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Scheduled SMS

The best time to write a message is rarely the best time to send it. Scheduled SMS lets you prepare campaigns and reminders in advance and have them go out automatically at the right moment.

Sends 8:00

Schedule from the dashboard

  1. Write your message and choose your contact group.
  2. Pick the date and time.
  3. Confirm. The message is queued and sent automatically.

Schedule through the API

Add schedule and schedule_datetime to a normal send request. Times are in Africa/Nairobi (EAT, UTC+3), in YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS format.

curl -X POST "https://dashboard.connectmedia.co.ke/api.php" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CM_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"action":"send","to":"254712345678","message":"Reminder: fees are due Friday.","schedule":1,"schedule_datetime":"2026-10-03 08:00:00"}'

Good times to send in Kenya

  • Reminders: early morning (7–8am) so people can plan their day.
  • Promotions: mid-morning or early evening on weekdays; month-end for retail.
  • Avoid: late night and very early morning for anything non-urgent.

Tips

  • Double-check the date format and timezone — a UTC time will send three hours late.
  • Make sure your balance covers the scheduled send.
  • For recurring reminders, schedule from your own system as bookings or invoices are created.

See SMS reminders and the API docs.

Get started

Create a Connect Media account — SMS from KES 1.0, no minimum top-up, credit that never expires, and one account for Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom. Call +254 707 339 945 or email info@connectmedia.co.ke.

Scheduled messages in the dashboard

Scheduled messages list with upcoming, sent, failed and cancelled counts
Track upcoming, sent, failed and cancelled scheduled messages, and duplicate any of them. Customer details are blurred.

Frequently asked questions

Can I schedule bulk SMS in advance?

Yes. Schedule from the dashboard, or add schedule and schedule_datetime to an API send request.

What timezone is used for scheduled SMS?

Scheduled times are in Africa/Nairobi time (EAT, UTC+3).

What is the best time to send SMS in Kenya?

Early morning suits reminders; mid-morning and early evening on weekdays suit promotions. Avoid late-night sends.