TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

A Safaricom customer has asked the telecommunications giant to convert his Bonga points to cash amid economic hardships in Kenya.

In a request posted on Safaricom's Facebook page, the subscriber identified as Tosh asked if he could exchange Bonga points for money through M-Pesa.

"How do I convert my Bonga points to M-Pesa?" Tosh posed.

Safaricom responded to Tosh Man, outlining its current policy, which does not allow direct cash conversions. Instead, customers can redeem points for airtime, data, minutes, phones, tablets, and accessories.

The telco also noted that Bonga points can be used to purchase Kenya Airways (KQ) passenger plane tickets.

“Changing to cash is not allowed. Bonga points can be redeemed for: free airtime, minutes, SMS, internet, phones, MMS, tablets and accessories, and Kenya Airways tickets,” Safaricom told TUKO.co.ke in an exclusive comment.

Safaricom advised customers seeking to redeem their Bonga points to dial *126# and follow the prompts provided.

“Use \*126#, okay, and follow the prompts. Once Bonga points are redeemed, they cannot be reversed,” it added.

Once enrolled in the Bonga Points reward programme, Safaricom prepaid and postpaid customers can start earning points immediately.

For every KSh 10 spent on data, SMS or phone calls, a customer receives one Bonga point.

“The more you use your Safaricom line, the more points you earn and the greater the rewards. Bonga points are redeemable at any Safaricom retail location across the country,” the telecommunications company explained.

Safaricom also noted that subscribers receive 30 free points instantly when they sign up for the programme.

“You can use Safaricom's customer care service or visit any Safaricom retail centre to register your personal information,” it added.

In January, the court ruled that Safaricom's announcement stating that Bonga points accrued over three years would expire was a violation of consumer rights.

The petition was filed by Benjamin Magare, who argued that the notice would negatively impact millions of Kenyans, particularly those without internet access and those who are illiterate.

According to the court, Bonga points belong to the consumers once granted, and Safaricom is not permitted to alter the rules or impose expiry dates.

In other news, Kenya continues to experience a rise in identity theft cases, where fraudsters use individuals' personal identification numbers without their consent.

Safaricom stated that subscribers will receive an SMS from 707 if someone attempts to register another line using their ID number without authorisation.

Allan Lwala, a cyber and information security consultant, warned that if rogue agents or scammers gain access to personal data, they could use it to register new mobile lines under a victim’s name.

Source: TUKO.co.ke