Waah! Last time, after writing the piece on how to buy Airtel and Telkom airtime from M-PESA via WhatsApp – the latest method around, per se – most of you flooded my inbox the following morning. Reason? The platform had gone spam! Oops, I didn’t see that coming! Sorries… the good thing is that the issue was fixed later on, luckily.
Because of that little hiccup, I am forced to show you just another straightforward way of purchasing airtime. Yeah, ‘forced.’ I’ve got the ultimate cheat code to help you grab airtime like a pro. This is in 2025. Remember, Business Today has been at the forefront in guiding you through the easiest and fastest ways to buy your airtime for Airtel, Telkom, and the rest, with M-PESA for quite some time now.
Here, you’ve learnt how to buy it via USSD, a couple of paybills, and that WhatsApp method, not to mention how you can convert airtime to cash in Kenya. So, whether you’re Team Airtel, Team Telkom, or loyal to Safaricom, don’t stress – we’ve unlocked another secret door to getting that airtime without any drama. Let’s break it down, Kenyan-style!
> Fastest Apps to Convert Safaricom Airtime to Cash in Kenya
The Steps (Let’s Get It Done!):
How to buy Airtel or Telkom airtime from Mpesa in 2025?
1. Fire up your M-PESA menu – like you’re about to send a tip to the local mama mboga.
2. Select “Lipa na M-PESA” – you know the drill.
3. Go to “Paybill” – it’s the move that never fails, trust me.
4. Enter this Paybill number: 001500 (treat it like the number of your Nairobi matatu route).
5. For the account number, type your phone number (starting with 07XX – no shortcuts).
6. Enter how much airtime you’re feeling today
7. Enter your M-PESA PIN (keep it safe, like your SIM card ejector tool).
8. Confirm the transaction, and just like that – you’ve got airtime already!
It’s quick, like the matatu driver who’s already driving off while the conductor is still searching for your change.
Pro tips
Keep that Paybill number (001500) close. It’s like your ticket to success. Memorise it like it is your girlfriend’s birthday.
For Gen Z and all other users as well, the alternative method is bamba.ke for buying Airtel or Telkom airtime from M-PESA, but purely online. Both methods are similar in that they are fast, have no extra charges, and are available 24/7, with the minimum airtime to purchase being Ksh5 and the maximum Ksh1,000.
Let us know your experiences and difficulties in the comment section, including what you want us to write about next on this topic. Thank you for your emails!
> Comparing Mpesa and Airtel Money Transaction Charges in 2025
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