Why You Can Transact Ksh 50K a Month and Still Get Ksh 100 Fuliza Limit

Safaricom has explained why some customers who transact tens of thousands of shillings on M-PESA every month still have relatively low Fuliza borrowing limits, saying transaction value alone does not determine how much a subscriber can access through the overdraft facility.

The clarification came after a customer claimed on Facebook that despite transacting more than Ksh 50,000 every month, his Fuliza limit remained at only Ksh 100.

The complaint emerged after Safaricom asked customers, “Mnaonaje guys? Tupandishe Fuliza limit?”

Consumers asked how their limits were maintained unchanged or lowered, even though they had been using M-PESA for many years.

Safaricom replied that there are different factors involved in determining Fuliza limits, such as M-PESA activity, airtime purchase, savings in M-Shwari and KCB M-PESA, loan repayment record, and whether there is any debt associated with the person’s national identity.

Customers Question Low Fuliza Limits Despite Heavy Transactions

One of the first complaints came from Sammy Kiteme, who said his borrowing limit remained at just Ksh 100 despite transacting more than Ksh 50,000 every month.

“Mine is 100, and I transact more than 50k per month,” Sammy raised a concern.

Safaricom responded by explaining that Fuliza limits are determined through an automated assessment rather than manual allocation.

“Hello, Sammy. Fuliza limit is usually allocated at the discretion of the bank, depending on your continuous use of Safaricom products and services like data, voice, and M-PESA, as well as paying your debts on time, and this includes Okoa Jahazi. For easy DIY solutions, please join our WhatsApp community via bit.ly/SafaricomCare,” Safaricom said.

The telecommunications company further clarified that customer care agents cannot manually increase borrowing limits, but advised customers to refresh their limits through the Fuliza menu.

“Hello Sammy, we are sorry we are not able to manually adjust limits; however, you can refresh your limit by dialing *334# OK > Fuliza M-PESA > Refresh my limit. This can only be done once a month. Apologies for the inconvenience,” Safaricom added.

Another customer, Njaramba Richy, criticised what he believed was the expiry of Fuliza loans.

“Kwanza toeni iyo ujinga mlieka ya fuliza ku expire… That’s the silliest mistake you made,” Njaramba criticised.

Safaricom dismissed the claim, clarifying that Fuliza itself does not expire, but customers are expected to repay borrowed amounts within 30 days.

“Hi Richy, Fuliza does not expire. You are required to settle the overdraft within 30 days. If repayment is not made within this period, we temporarily restrict your limit until the balance is cleared. Thank you for your understanding,” Safaricom responded.

Another subscriber, Moseh Moses, said he had actively transacted on M-PESA since 2019 but had only seen his Fuliza limit rise from Ksh 500 to Ksh 650 earlier this year.

“Oyah mzee,nimeishi kutransact daily tangu 2019.. In fact, large amounts na limit yangu iliongezwa May this year from 500 to 650…Manze ata chuo most improved hakua anatreatiwa hivo. Ebu angalia vile utafanya,” Moseh said.

Safaricom thanked him for remaining a customer over the years before asking him to share his account details privately for further review.

“Sasa Moseh, Asanti kwa kuwa nasi kwa huo muda. Tunashukuru. Tafadhali ingia pale INBOX tusikizane na utusaidie namba yako, majina kamili, mwaka wa kuzaliwa na nambari ya kipande,” Safaricom responded.

Also Read:Safaricom Explains Why It Can Use Your Bonga Points to Repay Okoa Jahazi Debt

Why Some Customers Lose Their Fuliza Limits

Another customer, Vic Mane, questioned why his borrowing limit had dropped from Ksh 600 to zero.

“Kwanza mko na uwana sana Safaricom PLC sasa me makosa yangu ilikuwa gani mnitoe 600 to 0. Nimejaa ngori bado,” Vic asked.

Safaricom explained that Fuliza limits are reviewed continuously and may be reduced if customers delay repaying loans or reduce their use of M-PESA services.

“Hi Vic. Tunaelewa jinsi ulivyohisi kuhusu kupunguzwa kwa limit yako. Limit ilipunguzwa kutokana na kuchelewa kulipa loan na matumizi machache ya huduma za M-PESA,” Safaricom responded.

Safaricom Reveals Factors Used To Increase Fuliza Limits

Cindy Shaah Empress also appealed for an increase to her Ksh 4,400 Fuliza limit.

“Mbona yangu imekwama 4400? Niongezee pesa mimi ndio nalipa,” Cindy asked.

Safaricom said customer limits are reviewed using several indicators, including airtime purchases, M-PESA activity, savings through M-Shwari and KCB M-PESA, as well as whether customers have unpaid loans linked to their national identification details.

“Niaje Cindy, kupata nyongeza, tunaangalia utumizi kwa upande wa airtime, M-PESA pamoja na uwekezaji akiba kwa M-Shwari na KCB M-PESA. Pia, tunaangalia kama uko na deni kwa laini zingine kando kwa hivyo ni bora kulipa deni lolote ambalo umepata na ID yako,” Safaricom said.

Also Read:Safaricom Confirms New Ownership Structure After Vodafone Kenya Deal

How to Boost Your Fuliza Limit

According to Safaricom, there is no manual way through which one can increase his or her Fuliza limit.

It depends on the manner in which one makes use of both Safaricom and M-PESA services.

To boost your limit:

• Use M-PESA services frequently.
• Make sure that you repay your Fuliza loan on time to ensure that you have a good repayment record.
• Use more airtime and make transactions through your Safaricom phone number.
• Save using M-Shwari and KCB M-PESA.
• If you have any pending loans in your name, be sure to pay them off in order to increase your Fuliza limit.

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Safaricom user interacting with M-PESA. PHOTO/Citizen TV