SAFARICOM customers using the M-Shwari platform will now be able to save money on their phones for a fixed period of time.
Commercial Bank of Africa has launched what it calls a “Lock Savings Account” that enables M-Shwari users save as little as Sh500 for a maximum of six months at interest rates of up to 6 per cent per year.
Fixed deposits accounts are usually operated by people who want to accomplish a specific objective in the future with the new account expected to help grow a savings culture in a country where savings fall below 20 per cent of GDP, the lowest in the region.
The CBA chief executive Jeremy Ngunze said the new feature was introduced on the strength of recurrent customer feedback which suggested the need for a facility which would instill in them the discipline required to make medium term savings towards a specific goal.
The new feature is also expected to help drive the number of users on the M-Shwari platform that was launched in 2012 as a micro savings and lending facility. Today, M-Shwari has over seven million customers who have in the last two years transacted more than Sh156 billion and loaned over Sh13 billion.
To access the Lock Savings Account, customers are required to dial *234*6 and follow the prompt.
Sankara gets ISO certificate for food safety management
THE Sankara Hotel Nairobi has received a certified accreditation from ISO 22000 for its excellence in food safety management.
With the certification, the hotel ensures its customers that the correct food management practices are being undertaken providing assurance about quality, safety and reliability.
The ISO 22000 specifies requirements for a food safety management system where an organization in the food chain needs to demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards to ensure that food is safe at the time of human consumption. The Standard can be applied to any company in the food chain, from field to service. For businesses, the widespread adoption of ISO 2200 means that suppliers can base the development of their products and services on specifications that have wide acceptance in their sector. This in turn means businesses using the system are free to compete in many more markets around the world.
The hotel’s General Manager Mr Moshi Perera said: “By having the ISO 22000 certification we are able to further guarantee our food safety practices for the comfort of our guests.”
Sankara Nairobi is also Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP (DS – 3027: 2002 certified. It was the first hotel in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve the certification in 2011.
KQ launches a live television broadcast service in its planes
Kenya Airways has revamped its inflight entertainment with the introduction of a new inflight television service dubbed KQ TV.
The service will allow passengers watch live news and sports channels while onboard, in a move that sets the airline apart from some of its competitors in the continent and beyond.
The launch of this new service takes cue from the decision by the airline to rebrand and revamp their cabin product in the newly acquired B777-300 and B787 fleets.
“With the ongoing introduction of new and modern fleet of aircrafts, we aim to complement the experience with an inflight entertainment service that will give our passengers an innovative new way to enjoy live entertainment content while on board,” said Kenya Airways boss Dr. Titus Naikuni.
He noted that the effort to improve the in-flight entertainment experience for their passengers is consistent with the airlines commitment to providing a world-class experience to its customers across the airlines network of 64 destinations.
Kenya Airways has already embarked on its second phase of its fleet expansion and modernization which saw the airline receive two 777-300ER and a 787 Dreamliner with five more expected by the end of the year. The acquisition of these aircraft is expected to pave way for the introduction of new intercontinental flights and increasing the frequency on existing routes.
