Safaricom’s Short‑Term Paybill often referred to as Changa na M‑PESA is a temporary payment solution designed for short-term fundraising (medical bills, weddings, school fees, funerals, charities, etc.). Unlike permanent paybills tied to registered businesses, this option is available even to individuals and groups, without formal business registration. Applications are typically processed within 24–48 hours and valid for up to six months.
Who Can Apply?
Suitable for:
- Individuals raising funds for medical care, education, or personal emergencies
- Groups organizing charity or community campaigns
- Churches, schools, or community committees organizing short-term initiatives
- Couples planning weddings, or families handling funeral arrangements
These applicants may not need business registration but must provide documentation proving the legitimacy of their campaign.
Application Requirements by Campaign Type
Safaricom requires campaign-specific documentation to ensure transparency and legitimacy. Below are common categories along with required documents:
• Medical Fundraising
- Completed and signed short‑term Paybill application form (including campaign duration)
- Signed terms and conditions
- Certified ID and PIN certificate of the applicant
- Hospital or doctor’s letter (on official letterhead, signed and stamped)
- If beneficiary is a child or incapacitated: include ID and birth certificate (for a minor) or both parties’ ID and PIN certificates
• Educational Fundraising
- Application form and terms
- Certified ID and PIN of applicant
- Letter from the educational institution requesting funds
- Birth certificate for minors if applicable
• Funerals
- Application form and signed terms
- Applicant’s certified ID and PIN certificate
- Death certificate or official notice of death
- Certified copy of next-of-kin’s ID, and proof of relationship
• Weddings
- Application form and signed terms
- Certified IDs and PIN certificates (both individuals)
- Letter from the registering institution or Registrar of Marriages clearance
• Charity or Disaster Relief
- Application form and signed terms
- Official committee authorization letter, signed by at least two members
- Bank confirmation letter showing funds account setup
• Church & School Fundraising
- Application form and signed terms
- Official authorization letters from the church or school committee, signed by two members
- Additional supporting documents like BOG or PTA letters for school campaigns
How to Apply
Applications may be submitted via three routes: online portal, email, or in person.
Option 1: Online Portal
- Visit Safaricom’s official M-PESA for Business portal
- Select Short-Term Paybill, choose the campaign type, and confirm you have supporting documents
- Fill in application details and upload scans of required documents (up to 10MB per file, non-ZIP formats)
- Submit and await processing—typically completed within 24–48 hours
Option 2: Email Submission
- Download and print the application form
- Fill it in, attach copies of required documents, and email everything to [email protected]
- Safaricom will respond and confirm within two days
Option 3: In-Person Submission
- Complete the printed application and gather the required documents
- Deliver them to a Safaricom retail shop or enterprise office
- The manual submission follows the same verification and processing timelines
Post-Approval: Usage & Fund Management
- The Paybill number becomes active once approved and can be used immediately
- Funds collection is only valid for the specified duration (1, 3, or 6 months)
- Funds are credited in real-time and can be withdrawn to the nominated bank account using USSD code *234*4# from the registered Safaricom line
- Withdrawals must go to the bank account listed during application
- To access statements or extend the Paybill period, send a request via email to Safaricom. Extensions (maximum additional six months) require justification.
Why Use a Short-Term Paybill?
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Faster setup | Active within 24–48 hours, compared to weeks for permanent Paybill |
| No business registration needed | Ideal for individuals and informal community initiatives |
| Transparent payment collection | Collect remittances with accountability and audited statements |
| Suitable for multiple purposes | Funeral, school, wedding, charity, medical campaigns |
| Real-time access | Funds can be withdrawn or tracked via USSD or portal tools |
Expert Insight
Having assisted nonprofits and grassroots organizers with digital fundraising tools, I often recommend the Short-Term Paybill service. It delivers fast access, minimal bureaucracy, and robust transparency. Safaricom’s streamlined process reflects real-world flexibility for community-driven causes.
