Win A Holiday this Labor Day Weekend With Jovago Website !

Is your work taking a toll on you and are in need of a break? Or are you just dreaming of a break in your perfect destination? Well your desire might just be realized this labor day with Jovago.com.

Ever since 1887 when the first labor celebrations were held, the 1^st of May has evolved to be the only day of the year when workers are celebrated and work place achievements appreciated. With this year’s May Day celebration falling on a Friday, most people will have a 3 day holiday, from 1^st till 3^rd May. How are you planning to spend your holiday break?

Even though everyone would wish to spend their labor day holiday by taking a short vacation, several factors including, finances, logistics and unavailable hotel rooms could derail any plans one might have.

Enter Jovago Labor Day Competition

In appreciating the effort and hard work of the Kenyan worker, Jovago is offering workers an opportunity to win an amazing 3 night long weekend in a 4 star hotel of their choice  in Kenya

All you have to do is to:
– take a picture of yourself or with your colleagues while at work,
– upload your picture to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag  #JovagoMayKenya and also share it with @Jovago.
– Let your friends and family like/comment/share the picture.

If your picture garners lots of likes, comments and shares by 30^th April, you should definitely begin packing your holiday bags and prepare for an amazing Labor Day weekend.

Participate now and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @Jovago_ea in East Africa)!

Infinix Mobile sponsors 2015 Kenyan Blog Awards

Nairobi, April 22, 2015: The 2015 Kenyan Blog Awards got another sponsor; Infinix mobile who launched different makes of their phones in the Kenyan market last year to a good reception from the consumers. Aided by intelligent marketing, the company is fast making a name due to their friendly prices for high performing phones. You can get a high end Infinix phone for less than half the cost of competitor brands.

In a statement regarding the sponsorship, here is what the Infinix Marketing Director Mr. Peter Zhou had to say. “We are happy to be the sponsor for the BAKE Kenyan blog awards this year to let more people involved in the exploration of the trend of technology and fashion. We believe BAKE will promote quality content creation with more blogs involved in the future, and we believe “The future is NOW.”

As more people turn to online reviews before they can make a purchasing decision, bloggers are fast becoming a source of unbiased criticism that helps consumers to make choices. Everyone wants advice from someone who has used and tested a product and that way they are almost certain of what step to take.

The mobile phone is one of the fastest growing social tools we use today. With bloggers taking center stage in the awards, this is a massive opportunity for Infinix to showcase their products and show that it has what it takes to be a market changer in the mobile phone market.

Apart from bloggers, the mobile phone market has also had a huge impact on application developers who have used this platform to generate income. The Kenyan youth have realized this opportunity and have been developing a lot of mobile applications, particularly in android enabled phones like Infinix.

We sincerely appreciate Infinix for being one of the sponsors in this year’s Kenyan Blog Awards and we hope that this partnership will go a long way in helping to promote online content creation.

You can help promote Online Content creation by simply voting for your favorite blogs.

APA Insurance Unveils Platform for Instalment Payment of Motor Insurance Online

‘Mwezi kwa Mwezi’ makes motor insurance easy, adorable and convenient

Nairobi, Kenya, 21 April 2015…….APA Insurance has launched a new platform that allows motor vehicle insurance policyholders to pay their annual premiums online in up to six monthly installments.

The payment platform dubbed ‘Mwezi kwa Mwezi’ that was developed in conjunction with Swahiba Insurance Agency is meant to make purchase of motor vehicle insurance easy, affordable and convenient.

Usually, a whole year’s premium for motor vehicle insurance is paid in one lump sum.  The ‘Mwezi kwa Mwezi’ proposition introduces flexibility in these payments by breaking them into three or six installments. Besides, payments and registration is all handled online for convenience.

According to Mr. Michael Odour, Chief Executive Officer of APA Insurance, APA was a choice partner because the firm has a product that is approved by the Insurance Regulatory Authority that allows payments for motor vehicle insurance in installments.

“At APA Insurance, we are committed to continually rewrite the rules of insurance.  Our new proposition eliminates our customers’ headache in paying for motor vehicle insurance.  In addition to staggering premiums into several installments, they can now enjoy the convenience of making the payments online,” Oduor added.

Customers signing up for ‘Mwezi kwa Mwezi’ are required to submit their personal details and those of their vehicle registration, logbook and valuation certificate online, besides indicating where they would like the policy to be delivered.  They will also make a one-off fee of 1.5 per cent of the annual premium.

“For as long as designated payments are made on time, the comprehensive vehicle insurance remains current,” explains Oduor.

This new proposition follows the unveiling of the Globetrotter Travel Cover that insures travelers against loss or damage of luggage during travel, delayed departure of booked flights, the event that they cannot get to their destinations because of hijack, loss of essential documents, medical expenses and personal accidents. It also covers personal liability for accidental injury to third party or damage to their property.

APA Insurance also offers: Motor Insurance, Agricultural Insurance, Aviation Insurance, Health insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Liability Insurance, and Marine/ Transit Insurance, among others.

Wyndham Hotel Group Opens First Hotel in Eastern Africa

First hotel on African continent to be operated by Wyndham Hotel Group under management contract, complementing the company’s existing franchised portfolio

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, April 21, 2015/ -- Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company based on number of hotels and one of three hospitality business units of Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), today announced the opening of the 139-room Ramada® Resort Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. 

Complementing Wyndham Hotel Group’s existing portfolio of franchised properties in Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria and Tunisia, the hotel marks not only the company’s expansion into Eastern Africa, but is the  first property within the greater continent to be operated via the company’s growing management division.

“The opening of Ramada Resort Dar es Salaam is of significant strategic importance for us,” commented Dan Ruff, Wyndham Hotel Group’s president and managing director, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean. “Given the increasing demand for quality, internationally-branded accommodation in Eastern Africa, as well as our commitment to getting closer to our guests and our customers through the expansion of our managed property division, it is a key milestone in our regional growth.”

“With exceptional facilities and a stunning beachfront location, Ramada Resort Dar es Salaam sets a new standard within Tanzania’s midscale segment and we look forward to extending a warm Ramada welcome to our first guests,” Ruff added.

Ramada Resort Dar es Salaam offers 139 rooms and suites including 117 superior rooms with a choice of ocean or garden views, 21 executive suites, and one presidential suite. All rooms have an interactive flat screen TV with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries and walk-in shower or bathtub. Tinga-tinga artwork adds local flavour and a sense of East African spirit.

Extensive leisure facilities include a swimming pool and state-of-the-art rooftop gym, as well as direct access to the white sands of Jangwani Beach. Those looking to host a conference or event have the choice of seven meeting rooms, catering for up to 375 guests and five food and beverage outlets serving a range of African and international cuisines. 

Throughout the construction of the hotel, which began in 2009, significant emphasis has been placed on sustainability. Key initiatives include treating and reusing 100 per cent of all waste water, solar-powered water heating, innovative LED lighting systems and beach protection measures to prevent erosion of the hotel’s private beach. In addition, the hotel plans to produce compost from food waste, which will be used to grow vegetables for the hotel’s restaurants in a roof top vegetable garden.

Mr. Murtaza Fazal, owner of the Ramada Resort Dar es Salaam, commented, "I am delighted to have signed a long-term management agreement with Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company. I am also proud to be the first investor in Eastern Africa to introduce the well-known Ramada brand to the market. I feel sure that our new resort property on the beautiful Jangwani Beach will quickly become a popular destination for local and international tourists and business visitors alike, thanks to its attractive location, elegant architecture and excellent facilities.” 

“I am also especially gratified to be a pioneer in the introduction of many 'green' energy-saving hotel features that will help protect the environment, and will hopefully set a precedent for other African hotel owners to follow," Fazal added. 

Guests staying at Ramada Resort Dar es Salaam who are members of Wyndham Rewards®, Ramada’s free-to-join guest loyalty programme, can earn valuable points during their stay. Points may be redeemed for a wide variety of reward options including free hotel stays, air travel, gift cards for leading retailers and more. Information is available at www.wyndhamrewards.com.

HEALTHY HEART IN KIBRA-FREE HYPERTENSION CHECK UP

Residents in Kibra and Langata constituency have been urged to come out in large number and participate in the on-going blood pressure screening project being carried out at Amref centre Laini saba grounds Kibra slums.

Healthy Heart Africa in conjunction with Amref yesterday launched the free hypertension screening  as part of their  public education and awareness  activities  on cardiovascular health .The activities are also aimed at creating awareness of World Hypertension Day to be marked on 17th  May 2015.

Amref Country acting director Dr. Meshack Ndirang’u Says the project is geared to reduce cases of hypertension and other heart related diseases in the region. He further stated that those that will be found to be hypertensive problems will be given free medicare and follow-up done on their health progress after the treatment.

 Health Heart Africa(HHA) is a programme that was launched by AstraZeneca(AZ)a bio-pharmaceutical firm on 28^th October 2014 with the aim of tackling the burden of hypertension in Africa. The launch took place in Tigoni, Kiambu county, which was followed up by a
Press conference in Nairobi. The initiative has up to date been implemented in 2 more counties, i.e Nyeri and Kirinyaga.

The goal of HHA programme is to reach out over 1 million people by the end of the year. The launch has already seen over 600 people screened and it is their hope to screen even more following the Launch on 15 April, 2015 at Kibera.

Here is a slideshow of what took place yesterday !

Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit-What Nairobi Needs Like Yesterday !

For the past two weeks Nairobians have been bogged down by heavy traffic  Jams especially on the main feeder road; Mombasa Road and Uhuru Highway. I have been a strong proponent on the need for an efficient and reliable public transport system that can by necessity replace the usage of personal cars within the CBD. Rather than heavily invest on Roads the priority should have been rail and trams that operate on predetermined schedules as is the case in many developed Countries that use subways and Metro's complemented by trams.

The economic, environmental and social benefits of non motorized  systems cannot be underscored. With less cars on the road there will be less pollution,less time wastage, certainty in movement of goods and people.At the same time if the Rapid transport Rail system is implemented on a national scale it will be easier for the large scale movement of unemployed labor force to arrears where seasonal economic opportunities may arise such as tea picking.When it comes to security movement of persons and can be easily monitored on the track system as compared to the Matatu and public vehicle system.I always wonder why our economists and leadership have not given enough focus on such systems instead of investing in capital intensive road systems that have heavy recurrent maintenance cost and punitive carbon foot print levels .


Well Kenya can take a cue from the Addis Ababa Electrified  Light Rail Transit (LRT)system that was initiated in 2011 and is now on trial test runs only 4 years later.

Many Kenyans would prefer such a system rather than be engrossed in traffic always for 3-4 hours.

This is certainly do able in Kenya and has been long in coming. Unfortunately projects of this magnitude are always mired with corruption , however the Government that will accomplish this will certainly score points and leave an unmatched legacy. It is therefore a priority for the Government of the day to ensure that their plans to introduce such a system achieves 100 % fulfillment at least cost to the taxpayer.


With such rapid transportation system who will bog themselves down driving in traffic? We certainly can do this and it should have been done like yesterday.Putting drums on round-a bout's Nairobi Governor Mr Kidero certainly was not a wise idea .It was like using Elastoplast to patch together a broken metallic piece. Nairobi's perennial traffic jam issues need long term solutions and strategic plans not little thought out knee-jerk reactions. If its not broken dont fix it- let it be until you can upgrade..Mr Governor and your team...visit our next door Ethiopia and learn from them.