Kenya Minute.
Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 22 September 2026
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Kenyan press · Organization

M-Pesa

Also known as: M-Pesa revenue · Lipa na M-Pesa

M-Pesa — mobile money transfer service used for payments, remittances, and deposits across Kenya; subject of fraud schemes and merchant fee reductions by Safaricom.

2026-04-242026-09-22

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. The Standard

    Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a universal payment system that mimics our M-Pesa, has been a huge success.

    Rising India and Kenya's resemblance: Can we grow together?
  3. Citizen Digital

    Fully digital ticketing will help reduce fraud and speed up fan entry, while local payment integrations with M-Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, and Airtel Money, will make buying tickets simpler and more accessible.

    Ticketmaster enters East Africa as Quicket launches in Kenya and Uganda
  4. The Standard

    M-Pesa did not build the mobile network. It understood what the network made possible and moved before anyone else did.

    The most powerful organisations never chase money first
  5. Capital News

    Speaking in Nakuru during the campaign caravan, which is expected to cover all 47 counties, Thairu said customers and businesses in the Rift Valley would benefit from greater value across connectivity and M-PESA services.

    Safaricom takes Pata More campaign to Rift Valley with new customer offers
  6. The Standard

    In Kenya, where M-Pesa has become synonymous with everyday transactions, the most effective crypto services are those that connect directly to mobile money ecosystems.

    How Stablecoins are becoming invisible payment rails in Africa
  7. The Standard

    From pioneering mobile money through M-Pesa to embracing smartphones, digital banking and online government services, technology has transformed how people learn, work, communicate and conduct business.

    Digital zombies: The hidden cost of Kenya's digital revolution
  8. The Standard

    Whether you’re placing your first bet, enjoying casino games, or topping up before a big sporting event, Pepeta now offers a seamless deposit experience through both Airtel Money and M-PESA, making it easier than ever to get in the game.Introducing Pepeta’s Airtel Money paybill:

    Pepeta makes deposits easier for Airtel users with new paybill number 779900
  9. Citizen Digital

    Nationwide delivery is live, and customers can pay using M-Pesa and major credit and debit cards.

    Why Samsung is betting on its own digital storefront in Kenya
  10. The Standard

    rgin-right: 0.2rem; white-space: nowrap; } .std-pay-badge { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; height: 24px; padding: 0 0.5rem; border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid #e0d7ce; background: #fff; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); } /* M-Pesa

    Is Kenya ready for first world status: A diaspora perspective
  11. The Standard

    Audio By Vocalize Safaricom has slashed charges on transferring funds from business tills to mobile wallets and Paybill numbers by as much as 50 per cent, in a shake-up of M-Pesa tariffs that promises significant relief for small traders and consumers alike.

    Safaricom halves M-Pesa merchant fees in CBK-led move
Business

Minisend launches stablecoin payments platform in Kenya

The News

Stablecoin settlement firm Minisend is expanding into Kenya to connect cryptocurrency-based payments with the country's mobile-money and digital payments infrastructure. The company has been named official payment partner for the Africa Blockchain Festival 2026, and its platform enables users to receive stablecoins such as USDC and USDT and settle funds through local financial channels including M-Pesa.

23 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Yesterday

  1. Minisend launches stablecoin payments platform in Kenya

    Stablecoin settlement firm Minisend is expanding into Kenya to connect cryptocurrency-based payments with the country's mobile-money and digital payments infrastructure. The company has been named official payment partner for the Africa Blockchain Festival 2026, and its platform enables users to receive stablecoins such as USDC and USDT and settle funds through local financial channels including M-Pesa.

    23 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Sunday 20 September

  1. Ruto seeks investment partnerships at UN General Assembly

    President William Ruto is attending the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York to promote Kenya's investment agenda across energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, health, agriculture and technology. The government is pushing the proposed Sh2.2 trillion East Africa Refinery in Lamu, expected to create more than 60,000 jobs, with a planned groundbreaking set for September 30, 2026.

    20 September 2026 · Capital News

Saturday 19 September

  1. Ruto travels to UNGA to advance Africa investment and AI agenda

    President William Ruto has departed for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he will champion increased investment in Africa, artificial intelligence, and reforms to the global financial system. He is expected to advocate for an "Africa-financing-Africa" approach leveraging the continent's over $4 trillion in domestic savings and assets to finance development.

    19 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

Friday 18 September

  1. M-Pesa fraudster arrested for posing as Safaricom agent

    Police in Garissa arrested Edwin Mugoi, accused of posing as a Safaricom agent to trick an M-Pesa shop attendant into surrendering a mobile line, which he then used to fraudulently transfer funds. Officers recovered multiple SIM cards, mobile phones, and registration gadgets suspected to have been used in the fraud scheme targeting M-Pesa agents in the area.

    18 September 2026 · Capital News

Thursday 17 September

  1. Sports streaming offers Kenyan broadcasters audience and revenue opportunities

    Live sports remain valuable assets for sustainable media globally. Kenyan broadcasters can use sports streaming to extend traditional TV and radio reach while developing new audience engagement and revenue models through mobile-centric consumption.

    17 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Eldoret court denies bail to two university students

    Two fourth-year university students charged with ten counts including conspiracy to commit a felony, possession and downloading of child pornography, and publication of child pornography have been denied bail by an Eldoret Court. Principal Magistrate Caroline Wattimah ruled against their release, citing concerns raised by the prosecution about the seriousness of the charges and their impact.

    17 September 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 16 September

  1. Samsung Galaxy AI targets young creators across East Africa

    Samsung Electronics East Africa is promoting its Galaxy AI suite as a tool designed for content creators, students, and young professionals. The features include Circle to Search with Google, which allows users to identify and source items from social media by circling them on screen.

    16 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 10 September

  1. LSK opposes UFAA proposal on unclaimed client assets

    The Law Society of Kenya has vowed to oppose a proposal by the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority requiring lawyers to declare assets held on behalf of clients for more than five years and surrender them to the State if unclaimed. LSK President Charles Kanjama said lawyers have their own ways of managing client assets and do not need external assistance.

    10 September 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 9 September

  1. Three suspects arrested for TikTok gang-rape scheme in Ruai

    Three men aged 17 and 21 were arrested in Ruai for operating an anonymous TikTok page to lure women to secluded areas for robbery and sexual assault. The suspects forced some victims to transfer money via M-Pesa and robbed others of mobile phones and valuables.

    9 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 26 August

  1. MPs probe Safaricom SIM deactivation and number reassignment risks

    Members of Parliament have called for an investigation into Safaricom's practice of deactivating dormant SIM cards and reassigning the numbers to other subscribers, citing concerns that the practice could expose customers to fraud, loss of funds, and unauthorized access to personal information. The petition, referred to the Public Petitions Committee, will examine whether the practice complies with consumer protection, data privacy, and financial asset management laws.

    26 August 2026 · Capital News

Tuesday 25 August

  1. India is Kenya's third-largest trading partner

    India is Kenya's third largest trading partner with bilateral trade of $4.31 billion in the financial year 2025-26, according to the India High Commission to Kenya. The article argues Kenya has not fully leveraged Indian proximity and economic power as a potential key trade and investment partner.

    25 August 2026 · The Standard

Friday 21 August

  1. Ticketmaster launches Quicket platform in Kenya and Uganda

    Global ticketing company Ticketmaster is entering East Africa through its Quicket platform, which offers digital ticketing, local payment integrations with M-Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, and Airtel Money, and global event distribution across Spotify, Google, Meta, Bandsintown, and Apple Music.

    21 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Tech giants spending massively on AI despite unclear financial returns

    Major technology companies including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta are spending approximately Sh94 trillion on AI infrastructure this year alone, though only 39 per cent of organisations report measurable financial impact from AI investments, according to a McKinsey 2025 survey.

    19 August 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Safaricom launches Pata More campaign roadshow in Rift Valley

    Safaricom PLC held a Pata More campaign event at Nakuru Railway Station Grounds to promote new services and offers to its more than 71.6 million customers in Kenya. CEO Peter Ndegwa said the nationwide campaign aims to deliver greater value through telecommunications and financial services, with a caravan expected to cover all 47 counties.

    11 August 2026 · Capital News

Monday 10 August

  1. Stablecoins enable cheaper remittances and payments across Africa

    Web3 adoption in Africa is driven by practical financial benefits rather than cryptocurrency enthusiasm: faster, cheaper payments for remittances, farm supplies, and land ownership without middlemen. Sub-Saharan Africa received over $205 billion in on-chain value between July 2024 and June 2025, with Nigeria leading at $92.1 billion.

    10 August 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 9 August

  1. Kenya's digital advances create unintended social costs

    Kenya has pioneered digital innovation in Africa through M-Pesa, smartphones, digital banking and online government services, transforming how people learn, work, communicate and conduct business, though the article suggests these advances carry hidden social costs.

    9 August 2026 · The Standard

Friday 7 August

  1. Pepeta launches Airtel Money paybill for easier deposits

    Pepeta has introduced a new Airtel Money Paybill Number (779900) for Kenyan players to deposit funds into their accounts, complementing its existing M-PESA payment option and providing a faster, more convenient deposit experience.

    7 August 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Samsung launches direct-to-consumer digital store in Kenya

    Samsung Electronics has partnered with local retailer Housewives Paradise to launch the Samsung Brand Store, a mobile-focused digital platform designed to reach Kenyan shoppers. The platform offers exclusive inventory, curated product bundles, and extended warranties to deepen customer relationships in a market with growing mobile internet penetration.

    5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 4 August

  1. Kenya not ready for first-world status yet, diaspora says

    A diaspora perspective argues that Kenya has built credible foundations but sits in the lower-middle-income bracket and is not yet ready to achieve first-world living standards, which require high per-capita income, reliable utilities, functional healthcare, competitive education, low corruption, and functional infrastructure.

    4 August 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 2 August

  1. Safaricom cuts M-Pesa merchant fees by up to 50 percent

    Safaricom has reduced charges on transferring funds from M-Pesa business tills to mobile wallets and Paybill numbers by as much as 50 per cent, effective 7 August 2026, aligning with Central Bank of Kenya pricing principles and providing relief for small traders and consumers.

    2 August 2026 · The Standard

Friday 31 July

  1. Safaricom declares record Ksh.80.13 billion dividend for FY2026

    Safaricom shareholders approved a final dividend of Ksh.1.15 per share for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, bringing the total annual dividend to Ksh.2.00 per share—the largest payout in the company's history. The announcement comes as Safaricom's share price rose 50.3 per cent during the year, lifting the company's market value to Ksh.1.10 trillion by March 31, 2026.

    31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 30 July

  1. Safaricom invests billions in AI to diversify beyond telecoms

    Safaricom is investing billions of shillings to embed artificial intelligence into its products and services across financial services, healthcare, content streaming, agriculture, and government payments, as part of a strategy to transition into Africa's leading AI-driven technology service provider by 2030.

    30 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Digital lenders surpass microfinance banks using real-time credit signals

    Kenya's over 250 licensed digital credit providers have grown to a loan book exceeding microfinance banks' portfolios, with around eight million Kenyans using their phones for credit. Digital lenders assess borrowers on real-time behavioural signals and transaction patterns rather than historical documents, a method the article argues proves more effective than traditional credit committee approaches.

    29 July 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 28 July

  1. South African banks pursue Kenya shares after retail failures

    South African companies are increasing their stake in Kenya's financial sector through investments in NCBA, Safaricom, and Absa Bank Kenya, after previous retail ventures like ShopRite and Massmart failed in the market.

    28 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 23 July

  1. Kenyan bettors shift to Norwegian-licensed platforms for fairer odds

    More Kenyan gamblers are moving to platforms licensed in Norway, drawn by what they describe as fairer odds, transparent terms, and tax-free winnings, reflecting awareness of regulation and player protection.

    23 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Safaricom CFO Esther Waititu announces departure after three years

    Esther Waititu, Safaricom's Chief Financial Services Officer, has spoken publicly following her departure announcement, saying "the time feels right for a new chapter" after nearly three years leading the company's financial services business, which includes M-PESA.

    21 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 6 July

  1. Regulated saccos see medical loans jump 31 percent

    SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority data shows regulated saccos disbursed Sh2.79 billion in medical loans in Q1 2026, a 31 per cent increase from Sh2.13 billion in Q1 2025. This opinion piece argues the surge reflects weakened community safety nets and signals a troubling shift in the cooperative movement's role away from building economic resilience toward managing immediate healthcare crises.

    6 July 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 4 July

  1. Kalonzo criticises government sale of 15% Safaricom stake

    Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised the government's sale of a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom PLC to Vodacom as an "economic abduction," raising concerns over transparency, valuation, and constitutional compliance, and questioning why the sale was completed while a constitutional petition remained pending before the High Court.

    4 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 1 July

  1. U.S. celebrates 250 years of independence at Nairobi embassy

    The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi hosted a reception marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, bringing together Kenyan government officials, diplomats, and business leaders to celebrate shared democratic values, innovation, and trade partnerships.

    1 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Mudavadi welcomes U.S. trade focus, seeks bilateral agreement

    Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has welcomed the Trump administration's shift in U.S.-Africa policy from aid-focused to trade and investment-driven, and said Kenya looks forward to concluding negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement with the United States.

    1 July 2026 · Capital News

M-Pesa — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute