Safaricom reveals which loans must be cleared before changing SIM ownership
Safaricom has clarified how outstanding loans from different lending platforms affect customers seeking to transfer ownership of a Safaricom SIM card, distinguishing between loans linked to external platforms and debts directly tied to the mobile line. The clarification followed a question raised by a customer on X on the night of Monday, August 31, 2026, […]
Safaricom has issued guidance on which loans must be paid off before a customer can transfer ownership of a Safaricom SIM card. The clarification was prompted by a customer's question on social media about whether certain outstanding loans would block a SIM transfer.
Safaricom explained that loans from external platforms like Tala and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) do not prevent a SIM change. However, Fuliza loans tied directly to the customer's mobile line will need to be settled first.
Fuliza is Safaricom's M-PESA overdraft service. Because it is directly connected to the Safaricom line, any remaining balance on a Fuliza loan must be cleared before ownership can be transferred. The company stated that customers should not cancel their SIM registration while still owing money on a Fuliza account.
To check for any outstanding Fuliza debt, customers can review their balance via the M-PESA menu or by dialing *334#. Safaricom advises settling any such loan before attempting to change the SIM ownership. The clarification helps Kenyans understand that not all loans tied to a phone number need to be paid off before transferring SIM ownership.
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.
