Learn how to buy minutes with Safaricom Okoa debt using different methods, including direct borrowing, friend gifting, and alternative top-up solutions.
Safaricom’s Okoa Jahazi service is a lifesaver when you need airtime but don’t have immediate funds. However, many users wonder if they can buy minutes with Safaricom Okoa debt or if there are alternative ways to get talk time when running low.
This guide will walk you through various ways to get minutes using Okoa Jahazi, including borrowing directly, receiving a gift from a friend, and exploring alternative options.
Okoa Jahazi is Safaricom’s emergency credit service that allows prepaid customers to borrow airtime and pay later when they recharge. The borrowed airtime can be used for calls, SMS, and data bundles.
To be eligible for Okoa Jahazi, you must:
The most common way to buy minutes with Safaricom Okoa debt is by borrowing airtime and using it to purchase a voice bundle.
Once you have the borrowed airtime, you can now buy minutes using these steps:
🔹 Dial *544# for voice bundles.
🔹 Choose the preferred minutes package.
🔹 Confirm the purchase.
🔹 Alternatively, you can use MySafaricom App to buy a voice bundle with borrowed airtime.
Another way to buy minutes with Safaricom Okoa debt is by getting a friend or family member to send you minutes. If you have no airtime or have exhausted your Okoa Jahazi limit, someone else can help.
Your friend can use Sambaza Airtime or Buy For Other options to send minutes.
Sambaza allows Safaricom users to transfer airtime to another user.
🔹 Your friend dials 140Amount*Recipient Number#
🔹 Example: 140200722XXXXXX#
🔹 Press OK to send airtime.
Once you receive the airtime, you can purchase minutes using *544#.
Your friend can also buy a minutes bundle directly for you.
✅ Dial *544# and choose Buy for other.
✅ Enter your phone number.
✅ Select the voice bundle they want to purchase for you.
✅ Confirm payment.
This is an excellent option if you’ve exhausted your Okoa Jahazi limit and still need minutes.
If you have Bonga Points, you can redeem them for minutes instead of borrowing.
🔹 Dial *126# and select Redeem Bonga Points.
🔹 Choose Minutes as the preferred option.
🔹 Select the package you want.
🔹 Confirm the redemption.
This method helps avoid borrowing and allows you to enjoy talk time without worrying about repaying Okoa Jahazi.
If your Okoa Jahazi limit is too low or you’ve already borrowed, Fuliza M-Pesa can help you top up airtime and buy minutes.
1️⃣ Go to M-Pesa Menu or dial *334#.
2️⃣ Select Buy Airtime.
3️⃣ Enter your number or someone else’s.
4️⃣ Choose the amount and confirm.
5️⃣ If your balance is low, Fuliza will automatically top up the amount.
Once the airtime is added, you can proceed to buy a voice bundle using *544#.
If you are completely out of airtime and have no Okoa Jahazi limit left, Reverse Call is another option.
🔹 Dial # before the number you’re calling (e.g., #0722XXXXXX).
🔹 The person you’re calling will receive a request to accept charges.
🔹 If they accept, they will be charged for the call instead of you.
This is useful when you urgently need to make a call but have no airtime or borrowing options left.
If you need to talk but can’t buy minutes, you can request a callback using Safaricom’s free “Please Call Me” service.
✅ Dial 130Recipient’s Number#
✅ Example: 130*0722XXXXXX#
✅ The recipient will receive an SMS asking them to call you back.
This is a temporary solution when borrowing minutes isn’t possible.
| Method | Requires Okoa Jahazi? | Can Be Used Without Airtime? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borrowing Airtime (Okoa Jahazi) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Personal use |
| Getting a Friend to Gift Minutes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Emergency help |
| Redeeming Bonga Points | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Frequent Safaricom users |
| Buying Airtime with Fuliza | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | M-Pesa users |
| Reverse Call | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Urgent calls |
| Please Call Me SMS | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Free request |
The best method depends on your situation:
✅ If you have Okoa Jahazi eligibility: Borrow airtime and buy minutes.
✅ If you can’t borrow: Ask a friend to Sambaza airtime or buy you a bundle.
✅ If you have Bonga Points: Redeem them for minutes.
✅ If you use M-Pesa often: Use Fuliza to top up airtime.
✅ If none of the above works: Use Reverse Call or send a “Please Call Me” message.
These methods ensure you always have talk time, even when you run out of cash or Okoa Jahazi credit.
Related: How to Join Safaricom Postpaid: Packages, Rates, and Terms
Yes! Borrow airtime via *131# and use it to buy a voice bundle via *544#.
You won’t be able to borrow again until you top up and clear the debt.
No, Okoa Jahazi airtime is only for local calls, SMS, and bundles.
Yes! They can Sambaza airtime or buy you a bundle via *544#.
Dial *131# and select “Check Limit” to see how much you can borrow.
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