Kenyans Operating M-Pesa Shops Lament Losing M-Pesa Lines to Dealers: "Agent Commission ni Kidogo"

 

M-Pesa shop operators have shared mounting frustrations over the abrupt termination of their M-Pesa lines, leaving many disillusioned with the business's profitability. Image of an M-Pesa shot and attendant used for illustration.  Numerous individuals took to social media to voice their grievances, highlighting challenges ranging from low transaction volumes to unexpected line cancellations by dealers. A Facebook user raised the issue in a business forum, noting that he had received a message from the dealer threatening to take away his M-Pesa operating line because of low commission.  "I've received a message from my dealer that my M-Pesa agency will be repossessed bcoz of underperformance. I don't meet monthly commission of KSh 5500/= my shop is still new, and M-Pesa is now 4 months old.... Is it routine everywhere kindly advise Safaricom PLC," Amicus Curae posted on Facebook. How M-Pesa operators can lose their lines TUKO.co.ke contacted Safaricom PLC for comments on the issue and asked if M-Pesa dealers can take away an operator line. Safaricom did not comment on the issue of the low commission but noted that operators can lose their lines if their operating float is below KSh 20000. "Hello Elijah , yes it is possible. Your float account should always have a minimum of 20,000. ^ND" Safaricom Care noted. "Thank you. So that means the dealer should not take away my operating line as long as the float is above KSh 20000?" TUKO.co.ke further inquired. "Sure, minimum float is KSh 20,000/=. ^DT" Safaricom Care responded. Kenyans Share how they lost their M-Pesa operating lines For many, the abrupt closure of M-Pesa lines has dealt a significant blow to their livelihoods which has led them to lose interest in the business altogether. Geoffrey Omwoyo, one such affected operator, shared his ordeal, recounting how his line was seized after just two weeks of operation saying "Nilinyanganywa line yangu after exactly 2 weeks. The lady called me and told me, "niko biashara, hizi transactions ni kidogo sana haziwezilipa bills. Toa pesa yako yote maana nachukua line." After a few minutes, line swapped. M-Pesa kama hauko place busy, wachana na hio kitu. Otherwise, M-Pesa unahitaji capital kama ya KSh 100k to make 10k while vitu ingine kama muguka you need KSh 2k capital to make KSh 20k a month. Bure kabisa." Mwero Pilli said: "Yangu ilifungwa after a week. The Somali guy just called me one morning that the line is underperforming. He sent my float to my M-Pesa and within few minutes sim swapped. Hakuna story, and that's how I lost interest in that business."  Bevah Kiza said: "Wow, so you guys get these lines from someone else who's hired by Safaricom? I don't understand." Muriithi Mwangi Joe advised: "Be aggressive, approach watu wa bar, cereals, and other businesses with high returns, request them uwe unawawekea deposit, but uwe reliable...Yani high float." Wakio Mercy said: "Happened to me last year aki na nilikuwa nimebuy line KSh 10k." Nina Naif said: "Tagging Safaricom won't help. Terms and conditions apply. If you are not in a busy area, yaani hakuna flow, just forget about M-Pesa. It won't work." 

by  Elijah Ntongai