How to Pay Okoa Jahazi Debt
Okoa Jahazi debt is the airtime or bundle advance you borrowed from Safaricom when you ran out of credit. To keep using your line freely, you’ll need to repay it within the allowed period. If you don’t, there can be extra steps like point deductions or being temporarily barred from borrowing again.
Quick Answer — At a Glance
Top up your Safaricom line (scratch card, MPESA, etc.).
Allow full repayment: the debt will be deducted from the top-up.
If overdue, Safaricom may use your Bonga Points to settle it.
Ensure repayment is done within 5 days to avoid service restrictions.
Why This Matters
Because Okoa Jahazi gives you airtime when you don’t have enough, it’s meant for emergencies. Paying back on time ensures you stay eligible for future advances, avoid restrictions, and don’t lose Bonga Points. It’s part of the official Safaricom Terms & Conditions for the service.
Step-by-Step Guide
Check if you have outstanding Okoa Jahazi debt
Make sure you know how much you owe and by when (you’ll get SMS reminders if repayment is coming up).
If you’re unsure, you can check via USSD or Safaricom’s app.
Top up your Safaricom line
Use any method: scratch cards, MPESA, third-party top up, etc.
The moment you top up, Safaricom automatically deducts your Okoa Jahazi debt from that top up.
Let auto-deduction take place
After top up, the outstanding advance will be subtracted until cleared.
You don’t need to select a “repay Okoa” option; the system handles it.
Watch out if you default / delay repayment
If you don’t repay within 5 days, Safaricom may suspend your ability to borrow again.
From day 15 of non-repayment, they may deduct Bonga Points to recover the debt.
Confirm once the debt is cleared
You’ll receive an SMS or message confirming your Okoa loan (airtime advance) has been fully repaid.
After this, your borrowing rights are restored.
Important Notes & Tips
There’s a 10% service fee when you borrow via Okoa Jahazi. So if you borrow KSH 100, you’ll receive KSH 90 worth of airtime.
Repayment period is five (5) days from when the airtime is credited.
If the debt isn’t repaid in that period, you might lose eligibility for Okoa services for a while.
Make sure to use a top-up method that is valid for Okoa repayment (Safaricom scratch, MPESA, third-party top-up, etc.).
Keep track of your borrowings especially if you’re using the Multiple Okoa feature. Each borrowed amount has its own repayment timeline.
Before you run out of airtime, plan ahead—borrow only what you’ll comfortably pay back in time.
FAQs
Can I repay Okoa Jahazi with anything other than airtime top-up?
Yes — scratch cards, MPESA top-ups, third-party or PIN-less top-ups all count toward repayment.
Will top up cover both service fee and borrowed amount?
Yes. The top-up will first deduct the full debt (borrowed amount + advance fee) until it’s cleared.
What happens if I don’t repay within 5 days?
You may lose access to borrow again and could have Bonga Points deducted if you delay further (after 15 days).
Can I borrow again while I still owe a previous Okoa Jahazi?
No. You must fully repay the existing outstanding advance before borrowing again under the Multiple Okoa rules.
How are Bonga Points used in repayment?
If you delay too long, Safaricom may automatically use your accumulated Bonga Points to settle the debt.
