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By Jane Meza
Mombasa, Kenya: Safaricom has unveiled the M-PESA Sokoni Festival, a nationwide campaign offering customers exclusive deals, discounts, and entertainment as part of celebrations marking M-PESA’s 18th anniversary and Safaricom’s 25-year milestone.
The festival, which kicked off this week in Mombasa, features over 150 local and national businesses providing discounts on household goods, electronics, beauty and fashion products, travel packages, and more.
Dr. Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO, described the initiative as more than just a marketplace: “M-PESA Sokoni is a family-friendly experience—combining unbeatable deals, entertainment, and a platform for businesses to connect with consumers while growing their brands.”
Key Highlights of the Campaign
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Safire Connect Forum: Youth and entrepreneurs engaged in sessions on financial wellness, personal branding, and digital business strategies.
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Wezesha Mama Program: Led by the M-PESA Foundation, this initiative empowers women through financial and digital literacy training, with opportunities for seed funding.
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Regional M-PESA Agents Awards: Recognizing top-performing M-PESA agents for their exemplary service.
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Grow with Safaricom Business Forums: Supporting SMEs in digitization, market access, branding, and regulatory compliance.
The Mombasa activation will culminate in a public festival on Saturday, 7th June, at the Mombasa Sports Club Grounds, featuring live entertainment and “Deals Kuruka” for shoppers. Customers unable to attend can still access exclusive offers via Masoko.com, Safaricom’s e-commerce platform.
“This campaign underscores our dedication to uplifting Kenyan passions through enterprise, culture, sports, and innovation,” added Dr. Ndegwa.
Driving Financial Inclusion & Digital Growth
Running for two months, the festival also educates Kenyans on Safaricom’s services, including:
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Pochi la Biashara
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Fuliza ya Biashara
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Lipa na M-PESA
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Ziidi MMF
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Safaricom Hook
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Taasisi Till
As a key driver of Kenya’s economy, Safaricom connects over 49 million customers and supports 1.1 million jobs directly and indirectly. Since M-PESA’s launch in 2007, financial inclusion has surged from 26.7% to 83.7% (2021).
The M-PESA Sokoni Festival will tour multiple counties, bringing together communities to celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital opportunities.
