{
  "id": 18635025,
  "title": "Safaricom responds after customer raises alarm over high Fuliza Ya Pochi interest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/safaricom-responds-after-customer-raises-alarm-over-high-fuliza-ya",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T03:50:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/business/safaricom-responds-after-customer-raises-alarm-over-high-fuliza-ya-pochi-interest"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Safaricom addressed a customer's complaint about the high cost of its Fuliza Ya Pochi overdraft facility, providing details on when users begin to pay daily maintenance fees. The customer, @ochid87772 on social media platform X, questioned the interest rates, urging Safaricom to review the charges they deemed excessive. In response, Safaricom clarified the service's terms on its official customer care account on November 6, 2026.\n\nAccording to Safaricom, users are initially given a 48-hour interest-free period before daily maintenance fees come into effect. It is advisable to settle the Fuliza Pochi overdraft earlier to save money. The initial charge is set at 1% of the amount borrowed, with daily maintenance fees calculated based on the outstanding balance. For instance, borrowing Ksh1,000 incurs a one-off charge of Ksh10. If the amount remains unpaid after the 48-hour grace period, a daily fee of Ksh6 is applied. This means that clearing the debt within the first 48 hours can help borrowers avoid extra daily charges, despite the initial 1% fee.\n\nFuliza Ya Pochi, also known as Fuliza ya Pochi la Biashara, is an overdraft facility introduced by Safaricom in partnership with Sidian Bank. It aims to assist small-scale traders in managing short-term cash-flow issues. Launched in Thika on October 22, 2026, the service targets merchants who use Safaricom’s Pochi la Biashara platform. It allows traders to pay suppliers, make purchases, send money, and settle bills even when their Pochi wallets are insufficient. Over one million small-scale traders could potentially access this credit facility, with credit limits determined by account activity and transaction history.\n\nUnlike regular personal Fuliza, which operates through an individual's M-PESA account, Fuliza Pochi is connected to the merchant’s Pochi la Biashara wallet. Repayment is automatic, and funds received via the Pochi wallet are used to pay off the overdraft. The facility must be repaid within 30 days, though traders can settle earlier to prevent additional maintenance fees. Merchants can access the service through the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp or by dialing *334# and selecting the Pochi la Biashara menu. This product complements Safaricom’s range of credit offerings for individuals and small businesses, building on its personal Fuliza service launched in 2019 and other business-oriented overdraft solutions. Safaricom sees Fuliza Pochi as a means to help micro-merchants manage temporary cash shortages, restock inventory, and meet supplier commitments without disrupting daily operations.",
  "summary": "Safaricom has responded to a customer who raised concerns about the cost of using its Fuliza Ya Pochi overdraft facility, explaining when borrowers start incurring daily maintenance fees. The customer, identified on X as @ochid87772, questioned the service’s charges, urging the telecommunications company to review what he described as high interest rates. “You guys should […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Safaricom clarifies Fuliza Ya Pochi terms after customer complaint.",
    "Users pay daily maintenance fees after 48-hour interest-free period.",
    "Borrowing Ksh1,000 incurs Ksh10 initial charge and Ksh6 daily fee."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}