When Telkom Kenya introduced data packages that included free night bundles, subscribers didn’t really understand how they could utilize the free night bundles alongside their regular data subscriptions. Night time data packages are automatically activated when Telkom prepaid subscribers purchase any of the Mzito data packages or the freedom daily data package. Telkom’s free night data bundles are activated automatically having met any of the stated requirements between 10:00am and 6:00am.

Night time data bundles except the specified #StayWoke plans are awarded as an addon when Telkom subscribers opt into any of the Mzito packages or the freedom daily offer. Meaning, you still have to be on an active Mzito data plan or the freedom daily plan to activate the free night data bundles. The are a couple of freebies that come alongside including free WhatsApp and, in some cases, free minutes for Telkom-to-Telkom calls.

There are a few restrictions though on just how much data you’ll be allowed to consume under free night data bundles at optimal speeds. This is understood to be a measure aimed at curbing abuse on the network. You’ll be allocated a maximum of 10GB free night data at optimal speed before the fair usage policy kicks in and throttles speeds to prevent abuse. Furthermore, depending on the regular package you’ve signed up for, free night time data bundles are limited for a certain number of days.  

When Telkom unveiled these data packages sometimes last year, the CEO Mugo Kibati mentioned the packages had been innovatively designed to meet unique needs of customers, in line with the telco’s goal of building a holistic network that delivers value, fast speeds, capacity, quality and reliability.

Telkom has been steadfast in increasing 4G coverage within the country, partnering with Google to launch loon balloons that are expected to open up remote areas within the country to high-speed 4G broadband internet. The current timing has never been so critical with most organizations in the country heeding the government’s directive on social distancing and opting to allow staff work from home.

How to enjoy Telkom free night data bundles

• Telkom subscribers can enjoy free data bundles between 10:00am and 6:00am by subscribing to any of the current Mzito data bundles just by dialing *544#
• Carry out lightweight activities during regular periods and leave heavy downloads for free night bundles.

How Telkom subscribers can purchase subsidized 5GB night (#StayWoke) data bundles

• From the Telkom app or dial *544# then select “#StayWoke” data bundle to subscribe, you can as well subscribe through the Telco’s website.

How much Telkom Kenya’s 5GB night data bundles cost?

This bundle will be charged at Ksh50 daily, and will be active between 10:00am and 6:00am. After the 5GB, subscribers’ will be charged Ksh 4.30 per MB.

Safaricom has unveiled a number of new features on the MPESA till number that will see businesses make direct payments to suppliers, pay utility bills, pay employees and send money to customers directly from their till number. The new features come at a crucial moment when most Kenyans are being encouraged to avoid handling cash as a measure to curb the spread of the current pandemic.

Previously, the MPESA till number could not allow seamless customer refunds or using the cash to make important payments without first having to withdraw to an MPESA number. With the new features, business owners will now be able to do more with their MPESA tills, something that was only possible from an MPESA registered number.

I remember once when I overpaid for a product through Mpesa till number and had to request for a refund. The refund had to undergo some unnecessary processes that took two days just to get my money back. It’s therefore a relief knowing that in case a mistake is made, on the customer’s side, business owners can issue a refund instantly without unnecessary steps.

The latest features dubbed “DoMoreWithMPESA”will enhance existing capabilities on the MPESA tills to allow businesses sent money directly from their MPesa till number. The service is available via the Bulk disbursement service (B2C), which is also instrumental in facilitating salary, sacco and dividend payments.

The new features will allow businesses to pay suppliers directly from the till, withdraw cash from an Mpesa agent, withdraw from bank and send money to their personal numbers.

The tool will also enable direct payment of suppliers from the till for goods and payment of utility bills. It will also allow a business person to withdraw cash from an MPesa agent, a bank or to send money to their phone number.

How businesses can transact directly from MPESA Till numbers to pay suppliers, employees or issue customer refunds

• Businesses need to first opt in by dialing *234#
• Then selecting option “2”
• And signing up for MPESA business Till

Embracing technology in operations and services seems to have become the new norm today, and for a good reason. Kenyans have grown sensitive more than ever to commute here and there owing to the current global crisis and are more likely to prefer services of organizations that offer remote access without having to move to physical offices. It’s actually what propelled the likes of Safaricom’s MPESA to immeasurable success.

Imagine having to do all transactions ranging from payment of utility bills to transferring cash to other people right on your mobile phone without having to involve an agent or visit a physical location for that matter – that’s the power MPESA brought to Kenyans. Unfortunately, this is a domain that most insurance companies have terribly lacked behind and the current social distancing directives must have caught most of them pants-down. APA insurance is however aiming to turn the case around with a new agent app launch that’s expected to put basic services on your smartphone.

The latest app from APA insurance aims to empower motorists to make faster and safer insurance purchases as well as renewals and report claims. Over the years, insurance brokerage amongst Kenyans has been one of the most tedious endeavors when it comes to claims. In fact, some Kenyans have fallen victim of bogus insurance agents who never submit subscriptions or are never affiliated to the insurer at all but actively selling their policies. The introduction of online based services is therefore a sure way customers could directly interact with an insurer without becoming a victim of scammers.

Speaking on launch, the Chief Executive Officer of APA Insurance, Vinod Bharatan said the application was a strategic since most of APA’s clients and agents had switched to remote working, in line with the Government advice for people to work from home.

New features on the APA agent APP

The new APA agent app is expected to allow agents access a premium calculator, agent account management, pre-insurance inspection and renewal on the go, making them more effective and efficient when interacting with clients and potential clients. We’ve seen insurers in the medical sector such as Minet and Jubilee innovate on ways to continue offering services to customers without them visiting a physical office.

Demand for online services have since surged since the social distancing directives became effective and APA in particular has witnessed an increase for online services and the app aims to serve as a solution that provides customers with freedom and security online anytime, anywhere.

Bharatan also noted, with the increase of mobile apps as well as messaging services, the number users grow proportionately. He therefore concluded the company would leverage in-house digital capabilities to further elevate customers’ experience by taking digital services to the platforms of their choice.

How to access and use APA insurance agent app

The app is available from respective app stores and customers alongside agents may download and register for the service, their virtual account will be issued instantly.

Motorists will receive a digital insurance certificate instantly upon purchase or renewal. The dashboard is tailored to customer needs with a single overview providing access to payment history, benefits and claims details. In cases of an accident, customers can also upload accident photos and instantly file a claim report. The app provides coverage against fraud, safeguards and supports customers in case of defective or damaged online claims. The app also provides locations of APA’s country wide partner garages in case of an accident. The app can be downloaded here for android devices

We’ve grown accustomed to loyalty programs that aim to reward customers for using products and services from a certain company, it’s actually a clever way to attract and retain customers. Ever since Safaricom unveiled Bonga points, other mobile service providers were quick to unveil their own reward schemes with Telkom Kenya opting for the Ziada points.

We’ve also seen retail outlets in the country such as Tuskys and Naivas issue customers with smart cards that collect points whenever they shop in any of their outlets country-wide, that can later be redeemed for cash or items. The idea behind loyalty points was brilliant, but the implementation from one organization to another differs in so many ways. Unlike mobile service providers such as Telkom Kenya’s Ziada points which automatically accumulate points upon using any of the Telco’s services, retail outlets have traditionally depended on the use of smartcards except for Carrefour’s brilliant app-based system.

Ziada points is a loyalty scheme for Telkom Mobile Prepaid subscribers where customers are rewarded for using Telkom services. And just like Bonga points, Ziada points can be redeemed for several goodies on Telkom’s network such as airtime that can be used across networks for calls, SMS and data.

For every Ksh.1 spent on Telkom services, you earn 1 Ziada point. For example, if you spent Ksh.1,000 you get 1,000 Ziada points that can be redeemed for goodies.

How to enroll to Telkom Kenya’s Ziada Points

You don’t need to do anything as long as you’re a Telkom prepaid subscriber. Points are earned automatically upon consuming Telkom products and services

What items, products or services you can redeem from Ziada points

• You can redeem devices by visiting Telkom’s retail outlets and topping up cash purchases with Ziada points, Airtime and Data bundles

Redeemable airtime from Ziada Points

Redeemable Data bundles from Ziada Points

How to Redeem Ziada Points

• On your Telkom phone, Dial *126# then follow prompts.

Mobile lending app – Tala has unveiled flexible loan repayment terms for its customers owing to the difficult period that most customers are facing. The mobile based loan lending app had initially suspended servicing loans to customers instead announcing a revised focus to small businesses that are finding it difficult to operate during this period. Current circumstances forced most Kenyans out of employment leaving them with no stable source of income they could use to repay their loans; this meant more defaulters on loans.  

Tala’s general manager for East Africa, Ivan Mbowa said the lender needed to make immediate changes to keep the team safe and business healthy.

Mbowa further said Tala had been doing its best to support its customers through these changes but acknowledged how the company let down most Kenyans seeking loans recently when they stopped offering loans altogether as reported by tuvuti.

“We know we won’t always get it right, so we want to thank you for your patience and understanding. These times are unprecedented, and we are learning from you every day about how to be resilient in times of crisis,” Mbowa further stated.

New changes in Tala loan requirements;

To adopt the current business environment, Tala has introduced a couple of changes to its operations that fall in the following categories;

1.      Flexible loan repayment

A measure that’s expected to cater for customers who are unable to repay their loans following the current crisis, Tala will now accept direct communications through email: [email protected], to work out a revised repayment plan.

2.      Modified lending

Tala explained that as much as they’d want to continue serving customers as previous during this difficult period, some customers may receive loan offers that are lower than their previous limit. This change is however not expected to affect existing customers in good standing with Tala, and will revert to the previous limit as soon as the situation normalizes.

3.      Trusted information

Tala has introduced a Resource Center within the app and website to provide crucial information regarding the current crisis to customers. The list has been curated with the help of its inhouse team and partners.

4.      Supporting essential workers

Tala has developed a long-term Community Support Loan for its customers who are providing essential services to their communities during this time – including accessible healthcare, fairly priced foods, or sanitary household products.

These new changes unveiled by Tala come at a time when financial services regulator Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) unveiled new measures governing the use of Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) effectively barring unregulated lenders from sending names of defaulters to the CRB’s.