options fails or are not available.

From transacting over the bank counter, using mobile short codes, debit and credit cards and bank mobile apps; one is not limited on how they can transact.

Conclusion

Technology is proving to be the effective in many sectors of the economy in Kenya.
Being able access many of these services online anywhere across Kenya is a good thing. This is the way to go for many small and big companies/businesses.

And that is it from me on the 8 Top Sites and Apps I Used Most in 2021.

If you need help to create video reviews for websites, apps or software’s, you can request a free quote on www.techtubestudio.com.

Until next time, bye bye and take care.

Follow on twitter on @cheptiony.

January 4, 2022