As of midnight today, July 4, Telkom Kenya will pull a plug on its mobile phone-based money transfer solution, Orange Money. Shutting down Orange Money makes sense as it goes in line with the operator’s total total re-brand that was put in place a few weeks ago.
The telco should have just changed the mobile money service’s name (because it is not Orange Kenya any more so Orange Money is a definitely off), but there is more to the story, which is the introduction of a new and beefed up mobile money solution. No, we have no idea what it will be called, but it seems that its implementation has necessitated this decision.
Fortunately, customers will still be able to transact for the next 30 days, so keep that in mind and put your money in order. However, any funds in your Orange Money account will be available via your linked Equity Bank Account that can be accessed from ATMs, agents or the bank’s branches.
From tomorrow (July 5), the following functions will be unavailable on phone:
- Orange Money SIM menu
- The short code *144#.
Possibly, the 30-day window for transactions will be bank-based owing to the closure of the Orange Money Menu and short code services. This means that those affected will have to take a walk to any Equity Bank branch to sort out any queries. While at the bank, users are advised to find out about charges applicable to their accounts. Access to these accounts will be authenticated by existing Orange Money PINs.
It should be noted Telkom Kenya did give us multiple hints about a new mobile money solution that was neatly and subtly baked in its promotion video. We also thought that it was nicely done thanks to its amazing cinematography. Check it out…
Watch Telkom Kenya TVC. This is quite well done. pic.twitter.com/9b8rbCRrEt
— Techweez (@techweez) June 6, 2017
