Safaricom has waived M-PESA transaction fees in line with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s request in order to reduce handling of cash notes from person to person. This is among a raft of measures meant to tackle the spread of the coronavirus. “Person to person transactions below Kshs 1,000 shall be free, ” read the statement by CEO Michael Joseph, effective from Tuesday morning.
The decision was arrived at after a meeting with stakeholders. CBK has also approved the increase of daily M-PESA transaction limits from the current Kshs 70,000 to Kshs 150,000, “Kenyans will be able to transact upto Kshs 300,000 up from the current limit of Kshs 140,000 and hold up to Kshs 300,000 in their M-PESA wallets.”
Safaricom is also working with the government by providing a call centre and integrating a toll free line with 719 which has been set up by the National Emergency Response Committee on coronavirus to enable Kenyans understand how to prevent and manage suspected cases.