Safaricom responds after customer raises alarm over M-PESA for Business App failure
Safaricom has issued a response after a customer raised an alarm over money held an M-PESA for Business account after the app failed to work. The telecommunications company reassured the customer that the money held in the M-PESA for Business account remains safe even when the M-PESA Business App is experiencing problems. In case of […]
Safaricom, the Kenyan telecommunications company, responded to a customer's complaint about the M-PESA for Business app failing to work. The customer, who goes by the handle @sendloketion on social media, expressed concern over funds held in the M-PESA for Business account despite the application's malfunction. Safaricom reassured the customer that the funds would remain intact, even if the app was not functioning properly.
The company advised merchants to use USSD code *234# as an alternative method to access their business funds when the app is down. The customer questioned whether Safaricom was addressing the underlying technical issue, but the company stated that they were following up on the matter and asked for patience. This exchange highlights an important distinction for merchants using M-PESA for Business – the app is a channel for accessing and managing funds, not where the funds themselves are stored.
Safaricom's M-PESA Business App allows merchants to view collections, spending, access statements, and transact directly from their M-PESA Business Till. If the app is down, USSD code *234# provides an alternative channel for merchants to access their business funds, perform various functions, and check their balance, make payments, withdraw funds, and access statements.
The company's guide on M-PESA Business Till explains that merchants can dial *234#, select M-PESA Business Till, enter their store number, and access business services through the USSD channel. This information is crucial for merchants who depend on their M-PESA Till for daily business operations. The M-PESA Business App aims to simplify business management for merchants, but outages can be a significant inconvenience for those who rely on the application for their daily operations.
A similar issue affected M-PESA services for the Business App in April 2021, when Safaricom acknowledged system problems and advised users to access their accounts through the USSD code *234#. The recurrence of this type of complaint underscores the importance of alternative access channels for merchants whose businesses depend on mobile money.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
