How to Buy Safaricom Airtime Online , Airtime Top Up, Sambaza Airtime, ATM Top Up

Topping up your line

You can choose from our wide range of recharge methods and top-up denominations to suit your budget.

They include:

• Bamba 5 retailing at Ksh5 and expires after 30 days
• Bamba 10 retailing at Ksh10 and expires after 45 days
• Bamba 20 retailing at Ksh20 and expires after 90 days
• Bamba 50 retailing at Ksh50 and expires after 90 days
• Bamba 100 retailing at Ksh100 and expires after 90 days
• Bamba 250 retailing at Ksh250 and expires after 90 days
• Bamba 500 retailing at Ksh500 and expires after 90 days
• Bamba 1000 retailing at Ksh1,000 and expires after 120 days

Topping Up through M-PESA

M-PESA gives you the ease of topping up wherever you are whenever you want without having to look for a physical shop. To top up via M-PESA:

• Go to ‘Buy airtime’ on your M-PESA menu
• Enter mobile phone number of the phone you are buying airtime for.
• Enter amount of airtime you wish to buy.
• 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.
• You will receive a confirmation SMS from M-PESA.

Safaricom PostPay customers can also use M-PESA to buy airtime for prepaid phones

Indirect Top Up

Need airtime? You nolonger have to transfer airtime from your account.

You can top up any amount between Ksh5 and Ksh10,000 straight from your account easily.

Indirect Top Up via SMS

• Create a new SMS message and enter (#) immediately after the 12-digit scratch card PIN you want to top up, followed by the mobile number you want to top-up, e.g., 123456789012#0722123456.
• Send to 141.
• Wait for confirmation by SMS.
• Both you and the person receiving the airtime will receive an SMS notification upon successful top-up.

Indirect Top Up via USSD

• Key in *141*12-digit scratch card PIN you want to top up * mobile number you want to top-up#, e.g. *141*123456789012*0722123456#.
• Press the CALL/OK button.
• Both you and the person receiving the airtime will receive a notification upon successful top-up.

ATM Top Up

The service enables you, as a PrePay subscriber who operates an account with either I&M Bank, Equity Bank, KCB, Eco Bank, National Bank of Kenya, Co-operative Bank or ABC Bank to purchase Safaricom airtime at any of the automated teller machines (ATMs) available countrywide. 

How ATM Top Up Works

• The service is similar to other ATM services, and a receipt containing the airtime PIN would be issued after the transaction.
• Your Safaricom airtime account is topped up by entering the airtime PIN printed on the receipt issued, and funds equivalent in value to the airtime purchased will be debited/deducted from your account.
• This option gives you a 24-hour option to buy airtime.

SMS

Text until you drop with Safaricom SMS.

Pass on your message through text. Each message is charged per 160 characters. The cost of an SMS is Ksh1.00 for Safaricom to Safaricom SMSes and Ksh1.00 for SMSes from Safaricom to other local networks.

International SMS rate remains at KSHs.10.00

Depending on your handset, you are required to: Set the Service Centre Number, which is +254722500029. Select the message type as text or standard. 

How does SMS work?

When an SMS is received it is stored in your mobile phone. It's quick, convenient and affordable. It also allows you to get the message across discreetly and silently.

In short, when it's better read than said, use SMS! 

Text messages are ideal

• When it is difficult to talk in crowded or public places
• When you are in meetings
• When you just want to send a quick note
• Arranging meetings
• Organizing your social life and receiving short updates on news, entertainment, sports, horoscopes, Bible verses and quotes.
• When you don't want anybody else to hear what you're saying!

Sambaza

Share your airtime with those around you. Samabaza is an airtime sharing service that enables both PrePay and PostPay subscribers to share airtime with their family and friends.

You can send any amount between KSHs.5 and KSHs.10,000.

How to Sambaza through SMS

• Create a new SMS message and enter (#) immediately after the airtime value you want to share, followed by the mobile number you want to top-up, e.g., 20#0722123456.
• Send to 140.
• Wait for confirmation by SMS.
• Both you and the person receiving the airtime will receive an SMS notification upon successful top-up. 

To Sambaza through USSD:

• Key in *140*Airtime value you would like to share* mobile number you want to top-up#, e.g. *140*20*0722123456#.
• Press the CALL/OK button.
• Both you and the person receiving the airtime will receive an SMS notification upon successful top-up. 

Please note that the person sending airtime must remain with a minimum of KSHs.20 airtime on their phone.