COVID-19 cases keep escalating, and the government of Kenya, among other key institutions, most of which are healthcare and internet companies, have been at the forefront in providing guidance to locals in combating the virus.
Carrier Safaricom waived M-PESA transaction fees for sending cash under KES 1000.
Today, the operator has announced a new partnership with Matatu saccos that will see Nairobi residents pay bus fares via M-PESA.
The development is part of the directive given by CBK that called for the use of cashless payments to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus.
Riders will be pay fare using M-PESA normally: just send cash to the conductor and that is it. No pay bill, or buy goods numbers.
The conductor will provide the number to passengers.
So far, the service will be available for City Star Shuttle vehicles and their fleet of 300 buses and matatus.
“Many businesses are seeing an increase in demand to accept M-PESA payments due to the ongoing concerns around the Coronavirus and our recent move to enable Kenyans send M-PESA transactions of KES 1,000 and below for free. Our partnership with the different public transit players brings the convenience and safety of M-PESA to this crucial sector given the widespread uptake of public transport across the country,” said Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, Chief Financial Services Officer, Safaricom.
The cashless system has already been adopted by the likes of Equity Bank that made its POS and all cards contactless to reduce the use of cash.
All Kenya carriers have also dropped transaction fees for sending funds under KES 1000. All bank to mobile transactions are also free.
