Tag: Co-op Bank

Heartbreak, Tattoos and my inspiration for business

Posted on by Ozymandias

I remember the very first time I fell inlove with ink. I think that’s how cool kids refer to tattoos. I was young and I loved watching wrestling. My favourite wrestler was the Undertaker. Apart from his cool demeanour, I loved the fact that he had tattoos.

Then I hit high school and stopped watching Wrestling. I was in my third form when I met up a girl at an inter-school function called Lola. Or atleast that’s how she introduced herself to me. She was the bees knees! When I tell you I fell inlove, make no mistake about it, I fell inlove hard. And boy did I simp.

I spent most of my third and fourth form looking forward to school events that would bring me together with her. She was in a boarding school, I was in a day school. Back then these were real barriers. These were the type of barriers that needed my full attention and dedication to surmount.

After we were done with KCSE, I was excited. I could finally get to hang out with her without having any distance between us (aside from her curfew). And I took full advantage of this newfound freedom. I was always at her house, I was always hanging out with her and I swear I wore out my friends ears constantly talking about how I had found the one.

But as these things go, I was young and naïve, she was young and looking for excitement. It came in the form of my friend Kevin. Now, Kevin was an exciting young man. He was what you would call a badboy and I was what you’d call a nice guy.

And boy did he embody every aspect of what a badboy was. He was impulsive and loud, he was always dressed in the latest drip and he had tattoos. Now Lola, she was excited by what she saw from the very first time we met. And unbeknownst to me, they had started dating while I was still with her. I got no action, she got all the action. I was being played like the good nice guy I was.

When I found out, I went into a spin. I was devastated. My cool friend was pushing with my Lola and I was left out in the cold. I had to get revenge -no, really, if you’re looking for a wholesome story, stick around until the very end.

The first thing I did was to confide in my brother. His friend and him got me to hit the gym. It was therapeutic but I started working out because I wanted to win back Lola. Then one of his friends, Jim, started hanging out with my brother more and more. And one thing about Jim that I instantly noticed were his tattoos.

I’ve always been inlove with tattoos but now I was obsessed with them. They were everywhere in my life. They were on my ex-friend (that backstabber) and they were something I had started noticing the girls in my college class loved and now my bro Jim was here fully tatted with sleeves. They were an awesome icebreaker and when we started speaking, I learnt that he is a tattoo artist.

He taught me the ropes of the game and even trained me on how to sketch and draw. At first, I sucked. And I mean monumentally. But after about 6 months or so, I became decent. In a year, I was on god-mode. And that was when I got my first tattoo. It was something of my own design.

From there, I started tattooing my friends. And after almost another year was up, Jim and I were talking and he advised me to get my own tattoo studio. I had a better idea though, instead of setting up a brick and mortar business, I decided I would do things online. I set up a page and relied on it aswell as referrals for me to get clients.

Then one day, I got a call from Lola. Out of the blue. By this time, I’d like to say she was a blimp in my rear view mirror but I had not really gotten over her. Anyway, apparently she and my backstabbing friend were having problems. She was in school in Eldoret but was in time for afew weeks. Unfortunately, I was caught up. The next time I was loose, she’d be back in school so I decided to meet up with her. And a funny thing happened, when I met, I realized I was truly over her. She wasn’t nearly as beautiful as my memory of her and she was nowhere near the type of girls I had started dating since our split. But I thank God for one thing in all this, when I was in Nakuru on my way to Eldy, I realized there was an opportunity for a tattoo artist in Nax. But I needed the money to expand and be able to set up a tattoo studio because travelling back and forth from Kanairo was not an option. And when I went back to talk with my bros (my brother and Jim), they put me up on game and introduced me to Co-op Bank. It would allow me to centralize how I run both the Nax-based tattoos studio and the work I get from IG.

It’s called Chapa Pay.

Co-op Bank now runs an online card payment solution to make your business thrive at no extra cost. If you conduct business on digital platforms, you can receive online card payments from your customers.

You can accept payments from any location on the globe without a check-out platform integration or website.

Co-op Bank offers online payment solutions to businesses, giving them room to expand and venture across the borders. They are providing a secure and conducive platform to conduct business.

Here is a step by guide on how the online payments solutions work:

• A business owner registers with Co-op Bank to get a unique link known as Pay-By-Link, which they use to invoice their clients.

• A potential customer contacts the business owner and agrees on the desired good or service pricing.

• Next, the business owner will send the unique payment link to the client’s emails address.

• The customer receives the unique link via email. Upon opening the email, they are directed to a portal to input their card details and process the payments.

• The trader receives a notification via email and SMS with the details of the payments.

• If the customer has subscribed to SMS alerts with the service provider, they receive a notification informing them of the purchase.

How Ecommerce Solutions Work for Businesses With Mobile Apps and Websites

For businesses that have adopted mobile application (APPs) and web check-out platforms, the Pay-By-Link solution optimizes their operations and efficiency by offering a payment solution that provides the following to its customers:

• Reliability: Once adopted by a business, the solutions operate 24/7.

• Simplicity: Pay-By-Link solutions are easy, quick, and easy to implement.

• Convenience: Customers can overcome geographical limitations and purchase goods and services from any location on the globe.

• Safety: Co-op Bank eCommerce solution comes with a data security standard compliant payment card that ensures customer data security and safety.

• Customer experience: Customers get 24/7 support with a dedicated relationship manager on standby.

The thriftiest business: Making millions na luku kali kali

Posted on by Ozymandias

It goes without saying that Nairobians love to look good. That is why songs are sung about how fresh one’s drip is. It’s also why people like Nairobi West Nicur have been making a killing off threads. And you can jump right in and use his gameplan to make mad money.

Previously, we had spoken about his example; he has found a way to leverage his huge social media audience to sell his clothes but how do yu grow to his level? That’s what we are looking at today and looking to demystify that.

Well, apart from having to grow your social media audience, you also can find a way to get clothes from China and other markets. A simple way of doing this would actually be for you to move your focus to Gikosh. Why Gikomba you ask? Because 2nd hand clothes or Thrifting as the cool kids call it has never been as popular as it currently is.

And there is an opportunity to brand yourself as the go to “thrift stylist”. We all know that Gikomba always has more than enough gems right? Well, one way of taking advantage of this would be for you to get to know a broker. Networking is the uptown way to describe what I am referring to. Let’s face it, most of us would not have the time or drive to get to Gikosh at 5 AM as the bales land so why not get acquainted with a broker who can get you the best of what has landed?

From there, you can actually use IG as an online stall. Sort out the best shoes, the best jeans and shirts and then you post them on your page and grow your clientele from there. But what if you get to the point where you need a brick-and-mortar shop? When you decide that you need to expand to having a physical shop, there is a partner you can work with: I am talking about Mco-op Cash.

WHAT IS MCO-OP CASH AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

MCo-op Cash is a mobile banking service which enables you to access a variety of banking, money transfer and payment services.

All you need is an ID card and a registered mobile phone number; it doesn’t matter which mobile phone network you are on. You may register for the service by dialing *667# on your mobile phone or download the app from the Play Store or App Store. Follow the menu and receive an SMS confirming registration.

For pin registration, you can also reach out to us by calling 0703 027 000, 020 277 6000

Sign up for MCo-op Cash  and go global today.

 

How lack of school fees changed King Kaka’s life

Posted on by Ozymandias

King Kaka is a testament of the truth that motivation comes from different variables in life. Sometimes, actually, a lot of times, it comes from poverty. When you lack money, you lack ven basic esteem and respect.

6 of the most expensive schools in Kenya

Growing up, the rapper didn’t have a lot. Infact, when he tells his own story, he paints the picture of just how acutely aware children usually are of the lack their family deals with.

And King Kaka knew he wanted to change things. While most people who grew up around him would turn to crime, he decided on a better, albeit tougher strategy.

Schools have re-opened and all eyes are on Trio Mio. Here’s why!

King Kaka who was formerly known as Rabbit decided to focus on his books. And he hit them so hard, that he managed to earn himself a scholarship.

And the result of that hard work? He managed to pay for his own education. What do I mean? He got a full scholarship… At a public high school. Let that sink in. Talk about being a young high achiever.

Kenyan celebs who attended the most expensive schools in Kenya

But in truth, you shouldn’t want to have your child struggle to pay their own way through school. Unlike King Kaka’s situation, you should free up your child from all the anxiety that comes from knowing they cannot afford school fees by planning ahead.

Partner with Co-op Bank to help your child become the best version of themselves. Why? Because school fees are all about planning. You should not wake up to realize that fees is due tomorrow and you had not planned for this eventuality even though you’ve lived large for some long holiday weekend. You need a partner who can help you map out the entire financial plan and ensure you get the best possible option for your child(ren).

With the Co-op Bank innovations and partnerships, you can pay school fees and buy new uniforms without having to bear the risk of carrying huge sums of money around. I mean, it would really be a comedy of tragedies if you misplaced that money or it was liberated from you right?

In addition to this, you can also load up your child’s pocket money to their Co-op Bank Pre-paid.

What are the benefits of a Co-op Bank Prepaid card?

  • No need for your child to carry loads of pocket money as they head to school, you can simply load it in the Co-op Prepaid card which is safer than carrying cash.
  • The student will be able to pay for items at their school canteens at No Extra cost.
  • Parents will be able to track their students sending by getting a Mini statement of the card at a Co-op Kwa Jirani agent or via SMS alerts.
  • You no longer need to travel all the way to the school to hand over money to your child, you can simply load the card at any Co-op Kwa Jirani agent.
  • The students are also able to withdraw money using the card from any Co-op ATMs or Co-op Kwa Jirani agents outside school.
  • You dont need an account with Co-op bank to enjoy the benefits of the card.
  • No extra charges will be incurred in transactions using the card.

Click here to find out more.

6 of the most expensive schools in Kenya

Posted on by Ozymandias

Education is the foundation every child needs to make something out of their lives. At school, children not only learn academic subjects but also how to interact with their peers.

Kenyan celebs who attended the most expensive schools in Kenya

Schools allow children to learn how to integrate in society and what is normal and what isn’t among their peers. They also learn intrinsic skills and facts about themselves and their personalities.

But just like with everything in life, there are different buy-in levels to education. Some can only afford the free option offered at government schools while others go for a literal gold-standard of education.

Size 8: A powerful success story against all odds

And some schools are truly expensive. Some schools charge enough school fees for you to build a home after just two years of your child being in attendance. Let’s check out which Kenyan schools are the most expensive.

1. International School of Kenya (ISK)

The school has almost 1000 students from over 60. The institution is a non-profit centre that started as a joint partnership between the Canadian and United States governments. ISK offers the North American accredited diploma curriculum. New students pay an admission fee of $400 and a one-time capital levy of $10,00, which caters for capital expenses. The tuition fee ranges between $16,974 for kindergarten kids and $32,543 for Grades 11 and 12.

2. Greensteds International School

Greensteds is a co-educational day and boarding school offering the British curriculum from early years’ students to A level. The school is in Nakuru County, 16km from Nakuru town, and a few minutes from Nakuru National Park. Students joining the playgroup level will pay a fee of KShs 49,500.
In the first and second year, students pay a whopping KShs 131,000, while boarders who join at the same level pay KShs 401,500.
Grade 12 and 13 boarding students pay KShs 848,000 per term. The boarding fee is inclusive of accommodation, meals and tuition.

3. St Andrew’s Turi

This school is in Turi, a hidden spot between Nakuru and Kericho. St. Andrews Turi is famous for its high-quality education and firm Christian values. The institution’s core values are compassion, integrity and courage. Nursery school children pay KShs 171,000 per term, while Grade one and two boarding students pay KShs 650,000. In addition, students pay a 50% deposit of term one’s boarding fees, which is refundable upon leaving. The school also offers a 5% discount on basic costs for second and subsequent children.

4. Brookhouse School

Brookhouseis found in Karengata, Nairobi and started in 1981. It is an independent British curriculum co-educational day and boarding school that provides early years, preparatory and secondary schooling. It is one of the best IGCSE schools in Kenya and has two campuses in Kenya; Runda and Karen.
Brookhouse students pay an admission fee of approximately KShs 45,000. In addition, the tuition fee is around KShs 860,000 per term.

5. Peponi School

Peponi School is another leading institution in Kenya. It is founded on Christian principles and started in 1989 as a first-class co-educational boarding school based on the British Independent School system. For admission at Peponi, full boarders pay KShs 1,115,180 while weekly borders pay 1,053,175. Day students pay KShs 731,510. There are extra charges for activities like music and any exams related to the same. Parents also pay a refundable caution deposit upon admission.

6. Hillcrest International School

Hillcrest International School is in the suburbs of Karen, Nairobi. The school was established in 1965 as a pre-school and gained international status in 1972. It is a British Curriculum School with three sections:
Hillcrest Early Years
Hillcrest Preparatory School
Hillcrest Secondary School
For admission to the preparatory school, parents pay a tuition fee of KShs 645,900 while the early years students spend an estimated KShs 330,450. There are also transport charges and a caution deposit fee upon admission.

And when it comes to school fees, do you know a partner that can help you pay is Co-op Bank. Why? Because school fees are all about planning. You should not wake up to realize that fees is due tomorrow and you had not planned for this eventuality even though you’ve lived large for some long holiday weekend. You need a partner who can help you map out the entire financial plan and ensure you get the best possible option for your child(ren).

With the Co-op Bank innovations and partnerships, you can pay school fees and buy new uniforms without having to bear the risk of carrying huge sums of money around. I mean, it would really be a comedy of tragedies if you misplaced that money or it was liberated from you right?

In addition to this, you can also load up your child’s pocket money to their Co-op Bank Pre-paid.

What are the benefits of a Co-op Bank Prepaid card?

  • No need for your child to carry loads of pocket money as they head to school, you can simply load it in the Co-op Prepaid card which is safer than carrying cash.
  • The student will be able to pay for items at their school canteens at No Extra cost.
  • Parents will be able to track their students sending by getting a Mini statement of the card at a Co-op Kwa Jirani agent or via SMS alerts.
  • You no longer need to travel all the way to the school to hand over money to your child, you can simply load the card at any Co-op Kwa Jirani agent.
  • The students are also able to withdraw money using the card from any Co-op ATMs or Co-op Kwa Jirani agents outside school.
  • You dont need an account with Co-op bank to enjoy the benefits of the card.
  • No extra charges will be incurred in transactions using the card.

Click here to find out more.

Don’t get caught unprepared for the new school term

Posted on by Ozymandias

Schools are finally opening and for most people, that means traffic has increased as well as the added stress of having to raise school fees and buying school stationery and uniform.

The thing about school fees is that though it can indeed e a hustle, you have to learn how to alleviate the pain of both preparing yourself or it and actually paying up. And I know it can be tough if your son has taken after his father… Pulling the tail after every exam.

Co-op Bank has however come up with several solutions that can help facilitate you paying fees.

Below are effective online solutions from Co-op bank that are effective and convenient for parents to ensure that they access and remit school fees for their children.

  1. M-Pesa PayBill

To pay your child’s school fees conveniently via M-Pesa PayBill:

  • Go to Lipa na M-Pesa (PayBill)
  • Enter Business Code 400222
  • Enter Account Number as the School Code, next press # followed by the student number, for example, 1469#10023478989 (NB: Click here to confirm your school’s coordinates)
  • Enter amount
  • Enter your M-Pesa PIN
  • Confirm transaction

Receive SMS confirming a successful transaction.

  1. MCo-opCash

While paying for school fees via MCo-opCash:

  • Log into your MCo-opCash App
  • Select Other Payments
  • Select School Fees
  • Enter your school business number or school code/; click here to confirm your school’s coordinates
  • Enter the account to transact from
  • Enter the student number
  • Confirm your transaction

Receive SMS notification confirming the transaction is complete.

  1. Co-op Internet Banking

If you have registered for Co-op internet banking, you

  • Log in to Co-op Internet Banking
  • Select ‘Bank Transfer’
  • Enter the school’s account and student details
  • Confirm the transfer
  • Confirm transaction and print out the receipt
  1. PesaLink

If you’re paying school fees from your Co-op Bank account to a different bank account, you can link your bank account to access the following PesaLink services:

  • Co-op Kwa Jirani Agents
  • Co-op Bank ATMs
  • Co-op Bank Mobile Banking (MCo-opCash)
  • Different Co-op Bank branches

To gain access to PesaLink services, here is a quick guide:

– Launch the MCo-opCash App or dial *667# to access MCo-opCash from your phone

– Select PesaLink

– Link your mobile number to your Co-op Bank account

PesaLink is a free service with zero charges when linking your bank accounts.

  1. Co-op Kwa Jirani

If you don’t have a Co-op Bank account, you can deposit your child’s school fees directly to the school account at the nearby Co-op Kwa Jirani agent. You no longer have to send your children to school with liquid cash. So be on the safe side.

Co-op Kwa Jirani services are available at your nearest local market or town.

  1. Co-op Student’s Card

Long gone are the days of broken boxes and stolen pocket money. Your child does not need liquid cash while in school. We all know how it goes in schools; things can get nasty.

With Co-op Student’s Card, your child is issued a pre-paid Visa card that can mean a lifeline while in session. Your child can purchase goods from the school canteen via a Process Data Quickly (PDQ) machine.

In addition, you can cap a monthly or weekly limit to a specific figure as per your budget. If your child needs access to liquid cash during school breaks, they can withdraw funds from any co-operative Bank ATM or a nearby Co-op Agent.

To access a Co-op Student’s Card, visit any Co-op Bank branch with the following documents for processing:

  • Student’s school ID
  • Student’s Birth Certificate
  • Parents ID
  • Parents KRA Pin

Parents can top up their children’s Co-op Visa Cards via Co-op Kwa Jirani, Mpesa PayBill or direct transfer from their accounts.

Why risk sending your child to school with loads of cash for shopping? Students can use the Co-op Student Card to pay for their shopping as they head to school. Either way, you can pay for their shopping using your Co-op Visa Credit or Debit Card at zero cost.

School fees payment has never been much more straightforward. Are you still stuck up in the analogue era?

Sign up with Co-op Bank today to enjoy these fantastic and convenient services.

Schools have re-opened and all eyes are on Trio Mio. Here’s why!

Posted on by Ozymandias

Schools are back in session and everyone has their eyes set on one particular candidate. His name is Trio Mio and he is the most famous form 4 on the face of Kenya.

The national exams beckon him at the end of this academic year and Kenyans are already waiting to give their opinions on why he performed the way he did, pass or fail.

 

I. however, would argue that Trio Mio already has a headstart at making it in life in comparison to his peers and what he really needed was a school that has teachers who know that his talent needs nurturing.

Unbridled hunger for success: Nyashinski’s path

And the reason I say this is because we have seen other schools take care of their students with outstanding potential in arts. We have seen schools that taught their talented youngins like Trio Mio how to succeed in life through perseverance and focus.

That is where the choice of schools becomes very important. And in truth, this is a bit of a minesweeper game. There are no written rules on how to choose the best school that matches the trajectory of your child.

Festive hangups: Back to School with Co-op Bank

That said, Co-op Bank is here to help you deal with the less tricky but ever more present issues with education: school fees. They boast 6 solutions for you sorting that out with no issues:

  1. M-Pesa PayBill

To pay your child’s school fees conveniently via M-Pesa PayBill:

  • Go to Lipa na M-Pesa (PayBill)
  • Enter Business Code 400222
  • Enter Account Number as the School Code, next press # followed by the student number, for example, 1469#10023478989 (NB: Click hereto confirm your school’s coordinates)
  • Enter amount
  • Enter your M-Pesa PIN
  • Confirm transaction

Receive SMS confirming a successful transaction.

  1. MCo-opCash

While paying for school fees via MCo-opCash:

  • Log into your MCo-opCash App
  • Select Other Payments
  • Select School Fees
  • Enter your school business number or school code/; click here to confirm your school’s coordinates
  • Enter the account to transact from
  • Enter the student number
  • Confirm your transaction

Receive SMS notification confirming the transaction is complete.

  1. Co-op Internet Banking

If you have registered for Co-op internet banking, you

  • Log in to Co-op Internet Banking
  • Select ‘Bank Transfer’
  • Enter the school’s account and student details
  • Confirm the transfer
  • Confirm transaction and print out the receipt
  1. PesaLink

If you’re paying school fees from your Co-op Bank account to a different bank account, you can link your bank account to access the following PesaLink services:

  • Co-op Kwa Jirani Agents
  • Co-op Bank ATMs
  • Co-op Bank Mobile Banking (MCo-opCash)
  • Different Co-op Bank branches

To gain access to PesaLink services, here is a quick guide:

– Launch the MCo-opCash App or dial *667# to access MCo-opCash from your phone

– Select PesaLink

– Link your mobile number to your Co-op Bank account

PesaLink is a free service with zero charges when linking your bank accounts.

  1. Co-op Kwa Jirani

If you don’t have a Co-op Bank account, you can deposit your child’s school fees directly to the school account at the nearby Co-op Kwa Jirani agent. You no longer have to send your children to school with liquid cash. So be on the safe side.

Co-op Kwa Jirani services are available at your nearest local market or town.

  1. Co-op Student’s Card

Long gone are the days of broken boxes and stolen pocket money. Your child does not need liquid cash while in school. We all know how it goes in schools; things can get nasty.

With Co-op Student’s Card, your child is issued a pre-paid Visa card that can mean a lifeline while in session. Your child can purchase goods from the school canteen via a Process Data Quickly (PDQ) machine.

In addition, you can cap a monthly or weekly limit to a specific figure as per your budget. If your child needs access to liquid cash during school breaks, they can withdraw funds from any co-operative Bank ATM or a nearby Co-op Agent.

To access a Co-op Student’s Card, visit any Co-op Bank branch with the following documents for processing:

  • Student’s school ID
  • Student’s Birth Certificate
  • Parents ID
  • Parents KRA Pin

Parents can top up their children’s Co-op Visa Cards via Co-op Kwa Jirani, Mpesa PayBill or direct transfer from their accounts.

Why risk sending your child to school with loads of cash for shopping? Students can use the Co-op Student Card to pay for their shopping as they head to school. Either way, you can pay for their shopping using your Co-op Visa Credit or Debit Card at zero cost.

School fees payment has never been much more straightforward. Are you still stuck up in the analogue era?

Sign up with Co-op Bank today to enjoy these fantastic and convenient services.

Kenyan celebs who attended the most expensive schools in Kenya

Posted on by Ozymandias

Kenya has some very expensive and exclusive schools that have attracted the children of the who-is-who. The type of schools where school fees for one semester is worth more than a lot of Kenyan households earn in a year.

And the crazy thing you wouldn’t believe is that some Kenyan celebs actually studied at such schools. Yup, they attended schools where their parents had to pay north of half a million shillings per semester.

Let’s dive right into Kenyan celebs who attended Kenya’s most expensive schools:

#1. Nick Mutuma

The actor attended Braeside for his high school education. The school is a part of the Braeburn Group of Schools. The school fees per term of Braeburn International school is Ksh. 782,310 per term.

#2. Joey Muthengi

She attended Rift Valley Academy which is one of the most exclusive schools in the entire East African region. Interestingly enough, her brother, Holy Dave attended Machakos Boys… I laughed so hard when a good friend of mine revealed this fact. Talk about disparity.

#3. Anne Kiguta

She attended Rusinga School. Interestingly, she was classmates with yet another well known and celebrated Kenyan who also became a media personality; Waihiga Mwaura.

#4. Size 8

The gospel singer turned evangelist attended State House Girls before transferring to Hillcrest. She attended the school on a scholarship.

#5. Edith Kimani

Like Size 8, Edith Kimani started her high school education at State House Girls before transferring to Hillcrest on a scholarship.

#7. Michelle Morgan

She attended Hillcrest where the lowest amount of school fees a student would pay (or rather, have their parents cough up) is 567,000 per semester.

#8. Fena Gitu

The singing sensation too attended Hillcrest school. It’s almost like they were vying in an unknown contest to create the most Kenyan celebs.

#8. Almasi (Ian Nene)

The Machachari actor attended school at Brookhouse. This school whose main building looks like a castle is one of the most expensive schools in Kenya. Parents of a Grade 5 student have to pay 2.07 million Kshs per annum.

#9. Janet Mbugua

She too attended school at Brookhouse. And just to give you how bonkers the fees can become, Grade 12 parents pay a minimum of 2.37 million shillings a year as fees.

And when it comes to school fees, do you know a partner that can help you pay is Co-op Bank. Why? Because school fees are all about planning. You should not wake up to realize that fees is due tomorrow and you had not planned for this eventuality even though you’ve lived large for some long holiday weekend. You need a partner who can help you map out the entire financial plan and ensure you get the best possible option for your child(ren).

With the Co-op Bank innovations and partnerships, you can pay school fees and buy new uniform without having to bear the risk of carrying huge sums of money around. I mean, it would really be a comedy of tragedies if you misplaced that money or it was liberated from you right?

In addition to this, you can also load up your child’s pocket money to their Co-op Bank Pre-paid.

What are the benefits of a Co-op Bank Prepaid card?

  • No need for your child to carry loads of pocket money as they head to school, you can simply load it in the Co-op Prepaid card which is safer than carrying cash.
  • The student will be able to pay for items at their school canteens at No Extra cost.
  • Parents will be able to track their students sending by getting a Mini statement of the card at a Co-op Kwa Jirani agent or via SMS alerts.
  • You no longer need to travel all the way to the school to hand over money to your child, you can simply load the card at any Co-op Kwa Jirani agent.
  • The students are also able to withdraw money using the card from any Co-op ATMs or Co-op Kwa Jirani agents outside school.
  • You dont need an account with Co-op bank to enjoy the benefits of the card.
  • No extra charges will be incurred in transactions using the card.

Click here to find out more.

New celebrities, new money: How Nairobi West Niccur became a millionaire

Posted on by Ozymandias

Nairobi West Niccur is not a name a lot of people know -if they are older than 25 years of age. That is because you old people have not bothered to find out about the new crop of celebrities who did not need blogs and songs to blow up.

All they really needed was a social media and content their fans found relatable and voila, they became instant stars. Some cool kids decided to use that for their businesses and they are a rising crop of entrepreneurial stars. This particular class includes our subject of the day.

Nairobi West Niccur is someone whose passion is fashion (I don’t mean to sound cliche as much as that is what a cringe-man would say). He loves drip and being drippy. But more than that, he is a visionary who realized he can make money off his love for the best threads.

He decided to set up his clothing store, Thrift Trendy and has not looked back since then. So how does this work? Well, there are many ways to go about getting clothes to sell. He could easily go to Gikomba and get the best 2nd hand gear. Or he could opt to face the Orient.

If he has chosen the Gikomba route, he could cut out the middle man and simply go towards buying entire bales with trendy urban gear. Or if he faces the East, he could get stuff from Chinese manufacture. Admittedly it won’t all be original but I doubt his market cares.

Whatever you decide to settle on if you decide to use his formula, one thing that matters is how you handle the online transaction because let’s face it, you will not always get to meet the sellers face-to-face.

And that is where Nairobi West Niccur and you could really get help from an amazing service offered by Co-op Bank. And that’s because they have a product just for you! It’s called Chapa Pay.

Co-op Bank now runs an online card payment solution to make your business thrive at no extra cost. If you conduct business on digital platforms, you can receive online card payments from your customers.

You can accept payments from any location on the globe without a check-out platform integration or website.

Co-op Bank offers online payment solutions to businesses, giving them room to expand and venture across the borders. They are providing a secure and conducive platform to conduct business.

Here is a step by guide on how the online payments solutions work:

  • A business owner registers with Co-op Bank to get a unique link known as Pay-By-Link, which they use to invoice their clients.
  • A potential customer contacts the business owner and agrees on the desired good or service pricing.
  • Next, the business owner will send the unique payment link to the client’s emails address.
  • The customer receives the unique link via email. Upon opening the email, they are directed to a portal to input their card details and process the payments.
  • The trader receives a notification via email and SMS with the details of the payments.
  • If the customer has subscribed to SMS alerts with the service provider, they receive a notification informing them of the purchase.

How Ecommerce Solutions Work for Businesses With Mobile Apps and Websites

For businesses that have adopted mobile application (APPs) and web check-out platforms, the Pay-By-Link solution optimizes their operations and efficiency by offering a payment solution that provides the following to its customers:

  • Reliability: Once adopted by a business, the solutions operate 24/7.
  • Simplicity: Pay-By-Link solutions are easy, quick, and easy to implement.
  • Convenience: Customers can overcome geographical limitations and purchase goods and services from any location on the globe.
  • Safety: Co-op Bank eCommerce solution comes with a data security standard compliant payment card that ensures customer data security and safety.
  • Customer experience: Customers get 24/7 support with a dedicated relationship manager on standby.

 

What Are the Advantages of Co-op Bank Pay-By-Link Ecommerce Solution?

Small scale traders benefit a lot from the eCommerce solution, for they level their game with established businesses that have long dominated the eCommerce sector in regional and international markets.

Here are ways how small business owners benefit from the online payment platform:

  • Small and established businesses do not incur costs when onboarding the Pay-By-Link online solution.
  • All card payments come secured with two-factor authentication via 3D security protocols. Customer data and privacy are top priorities.
  • Dispute resolution is simplified. If a customer pays over the actual price, the seller can initiate a reversal of the payments from his end.
  • The hustle and bustle of involving the bank to mediate between the buyer and seller avoided making transactions more efficient.
  • Businesses have a secure platform to process their payments. After making a payment, a customer cannot initiate a reversal for the purchase made. The platform protects small businesses from theft.
  • The platform offers an avenue for accountability. A business owner can track transactions to view and reconcile payments in real-time via a single dashboard.

As an investor, you can now enjoy the benefits of cross-border trade as you transact on a safe, reliable, and efficient platform to grow your business.

Sign up for Pay-By-Link by Co-op Bank and go global today.

How Vera Sidika funded her vast multi-million shilling empire

Posted on by Ozymandias

Vera Sidika has been a feature within Kenyan pop culture ever since she first featured as the video vixen on P-Unit’s breakout single, You Guy. Since then, she has been a mainstay in every entertainment publication and we have seen her go from being broke and ashy to actually becoming fabulous (pesa ni sabuni).

Huddah’s big money play that made her a Kshs millionaire

But the question that has eluded many is, “How did she make her millions”? We saw her go from being homeless to her owning mansions and driving the most exotic and luxurious cars. But what was her secret?

It is a lot more simple than you would even believe. Think of Occam’s Razor on this one. Rather than having grand conspiracy theories of how everything played out, I am here to tell you precisely how Vera Sidika achieved her wealth.

Wahu making millions from your luscious locks

She set up a channel for herself to sell supplement products and herbal teas. It sounds too simple to be true right? It isn’t. She new she had the envy of nearly every woman in Kenya and East Africa. They all wanted to look like her and she knew it. What makes her stand out from most celebrities is the fact that she realised she could monetize this fact.

Vera Sidika was essentially the first female celebrity to venture into the wellness and cosmetic business before anyone had thought it lucrative.

And so she began selling the generic options but as her money grew, she decided to brand them so she could create a sense of affiliation with her target market. And the business took off!

But how does she get her products? It actually isn’t too difficult; she gets the generic product from China and has them customized. It is a pretty straightforward endeavour with the marketing aspect being the more difficult bit of things. But with her star power, Vera Sidika has got that covered.

However, if you are thinking of also dipping your toes into this lucrative business, then I would like to recommend a partner for you:

Co-op Bank has a product just for you! It’s called Chapa Pay.

Co-op Bank now runs an online card payment solution to make your business thrive at no extra cost. If you conduct business on digital platforms, you can receive online card payments from your customers.

You can accept payments from any location on the globe without a check-out platform integration or website.

Co-op Bank offers online payment solutions to businesses, giving them room to expand and venture across the borders. They are providing a secure and conducive platform to conduct business.

Here is a step by guide on how the online payments solutions work:

  • A business owner registers with Co-op Bank to get a unique link known as Pay-By-Link, which they use to invoice their clients.
  • A potential customer contacts the business owner and agrees on the desired good or service pricing.
  • Next, the business owner will send the unique payment link to the client’s emails address.
  • The customer receives the unique link via email. Upon opening the email, they are directed to a portal to input their card details and process the payments.
  • The trader receives a notification via email and SMS with the details of the payments.
  • If the customer has subscribed to SMS alerts with the service provider, they receive a notification informing them of the purchase.

How Ecommerce Solutions Work for Businesses With Mobile Apps and Websites

For businesses that have adopted mobile application (APPs) and web check-out platforms, the Pay-By-Link solution optimizes their operations and efficiency by offering a payment solution that provides the following to its customers:

  • Reliability: Once adopted by a business, the solutions operate 24/7.
  • Simplicity: Pay-By-Link solutions are easy, quick, and easy to implement.
  • Convenience: Customers can overcome geographical limitations and purchase goods and services from any location on the globe.
  • Safety: Co-op Bank eCommerce solution comes with a data security standard compliant payment card that ensures customer data security and safety.
  • Customer experience: Customers get 24/7 support with a dedicated relationship manager on standby.

What Are the Advantages of Co-op Bank Pay-By-Link Ecommerce Solution?

Small scale traders benefit a lot from the eCommerce solution, for they level their game with established businesses that have long dominated the eCommerce sector in regional and international markets.

Here are ways how small business owners benefit from the online payment platform:

  • Small and established businesses do not incur costs when onboarding the Pay-By-Link online solution.
  • All card payments come secured with two-factor authentication via 3D security protocols. Customer data and privacy are top priorities.
  • Dispute resolution is simplified. If a customer pays over the actual price, the seller can initiate a reversal of the payments from his end.
  • The hustle and bustle of involving the bank to mediate between the buyer and seller avoided making transactions more efficient.
  • Businesses have a secure platform to process their payments. After making a payment, a customer cannot initiate a reversal for the purchase made. The platform protects small businesses from theft.
  • The platform offers an avenue for accountability. A business owner can track transactions to view and reconcile payments in real-time via a single dashboard.

As an investor, you can now enjoy the benefits of cross-border trade as you transact on a safe, reliable, and efficient platform to grow your business.

Sign up for Pay-By-Link by Co-op Bank and go global today.

Huddah’s big money play that made her a Kshs millionaire

Posted on by Ozymandias

Huddah Monroe is not exactly known to be a luminary in any academic field but when it comes to business, you have to sit down in awe of her acumen. She saw a niche in the market and exploited it in such a commendable way, no Kenyan since has successfully repeated her moves.

Huddah Monroe Admits Buying Extra Property Just To Show Off On Social Media- ‘I Had A 5 Bedroom House And Lived Alone’

You see, she runs a cosmetic company, started off with her “lippies” which is basically lip gloss and has now been steadily expanding it to more variety in products, recently announcing she was now selling probiotic skin tonics and beauty soaps.

And this is no mean feat for a woman who came from the bottom dregs of society, a woman who for a long time had to depend on men to pay her way through life especially after she had experienced her glow up. She was a socialite for heaven’s sake. Huddah’s story just goes to show you that you too can change your circumstances.

Huddah Monroe Explains Why She Regrets Becoming Famous (Screenshots)

And now she’s the Star Gal who found an opportunity I am willing to tell you about so that maybe you too can follow in her footsteps. Did you know that you could go to China, identify a manufacturing plant creating beauty products and actually create your own brand from their generic product?

Look it up online. Or better yet, if you’re tight for capital, Alibaba has you covered. All you have to do is identify a brand you feel is actually of good quality and then begin to engage a company to handle your branding OR have the manufacturing plant handle that too for you. And that is the route Huddah took.

Lanes! Huddah flaunts sandals worth Ksh 140,000

With the former video vixen slash socialite slash provocateur, she was lucky enough to have a great eye for quality so she discovered something in a sea of options and as a result, almost all Kenyan women praise her products for their quality.

And how can you too get started and get your own line of beauty cosmetics going? Well, outside of the whole razzmatazz of creating a company and registering it, Co-op Bank has a product just for you! It’s called Chapa Pay.

Co-op Bank now runs an online card payment solution to make your business thrive at no extra cost. If you conduct business on digital platforms, you can receive online card payments from your customers.

You can accept payments from any location on the globe without a check-out platform integration or website.

Co-op Bank offers online payment solutions to businesses, giving them room to expand and venture across the borders. They are providing a secure and conducive platform to conduct business.

Here is a step by guide on how the online payments solutions work:

  • A business owner registers with Co-op Bank to get a unique link known as Pay-By-Link, which they use to invoice their clients.
  • A potential customer contacts the business owner and agrees on the desired good or service pricing.
  • Next, the business owner will send the unique payment link to the client’s emails address.
  • The customer receives the unique link via email. Upon opening the email, they are directed to a portal to input their card details and process the payments.
  • The trader receives a notification via email and SMS with the details of the payments.
  • If the customer has subscribed to SMS alerts with the service provider, they receive a notification informing them of the purchase.

How Ecommerce Solutions Work for Businesses With Mobile Apps and Websites

For businesses that have adopted mobile application (APPs) and web check-out platforms, the Pay-By-Link solution optimizes their operations and efficiency by offering a payment solution that provides the following to its customers:

  • Reliability: Once adopted by a business, the solutions operate 24/7.
  • Simplicity: Pay-By-Link solutions are easy, quick, and easy to implement.
  • Convenience: Customers can overcome geographical limitations and purchase goods and services from any location on the globe.
  • Safety: Co-op Bank eCommerce solution comes with a data security standard compliant payment card that ensures customer data security and safety.
  • Customer experience: Customers get 24/7 support with a dedicated relationship manager on standby.

What Are the Advantages of Co-op Bank Pay-By-Link Ecommerce Solution?

Small scale traders benefit a lot from the eCommerce solution, for they level their game with established businesses that have long dominated the eCommerce sector in regional and international markets.

Here are ways how small business owners benefit from the online payment platform:

  • Small and established businesses do not incur costs when onboarding the Pay-By-Link online solution.
  • All card payments come secured with two-factor authentication via 3D security protocols. Customer data and privacy are top priorities.
  • Dispute resolution is simplified. If a customer pays over the actual price, the seller can initiate a reversal of the payments from his end.
  • The hustle and bustle of involving the bank to mediate between the buyer and seller avoided making transactions more efficient.
  • Businesses have a secure platform to process their payments. After making a payment, a customer cannot initiate a reversal for the purchase made. The platform protects small businesses from theft.
  • The platform offers an avenue for accountability. A business owner can track transactions to view and reconcile payments in real-time via a single dashboard.

As an investor, you can now enjoy the benefits of cross-border trade as you transact on a safe, reliable, and efficient platform to grow your business.

Sign up for Pay-By-Link by Co-op Bank and go global today.

Njugush looking to become the next East African fashion mogul

Posted on by Ozymandias

Njugush and his wife Celestine Ndinda have announced that they have set up their own clothing brand called Be Knit. It was launched back in 2021 and their family features heavily in every aspect of the brand, from designing the clothes to marketing the brand.

The Betty Kyallo blueprint to making money

It is actually really cute to see them also incorporate their wee baby into the mix. But aside from that, this is actually big business as he is looking to cash in on his celebrity status but there are several things I would wish to see him do to secure his bag beyond this period in time when his star is at its zenith.

You see, Njuguna needs to understand that there are two main business strategies he can use to permeate the Kenyan market and all have different risks and rewards but ultimately his goals will determine which path he takes.

Khaligraph’s secret source of multi-millions

He could potentially stick to keeping his products (which by the way are awesome) on an online store where people will have to order for themselves and he handles the delivery once the transaction is reflected on his end.

This would mean that he would have to create an online store (really a website) that he and his wife directly handle and respond to clients’ orders directly. This strategy minimizes his overheads significantly as he can run the business from the comfort of his home. So Njugush could also continue to churn out content even as he sells his clothing line.

Wahu making millions from your luscious locks

That would also mean that he has to handle the online marketing of the brand and engage with clients’ responses as well as seek to convert on the fence online shoppers into actual clients by living where the conversation is at.

Or he could go the more traditional route and partner with a supermarket or retailer. What this allows him to do is to sell directly to customers while they are doing their monthly or weekly grocery shopping or by marketing the brand to window shoppers.

The only thing with this approach is that Njugush and his wife would have to partner with the retail giants and they would definitely want a cut of the profits. As a result, the cost of the products would increase.

While these are the two conventional methods of selling clothing brands, he could also opt for an amalgamation of the two. Depending on his negotiating skills, he could have his clothing brand, Be Knit carried by all leading retail stores aswell as sell them directly to the clients. But with such deals, the devil is in the detail and his power to make such deals is entirely dependent on whether or not he has a silver tongue.

But that is a very good problem to have. And hopefully, he can grow his business to the point he diversifies the clothes he has on offer from sweaters to cardigans and much, much more. And if you, like Njugush are a business that is looking to establish itself online then one of the headaches you will face is payment processing of online transactions.

And Co-op Bank is here for you with a solution. You can now transact your business through Chapa Pay, an online card payment service. So whether you need to pay your vendors and suppliers of process payments from clients, this is your golden ticket.

Merchants who have built web checkout & mobile applications (APPs) and would like to enrich their applications with online card payment acceptance can now be able to do so with Chapa Pay eCommerce Solution

How you stand to benefit:

• Simplicity: The integrations models are easy and quick to implement

• Reliability: The solution once integrated to a merchant site is available 24/7

• Safety: Chapa Pay eCommerce platform is payment card industry – data security standard (PCI-DSS) compliant ensuring safety and security of customer card details

• Best customer experience and practice: Dedicated relationship management backed by 24/7 operations support.

• Most of all, create convenience to customers: overcome geographical limitations

Sign up for Pay-By-Link by Co-op Bank and go global today.

The Betty Kyallo blueprint to making money

Posted on by Ozymandias

Betty Kyallo announced her most recent business venture which aims to ensure you and your best friend look as elegant as you possibly can without putting too much of a strain on your pockets. But this is not about all that jazz, its about the idea behind the business venture and how you too can execute it as a side hustle and make some coin.

Wahu making millions from your luscious locks

You see, the former TV star is known for her sense of style and fashionable outfits so its safe to say that this is a bit of a passion project for her.  Whenever she steps out, her hair is often coiffed just right and her makeup done to hide the crows feet but also her dresses and outfits are often impeccable.

Betty Kyallo seems to have realised a long time ago that one must always dress as they want to be addressed and this is down to the fact that despite your pastor’s best protestations, we as a species are visual creatures. We evolved to judge a book by its metaphorical cover because sometimes our lives and safety depended on it.

Khaligraph’s secret source of multi-millions

That is why when you want to step out for a fun night, you get dolled up. When you’re going for a job interview, you get dressed in the appropriate attire and when you want to make an impression of any sort, you put on your fanciest jewellery and get dressed to the nines.

But how can you turn such a passion (if you share a passion similar Betty Kyallo’s) into a business? Well, it is not that hard when you actually set your mind to it. You see, what you first need to do is identify the source of your clothes. And there are two ways you can do that; either source for them from China or go the Gikomba route.

Mulamwah’s Millions

And the Gikomba route is nothing short of brilliant because of the amounts of gems you are assured to find. However, it is very time consuming. You have to identify and create a relationship with wholesale dealers who bring in the clothes in bales. From there, you next have to sort out the clothes while keeping a keen eye on quality. And when all this is done, you then have to start preparing the clothes so they don’t look too rumpled and creased. Then, depending on your clientele, you might want to do some dry cleaning to remove the smell of moth balls from the clothes.

And if you choose to go the China route, then there are one of two ways to actually get it done, you can either fly to China to select the clothes on the ground -which, lets face it, not everyone can afford to actually do OR you could order for your clothes online and take advantage of drop shipping.

How Crazy Kennar is banking on celebrity status

I would say it is an educated guess that this is the very route Betty Kyallo took (because if she had gone to china, we would have seen her plaster the pictures of her oriental adventures all over social media. Also, she is a very busy woman running multiple ventures so the click of a button seems like the more appealing option for her.

Once all this is done, then the only thing that remains now would be the payment and that is where Co-op Bank would come in as the perfect partner for you!

How Ecommerce Solutions Work for Businesses Without Websites

Co-op Bank now runs an online card payment solution to make your business thrive at no extra cost. If you conduct business on digital platforms, you can receive online card payments from your customers.

You can accept payments from any location on the globe without a check-out platform integration or website.

Co-op Bank offers online payment solutions to businesses, giving them room to expand and venture across the borders. They are providing a secure and conducive platform to conduct business.

Here is a step by guide on how the online payments solutions work:

  • A business owner registers with Co-op Bank to get a unique link known as Pay-By-Link, which they use to invoice their clients.
  • A potential customer contacts the business owner and agrees on the desired good or service pricing.
  • Next, the business owner will send the unique payment link to the client’s emails address.
  • The customer receives the unique link via email. Upon opening the email, they are directed to a portal to input their card details and process the payments.
  • The trader receives a notification via email and SMS with the details of the payments.
  • If the customer has subscribed to SMS alerts with the service provider, they receive a notification informing them of the purchase.

How Ecommerce Solutions Work for Businesses With Mobile Apps and Websites

For businesses that have adopted mobile application (APPs) and web check-out platforms, the Pay-By-Link solution optimizes their operations and efficiency by offering a payment solution that provides the following to its customers:

  • Reliability: Once adopted by a business, the solutions operate 24/7.
  • Simplicity: Pay-By-Link solutions are easy, quick, and easy to implement.
  • Convenience: Customers can overcome geographical limitations and purchase goods and services from any location on the globe.
  • Safety: Co-op Bank eCommerce solution comes with a data security standard compliant payment card that ensures customer data security and safety.
  • Customer experience: Customers get 24/7 support with a dedicated relationship manager on standby.

What Are the Advantages of Co-op Bank Pay-By-Link Ecommerce Solution?

Small scale traders benefit a lot from the eCommerce solution, for they level their game with established businesses that have long dominated the eCommerce sector in regional and international markets.

Here are ways how small business owners benefit from the online payment platform:

  • Small and established businesses do not incur costs when onboarding the Pay-By-Link online solution.
  • All card payments come secured with two-factor authentication via 3D security protocols. Customer data and privacy are top priorities.
  • Dispute resolution is simplified. If a customer pays over the actual price, the seller can initiate a reversal of the payments from his end.
  • The hustle and bustle of involving the bank to mediate between the buyer and seller avoided making transactions more efficient.
  • Businesses have a secure platform to process their payments. After making a payment, a customer cannot initiate a reversal for the purchase made. The platform protects small businesses from theft.
  • The platform offers an avenue for accountability. A business owner can track transactions to view and reconcile payments in real-time via a single dashboard.

As an investor, you can now enjoy the benefits of cross-border trade as you transact on a safe, reliable, and efficient platform to grow your business.

Sign up for Pay-By-Link by Co-op Bank and go global today.

 

Khaligraph’s secret source of multi-millions

Posted on by Ozymandias

When a lot of people think about Khaligraph, they see the OG as a rapper whom very few others want to mess with whether lyrically or otherwise. He is not only talented but a behemoth of a man, being both tall and muscle-bound.

Bora Pesa- Khaligraph Jones Shares His Point Of View On Curtain-Raising For International Artists

He burst onto the scene in a similar fashion to the way 50 Cent did, beefing with other established rappers. His target of choice, however, was singularly just Octopizzo. And my word, he let the man feel his lyrical wrath. And while Octopizzo too is a competent rapper, he was not interested in engaging in beef with Khaligraph, viewing him as small fry.

The OG however, used the little buzz he got from Octo and continued to release hit after hit and he eventually cemented himself within the collective Kenyan psyche for being not just a great lyricist but also a certified hit rapper. Nearly every song he released was a banger, a trend that continues to date.

Mulamwah’s Millions

He set up a studio to ensure he had full control over his creative process and it is called Blue Ink. But this is not about that venture as many people know about it, it is about the venture that grew from his other passion, he has a vehicle restoration garage, Omollo Customz.

It has a carwash and bodywork shop including but not limited to panel beating and paintwork (yup, even candy coating). Besides him always having a passion for vehicles, I am guessing the carwash was motivated by the fact that he once had a carwash attendant crash his still newly acquired Subaru. This was back in 2015. He probably vowed never to have to be in the same situation ever again.

How Crazy Kennar is banking on celebrity status

It is actually a very brilliant thing to do, turning your passion into a business. And, if you, like Khaligraph Jones are looking to expand your business, beyond the current location, you can partner with Co-op Bank and work out a solution with their credit service team:

That’s right, Co-op Bank is offering a credit service called the Business Plus Loan which is tailored to help you achieve your target of growing your business beyond what it currently sits at. If you have a Co-op Bank account, all you have to do is get on the MCo-opCash App and follow the instructions to find out whether you’re eligible for the Business Plan Loan.

Click this link to find out more about how you can grow your business.

Mulamwah’s Millions

Posted on by Ozymandias

When you think of bastions of financial literacy and planning, Mulamwah has to be your man. Look, I get it, Kenyan celebrities aren’t usually the class of people I would advise you to take any financial lessons unless it is a masterclass of what not to do. Unless we are discussing the comedian.

HOW CRAZY KENNAR IS BANKING ON CELEBRITY STATUS

The reason I say this is that I have been following the little nuggets of wisdom he shares about his life that feel need to be highlighted. He is truly a smart cookie and understands the most basic law of money: spend less than you make. He so famously revealed that he lives in a house whose rent is 9,000 Kshs per month.

However, Mulamwah has gone beyond understanding the bare minimum law of money and has built on it to the point that he has already silently begun building himself not just a tidy nest but also a potential empire -in the transport industry.

UNBRIDLED HUNGER FOR SUCCESS: NYASHINSKI’S PATH

You see, while he has been living frugally, the comedian has decided to put the coins he earns to good use and has invested heavily in boda-bodas. Yup, those crotch-rockets ridden by some of the most indisciplined members of our society are a crucial means of transportation in some parts of Kenya such as Western Kenya.

So what Mulamwah did is to buy 10 boda bodas that he has leased out to some young men who in turn pay him a pre-agreed upon amount every day as they ply the Kitale area. It is actually a pretty simple contract between him and the riders and it allows them to earn as much money as they can while still remaining a profitable endeavour for the owner of the bike.

And from this arrangement, Mulamwah has made enough money to replace a bike that was stolen from him back in 2020 and he went on to taunt the thief of the bike saying:

”Ndio hii. Nimenunua ingine, hii ni 100K. Mkuje mwibe tena. Raundi hii mtakula nyasi. Ninunue nduthi ingine tena mkuje msanye? Na pale Kitale msichome mwizi kabla mniite, mimi mpaka nikue.”

At the end of the day, Mulamwah is making hay while the sun is shining. And he serves as a role model for young Kenyans looking to get into business but are caught up in their day-to-day jobs as he is all too familiar with that struggle as he’s a clinical officer shared his success so he can encourage others to also follow in his footsteps and hazard the risk. It clearly paid off for him as he estimated his networth to be at 4 million shillings!

“Today I want to Inspire someone; Leo am going to buy my first piece of land from Comdy. We I started hakuna mtu alikuwa anabelieve, watu watakutusi lakini to listen to people just set your mind right and go for it. Don’t listen to what people are saying, don’t compete with anybody, move with you pace. The little money you get; save and invest coz you don’t know when you will get money next… so don’t waste the money, wacha na Raha hasizaidii just invest.”

And if you too are involved in a hustle, I want to introduce you to a partner who can help you grow your business to the next level.

That’s right, Co-op Bank is offering a credit service called the Business Plus Loan which is tailored to help you achieve your target of growing your business beyond what it currently sits at. If you have a Co-op Bank account, all you have to do is get on the MCo-opCash App and follow the instructions to find out whether you’re eligible for the Business Plan Loan.

Click this link to find out more about how you can grow your business.

How Crazy Kennar is banking on celebrity status

Posted on by Ozymandias

Crazy Kennar is one of the new age of celebrities who has been created organically. He hasn’t received any mainstream or legacy media support, instead, growing through shares of his Instagram and TikTok videos which would often go viral.

And it speaks to the evolution of fame and popularity as now celebrities do not need a co-sign from industry gatekeepers or from traditional media. Instead, they connect directly to their audience and give them content we can relate to that would probably not have the slightest chance in hell of being shown on TV.

But, even as he makes his money, one thing Crazy Kennar seems all too aware of is the fact that he doesn’t want to go the way of a lot of Kenyan celebrities who fail to make hay while the sun shines. As a result, they often end up begging Kenyans to bail them out from financial constraints.

Crazy Kennar has set himself up to not only make hay while the sun shines but to also continue to do so even long after his star has stopped shining brightly. What do I mean? Well, he has gone the entrepreneurial route and has set up a fast-food eatery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwgf1lM4gwE

The eatery was launched on May 25th, 2021 and is located at Juja Square. But that is actually just the beginning of the entrepreneurial journey. No, really, anyone who has been around businesspeople or actually gotten involved in running a business knows that this is merely the starting line.

Crazy Kennar now has to actually manage the business and ensure it not only remains afloat but makes a profit. Sounds simple enough on paper but this also includes managing different personality types and ensuring they work harmoniously enough with each other to not jeopardise your investment.

Then there is the logistical part of ensuring he gets all the ingredients he needs to make the most popular meals at his eatery: he needs to get the potatoes at the best price and they arrive at his eatery early enough for him to make chips. He needs to get chicken the same way. That way, if these two ingredients go into making the most popular dishes he sells, he always has them.

 

That is why Crazy Kennar is truly an inspiration for young entrepreneurs all over Kenya. If your looking to get into business or you’re already in business then you identify with him and his struggles. But what if I told you that there is a business partner who is willing to help you get to the next level of your business? After you have completely gotten the finer details down to pat and you’re looking to now expand your business then I want to introduce you to Co-op Bank.

That’s right, Co-op Bank is offering a credit service called the Business Plus Loan which is tailored to help you achieve your target of growing your business beyond what it currently sits at. If you have a Co-op Bank account, all you have to do is get on the MCo-opCash App and follow the instructions to find out whether you’re eligible for the Business Plan Loan.

 

Click this link to find out more about how you can grow your business.

Unbridled hunger for success: Nyashinski’s path

Posted on by Ozymandias

I don’t know whether or not you were around when Nyashinski was part of Kleptomaniacs and that was a thing because I wasn’t around but I was having a drink with one of my mentors and the topic of what I call “Old school” Kenyan entertainment came up.

My guy was telling me about how they were the closest thing Kenya has ever had to teenage heartthrobs -back in 1999. Apparently, when they started their career, they were in Patch (Nairobi School). They used to make girls of their day go gaga and even their appearance on the cover of Insyder Magazine was a high selling edition. And that was before they had produced their hit song “Tuendelee”.

Nyashinski was one of the recipients of the unprecedented move by the then administration Nairobi School to help nurture their talent. So as you can see, the school you choose to educate your child in can actually factor heavily into the mentorship and eventual pursuit of your talent.

Why was that important for me to mention? Because we are going to look at just how hungry Nyashinski was for success. Because after he cleared high school, he and his friends continued producing music. However, the reality of our economy especially at the time, entertainment did not pay well enough for our favourite acts to live off the proceeds of their art.

Realising this, Nyash decided to go abroad. And while he was in America, he worked as a long distant truck driver. But all in all, he never lost his passion for music. According to him, all through that time, he just kept writing and making music. Makes a lot of sense when you learn of just how lonely the job of being a long-distance truck driver can truly be in America. You’re largely alone the entire time.

And so he kept securing his bag (the job actually pays up to 100K USD per year) and saving it. As soon as he could come back to Kenya, he did and he worked with a producer called Beat ya Keggah who was introduced to him by Nonini and their first hit was born.

So by the time Nyashinski was returning to Kenya, he had an intimate understanding of how to manage his finances and he added this to his already storied experience as an artist, you can understand why he was destined for greatness on his second stab at it.

Why is this important? Because I do not believe any of this would have been possible were it not for the administration of Patch. The school whether implicitly or complicity, allowed Nyashinski to pursue his craft. But what if he had learnt money management more effectively from an earlier age?

That is precisely the type of thing parents should teach their children. But how would you go about doing so in such a way that you can also monitor what is happening? Well, that is where Co-op Bank comes into partnership with you.

Co-op Bank announce opening of 7 new branches for deeper reach

They can partner with you in one of the most convenient ways ever and you can also use this opportunity to teach your children about budgeting and expense tracking. How this works is that you load up your child’s pocket money to their Co-op Bank Pre-paid.

What are the benefits of a Co-op Bank Prepaid card?

  • No need for your child to carry loads of pocket money as they head to school, you can simply load it in the Co-op Prepaid card which is safer than carrying cash.
  • The student will be able to pay for items at their school canteens at No Extra cost.
  • Parents will be able to track their students sending by getting a Mini statement of the card at a Co-op Kwa Jirani agent or via SMS alerts.
  • You no longer need to travel all the way to the school to hand over money to your child, you can simply load the card at any Co-op Kwa Jirani agent.
  • The students are also able to withdraw money using the card from any Co-op ATMs or Co-op Kwa Jirani agents outside school.
  • You don’t need an account with Co-op Bank to enjoy the benefits of the card.
  • No extra charges will be incurred in transactions using the card.

Click here to find out more.

 

Size 8: A powerful success story against all odds

Posted on by Ozymandias

Size 8 is one of the most popular celebrities in Kenya. She has seen her career grow from her days as a secular singer with a middling career until her eventual shift and turn towards not just gospel but to God as her personal Lord and saviour.

We have now seen her transition into being a pastor and evangelist and things seem like they worked out perfectly for her all throughout life but what most people forget or do not even know is that Size 8 actually came from the trenches.

She is a real honest to goodness rags to riches story. She is someone who has seen the very bottom of what society has to offer at Dr. Livingstone Primary School and then rubbed shoulders with the absolute best of what society has to share with a select few.

What do I mean? I am glad you asked. Did you know that Size 8 whose government names are Linet Munyali Muraya was at some point such a struggling student that when she started to undergo the changes of puberty, she couldn’t afford to buy for herself any sanitary towels? Let that sink in. This is a struggle that one would only associate with children growing up far from the city’s capital. These are bundu bashing problems.

And these are the sort of situations that make it harder for young girls to perform well in school. Why? Because whenever they are menstruating, they have to skip school or feel self-conscious. Size 8 knows this challenge all too well.

Then she -by some divine fate- found her way into one of the highest cost schools in Kenya, Hillcrest, on a scholarship. Can you imagine what it is like to go from being in a struggling school, moving on to State House Girls (on a scholarship) and then finally Hillcrest? A school where one of your classmates gets dropped by chopper?!

That is what makes Size 8’s story a truly beautiful one. She found a way to not only make things through with the biting lack of finances but also had to keep her head and wits about her when she began studying with the children of some of the wealthiest individuals in Kenya.

All this to say that as a parent, you need to ensure you have done everything within your power to give your children an advantage. Do not allow your child to go a day without sanitary accouterment. And how can you make sure your child has the allowance they need to deal with emergencies and the little things they need while they are in school?

Not every child who experienced Size 8’s journey and struggles was fortunate to make it out by being brilliant enough to win scholarships. Not every child needs to experience the sort of difficulties that are created by having to worry about an allowance -no matter how small.

You would be best advised to afford your child every advantage to set them off on the right footing in life. Let them learn to get comfortable with some level of independence that comes from knowing they have their full allowance and are free to do with it as they see fit but there are consequences. Allow them the opportunity to learn some of these consequences in a safe environment before misteps take on scary ramifications.

That is where Co-op Bank comes in to help you. They can partner with you in one of the most convenient ways ever and you can also use this opportunity to teach your children about budgeting and expense tracking. How this works is that you load up your child’s pocket money to their Co-op Bank Pre-paid.

What are the benefits of a Co-op Bank Prepaid card?

  • No need for your child to carry loads of pocket money as they head to school, you can simply load it in the Co-op Prepaid card which is safer than carrying cash.
  • The student will be able to pay for items at their school canteens at No Extra cost.
  • Parents will be able to track their students sending by getting a Mini statement of the card at a Co-op Kwa Jirani agent or via SMS alerts.
  • You no longer need to travel all the way to the school to hand over money to your child, you can simply load the card at any Co-op Kwa Jirani agent.
  • The students are also able to withdraw money using the card from any Co-op ATMs or Co-op Kwa Jirani agents outside school.
  • You don’t need an account with Co-op Bank to enjoy the benefits of the card.
  • No extra charges will be incurred in transactions using the card.

Click here to find out more.

8 Kenyan celebs you wouldn’t believe are geniuses

Posted on by Ozymandias

Let’s face it, when most of us think of Kenyan celebrities, if you’ve been through the previous 8-4-4 system or you’re one of the unfortunate “alumni” of the CBC curriculum, then you automatically assume them dense.

The reason for this is the fact that for the most part, our education system puts an emphasis on academic excellence to the absolute dereliction of any other forms of intelligences or even talents. So you’re a footballer? Big whoop. Your teachers will drum it into the rest of the class or worse still, into you’re head that you’re nothing. The same can be said for actors and entertainers. Wait, I think there is a special bottom rung made entirely of comedians.

But what if I told you that while there are different cadres of intelligence, there are some -a precious few- who excelled in both the conventional way aswell as at the pursuit of their talent and craft? Some entertainers and celebs who were actually not just talented but also academically intelligent enough to juggle high level performance in all that was required of them?

And we all know what that mean. In both 8-4-4 and CBC, it takes a whole lot of cramming. Beyond simply being familiar with the material, you have to actually cram for the exams and often it involves some outdated and useless procedures (for most career paths) such as the Bosch Process (Chemistry anyone?) because let’s face it, I have never used that knowledge anywhere outside of my KCSE exam hall.

Even before we start, I need to actually clarify some metrics for you to fully appreciate the genius of these celebs. KCSE is graded on a scale with a maximum grade of A plain equivalent to an 80% score and above (to 100%) through to the minimum grade of E, equivalent to or lower than a 25% score.

Let’s take a quick look at the celebs who scored highly on their national O-Level exams (what we here in Kenya call KCSE). And I assure you that some of the characters who are certified geniuses will blow your mind.

Fena Gitu

Fena Gitu
Fena Gitu

This would surprise many but the Femcee cum LGBTQ advocate (though she does this on the sly) is a Precious Blood Riruta alumni who managed to score an A- (A minus) in her KCSE exam.

Fancy Fingers

Fancy Fingers
Fancy Fingers

Sauti Sol’s Polycarp who is an alumnus of Strathmore actually managed to score an A before he went on to pursue a degree in actuarial science.

JB Masanduku

Tina Kaggia’s ex-husband and comedian was actually a student at two “Ivy League” Kenyan schools; Starehe Boy’s Centre as well as Alliance High. And as if that isn’t impressive enough, he managed to score an A in the national exams.

Maureen Kunga

Maureen Kunga

One-half of the two ladies that make up the trio that is Elani (do they still make music anymore?) is an alumnus of Kianda School where she managed to score an A in the national exams. And as if that weren’t impressive enough, drum roll, please…

Wambui Ngugi

Elani’s Wambui Ngugi

The second half of the two ladies that make up the trio that is Elani (which at this point I have to state also includes Brian Chweya) also scored an A in KCSE.

King Kaka

Kenyan rapper, King Kaka

The rapper formerly known as Rabbit (isn’t that one of if not the worst name you’ve ever heard a rapper gave himself?!) made it against all odds. He was at Eastleigh High which if you know anything about Nairobi, isn’t exactly a bastion of education. And yet he managed to score an A- (A minus).

DJ Creme

The disc jockey too wasn’t in what we would consider a Kenyan “ivy league school” given he studied in some backwater secondary school before going on to score an A- (A Minus) in his KCSE exam.

Wahu

Come on, you already know this girl is smart. I mean, she went on to study mathematics in university. What more can I say? She too is an alumnus of Precious Blood and got an A.

I’ve purposely left out Babu Owino from the list. Google his grade yourself.

Clearly, a lot went into their academic prowess and this definitely includes (on the most part) not having to worry about their allowances. That is where Co-op Bank comes into partnership with you to avail to your child every possible advantage that you can afford them. One simple example of this is ensuring they always have their allowance/ pocket money at hand and not have to worry about it being jacked.

Allow your child to focus entirely on their national exams given they are in their third term. Whether they are sitting for KCSE or the primary school national exams, KCPE. How can you do that? I’m glad you asked.

Co-op Bank is here to partner with you to ensure your child focuses on what’s important -their education. You can also load up your child’s pocket money to their Co-op Bank Pre-paid.

What are the benefits of a Co-op Bank Prepaid card?

  • No need for your child to carry loads of pocket money as they head to school, you can simply load it in the Co-op Prepaid card which is safer than carrying cash.
  • The student will be able to pay for items at their school canteens at No Extra cost.
  • Parents will be able to track their students sending by getting a Mini statement of the card at a Co-op Kwa Jirani agent or via SMS alerts.
  • You no longer need to travel all the way to the school to hand over money to your child, you can simply load the card at any Co-op Kwa Jirani agent.
  • The students are also able to withdraw money using the card from any Co-op ATMs or Co-op Kwa Jirani agents outside school.
  • You dont need an account with Co-op bank to enjoy the benefits of the card.
  • No extra charges will be incurred in transactions using the card.

Click here to find out more.

 

Festive hangups: Back to School with Co-op Bank

Posted on by Ozymandias

The festive season has come and gone and now we are left with the stark reality of Njaaaaaanuary… School fees and new uniforms! Because let’s face it, the December holidays have caused everyone to grow a bit (whether horizontally or vertically).

That’s right, if you had spent your entire holiday season “happening, I hope to high heaven that you did not actually end up happening with your children (or your own) school fees. Or you didn’t end up buying them Christmas clothes and forgot that they would also need uniform at the beginning of the third term. That would suck!

But we know -no really, you know and I know that you’re a more responsible person and you were able to look ahead and realise you were going to have to confront this reality of adulting.

And now that the new school term is upon us, you’re probably faced with the prospect of buying new school uniform (fortunately, because it is the third term on school, you still don’t have to buy new books).

So what are you going to do when it comes to school uniforms? Well, that is where Co-op Bank comes in to partner with you.

 

With the Co-op Bank innovations and partnerships, you can pay school fees and buy new uniform without having to bear the risk of carrying huge sums of money around. I mean, it would really be a comedy of tragedies if you misplaced that money or it was liberated from you right?

In addition to this, you can also load up your child’s pocket money to their Co-op Bank Pre-paid.

What are the benefits of a Co-op Bank Prepaid card?

  • No need for your child to carry loads of pocket money as they head to school, you can simply load it in the Co-op Prepaid card which is safer than carrying cash.
  • The student will be able to pay for items at their school canteens at No Extra cost.
  • Parents will be able to track their students sending by getting a Mini statement of the card at a Co-op Kwa Jirani agent or via SMS alerts.
  • You no longer need to travel all the way to the school to hand over money to your child, you can simply load the card at any Co-op Kwa Jirani agent.
  • The students are also able to withdraw money using the card from any Co-op ATMs or Co-op Kwa Jirani agents outside school.
  • You dont need an account with Co-op bank to enjoy the benefits of the card.
  • No extra charges will be incurred in transactions using the card.

Click here to find out more.

Christmas made easier by Co-op Bank

Posted on by Ozymandias

The festive season is upon us and I am sure you are wondering how to ensure your December actually Decembers like every other December. In fact, if you have children or you have to actually go upcountry, then you know the pressure is real for you to make this a special Christmas complete with gifts.

Well, this is where Co-op Bank comes in to partner with you. No, not for the kayumbet but to ensure your business continues to run smoothly throughout the holiday season. Seriously though, you will have to figure out how to navigate the delicate procedure of impressing your aunties on your own BUT at least you know Co-op bank is helping you keep your payments and business operations running smoothly.

And how is this going to be achieved while you’re all the way in the village enjoying some traditional brews, your family time as you tell each other stories while sitting around the campfire? Easy:

Online card payments

Boost your sales by integrating into our online card payment solution to receive card payments from customers from different banks and from anywhere in the world.

These are Co-op Bank ATMs, Debit or Credit Cards. All payments for purchases or goods delivered can easily be checked off by swiping these cards.

With card payments, its easier to track stock levels, and enjoy an easy check out flow.

PDQ/POS

This is a device that refers to a payment terminal accessed by Visa cards to make electronic fund transfers. They are common in malls, supermarkets and fuel stations.

POS stands for Point Of Sale in a business outlet. PDQ stands for Process Data Quickly.

Co-op Bank avails PDQ/POS machines to their clients. These machines greatly boost sales by enabling them receive card payments from customers from different banks.

A trader enjoys timely reports, easier tracking of income and expenses.

Lipa Na M-Pesa Till Number

Co-op Bank provides this service in partnership with Safaricom M-Pesa service. The bank offers to process a till number for their clients businesses, at no charge.

This helps a business to receive cashless payments via Lipa na M-Pesa Till Number – usualy displayed at payment point at the business premises.

The money clients pay through the Till number is deposited directly into the clients Co-op Bank account.

The payments paid into the account can be accessed anytime via Co-op Banks mobile banking platform, ATMs, Co-op Kwa Jirani agents, Internet banking or at any branch across the republic.

M-Pesa Paybill 400200

Co-op Bank’s official M-Pesa Paybill number – 400200 – enables a trader to receive payments directly into their Co-op Bank account. The money reflects into the account immediately.

One can also check for the payment confirmation via our mobile banking or internet banking platforms. Alternatively, one can receive notifications via text if they have subscribed to the MCo-op Cash SMS notifications.

The funds are accessible anytime via the banks’s mobile banking platform, Co-op Kwa Jirani agents, ATMs, Internet banking or at the branch.

M-Coop Cash

This feature is not limited to business owners, but to everyone with a Co-op bank account. Its applicable to all needs that require exchange of money.

Encourage colleagues, family members, clients or business associates who have Co-op Bank accounts to send money directly account using the MCo-op Cash App or via USSD *667#.

How does a business boost sales?

Easier tracking of expenses.

Timely business reports.

Easy check out flow.

Instant payment confirmation via SMS notifications or via internet banking platform.

Payments are deposited into Co-op Bank account – easy access anytime via mobile banking platform, ATMs, Co-op Kwa Jirani agents, internet banking and at the branch.

How does a client register for Co-op Bank online banking?

You can log in and transact using any internet-enabled device including mobile phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

Registration is INSTANT and FREE of charge. All you need is your National ID and any of your Co-op Bank ATM cards. Click here to register.

Youll create your own username and password, which you can re-set anytime in case you forget or feel the need to change.

Every time you log in or do a transaction, youll have to enter an OTP (One Time Password) which is sent to your mobile number or email address.

This is a security feature Co-op Bank has in place to keep accounts secure.

How to do business online and not have your identity stolen

Posted on by Ozymandias

So you have discovered a niche that you can take advantage of online in order for you to make some major bank right? Well, how do you go about running your business safely and avoiding identity theft of either yourself or your clients?

The first step is to understand what identity theft is. Identity theft is what we call the crime of someone using your personal data (name, passwords, birth date) to impersonate then steal from you.

It is a threat experienced by people who choose to conduct business of any nature online.

1. Credit identity theft
Credit identity theft happens when a criminal uses your personal information, such as birthdate and Social Security number, to apply for a new credit line.

Warning signs: You might see an unexpected change in your credit scores or an account you don’t recognize on your credit reports. You may get debt collection notices or a court judgment against you. The best way to prevent it is to freeze your credit.

2. Child identity theft
Criminals steal a child’s identity and apply for credit in that child’s name. Often it is not discovered until the victim applies for college loans or other credit.

Warning signs: If your child is getting offers of credit cards or phone calls about late payments or debt collections, investigate. You can freeze your child’s credit to prevent it.

3. Synthetic identity theft
Synthetic identity theft is when criminals use a patchwork of identity details to construct a fictitious consumer, using a Social Security number — often one of a minor child or one that is simply made up — that is not yet in the credit bureaus’ database and combining it with a name and address. They then apply for loans and credit cards, often making payments for years as the credit limits grow. Then comes a “bust out,” when cards are maxed out and the criminals disappear.

Warning signs: If you try to freeze your child’s credit and discover their Social Security number is already in use. Often it is not discovered until the child is applying for student loans. It is not always preventable, because sometimes criminals make up and use a Social Security number even before it’s assigned.

4. Taxpayer identity theft
Sometimes fraudsters use a Social Security number to file a tax return and steal your tax refund or tax credit.

Warning signs: You may be unable to e-file because someone else has already filed under that Social Security number, you get an IRS notice or letter referencing some activity you knew nothing about or IRS records suggest you worked for an employer that you did not. Filing early can help you beat criminals to filing in your name, and some states offer six-digit identity protection PINs (after a rigorous verification) with additional security.

5. Medical identity theft
Using someone else’s identity to get health care services is medical identity theft. It’s particularly dangerous because it can result in medical histories being mixed, giving doctors and hospitals wrong information as they are making health care decisions.

Warning signs: Claims or payments on your insurance explanation of benefits that you do not recognize can suggest that someone is using your health care benefits. If you’ve fallen victim, you’ll need to both report it to your insurance company and inform your health care team to be sure information in your health care records is actually yours.

6. Account takeover
Criminals use personal data to access your financial accounts, then change passwords or addresses so that you no longer have access.

Warning signs: An email, letter or text from your financial institution that refers to an action (like a password or email change) or transaction you don’t recognize.

7. Criminal identity theft
Criminal identity theft occurs when someone gives law authorities someone else’s name and address during an arrest or investigation. This is often done with false identification, such as a fake driver’s license.

Warning signs: You may be detained by a police officer for reasons that are unclear to you, or be denied employment or a promotion because of something found in a background check.

So how can you keep yourself safe from all these risks? Well, that is where Coop Bank comes in. They will partner with you to ensure you do not fall prey to Yahoo Boys or wash-wash clowns. These are the services they offer to ensure you do not get conned:

Online card payments
Boost your sales by integrating into our online card payment solution to receive card payments from customers from different banks and from anywhere in the world.

These are Co-op Bank ATM’s, Debit or Credit Cards. All payments for purchases or goods delivered can easily be checked off by swiping these cards.

With card payments, it’s easier to track stock levels, and enjoy an easy check out flow.

PDQ/POS

This is a device that refers to a payment terminal accessed by Visa cards to make electronic fund transfers. They are common in malls, supermarkets and fuel stations.

POS stands for Point Of Sale in a business outlet. PDQ stands for ‘Process Data Quickly’.

Co-op Bank avails PDQ/POS machines to their clients. These machines greatly boost sales by enabling them receive card payments from customers from different banks.

A trader enjoys timely reports, easier tracking of income and expenses.

Lipa Na M-Pesa Till Number

Co-op Bank provides this service in partnership with Safaricom M-Pesa service. The bank offers to process a till number for their client’s businesses, at no charge.

This helps a business to receive cashless payments via Lipa na M-Pesa Till Number – usualy displayed at payment point at the business premises.

The money clients pay through the Till number is deposited directly into the client’s Co-op Bank account.

The payments paid into the account can be accessed anytime via Co-op Bank’s mobile banking platform, ATMs, Co-op Kwa Jirani agents, Internet banking or at any branch across the republic.

M-Pesa Paybill 400200

Co-op Bank’s official M-Pesa Paybill number – 400200 – enables a trader to receive payments directly into their Co-op Bank account.

The money reflects into the account immediately. One can also check for the payment confirmation via mobile banking or internet banking platforms.

Alternatively, one can receive notifications via text if they have subscribed to the MCo-op Cash SMS notifications.

The funds are accessible anytime via the banks’s mobile banking platform, Co-op Kwa Jirani agents, ATMs, Internet banking or at the branch.

M-Coop Cash

This feature is not limited to business owners, but to everyone with a Co-op bank account. It’s applicable to all needs that require exchange of money.

Encourage colleagues, family members, clients or business associates who have Co-op Bank accounts to send money directly account using the MCo-op Cash App or via USSD *667#.

How does a business boost sales?

  • Easier tracking of expenses.
  • Timely business reports.
  • Easy check out flow.

Instant payment confirmation via SMS notifications or via internet banking platform.

Payments are deposited into Co-op Bank account – easy access anytime via mobile banking platform, ATMs, Co-op Kwa Jirani agents, internet banking and at the branch.

How does a client register for Co-op Bank online banking?

You can log in and transact using any internet-enabled device including mobile phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

Registration is INSTANT and FREE of charge. All you need is your National ID and any of your Co-op Bank ATM cards. Click here to register.

You’ll create your own username and password, which you can re-set anytime in case you forget or feel the need to change.

Every time you log in or do a transaction, you’ll have to enter an OTP (One Time Password) which is sent to your mobile number or email address.

This is a security feature Co-op Bank has in place to keep accounts secure.

 

Subarus rallies and emergencies: Co-op bank could have saved the day

Posted on by Ozymandias

If you know anything about Subarus, then you know that they are an ïnvestment”their drivers and owners have dedicated themselves to. These machines are more than just a car to the people who own them as they often times become a labour of love -or a money sinkhole depending on whether we are being pragmatic or not.

I have a neighbour who has convinced me of this. His name is Kevin and he has really sunk a lot of money into “souping up” his car. I have watched him take his car from its baseline factory settings to what it now is; a noisy, faster monstrosity.

Seriously, this vehicle is like the car alarm for our neighbourhood because when he switches on his car and leaves it to warm up, not a single alarm system is not activated. And seeing as he leaves to go to the gym at 5 AM every Monday to Friday, you don’t have to set your own alarm.

We recently met at yet another neighbours’ BBQ and we started chatting about everything under the sun. The topics ranged from women to the currently ongoing Euros to his car. He had a very interesting story about two of these stories tied into one.

Kevin told me and a few other of our neighbours how sometimes, a mechanic can cost you more than you could ever imagine. He had been trying to fix his turbo after it had called it quits and died on him.

His usual mechanic was away on a work trip as he had to go and rescue another client of his who was stuck somewhere in Nakuru. So Kevin had to seek out another mechanic to do the work on his car. He settled on going to his mechanic’s apprentice thinking he would be just as good. He wasn’t.

The Subaru which is already an expensive vehicle to maintain was about to become a blackhole of finances because this one mechanic was not thorough. After replacing the turbo, this guy did not fix back all the pipes under the hood and he didn’t really check to see whether he had done a good job or not. So when our good friend came for the car, it still had issues that he was unaware of.

And Kevin had a date that day -and given this Kung Flu lockdown, that means they had an afternoon plan. So off he goes to meet his date and the car seemed to wait only until he had picked her up and they were on their way along the bypass for it to start having issues. The car lost power and the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree.

So there they were, Kevin and his date, deep along the bypass and the car was limping. Kevin was pissed! he had spent a lot of money on the turbo replacement and his mechanic had returned that car and it looked like he was going to have to spend well above his budget. And his date was already getting jittery…

Kevin quickly called the mechanic to touch base and see what the issue might be but given the distance, they couldn’t accurately diagnose the issues. It could have been the clutch plate or it could have been the turbo that was faulty. The reason was a toss-up. So he decided to do what he could… He called up a cab for his date and trust that she left him in a huff and didn’t so much as offer to chill with him as he waited for a flatbed tow truck.

He then had to start calling his parents for a quick soft loan so he could deal with the car. And ofcourse he got an earful from his father. He was lectured about how irresponsible he is for not managing his money well and how the Subaru is the cause of everything wrong with the world and the reason for Kenya’s pathetic economy. And to make matters worse, it started raining.

So there he was, miserably sitting in the rain and getting chewed out by his father. And when the tow truck arrived, he had to get out in the rain to help them set up his car so he was drenched by the time that exercise was done.

I remembered how my brother had told me his bank, Co-op Bank had a service they offered that came in handy for him when he and his wife were working on their projects and I told Kevin that he should probably get a salary account with them seeing as he is working at his father’s business and he earns a salary.

Co-op Bank had my brother covered when trouble visited him with their in-laws

And according to what my brother had informed me, it is actually as simple as taking on a Co-op Bank Flexi Cash Salary Advance.

So what exactly are the features of the Flexi Cash Salary Advance?

  1. Borrow from Ksh 3,000 to a maximum of Ksh 100,000
  2. Recovery is done within 1 to 3 months
  3. No security needed
  4. Instant processing
  5. No facilitation fee, if you apply via MCo-op Cash

How do you access Co-op bank’s salary account loans?

  1. Open a salary account with Co-op Bank
  2. Copy of KRA PIN

Co-op Bank had my brother covered when trouble visited him with their in-laws

And incase youre wondering, the girl he was meant to go on a date with eventually called him back but he wisely decided not to entertain her after she left him hanging when it literally hit the metaphoric fan.

Co-op Bank had my brother covered when trouble visited him with their in-laws

Posted on by Ozymandias

Emergencies strike without warning and sometimes, they come with their in-laws to visit you. And that is the very situation my elder brother found himself in. You see, he is a married man and he is currently putting up his house back at our ancestral land.

This is a task he has been focused on ever since he was allocated his share of the inheritance -our family wants clear lines of succession- and he decided to really get into it and that is where he has been; that is his project.

But one thing he has realized is that he has to be there to actually supervise the work his local funds are doing because when the cat is away, the mice shall play. An example of this has been that whenever he is around to oversee what they are doing, work seems to go on seamlessly. But when he is back at work in Nairobi and he delegates work, it is done in such a sloppy way, he sometimes has to oversee it get redone.

And that is draining his time. He has only just finished doing the fence and then he realized he needs to hire either a foreman or site manager -from Nairobi. The last time we touched base, this was the point at which he had reached.

We recently had to touch base and he told me that he has had one particular time when he was deep into his budget for fixing the house when he found out that his wife needed money for their farming project.

Basically, they have been growing vegetables and keeping bees and the bees produced so much honey, the hives broke. And that was just before they were set to harvest their honey… Ontop of that their farmhand had neglected their shamba in favour of growing and focusing on his own crops. they had to deal with a double-loaded situation.

 

He realized that he can take out a Co-op Bank Flexi Cash Salary Advance to help him deal with the situation. His wife was stranded as her bank app wasn’t working and they do not have branches in the hinterland. And he was able to take care of things with such ease… Seriously, it was as simple as:

 

 

 

 

So what exactly are the features of the Flexi Cash Salary Advance?

  1. Borrow from Ksh 3,000 to a maximum of Ksh 100,000
  2. Recovery is done within 1 to 3 months
  3. No security needed
  4. Instant processing
  5. No facilitation fee, if you apply via MCo-op Cash

How do you access Co-op bank’s salary account loans?

  1. Open a salary account with Co-op Bank
  2. Copy of KRA PIN

`Some problems take creative solutions, others need you to simply know a guy…

Posted on by Ozymandias

The long weekend came and went. I and my boys had a plan to go on a road trip. I have never been to Kakamega and I wanted to see what its like there. Just kidding, I simply wanted an excuse to get away from Nairobi and enjoy a polite plan with my boys.

I handled the planning because I am very good at logistics. Well, to keep it a buck, my friends say I am anal about details. So that means I had to factor in the vehicles we were using and find out how much it would cost to fuel them too and fro.

It also meant that I was in charge of coming up with the simple drinks and food budget and we had decided to go to my friend’s father’s home in to have a BBQ. But the best thing about planning is I was the go-to-man for all the itinerary and Lord knows the man with a plan is sexy to the ladies.

So I hit them up and we made our plans rock solid. Funny how things like these usually go… Whatever can go wrong will and unbeknownst to us that was precisely what was about to unfold.

The journey began swimmingly. We were on the road by 8 am and everyone was in high spirits. There was no need to rush so we decided on taking the scenic route -all three cars. I hadn’t bought the meat but that wasn’t too big a concern because I figured we would get it in plenty up ahead.

The drinks were in abundance and so were the snacks. Best part? i had called shotgun and the aux cable was mine to command. It was a chilly morning but the sun was already on the horizon as we drove on. All the cars had been serviced and for once even the stingiest of my boys had agreed to contribute for his part of the bill without even a whisper. Everyone had cabin fever from all these lockdowns so we were all raging to go.

The traffic wasn’t too heavy and we were in Naivasha in two hours thirty minutes. We stopped to touch base and I even switched cars and while I lost my aux cable privileges, I got Bluetooth privileges so it was still my killer Spotify playlist we were jamming to.

Nakuru was a breeze although getting there we were hampered by all the potty breaks everyone was taking. Still, we were making decent progress. We got to someplace just past Eldy and that was when all hell broke loose. At some area called Kapsabet, the guy driving the lead car didn’t notice how deep one particular pothole is and he struck it so hard, he messed up his front passenger tire.

That, ladies and gentlemen, was when all hell broke loose.

There we were, in the afternoon sun and one car was busted. None of us speaks Kalenjin and most of us were freaking out.

Everyone was calling everyone they knew and trying to get help. Eventually, some guys on a bodaboda came and offered to help us get mechanics. But the car either had to be towed or flat bedded. And yes, It was a damned BMW! Anyway, what we had between us wasn’t going to be enough for us to do everything that needed doing. That was when it hit me, I can get a salary advance, cover the difference and my boys will pay me back at the end of the month.

So that is precisely what we did. We decided to let the ladies get into the remaining two cars and go on ahead and we would catch up with them once the job was done.

Sema kuokolewa na Co-op Bank!

 

So what exactly are the features of the Flexi Cash Salary Advance?

  1. Borrow from Ksh 3,000 to a maximum of Ksh 100,000
  2. Recovery is done within 1 to 3 months
  3. No security needed
  4. Instant processing
  5. No facilitation fee, if you apply via MCo-op Cash

How do you access Co-op bank’s salary account loans?

  1. Open a salary account with Co-op Bank
  2. Copy of KRA PIN

And while the rest of the day was gone, we still managed to salvage most of the plan and we had a good time and the best part about it was we have a story to tell. I or one was happy that despite all the calls that were placed to help us save the day, I was the only one who knew a guy… Co-op Bank was my guy. Find out more by clicking the link here.

Is your child running out of pocket money? Worry not, Co-op’s got you covered

Posted on by Ozymandias

School has started and in a lot of areas in Kenya, it is raining cats and dogs. That means that a lot of kids have been eating more than ever as they struggle to consume enough calories to keep them warm.

Don’t think so? Well, think back to when you were in school. And for us this season of cold weather coincided with term two. And one of the things that always happened in the second term is that we would always eat more grub than usual.

I remember that this was the term I struggled with my allowance the most. It was cold and I was always hungry and to add on to that, the second term was when most of the school functions in the calendar year fell into.

So not only was I hungry but I had a date or two planned. And my allowance always took a beating. And if you know your child is like I was back then, then you know this school term, you will have to top up the allowance you have given them.

So how can you ensure your child is comfortable enough to focus on school? Co-op Bank has got you covered. You can conveniently deposit your kids allowance or pocket money on a Co-opPay prepaid card.

And the benefit of this is that you can also start training them on how to responsibly handle their money. Not only do you get the convenience of the entire system but through the Co-opPay prepaid card, they will have all the power that comes with having money at hand but also learn how to be responsible with their expenditure. Say you decide to deposit a weekly allowance, they have to learn how to manage that amount and you can get to see just how well this is handled.

I hear you asking how this would actually work. Well,

  • Your child will be able to pay for items at their school canteens at No Extra cost.
  • You can keep track of your child’s spending by getting a Mini statement of the card at a Co-op Kwa Jirani agent or via SMS alerts
  • You no longer need to travel all the way to the school to hand over money to your child, you can simply load the card at any Co-op Kwa Jirani agent..
  • Your children are also able to withdraw money using the card from any Co-op ATMs or Co-op Kwa Jirani agents outside school.
  • You don’t need an account with Co-op bank to enjoy the benefits of the card
  • No extra charges will be incurred in transactions using the card.

See? You get to kill two birds with one stone. Find out more about the Co-opPay prepaid card here.

Co-op Bank helps you teach your children the most important lesson

Posted on by Ozymandias

How to manage money is one of those lessons you think school should teach your children but the teachers believe parents should handle that lesson. That is something we don’t talk about often but it is one of the most important lessons we can impart to our children.

You see, when your child is in school, a lot of the emphasis is on academics. They study hard so they can sit for exams and all their energies are focused on scoring well enough to land a great high school, a great degree course in university and then get a great job.

But what they don’t get to learn is real-life skills such as how to do their taxes or how to manage their money. And the latter is an important lesson that impacts how they will live their lives in future. You see, while the kids are young, you can teach them how to have a healthy relationship with money.

One way you can do that is by putting their allowance or pocket money on a Co-opPay prepaid card. That way, they will have all the power that comes with having money at hand but also learn how to be responsible with their expenditure.

How that works is you deposit an amount, perhaps their pocket money for the first half of the school term if they are in boarding school, or you deposit their weekly allowance if they are in day school and you have a conversation with them to instruct them on how long the money is meant to last, you can teach them how to budget and track expenditure.

These are the sort of lessons that ensure they also begin to understand that actions have consequences as the money they have is expected to last for as long as they can make it last and once it runs out, it is done until you load the card back up with cash.

And I hear you asking how this would actually work. Well,

  • Your child will be able to pay for items at their school canteens at No Extra cost.
  • You can keep track of your child’s spending by getting a Mini statement of the card at a Co-op Kwa Jirani agent or via SMS alerts
  • You no longer need to travel all the way to the school to hand over money to your child, you can simply load the card at any Co-op Kwa Jirani agent..
  • Your children are also able to withdraw money using the card from any Co-op ATMs or Co-op Kwa Jirani agents outside school.
  • You don’t need an account with Co-op bank to enjoy the benefits of the card
  • No extra charges will be incurred in transactions using the card.