Safaricom has explained why customers purchasing new SIM cards are now being assigned phone numbers beginning with 01 instead of the traditional 07 prefix.
The clarification came after a customer, Mafirifiri, questioned the change on a post on X, asking why the company no longer allows customers to choose their preferred numbers and instead assigns random numbers starting with 01.
“Why doesn’t Safaricom give the option of choosing the number you want these days? Why must I be assigned a random number starting with 01 and I want a 07 one?” asked Mafirifiri.
Responding to the inquiry, Safaricom said all available 07-prefixed mobile numbers have already been fully allocated, making it impossible to issue new SIM cards with those prefixes.
“Hello, thanks for reaching out. 07 lines are fully allocated, which is why new SIMs come on the new prefixes 01,” Safaricom said.
The telecommunications company added that customers who want a specific or memorable phone number can still obtain one through its Golden Numbers service.
According to the company, the service allows customers to choose a preferred number combination, subject to availability and the applicable pricing.
Also Read: Safaricom Explains Why Data Bundles Deplete Before Midnight Despite Validity
Customers interested in the service have been advised to visit their nearest Safaricom Shop to check available Golden Numbers and their respective costs.
“If you’d like a custom number, our Golden Numbers service lets you pick a preferred combination. Visit your nearest Safaricom Shop for availability and pricing,” Safaricom stated.
What Is a Safaricom Golden Number?
Following Safaricom’s explanation, another customer asked what a Golden Number is and how the service works.
“What is a golden number and how does the golden number service work?” the customer asked.
In response, Safaricom explained that a Golden Number is a special or premium phone number that customers can choose instead of accepting the automatically assigned number.
“Hey spencermbaka, this is a special number. To get the number, kindly visit the nearest Safaricom Shop with your original ID and some amount for assistance,” the company replied.
This means customers who want an easy-to-remember or personalized phone number must visit a Safaricom Shop with their original national ID or other accepted identification document and pay the applicable fee, depending on the number selected.
Also Read: Safaricom Clarifies Whether Customers Can Request a Reduction in Their Fuliza Limit
Safaricom Explains Why It Deducts Customers’ Bonga Points
Safaricom earlier explained when and why it uses customers’ Bonga Points to recover unpaid Okoa Jahazi balances after a subscriber questioned a recent deduction from his account.
The clarification came after a customer raised concerns over what he said was the deduction of about KSh60 worth of Bonga Points to settle an Okoa Jahazi debt without his knowledge or consent.
In a post shared on LinkedIn and addressed to Safaricom, the customer asked the telecommunications company to clarify the legal and contractual basis for using his loyalty points to repay the debt.
He also requested Safaricom to point out the specific terms and conditions that permit such deductions.
“I am writing to seek an explanation regarding the deduction of approximately KES 60 worth of my Bonga Points to repay a Kopa debt without my knowledge or consent,” he wrote.
“Kindly explain the legal and contractual basis upon which this deduction was made and provide the specific terms and conditions that authorized it. To the best of my knowledge, I did not consent to my Bonga Points being used in this manner,” wrote the customer.
The customer added that if he did not receive a satisfactory explanation, he would consider pursuing legal action and reporting the matter to the relevant regulatory authorities for investigation.
Responding to the complaint, Safaricom said the deduction is in line with the repayment policy governing its Okoa Jahazi service.
According to the company, customers are expected to repay an Okoa Jahazi advance within five days. However, if the outstanding balance remains unpaid for 15 days, any available Bonga Points may automatically be used to offset the debt.
“Hello Movin (the customer), Okoa Jahazi repayment period is within 5 days. If the debt is not cleared after 15 days, Bonga Points available are used to settle the debt,” Safaricom said.
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