Safaricom Says MPesa Is Free For Transactions Below Kes1000 In This Coronavirus Pandemic

In order to help in controlling the spread of the pandemic Coronavirus disease,Kenyans are encouraged to use cashless transaction ways  like Mpesa.

Safaricom, after a Monday meeting with CBK and other industry stakeholders, has made changes to favour Kenyans who will be forced due to the current situation to use Mpesa to avoid cash handling , a way considered to help in the virus spread.

Key Mpesa Changes 

Effective Tuesday 17th March 2020, the following changes will be in place for ninety (90) days;

• Any transaction made through Mpesa which below kes 1000 will be free.
• Mpesa transaction limit will increase to kes150,000 from the previous kes70,000
• Daily total Mpesa transactions limit will increase to kes 300,000 from the current kes 140,000
• Mpesa users can now hold up to kes 300,000 in their mpesa wallets as opposed to the current kes 140,000

Toll Free 719 Emergency Number 

Safaricom has also integrated a toll free number 719 to report Coronavirus cases. This number is free to call even those using Airtel and Telkom lines.

Here is the Full Statement From Safaricom ;

POSITION STATEMENT

16th March 2020

SAFARICOM WAIVES FEES FOR M-PESA TRANSACTIONS BELOW KSH1,000

Safaricom PLC would like to thank the Central Bank of Kenya Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge for hosting a meeting with Safaricom and other industry players to discuss the evolving situation around the COVID-19 (Corona Virus) pandemic.

The meeting follows the directive by H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta to explore ways of deepening mobile money usage to reduce the risk of spreading the virus through the physical handling of cash. The President also directed that we consider reducing the cost of using mobile money during this period.

In the meeting, it was agreed that all person-to-person transactions below Ksh1,000 shall be free. This means that from tomorrow morning, M-PESA users will be able to send any amount below Ksh1,000 for free over the next 90 (ninety) days.

To support this, and in particular small and micro business enterprises (SMEs), CBK has also approved the increase of daily M-PESA transaction limits from the current Ksh70,000 to Ksh150,000. Kenyans will also be able to transact up to Ksh300,000 up from the current limit of Ksh140,000, and hold up to Ksh300,000 in their M-PESA wallets.

Safaricom is also working with the Government by providing a Call Center and integrating a toll-free line 719 which has been set up by the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus to support Kenyans in understanding how to prevent and manage suspected cases. We have also interconnected other networks to ensure that their subscribers can access the Call Centre. All calls to 719 are free.

We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to help our nation through this crisis.

Michael Joseph,
Chief Executive Officer,
Safaricom PLC.

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