What you need to get started
- Your physical passport and a valid Kenya entry stamp or approved eTA.
- An active Safaricom line, registered at an official shop in the airport arrivals hall or a carrier store.
- Ask the staff to activate M-PESA at the same time they set up your SIM.
Full details on where to buy the SIM: see how to buy a SIM card at Nairobi airport.
Buy Goods (Till) vs Paybill
Buy Goods (Till) is for restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and souvenir shops. It only needs a Till number.
Paybill is for safari bookings, hotels, national park entries and utility bills. It needs a business number plus an account number — often your booking reference or room number.
Golden rule: always check the business name shown on screen before you type your PIN. If the name doesn't match who you're paying, cancel.
How to load money (top up)
Walk into any M-PESA agent — they have a green M-PESA sign. Hand the agent Kenyan shillings in cash, show your passport, and give them your phone number. There are no fees to deposit.
Security & recovery
- Never share your 4-digit PIN with anyone. Agents and drivers never need it.
- 3 wrong PIN tries lock your line. To reset it, call 100 from your Safaricom line or visit a Safaricom shop.
Try it before you pay
The first real payment shouldn't be the first time you see the screen. RiftlyKE has an interactive M-PESA practice tool that works offline, so you can rehearse a Buy Goods and a Paybill payment before you land.
Practice M-PESA in the app