Instagram finally settles on pause for a tap on Reels instead of mute

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March 20, 2026

In a move aimed at improving usability, Instagram has begun rolling out a long-requested update to its short-form video feature, Reels: a single tap now pauses and plays videos instead of muting them.

The change marks a significant shift in how users interact with Reels. Previously, tapping the screen would toggle audio on and off, while pausing required users to press and hold — a gesture many found unintuitive and frustrating, especially when trying to read on-screen text or examine details in a video.

With the update, Instagram aligns itself more closely with competitors like TikTok, where tap-to-pause has long been the standard.

Industry observers see the move as part of a broader effort by Instagram’s parent company, Meta Platforms, to streamline the user experience and remain competitive in the crowded short-form video space.

The rollout follows an extended period of testing, during which different users experienced different behaviors — some had tap-to-mute, others tap-to-pause, and some saw the controls change between app updates. The inconsistency led to confusion and frequent complaints across social media.

Early reactions suggest the update will be welcomed by many users who prefer easier control over playback, particularly for content with subtitles or detailed visuals.

However, the shift may frustrate those accustomed to quickly muting videos with a tap, especially in public or quiet environments.

Instagram has not announced an official global rollout date, but the feature is expected to reach more users over the coming weeks as testing concludes and deployment expands.

The update underscores a broader trend among social platforms: refining small but impactful interface details to keep users engaged — and watching.

By Mary Munywoki

I will move to Afghanistan if Kalonzo becomes President — Moses Kuria Says

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March 20, 2026

By Bonface Mulyungi

Former Cabinet Secretary and presidential economic adviser Moses Kuria has broken his silence on politics, weighing in on the 2027 General Election.

He said President William Ruto’s re-election is uncertain and dismissed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as a viable alternative.

Kuria, once a close ally and vocal defender of Ruto, has kept a low political profile since resigning as the President’s Senior Economic Adviser on July 8, 2025.

Before his advisory role, he served as Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, and later as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service.

Speaking on KTN News on Thursday night, Kuria said some of Ruto’s policies—viewed as unpopular in certain quarters—could undermine his re-election bid.

Asked whether the President could shift the political tide by 2027, Kuria was non-committal.

“I don’t know. When I resigned from government for my own personal reasons, this question you’re asking I told him the answer. I told him maybe the things you’re doing may not percolate into something within your first term but certainly within your second term,” he said.

Kuria drew parallels between Ruto’s presidency and that of the late Mwai Kibaki, noting that Kibaki faced unpopularity in his first term before his economic policies began yielding results later.

However, he cautioned that such a trajectory may not necessarily apply to the current administration.

“Maybe they don’t see it—what’s the option?” he posed. “Kalonzo Musyoka? Me I will move to Afghanistan if Kalonzo becomes President.”

Kuria said his time in government has given him insight into the country’s complexities, adding that he understands “how difficult this country is.”

Kalonzo Musyoka is positioning himself as a frontrunner within the newly formed United Opposition, which includes former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

The former Vice President is increasingly being viewed as a serious contender and potential kingmaker, bouyed by his consistent support base, particularly in the Ukambani region.

Together with his allies, Kalonzo has pledged to ensure Ruto serves only one term. Some within the opposition frame him as an experienced, calm and trustworthy leader suited to carry the coalition’s presidential ticket.

Kuria, however, questioned Kalonzo’s political positioning, arguing that his experience should have already made him the automatic opposition flagbearer.

“How can Kalonzo Musyoka, someone who supported Baba (Raila Odinga) three times… how come Kalonzo Musyoka is not a frontrunner?” he asked. “How do you lose such advantage?”

Kuria argued that Kalonzo should have leveraged the political capital, organisational structure and support base built by Raila Odinga, particularly in Nyanza, Western and the Coast.

Kalonzo backed Raila in three elections, serving as his running mate in 2013 and 2017.

“If it were me, I would have said you all know I supported Baba in 2013 and 2017 and supported him even when he picked Martha. It’s not rocket science,” Kuria said.

Eid 2026: A Message of Peace, Unity,Prosperity and Renewal to Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters

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March 20, 2026

As the crescent moon is sighted and the holy month of Ramadan comes to a close, we join millions around the world in celebrating Eid 2026, a time of joy, gratitude, and deep spiritual reflection. On behalf of Uzalendo News, we extend our warmest wishes to all our Muslim brothers and sisters: Eid Mubarak!

Eid is more than a celebration; it is the culmination of a sacred journey marked by fasting, prayer, charity, and self-discipline. Throughout Ramadan, Muslims have demonstrated unwavering faith, compassion for others and a commitment to personal growth. Eid is the well-earned reward, a day to rejoice in spiritual renewal and to give thanks for the strength and guidance received.

This special occasion reminds us of the values that unite humanity: kindness, generosity, forgiveness and love. It is a time when families and communities come together, sharing meals, exchanging gifts and strengthening bonds. It is also a moment to remember those less fortunate, extending a helping hand and ensuring that no one is left behind in the celebrations.

In today’s world, where challenges often test our unity, the spirit of Eid offers a powerful message. It calls on us to rise above differences, embrace one another with compassion and work collectively toward peace and harmony. The lessons of Ramadan, patience, humility and empathy, should continue to guide us in our daily lives beyond this holy season.

As we celebrate Eid 2026, let us also reflect on the importance of coexistence and mutual respect among people of all faiths and backgrounds. Our diversity is our strength and through understanding and cooperation, we can build a more just and peaceful society for all.

To our Muslim brothers and sisters, may this Eid bring you abundant blessings, happiness and success. May your prayers be accepted, your hearts be filled with peace and your homes be filled with joy and laughter. May it also inspire renewed hope and a brighter future for you and your loved ones.

Eid Mubarak to you and your families. May this beautiful occasion mark the beginning of new opportunities, stronger connections and lasting peace.

Your Phone Number Is Part of Your Identity, High Court Rules in Major Privacy Case

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March 20, 2026

By Andrew Kariuki

The High Court in Milimani has delivered a landmark ruling recognizing mobile phone numbers as a core component of an individual’s digital identity, a decision that significantly reshapes the legal understanding of privacy rights in Kenya.

In the case of Erastus Ngura Odhiambo vs State, the court held that the reassignment or recycling of inactive mobile phone numbers raises serious constitutional concerns, particularly under Article 31 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to privacy.

The petition, filed in June 2024 by inmate Erastus Ngura Odhiambo, challenged the long-standing practice by mobile service providers of reallocating phone numbers after periods of inactivity.

Odhiambo argued that a mobile number is far more than a communication tool, describing it as a gateway to highly sensitive personal data, including banking, tax and social information.

He told the court that once such numbers are reassigned, new users risk receiving confidential messages intended for the original owner, exposing individuals to potential data breaches and violations of privacy.

The petitioner further highlighted the unique vulnerability of prisoners, noting that incarceration prevents them from actively maintaining their mobile lines, leading to automatic deactivation and eventual reassignment.

Odhiambo, who is serving a 20 year prison sentence, said he lost access to his phone number while in custody, disrupting communication with his family, including his six children and contributing to the collapse of his business.

He added that institutions such as banks, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and insurance firms continued sending sensitive information to his former number, which had since been allocated to another user.

According to him, this amounted to a violation of his constitutional rights, including the right to privacy, equality, communication and access to information.

The State opposed the petition, arguing that while prisoners retain fundamental rights, those rights are subject to reasonable limitations.

Authorities relied on provisions of the Persons Deprived of Liberty Act, which permit restrictions on certain rights for reasons such as national security and public safety.

The Kenya Prisons Service maintained that mobile phones are classified as prohibited items within correctional facilities due to risks including criminal coordination, witness interference and threats to national security.

Officials told the court that inmates are nonetheless able to communicate through regulated channels such as supervised phone calls, letters, and scheduled visits.

The case raised critical constitutional questions, including whether digital identity is protected under the law, whether a registered mobile number forms part of that identity, and the extent to which inmates retain their rights while in custody.

Odhiambo argued that no law expressly bars prisoners from owning mobile phones and maintained that blanket restrictions are unconstitutional.

He further contended that denying inmates access to their mobile numbers effectively strips them of their digital identity and limits their ability to access essential services in an increasingly digitised society.

The court’s decision now sets a significant precedent in Kenya’s evolving digital rights landscape, particularly on how personal data and identity are protected in the modern era.

Wired headphone sales jump after a five-year decline

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March 20, 2026

Several major brands, including Apple, left wired headphone jacks back in 2016.

Nearly 10 years later, we’re back where we started.

Wired headphone sales have spiked recently.

The products have seen sales drop across the board for five consecutive years, but they shot back up in the second half of 2025.

Just looking at the first six weeks of 2026, sales are up 20%.

Experts are attributing the revival of wired headphones to ease of use.

They say Bluetooth headphones often get lost or die when you need them. The audio can also be interrupted if there is a bad connection.

Others say this shift is part of an anti-technology movement, stemming from the rise of artificial intelligence.

By Mary Munywoki

Ministry of Health Engages Stakeholders to Advance Kenya Healthcare Referral Policy

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March 20, 2026

The Ministry of Health has intensified efforts to strengthen patient care and health system coordination through the development of the Kenya Healthcare Referral Policy, a key reform aimed at ensuring patients receive timely, appropriate, and quality care across all levels of the health system.

As part of the ongoing process, the Ministry on 19 March 2026 convened a stakeholder engagement forum in Nairobi, bringing together representatives from national and county governments, healthcare professionals, regulatory bodies, professional associations, SAGAs, and development partners to contribute to the policy framework.

A well-functioning referral system is critical in ensuring patients access care at the right level and are seamlessly referred when specialised services are required. Strengthening this system will help reduce waiting times, improve emergency response, enhance continuity of care, and optimise the use of health resources.

Kenya continues to experience increasing demand for specialised services, coupled with a high number of self-referrals to higher-level hospitals. This has led to congestion, delays, and inefficiencies, with many patients bypassing primary care facilities where services could be accessed closer to home.

The proposed Kenya Healthcare Referral Policy seeks to address these challenges by establishing clear referral pathways, strengthening communication between facilities, and enhancing accountability across the system. Key priorities include standardising referral procedures, ensuring timely patient transfers, improving feedback between referring and receiving providers, and reducing congestion in specialised hospitals.

The policy is currently undergoing stakeholder consultations and technical review, with validation expected in the coming months ahead of finalisation and adoption.

Once implemented, the policy will strengthen patient-centred care by creating clear pathways across the health system, enabling faster and more coordinated referrals, and reinforcing healthcare delivery at the county level.

This aligns with Kenya’s broader health sector reforms, including the advancement of Primary Health Care and Universal Health Coverage under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.

By Anthony Solly

Stock markets rattled and energy prices soar after strikes on Qatar gas hub

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March 20, 2026

Ras Laffan Export — Ras Laffan is the largest LNG export facility in the world

By Stacy Boit

Oil and gas prices rose sharply and stock markets slid back on Thursday after Iranian strikes hit energy infrastructure in the Middle East, including Qatar’s main gas facility.

Brent crude was trading at just over $108 a barrel on having risen as high as $119 earlier in the day. UK gas prices were 154.8p per therm, an increase of 11.3% from a day earlier they had peaked close to 183p.

A fall of 2.4%, while shares in Paris and Frankfurt also dropped, as investors become increasingly concerned over the potential economic impact of a prolonged conflict. In Japan, the Nikkei share index closed down 3.4%, while the three main indexes in the US ended the day modestly lower.

Bonds on both sides of the Atlantic fell as fears of a surge in inflation continue. The UK is heavily reliant on imported natural gas, and the rise in British gilt yields on Thursday was far sharper than for German or US bonds. Bonds are essentially government debt. The buyer eventually receives the value of the bond back, plus interest – the yield – at regular intervals.

UK bonds, known as gilts, are purchased mainly by financial institutions like pension funds, as they are seen as a relatively safe investment. Bond yields going up usually means that investors are worried about turbulence in the economy because the government is taking on more debt.

Yields on two-year gilts were on track on Thursday for their biggest daily increase since Liz Truss’s mini budget in 2022. One reason sharp movements in bond yields matter to individuals is because they can have an impact on the mortgage market, with higher yields potentially making mortgage deals more expensive.

The jump in oil and gas prices came after Iran’s South Pars gas facility one of the world’s largest natural gas fields hit. Iran retaliated by targeting Ras Laffan, a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in Qatar, causing “extensive damage”, raising concerns over the global energy supply.

Qatar Energy, the country’s state-owned energy company, said the required repairs to the facility will reduce output by 12.8m tons of LNG for three to five years. The country, which produces a fifth of the world’s LNG, had halted production earlier in March in response to the conflict.

Nick Butler, former head of strategy at BP, told the BBC’s Today programme that the strike on Ras Laffan would “almost certainly cut off a level of supply of LNG to the world market”. ”I think the worry now is that the market is expecting things to get worse. That in their view, Mr Trump has opened a Pandora’s box, and he’s lost control of what is happening day-to-day in the region.”

He said the gas in Ras Laffan “can’t be substituted very quickly at all, and maybe not for a very long time”, which will push up prices. As well as dashing hopes of interest rate cuts around the world, the conflict is set to have a drastic effect on the global economy, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has warned.

In its forecast for global trade this year, the WTO predicted growth in global goods trade would slow from 4.6% last year to 1.9% this year, but if higher oil and gas prices were sustained, then that could be just 1.4%. ”The global economy is full of uncertainty at this point in time, I think that’s the biggest issue,” WTO Director General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told the BBC.

She added that interruptions to oil and gas markets were also harming fertilizer supplies and this could reduce food availability and push up prices. Thailand, India and Brazil were particularly vulnerable, she said. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country will show “zero restraint” if its infrastructure is attacked again.”The ONLY reason for restraint was respect for requested de-escalation,” he wrote on X.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iranian energy fields, which he said Netanyahu agreed not to do.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday the US was considering suspending sanctions on Iranian oil as it looks for ways to keep oil prices in check.

The move would affect about 140 million barrels of oil already on the water, he told Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business. It adds to other US efforts to boost oil supplies, including the suspension of sanctions on Russian oil and moving to relax shipping rules to ease shipments of oil and other commodities between US ports. The world consumes about 100 million barrels per day of oil.

Earlier efforts by world leaders to ease price pressures, including an unprecedented release of oil reserves, have done little to reduce prices. Meanwhile, Iran has also suspended the flow of gas to Iraq to shore up domestic supplies, a senior Iraq.The vast majority of Iran’s gas supply – 94% – is used domestically, according to data from the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.

K-Pop stars BTS release new album ahead of comeback concert

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March 20, 2026

K-pop megastars BTS released their fifth studio album on Friday, their first in nearly four years, ahead of a major comeback concert in Seoul.

The 14-track album “ARIRANG” is named after a traditional Korean folk song.

It is billed as reflecting the South Korean boy band’s roots and identity and has been described by the entertainment magazine Billboard as “a love letter to their home country.”

The album comes after a hiatus during which members completed around 18 months of mandatory military service.

“We gave deep thought to our identity — and how best to express ourselves authentically — across the entirety of our music and performances,” BTS member Jimin said ahead of the release.

“As an extension of that process, we also revisited the significance of our background as a group comprised entirely of Korean members.”

The group is set to perform songs from the new album at an open-air concert at Seoul’s historic Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday.

Around 260,000 people are expected to attend, with hotels in Seoul booked out as thousands travel from across the world to catch BTS in action.

Fans such as Mara Cristia Yao and Rodessa Ericka Bonon from the Philippines, who could not secure their tickets for the Saturday concert, are still in Seoul to be near their idols.

“We are just going to come to this area anyway. We are figuring out where to position ourselves tomorrow,” Yao told AFP news agency.

The concert will be livestreamed by Netflix in around 190 countries.

BTS will embark on a world tour in April which is expected to last nearly three months.

Eid Mubarak to you and yours!

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March 20, 2026

Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated today, Friday, March 20, 2026, across much of the world, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kenya, following the completion of the 30th day of Ramadan.

Saudi Arabia & UAE are Officially celebrating today, March 20, after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on Wednesday evening, resulting in a full 30-day Ramadan.

Many regions in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) are expected to celebrate tomorrow, Saturday, March 21, depending on local moon sightings conducted on Friday evening.

Other nations like Turkey and Singapore had already announced their celebration dates based on astronomical calculations.

Muslims began the day with special congregational prayers known as Salat al-Eid in mosques and open grounds.An essential pre-prayer requirement is Zakat al-Fitr, a charitable donation given to ensure those in need can also participate in the festivities.

The day is marked by feasting, visiting family, and exchanging the greeting “Eid Mubarak”. In some regions like the UAE, authorities have moved prayers exclusively indoors due to regional tensions.

In UAE, public sector employees are currently on a four-day break (March 19–22), while the private sector has a three-day holiday.

The Kenyan government declared today a public holiday to mark the occasion.

By Anthony Solly

‘we are winning and Iran is being decimated’ Israel PM Natanyau says

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March 20, 2026

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel and the United States were “winning” the war against Iran, with the Islamic Republic “decimated” and unable to enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles.

In an English-language press conference, Netanyahu insisted Israel had “acted alone” in striking Iran’s massive South Pars gas field, while confirming that US President Donald Trump had asked Israeli forces to “hold off” on such attacks moving forward.

The Israeli premier also rejected the notion that he had dragged Trump into the conflict, implying that he was the junior partner in the joint assault on Iran.

“Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?” Netanyahu told reporters.

“He didn’t need any convincing,” he added.

“I don’t think any two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He’s the leader. I’m, you know, his ally.”

The veteran Israeli politician sought to paint a broad portrait of success for the nearly three-week-long conflict that has engulfed the Middle East.

“We are taking action to destroy the industries that make it possible to build missiles. Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium and manufacture ballistic missiles,” Netanyahu said.

“We are winning and Iran is being decimated.”

The offensive is also forging cracks among the surviving leaders of the Islamic republic, divisions Israel is working to deepen, Netanyahu said.

“I’m not sure who’s running Iran right now. Mojtaba, the replacement ayatollah, has not shown his face,” he said, referring to Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the first day of the war.

“What we see is that there is a lot of tension inside the people who are edging for the top,” Netanyahu further said.

“We’re seeing cracks, and we’re trying to propagate them as fast as we can. Not only in the top command — we’re seeing cracks in the field.”

– ‘Revolutions’? –

The strike on the Iranian gas field has shaken already jittery world energy markets and Trump on Thursday voiced his displeasure with the attack.

“We’re not doing that anymore,” the president said in the Oval Office.

Netanyahu made clear the message had been received.

“President Trump asked us to hold off on future attacks and we’re holding off.”

Netanyahu also called Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has sent energy prices soaring, “blackmail” that “won’t work”.

The Israeli premier further indicated his campaign against Iran would continue, saying: “There’s still more work to do, and we’re gonna do it.”

Both Trump and Netanyahu have, on several occasions, expressed hope that the Iranian people would overthrow the government in Tehran.

“It is often said that you can’t… do revolutions from the air,” Netanyahu said.

“That is true,” he continued. “There has to be a ground component as well. There are many possibilities for this ground component and I take the liberty of not sharing (those) with you.”

“I also see this war ending a lot faster than people think.”

– ‘Revolutions’? –

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