Safaricom is Kenya’s largest mobile network, so for most businesses “bulk SMS” really means reaching Safaricom subscribers. This guide covers what Safaricom bulk SMS costs, the two ways to send it, how to register a sender ID, and how to make sure your messages are delivered.
Two ways to send bulk SMS to Safaricom numbers
1. Connect directly to Safaricom
Businesses and aggregators can buy bulk SMS bundles straight from Safaricom. A direct technical connection generally means meeting Safaricom’s onboarding requirements (contracts, a technical integration such as SMPP or an API link, and the relevant licensing from the Communications Authority of Kenya) and buying bundles upfront. It suits companies sending millions of messages a month with an in-house technical team.
2. Use a bulk SMS provider
A provider such as Connect Media already holds the network connections. You create an account, top up, and send from a web dashboard or API to Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom numbers. There’s no network integration, no minimum bundle, and you’re live the same day.
Safaricom bulk SMS prices
Safaricom’s published Bulk SMS Tariff Guide prices bundles by volume, VAT inclusive:
| SMS bundle (bought upfront) | Price per SMS (KES, VAT incl.) | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 25,000 – 124,999 | 1.06 | 60 days |
| 125,000 – 524,999 | 0.85 | 60 days |
| 525,000 – 1,024,999 | 0.64 | 60 days |
| 1,025,000 – 5,024,999 | 0.42 | 60 days |
| 5,025,000 – 10,024,999 | 0.21 | 60 days |
| Over 10,025,000 | 0.11 | 60 days |
Source: Safaricom Bulk SMS Tariff Guide, checked September 2026. Confirm current rates with Safaricom before buying direct.
Two things stand out: the smallest bundle is 25,000 SMS paid upfront (about KES 26,500), and every bundle expires after 60 days. That’s also why very low “from KES 0.25” prices you see advertised depend on the seller buying millions of messages at a time.
What a small business actually pays
Say you send 5,000 SMS a month — fee reminders, receipts and the odd promotion.
- Buying direct: you must buy at least 25,000 SMS for about KES 26,500. In 60 days you use 10,000; the other 15,000 expire. Your real cost is about KES 2.65 per message used.
- With Connect Media: you top up only what you need at KES 1.0 per SMS — about KES 5,000 a month — and unused credit never expires.
Direct bundles only work out cheaper once you reliably send well over 100,000 messages every two months. If you’re at that scale, ask us for a volume quote. See full details on our pricing page and in how bulk SMS is billed.
How to register a sender ID on Safaricom
A sender ID shows your business name (e.g. MYSHOP) instead of a number. Safaricom must approve it before you can use it. You’ll typically need:
- Certificate of incorporation or business registration
- A signed and stamped authorisation letter on company letterhead
- KRA PIN for the business
- Sample messages, and whether you’ll send transactional alerts or promotions
The name must match your registered business or brand. Your provider submits the request to Safaricom (and to Airtel and Telkom if you want the same ID there). Read our sender ID registration guide or apply for a sender ID.
How to send bulk SMS to Safaricom numbers with Connect Media
- Create a free account — no minimum top-up.
- Top up any amount; credit never expires.
- Upload contacts from Excel or CSV (see how to prepare your list).
- Write your message, pick your sender ID, and send now or schedule it.
- Track delivery on every message with delivery reports.
Developers can send from their own systems with one API call — see the developer docs.
Why some Safaricom subscribers don’t get your messages
- Do Not Disturb: subscribers can block promotional messages through Safaricom’s DND service (*456*9*5#). Register your sender ID for the right category so alerts and OTPs aren’t treated as promotions.
- Number format: use 2547XXXXXXXX or 2541XXXXXXXX.
- Sender ID not yet approved on Safaricom.
- Content filtering of messages that look like spam or scams.
More fixes in why bulk SMS isn’t delivered.
Beyond Safaricom
Most customer lists mix Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom numbers. Connect Media sends to all Kenyan networks and international routes from one account, so you don’t need a separate arrangement per network. You can add two-way SMS, short codes, USSD and IVR from the same dashboard.
Start sending to Safaricom numbers today or call +254 707 339 945.
Connect Media is an independent bulk SMS provider and is not affiliated with Safaricom PLC. Safaricom is a trademark of Safaricom PLC.
Related: Safaricom bulk SMS API options · SMS cost calculator · Airtel bulk SMS
Frequently asked questions
How much does Safaricom bulk SMS cost?
Bought direct from Safaricom, bulk SMS costs KES 1.06 per SMS for bundles of 25,000 to 124,999 messages, falling to KES 0.11 above 10 million (VAT inclusive, per Safaricom's published tariff guide). Through Connect Media, SMS to Safaricom numbers starts from KES 1.0 with no minimum.
What is the minimum bulk SMS purchase on Safaricom?
Safaricom's smallest direct bundle is 25,000 SMS, paid upfront. Connect Media has no minimum top-up.
Do Safaricom bulk SMS bundles expire?
Direct Safaricom bulk SMS bundles are valid for 60 days. Connect Media credit never expires.
How do I register a sender ID on Safaricom?
Submit your business registration certificate, KRA PIN, a signed authorisation letter on company letterhead and sample messages through your SMS provider, which requests approval from Safaricom.
Can I send to Airtel and Telkom numbers too?
Yes. Connect Media sends to Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom numbers, and international routes, from one account.
Why are some Safaricom numbers not receiving my messages?
Common causes are Do Not Disturb settings for promotional messages, badly formatted numbers, a sender ID not yet approved on Safaricom, or content filtering. Delivery reports show which messages failed.