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Kenyans Share Mixed Reactions as Safaricom Introduces M-Pesa Transaction Offer to Mark 24th Anniversary

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa speaking at a past event. Photo: Peter Ndegwa / X (formerly Twitter)

In Summary:

  • Safaricom is celebrating its 24 years of service in Kenya with special offers.
  • The telco is refunding the M-Pesa transaction fee for the first send money transaction of the day.


On October 23, Safaricom celebrated its 24th anniversary since launching in Kenya in 2000.

As part of the celebrations, the leading telecommunications company introduced a special offer for its customers—a refund on the transaction fee for the first M-Pesa send money transaction of the day.

The announcement generated considerable buzz online, with many Kenyans sharing their reactions.

Some users took to social media to post screenshots of the refunded amounts, while others offered feedback, both humorous and critical, on the offer.

For instance, one user, @ma1k_ol, questioned, “Why refund only the transaction fee instead of the actual amount I sent?” .

Another user, @Pettikim, humorously asked, “I’ve been with Safaricom for 24 years as well. Where’s my personal gift?”

These comments reflect a light-hearted engagement with the offer.

Other reactions were more specific about the offer’s terms.

@dmitisya suggested, “Since sending KSh 100 is already free, why not apply this refund to transactions above KSh 100? Otherwise, you’re just refunding zero!”

Similarly, @Stevebiko0001 asked for clarification on whether the offer applied to paybill transactions, to which Safaricom responded, “Today’s offer is for send money transactions only.”

There were also requests for additional perks, with @baabuomondi asking for the return of a popular 1GB data bundle for YouTube, while @KipropRutohosea suggested, “Give every customer data bundles worth KSh 100, equal to 1GB for 24 hours.”

Despite the mixed responses, Safaricom’s gesture of appreciation for its customers on their 24th anniversary highlights its continued effort to engage with its user base.

The telco’s M-Pesa service, launched in 2007, has transformed how Kenyans send and receive money, making it a cornerstone of daily financial transactions in the country.