Presage of Downfall Chapter 2 – 2

If you missed the previous part, check it out here. Presage of Downfall Chapter 2 – 1

Mukuri town was big but not very big compared to other towns in the vicinity. It had several skyscrapers. It could be termed as a developing town though the rate of growth was alarming since grabbed pieces of land were being developed overnight.

Refuse lay scattered everywhere

The town was dirty for heaps of all kinds of refuse lay scattered everywhere. Most of the refuse lay in big heaps while the rest lay in small heaps. Plastic paper bags flew like a swarm of locusts when a small wind disturbed them.

At a time like this, you would see the residents dodging the offending dirty papers as they carried out their businesses. These offending and environmental degrading papers were of all imaginable colours and sizes. They were everywhere from the front doors of the shops to the ones hanging on the power lines like clothes on drying lines.

At a glance, it looked like the other big towns emptied their bowels on this small town. How could a small town like this produce so much garbage?

Large, well-fed flies jumped from the malodorous heaps of waste that resembled mountains whenever an intruder approached. Other lavatory flies hovered over the waste. They were countless.

Thousands of maggots wriggled inside the raw sewage that had stagnated into small and big ponds. Some were dying on the pavements used by the pedestrians after having come out of their refuge and being scorched by the hot sun or trampled underfoot.

The foul air was choking to a newcomer since it was a mixture of fumes from the exhaust of very old vehicles and from the garbage that had been set on fire to try and reduce it. And the raw human sewage that was flowing like streams even in the middle of the town. Almost everywhere you turned, there was a burst sewer.

The Roads Were in a Sorry State

The roads in this town were in a sorry state. If you wished to know what the road was made of, then you would have to conduct a test and most preferably, you would be advised to use carbon dating.

Deep potholes everywhere

The town folks claimed that they were once-upon-a-time tarmac roads. The roads compared to gnu tracks the latter were better off. During rainy seasons, small lakes and dams formed in the numerous potholes. Other times you would not have to wait for the rain, the burst sewers filled them.

In this very town, overzealous hawkers seemed to have conspired with the government to create havoc for motorists and pedestrians. They had grabbed the road reserves, pedestrian walks and even the road itself for their hawking business.

All sorts of persuasions were being employed to woo customers. These hawkers were gifted with mouths that needed no loudspeakers and vulturine patience. Mixed with the hawkers were the muggers and the pickpockets.

Hawkers!

Typical African Gamblers

Aha! And don’t forget the typical African gamblers (or broad day thieves in incarnation if you like it that way). They would milk you dry if you fell into their trap, and if you discovered their trick and started winning, then decide to quit after several wins, then you would be in for a rude shock.

They would gang up and beat you relieving you of your money and other valuables. The conmen with their juicy stories (true lies) were abundant and many people fell into their traps and ended up regretting the day they were born.

In African universities do they offer a course called The Art of Deception? If yes, these conmen and the African politicians pursued the course to the PhD level.

Street urchins loitered on every part of the town, half-naked. Their faces were black due to warming themselves in fires lit using old tyres every night and on cold days. Their tattered clothing clung fearfully to their dirty bodies.

They were always busy. Some were sniffing glue, others injecting themselves with banned substances while others walked looking for a possible victim to terrorize and rob. In the same instance, others walked in groups looking for unmanned cars to vandalize.

They worked as a team, some acting as lookouts while the rest going for the valuables like the side mirrors, signals, parking lights and the eyes of the vehicle.

Their Forefathers Fought for Black Man’s Freedom

The advanced ones went for the car stereos. Those who seemed to be idle stayed in groups either quarrelling or planning what to do next. Still, others were scavenging the rotten garbage for anything worth eating or for any resalable items like old shoes, plastics and scrap metal.

They were all rugged. What a life! And they were citizens of an independent country after their forefathers fought for black man’s freedom and paid dearly with their lives.

What was worrying was that they were now evolving to become street families, not street kids anymore. The reason is that they also knew how to reproduce and they had a share in filling the world.

Of all other things, that is what they could not be denied. Now, who is to blame for their plight? They? Their parents who brought them into this damned world?

Wait a minute, you want to argue that they don’t have parents, well, then are they test tube babies so that we can blame the scientists? Who else can we blame, the society, the government, the politicians?

The Beautiful Girl

Well, in this town a peculiar young girl was walking slowly watching the happenings bewildered at what she saw. She was a slightly tall girl with sharp breasts threatening to tear her dress.

She wore a full dress of a dull colour. Her black hair was held behind her back with a single hairpin. She wore black leather shoes that were in very bad shape since they had outlived their days. They were badly cracked and had big holes in them.

The front part of her right shoe’s sole hung on by a few stitches. She was dragging her feet as she walked looking like she had been doped with a general anaesthetic. She mingled with the townies that were just moving slowly as if they did not know what to do next.

Despite her appearance, her face was beautiful. She was very pretty. There was one thing clear. If the girl was supplied with whatever she was deprived of, then she would win the miss world beauty contest.

She moved away from the centre of the town and headed towards its outskirts where there were residential houses. Here the chaos and the hullabaloo of the town dwindled to almost nil. There was some bit of peace and the air was not very bad though it could not be called fresh.

The youthful lady moved to a door, paused and then tried to fix a smiling face. She tried several times but after failing she knocked wearing a haggard face. She knocked very softly as if she was afraid of waking sleeping ghosts. Her faint knocks were answered instantly. It looked like whoever answered them was just waiting for her to knock.

A braided head of a young woman showed up through the half-opened metal door.

“Yes, who are you? What can I do for you?” She asked eyeing the girl.

No greetings. That was the way of the townspeople, they were wary of each other. It was one of the basic rules of survival in major towns. What you were supposed to know is that the person next to you could rob you, rape you or even kill you the next minute. So it was like a courtesy to avoid any stranger, man or woman, either could not be trusted, the world had changed drastically.

The visitor spoke in a feeble voice hardly audible.

“Please give me water.”

After scrutinizing her from head to toe, maybe out of pity, the woman opened the door wider for her to enter.

“Please do get in.”

The girl walked in and the door closed behind her with a thud making her jump.

The Story Continues here …

Digital Transformations Small and Midsize Businesses Should Consider

Today, small and midsize companies simply cannot afford to resist digital transformation — as having a digital transformation strategy is not only beneficial to businesses: But it’s also important to their customers.

And while the benefits of digital transformation include improved productivity, reduced human error, better customer engagement, and higher profit margins, getting employees to adapt to a digital culture can be a challenge. 

That being said, you don’t have to build a digital culture overnight. The following recommendations from Winstar Technologies provide a good starting point for your company’s digital transformation strategy. 

Automated Business Processes

According to a 2017 report from McKinsey Global Institute, many essential business tasks can be automated in about 60 per cent of jobs — including activities such as accounting, data processing, and data backup and recovery. Automating these types of tasks and processes would not only save your business money, but also improve its accuracy, productivity, and efficiency. 

Business process management (BPM) is a great starting point for automating your workplace, as a BPM framework helps to streamline many labour-intensive business operations and prepare employees for digital transformation. To effectively implement BPM in your workplace, however, it’s important to monitor the effectiveness of your framework and make necessary improvements to your business processes and its output. 

Mobile App Development

Building a mobile app is another way to digitally transform your small or midsize business, as mobile apps generate brand loyalty, improve the customer experience, and add value to your customers and clients. Mobile apps aren’t right for all businesses, however, as the need for one will depend on your goals and objectives. 

Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether an app would be beneficial to your business and the customers you serve:

  • Do you have the budget to develop a mobile app?
  • Would your money be better spent on a website redesign?
  • Will the app help to solve a problem your business is experiencing?
  • Would the app improve your sales and customer experience?
  • Do you have the marketing capacity to promote the app once it’s ready to be used?

If a mobile app could be right for your business, look for an experienced app developer to complete your project. You might consider hiring an in-house developer, working with a freelancer, or outsourcing the project to an app development company. 

Cloud-Based Accounting

If you haven’t already moved your accounting activities to the cloud, doing so will benefit your business in several ways. As one example of these benefits, you’ll be able to track and manage your invoices, bills, expenses, and inventory from anywhere there’s internet access. You can also create and send invoices electronically, helping you to save time and get paid faster.

There are many cloud accounting software options to choose from, and the right one for your business will make it easy to maintain your tax compliance, track your expenses, and organize your business finances. Look for a plan that fits your business size and budget, and make sure the software you choose can be integrated with the other business applications you regularly use.  

Digital Workplaces

Fully remote workplaces have become much more common since the start of COVID-19, and about 25 to 35 percent of American workers continue to work from home as offices reopen throughout the country — according to an article published in Fortune.

If given the opportunity, however, many workers would prefer to work remotely at least part of the time, even as coronavirus cases decline. After all, digital workplaces save workers money on commuting expenses and make it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance. 

Moreover, digital workplaces benefit businesses as well. By allowing your employees to work from home at least part of the time, you’ll experience reduced employee turnover, improved productivity, and a reduction in overhead costs. Plus, lots of technologies are available to help you adopt a digital workplace, from cloud-based document managers and data analytics tools to collaboration platforms and video conferencing apps.

Final Words

Digitally transforming your business is an excellent way to land new clients, build customer loyalty, and keep your business operations running smoothly through the years, but it’s important to start by building a digital transformation strategy. With a good plan in place, you’ll successfully integrate technologies like cloud-based accounting, mobile apps, and automation tools — and transform your business for the digital age. 


Winstar Technologies shares computer and internet technology guides that are both easy to understand and implement. To learn more, visit winstartechnologies.com or email info@winstartechnologies.com.

How to Create a VAT CSV File for Returns

This article will help you prepare a VAT CSV file for your returns. Most Kenyans who have to file a return with the KRA know about the new online tax service introduced in 2004.

CSV File
A CSV File Icon: Source

Several changes have occurred to compliance with the tax laws, including in regards to speed, efficiency, and accuracy of information submitted to taxpayers.

Until recently, taxable individuals or companies couldn’t prepare their returns in Excel templates.

What is VAT?

VAT stands for Value Added Tax. These returns are filed by individuals and companies that have a VAT obligation. The filing is done monthly before or on the twentieth day of every month.

What is a Comma Separated Values File?

A Comma Separated Values (CSV) file is a plain text file that contains a list of data. These files are often used for exchanging data between different applications that can’t necessarily talk to one another directly.

A Comma Separated Values (CSV) file is a delimited text file that uses a comma to separate values. Each line of the file is a data record. Each record consists of one or more fields, separated by commas.

A CSV file typically stores tabular data (numbers and text) in plain text, in which case each line will have the same number of fields. The use of the comma as a field separator is the source of the name for this file format.

It is ideal to use a CSV file when you are dealing with a lot of data. You use the Excel program to create it. It will also be possible to extract entries from an accounting program such as QuickBooks and convert them to a CSV file.

A CSV file will make your return filing work much easier. This is because you will just need to upload the already prepared file.

How to Create a CSV File for VAT Sales

The first time I tried to create a CSV file, it was a total hectic operation. I would try to upload the file but end up getting numerous errors. I ended up giving up.

Later on, I decided to do reverse engineering. That is when I discovered that if do an amendment return you will be able to get the data you filed stored in a CSV format. Well, I do not want you to go through that process. Here is the simple one.

  1. Create a new Excel file.
  2. Enter your sales data as shown in the below table.
  3. Once done entering your data delete the headings as you do not need them.
  4. Use the ‘file save as option’ to save your file. Remember to change the file format to CSV (Comma delimited). Give your file an appropriate name and note where you have saved it.
  5. Note that it is advisable to close the file after you are done saving.
VAT CSV File
VAT Sales CSV File

How to Upload Your CSV File

  1. Log into your iTax portal.
  2. Point on returns options and click on file returns.
  3. Select VAT as the type of obligation and click on next to proceed.
  4. Download the VAT template form.
  5. Fill in the basic details on worksheet A of the VAT template and click on next once done.
  6. On worksheet B click on the import CSV file option.
  7. Navigate to where you saved your CSV file and upload it.
  8. Note that if you have sales without a customer’s pin, you should use the option for ‘Total Sales and VAT to customers not registered for VAT’.

If there are no errors the file will be uploaded. The contents of your CSV file will be displayed on worksheet B. You can go through the contents to make sure they are okay.

How to Create a CSV File for Purchases

  1. Create a new Excel file.
  2. Enter your data as shown in the table below.
  3. Once done entering your data delete the headings as you do not need them.
  4. Use the ‘file save as option‘ to save your file. Remember to change the file format to CSV (Comma delimited). Give your file an appropriate name and note where you have saved it.
VAT CSV File
VAT Purchases CSV File

How to Upload Your Purchases Comma Separated Values File for VAT

We are assuming that your VAT Excel Template file is still open.

  1. Navigate to section F or Worksheet F. This is the worksheet that carries all your 16% Vatable purchases.
  2. Click on the import CSV file option.
  3. Navigate to where you saved your CSV file and upload it.

If there are no errors the file will be uploaded. The contents of your VAT CSV File are displayed on worksheet F. You can go through the contents to make sure they are okay.

Assuming that you have got no other entries to make, navigate to worksheet O. This is where you will be able to see the VAT due. If you are satisfied with the final results, click on the validate option.

This will create a zipped folder that you will upload on KRAs iTax portal.

Saving a CSV File
How to Save a VAT CSV File

How to Upload the VAT Zip File

  1. Access the iTax portal and point at the returns option and click on file return.
  2. Select VAT obligation and click next. The return period is automatically filled.
  3. Click on browse and locate your zipped file on your computer. In most cases, it is stored in the ‘My documents folder’.
  4. Select the zip file and agree to the terms and conditions before submitting it.
  5. If your VAT amount was a credit, there is no further action required. However, if there is a VAT to be paid, it is advisable to make the payment there and then.

Conclusion on Creating iTax CSV File

You can use the CSV file in any other type of return. For instance, it will be very effective on the PAYE return in a situation where you have many employees to cater for. The only time you will not need it is when filing Nil Returns on the iTax Portal.

We can help you file any type of return for a small fee. You can reach us at info@winstartechnologies.com.

How to prepare and import CSV file on iTax VAT excel sheet for bulk entries
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