Kenya Power has announced a delay in delivering electricity tokens purchased through its M-Pesa PayBill number 888880, leaving many customers frustrated. The utility company acknowledged the issue in a statement on Saturday but did not provide an immediate explanation for the disruption.
The delay has inconvenienced numerous prepaid electricity customers who rely on the mobile money service to purchase tokens for their power meters. Attempts by Citizen Digital to buy tokens through the PayBill number resulted in a “transaction failed” message from M-Pesa, indicating that the issue is widespread.
Kenya Power assured customers that its technical team is working to resolve the issue. “Our team is working to resolve the issue affecting our M-Pesa PayBill 888880,” the company stated. However, the firm did not specify a timeline for when the service would be fully restored.
In the meantime, Kenya Power has urged customers to use alternative payment channels, such as banks, to purchase electricity tokens. While this provides a workaround, it may not be a convenient option for many users who depend on the seamless M-Pesa service for quick transactions.
This disruption has sparked frustration among consumers, especially those who needed to top up their electricity tokens urgently. Many took to social media to voice their concerns, highlighting the inconvenience caused by the service disruption. Some customers expressed worry about potential power outages in their homes and businesses due to the inability to purchase tokens.
The timing of the delay is particularly problematic, as many Kenyans rely on digital payment services to access essential utilities. The reliance on M-Pesa for token purchases underscores the critical role of mobile money in everyday transactions. Any disruption in this service, even temporarily, can significantly impact households and businesses.
Kenya Power has apologized for the inconvenience and assured customers that updates will be provided once the issue is resolved. “We will issue an update once this is concluded. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience,” the company stated.
As customers wait for normal service to resume, Kenya Power must work swiftly to restore the PayBill service and ensure that such disruptions are minimized in the future. With an increasing number of consumers relying on mobile payments for essential services, reliability remains a key concern that needs to be addressed promptly.
Customers are advised to stay updated on Kenya Power’s official communication channels for further announcements regarding the resolution of the issue.
