What is Lipa Karo Na M-PESA?

What is Lipa Karo Na M-PESA  is an M- PESA Pay Bill service for school fees collection. Upon signing up, a school is issued with a business number to which students’ fees is paid.
We also have School fees accounts that are operated by Kenya commercial Bank and Pesapal. Kenya commercial Bank offers the service to a number of schools who Bank with them.

PesaPal is a provider of schools management information systems. Pesapal for schools is built on a simple web-based interface enabling any school to receive and track payments for special activities such as school trips, activity fees, fund raisers and other impromptu events.

What are the Business numbers for Pesapal and KCB?

• KCB is 522123
• Pesa Pal 220123

What steps does one follow while making school fees payments?

1) Payment via KCB Lipa Karo service

To Make Payment via KCB Lipa Karo service, your school needs to be registered with KCB

1. On the mobile phone, go to the M-PESA Menu and select Pay Bill.
2. In the Business Number field enter 522123.
3. In the account number, enter your school code as provided by KCB, then a K followed by student admission number without leaving a space.{School code}{K}{Student admin no} e.g. 123KTK123
4.  Please note: School code for identifying the school and student will be advised by KCB or the school.
5. Enter required amount and input M-PESA pin.
6. Confirm the transaction
7. You will receive a confirmation Message from M-PESA and another confirmation from KCB once funds are credited to school’s account

2) Payment via school owned Lipa Karo service

1. Each school running its own M-PESA Pay Bill account will advise the parents
2. The schools Pay Bill number
3. How to identify the students they are paying fees for e.g. Using student registration number
4. On the mobile phone, go to the M-PESA Menu and select Pay Bill.
5. In the Business Number field enter schools business number. NOTE: The school you intend to pay to must be registered to this service
6. In the account number, enter students identification as advised by the school.
7. Enter required amount and input M-PESA pin.
8. Confirm the transaction
9. You will receive a confirmation Message from M-PESA that payments have been made to the schools Pay Bill account

3) Payment via Pesa Pal Lipa Karo service

1. Pesapal for Schools is an easy to use service developed to enable schools to request and manage school fees payments from Parents.
2. With Pesapal for Schools, a school enrols parents and students once and then the school can post payment requests to the parents automatically.
3. For each payment, Pesapal for Schools sends out notification via SMS or email to parents and also automate repetitive tasks such as “account overdue” reminders freeing administrative staff to work on other tasks.

M-ticketing by M-PESA — M-ticketing is the process whereby customers can order, pay for, obtain and validate tickets from any location and at any time using mobile phones or other mobile handsets.
How it works

1. A subscriber will visit an MPESA Agent to purchase a Ticket, for example Hotel Stay.
2. MPESA Agent may book for the subscriber or subscriber may book on their own using mobile phone. At this point, the Agent ID is inserted into the booking process for commission identification purpose. If Agent makes booking, ID is automatically recorded.
3. A payment request SMS will be sent to the subscriber Mobile Phone with Booking ID and Paybill Number.
4. Subscriber will make Payment via MPESA Paybill and as per SMS notification. If subscriber is not MPESA registered, agent will register subscriber promptly via normal MPESA process.
5. Subscriber will receive the regular MPESA TX Receipt and provide the same to the Agent for ticketing.
6. Agent will enter the MPESA TX Receipt into the Booking System against the Booking ID. System will verify and issue the ticket.
7. Subscriber will receive an SMS with ticket details.
8. Agent will/CAN print the Ticket and provide the same to the subscriber as hardcopy if the subscriber so wishes.
9. At the point of ticket utilization, service providers will require a computer to check ticket validity. A USSD/SMS/WAP service will also be provided to check ticket validity from a mobile phone.
10. On Ticket verification, subscriber is allowed to utilize ticket for the respective service purchased.

Buy Goods

M-PESA Buy Goods Press Release

Frequently Asked Questions
/
I would like my organization to use the Buy Goods functionality how do I apply?

To apply to become an M-PESA Buy Goods partner, kindly email your request to m-pesa@safaricom.co.ke. You can also download requirements here
How do I send my application to Safaricom?

Kindly hand deliver dully completed application forms alongside any required documentation to M-PESA Agent Admin section, M-PESA Department – 2nd flr, Safaricom House (HQ) Waiyaki Way. You can also post documents to P.O Box 6682700800 – NAROBI. You can also forward scanned documents to m-pesa@safaricom.co.ke
How long will it take for my applications to be processed?

It will take 10 working days from the day we receive your application. We shall contact you to confirm that we have received your application and are processing your request. You will be notified of any anomalies with your application as this point. We shall further contact you when your contract is ready for signing. Finally, we shall get in touch with you when we create your company details in the M-PESA system and arrange for your training so that you can begin using the service.
What is the difference between Buy Goods & Pay Bill Services?

With Pay Bill, the customer has an official relationship with the organization that they making the payment to and usually have a prescribed ‘account number’ which helps the organization identify the payer. In most instances, Pay Bill payments are made within fixed timelines e.g. monthly. Examples of M-PESA Pay Bill Partners are KPLC, DStv, Nairobi Water, Insurance Companies et al.

On the other hand, Buy Goods payments are for immediate purchases for goods and services from a merchant. A customer has no official relationship with the organization or seller. Examples of M-PESA Buy Goods partners are Uchumi and Naivas.
What happens if there is a system delay and no SMS is received?

The customer will be referred to the merchant help desk. The merchant will call 2134 on behalf of the customer and request for the transaction, if in ‘authorized status’, to be completed. If the transaction in ‘cancelled status’, the customer will be advised to initiate transaction again.
Can one cancel a Buy Goods transaction that is already in progress?

No. Once a transaction is initiated by the customer, only the receiving merchant can reverse it. Safaricom is not authorized to carry out Buy Goods reversals unless they receive official communication from the merchant.
How will the customer know the ‘till number’ of the merchant they intend to pay?

All merchants will be required to publically display their ‘till numbers’ at a place where customers can easily read them when making payments. However numbers will also be available on the Safaricom website.
How does the customer contact the merchant?

All Buy Goods transactions are real time. Customer will make payments while at the merchants outlet, customers can therefore make enquiries through the sales assistant or the designated help desk. However, numbers will be availed on the CM intranet site.
Samples of SMSs received for Buy Goods Transactions.

Customer.

X-HQ973 confirmed.Ksh1, 000 paid to Martin stores Kisii on 22/6/10 at 12:30pm.New M-PESA balance is Ksh 3,000.

Sender: M-PESA

Merchant Outlet

X-HQ973 confirmed. On 22/6/10 at 12:37pm Ksh1, 000 received from Martin James. New account balance is Ksh 9,902

Sender: M-PESA

NOTE:

Notice that the transaction ID (receipt number is the same for the customer and the merchant).
Both parties should receive a confirmation SMS before the exchange of goods/services.

How long will it take for M-PESA to process my payment ?

Nunua na M-PESA payments are real time and both you and the merchant will receive an SMS notification confirming the transaction.
Will I be required to show my ID when I pay by M-PESA?

Yes you will be required to present an original copy of your ID to the sales assistant when paying by M-PESA. This will enable them to verify that you are the rightful owner of the M-PESA account they have just received payment from.
How much will it cost me to pay by M-PESA?

It is FREE to pay for your bill with M-PESA at the moment. Kindly note that this is an introductory offer valid only for a limited period.
What happens if I enter the wrong ‘till number’ when pay for my bill?

Your payment will go to a wrong merchant outlet. Call M-PESA customer care on 234 immediately and they will contact the merchant paid in error and request them to reverse the transaction. In the meantime, you will need to use an alternative payment mode to pay the right merchant you intended to pay.
What happens if I over pay for my bill?

In some instances, you may be required to buy additional items from the merchant equivalent to the overpaid amount. However, this policy will differ from merchant to merchant. Merchants who are able to make a refund on over payments will advice you accordingly.
Where can I pay using M-PESA at the moment?

Currently, you can pay for your shopping using M-PESA at all Uchumi and Naivas supermarkets countrywide. You can also pay via M-PESA at all Safaricom Shops. More outlets will be coming on board soon.
How do I pay for goods and services using M-PESA?

Select ‘Buy Goods’ from your M-PESA menu.
Enter the ‘Till Number’ of the organization you wish to pay to
Enter the amount you wish to pay (between KShs. 100 – 35,000)
Enter your M-PESA PIN number.
Confirm that all details are correct and press OK
You will receive a confirmation SMS from M-PESA immediately.
Collect receipt from sales assistant.

What is the Nunua na M-PESA Service?

This is a new and exciting service that will allow M-PESA customers to pay for goods and services at participating partner or merchant outlets using M-PESA.
Who can use this service?

The service is only available to M-PESA customers. To enjoy this service, you need to be an M-PESA registered customer.
I am registered for M-PESA but I do not have ‘Buy Goods’ on my menu.

If you are already registered for M-PESA but do not have the ‘Buy Goods’ option on your menu, select ‘My Account’ in your M-PESA menu, select ‘Update Menu’ and a new menu will be sent to your phone at no cost.

M-PESA registered customers can now pay their Safaricom PostPay bills as well as bills for services received from a selected number of M-PESA partners.  Currently we have over 300 partners on board and the numbers continue to grow daily as we enlist more companies.
Existing M-PESA rules apply when paying bills: maximum transaction amount per day is Ksh140,000 and the maximum amount transferable per transaction is Ksh70,000.

To pay for your Safaricom PostPay Bill by M-PESA:

1. You need to be an M-PESA registered customer.
2. Ensure you have sufficient funds in your M-PESA account to cover the amount you are paying.
3. Select ‘Pay Bill’ from your M-PESA menu
4. Enter the business number 200200
5. Enter the mobile number or account number you wish to pay for.
6. Enter the amount you wish to pay (between Ksh100 – 35,000)
7. Enter your M-PESA PIN
8. Confirm details are correct and press OK

    Your post paid account will be updated within the hour

To pay your other Bills by M-PESA:

1. You need to be an M-PESA registered customer.
2. Select Pay Bill from your M-PESA menu
3. Enter ‘business number’ of the company you are paying to*
4. Enter the ‘account number’ of the bill you wish to pay*
5. Enter the amount you wish to pay (between Ksh100 – 35,000)
6. Enter your M-PESA PIN
7. Confirm details are correct and press OK

NB: Confirm if the company you intend to pay a bill to accepts payments via M-PESA before transferring cash.  They will give you their ‘business number’ and advice on the appropriate ‘account number’ that you will enter into your M-PESA menu while making the payment. They will also advice on any applicable charges.

As an M-PESA customer, you will be able to purchase airtime of Ksh20 – 10,000 for your phone or another Safaricom subscriber. M-PESA value is separate from your airtime account.

1.     Go to ‘Buy airtime’ on your M-PESA menu
2.     Enter mobile phone number of the phone you are buying airtime for.
3.     Enter amount of airtime you wish to buy.
4.     Enter your M-PESA PIN and then confirm the details. The confirmation message will read “Buy airtime 0722 123456 Ksh120”, complete transaction by pressing OK.
5.     You will receive a confirmation SMS from M-PESA.
6.     Safaricom PostPay customers can also use M-PESA to buy airtime for prepaid phones.

You can withdraw money from any M-PESA agent outlet or participating ATM network.

  If you are a Registered M-PESA Customer

Go to an M-PESA Agent and:

1.     Confirm the agent has sufficient funds for your transaction.
2.     Give your phone number and show your original ID.
3.     Go to your M-PESA menu, select ‘Withdraw cash’.
4.     Enter the Agent number, the amount you wish to withdraw and your PIN.
5.     You will receive a screen with the above transaction details. Confirm they are correct then Press OK.
6.     You and your agent will receive an SMS confirming the transaction.

The agent will then give you the cash and request you to sign a Log Book which is a record of M-PESA transactions done in that store.

 If You Are a Non-Registered M-PESA Customer

Go to an M-PESA Agent and:

1. Confirm the agent has sufficient funds for your transaction.
2. Present the SMS containing the M-PESA voucher number (notification confirming receipt of cash).
3. Give your phone number and show original ID.
4. The agent will enter the ‘one time code’ that is displayed on the customer’s SMS notification.
5. Both the agent and the customer will receive an SMS confirming the transaction.
6. The agent will give you your money and request you to sign the Log book which is a record of M-PESA transactions done in that store.

When you send money to an unregistered customer, they will receive a one-time voucher from M-PESA with a 4 digit code which they will use to withdraw money from an agent. If SMS is not received or accidentally deleted, ask them to call line 234 and request for voucher to be resent to them.

 M-PESA ATM Withdrawal Service

ATM withdrawal service is available to M-PESA registered customers and is currently available at PesaPoint, Equity Bank Branches and Diamond Trust Bank ATM’s.

To withdraw cash you will need to follow these instructions:

First on your phone:

1. Select ‘ATM Withdrawal’ from the M-PESA menu
2. Enter PesaPoint’s Agent Code (555 555) or Equity Bank Code (286286) or Diamond Trust Code (555 555)
3. Enter your M-PESA PIN
4. You will receive an SMS notification from M-PESA with a 6-digit authorization code. (The code expires after 2 hours and you will be expected to initiate the transaction afresh if you need to withdraw money again.)

Then on the ATM:

1.     Select the M-PESA button on the PesaPoint, Equity Bank or Diamond Trust Bank ATM
2.     Select your preferred language
3.     Enter the 6-digit ATM Authorization Code on the ATM keyboard.
4.     Enter your Safaricom mobile number.
5.     Enter the amount you wish to withdraw, press CONTINUE to proceed with transaction.
6.     ATM will dispense your cash and issue you with a receipt. You will also receive an SMS from M-PESA confirming the transaction.

You can send or transfer money to any other mobile phone user, even if they are not a Safaricom subscriber. To send money you must first deposit cash into your own M-PESA account.

To send money, go to the ‘Safaricom’ menu and select ‘M-PESA’

1. Select ‘Send Money’
2. Enter your recipient’s phone number, the amount you wish to send and your PIN.
3. You will receive a screen with the information you have entered above, (e.g. Send money to 0721 234567, Ksh2000) confirm that it is correct then Press Ok.
4. You and the recipient will receive an SMS confirming the transaction.

If you send money to the wrong M-PESA number:

1. Call Line 234 immediately and provide them with the number that has erroneously received the cash.
2. Funds sent to a wrong number will be reversed only if still available in the wrong recipients account.
3. If successful, you will receive an SMS indicating that a reversal has been done.

To transact, you need to deposit money in your M-PESA account at an agent outlet. The agent will do this transaction for you using their handset.

To put money into your M-PESA account you will:

1. Go to an authorized M-PESA agent with your phone and original ID.
2. Inform the agent how much you wish to deposit.
3. They will use their agent phone to send you e-money in exchange for cash.
4. You and your agent will receive an SMS from M-PESA confirming the transaction

To send PESA you must first deposit money into your own account.  You cannot deposit money directly into another person’s M-PESA account.

Fraudsters are known to use tactics that take advantage of customers; they require you to provide information or do something yourself. To avoid being party to any frauds or scams on M-PESA, please take note of the following:

Check M-PESA balance

When you perform an M-PESA transaction, you will receive a text message that confirms your transaction and tells you your new balance. You can also check your M-PESA balance by going to “my account” on the M-PESA phone menu.

 M-PESA SMS confirmation messages.

When you perform an M-PESA transaction, a text message is sent to your account. The message proves that the M-PESA money you sent has moved from your account into the other person’s account. To avoid errors, always check your M-PESA balance before and after you transact.

 M-PESA PIN

Your M-PESA PIN is used to protect the money in your M-PESA account. You have to key in your PIN before you can perform any M-PESA transactions, so choose a PIN that you can easily remember. Use a PIN that is not easy for other people to guess, and do not share your PIN with anyone, not even Safaricom staff. You can change your PIN at any time by going to ‘my account’ on the M-PESA phone menu.

Changing start key to M-PESA PIN

You need to change the start key to an M-PESA PIN number you can remember. Go to your M-PESA phone menu under ‘my account’, and select ‘change PIN’. Enter your ‘old MPESA PIN’ (as the start key); then enter your ‘new M-PESA PIN’ and confirm. You will receive an SMS message confirming that your M-PESA PIN has been changed.

M-PESA account activation after SIM swap

When you perform a SIM replacement on your Safaricom line, you need to re-activate your M-PESA account. Enter your previous M-PESA PIN as the start key.

 M-PESA fraud

If you receive an SMS or a call from someone claiming they have sent you money by mistake, please do not send it back before you check your current M-PESA balance.

 M-PESA fraud-Confirmation of mobile numbers

When sending money via M-PESA, make sure you double check the phone number you are sending money to. As part of the transaction, you will be asked to confirm the transaction details. Ensure the mobile number digits you have entered are correct. It may help to write the number down before you perform your transaction.

 M-PESA Secret Word

Once you activate your M-PESA account, you receive a text containing your M-PESA secret word. When you call Customer Care or visit a Safaricom retail center, you may be asked your secret word as a way of proving that the line is yours. You can change your secret word at any time, and there’s no charge. Use the ‘my account’ menu to change your secret word to something you can easily remember.

 M-PESA paybill service- *234#

You can now pay your bills via M-PESA. Simply select ‘Pay Bill’ on your M-PESA menu and follow the instructions to complete the transaction. For details on participating partners and their respective business numbers, kindly log on to www.safaricom.co.ke or dial *234# from your Safaricom line.

 M-PESA ID

When registering for M-PESA or transacting at an Agent outlet, you will be asked to show your original identification document. The accepted forms of identification are: Kenyan National ID, passport, military ID, diplomatic ID, and alien ID.

 Buy Airtime on M-PESA

You can use your M-PESA menu to buy airtime for your phone, or for someone else. The minimum airtime purchase is KKSh5h5, and there is no additional charge for the service. You will only pay for the airtime purchased.

 M-PESA airtime purchase

When you buy M-PESA airtime instead of sending money, the transaction can’t be reversed. This is because they are two different units in financial book keeping.

 M-PESA Reversal- save SIM contacts

For customers who have sent funds to the wrong number, educate them as follows:

1.     To help you avoid M-PESA fraud, we have introduced a new Safaricom SIM card which allows you to save the phone numbers that you frequently use for your M-PESA transactions. You can save the numbers on your SIM card as SIM contacts. This will enable you pick the mobile numbers directly on the M-PESA menu while carrying out M-PESA transactions. It reduces cases of sending money to the wrong number
2.     The new Safaricom SIM card is available in Safaricom retail shops, dealer outlets and M-PESA agents’ outlets countrywide. It costs KKSh50h50 for a SIM replacement and KKSh100h100 for a new Safaricom line

Below is a table showing our new M-PESA Charges / Tariff:

NOTE:

• Maximum Account Balance is KShs 100,000
• Maximum Daily Transaction Value is KShs 140,000.Maximum per transaction is KShs 70,000
• You cannot withdraw less than KShs 50 at an M-PESA agent outlet
• To transact, your Safaricom line and M-PESA account must be active
• At an agent outlet, you cannot deposit money directly into another M-PESA customer’s account
• You earn Bonga points when you transact on M-PESA.
• To register or transact at any M-PESA Agent outlet, you will be required to produce your original identification document i.e. National ID, Passport, Military ID, Diplomatic ID or Alien ID