Giant telecommunications in Kenya, Safaricom has waived all M-PESA payment charges for both public and private hospitals around the country.
In an effort to encourage Kenyans to adopt the cashless mode of payment and transaction and in line with the government’s call for Kenyans to avoid banknotes as much as possible, Kenyans paying hospital bills using M-PESA will not be charged transaction fees.
“Dear customer, M-PESA payment at public and private hospitals and clinics countrywide will be FREE of M-PESA charges. Avoid germs, avoid cash,” said Safaricom in a message sent to M-PESA users across the country.
Currently, those sending cash less than 1,000 shillings using M-PESA are not being charged any transaction fees in line with a directive from the Central Bank of Kenya after a meeting with stakeholders. Kenyans can now transact up to 300,000 shillings via M-PESA per day from 140,000 shillings with the limit per transaction rising to 150,000 shillings from 70,000 shillings.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been calling on people around the world to avoid using banknotes as they are capable of transmitting deadly Coronavirus. WHO says Coronavirus can remain active for days on surfaces including banknotes. Coins are safer than banknotes but most coins are of less value in countries such as Kenya.