"Namba yangu ilipeanwa": Kenyans react to Safaricom's 9 new number prefixes

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Safaricom announced the introduction of 9 new number prefixes available to new customers across Kenya

- The new prefixes include 0118, 0119, 0140 to 0143, and 0180 to 0182 for SIM card registration

- Customers can acquire the new numbers from any Safaricom Shop or authorised dealer outlet nationwide

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over 10 years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Safaricom has rolled out nine new number prefixes for new customers, expanding its available SIM card range across Kenya.

The telecommunications giant announced the new number ranges, stating that they give customers more ways to stay connected.

The prefixes now available are 0118, 0119, 0140, 0141, 0142, 0143, 0180, 0181, and 0182.

How can Kenyans obtain new SIM cards?

Customers looking to register for one of the new numbers can do so by visiting any Safaricom Shop or authorised dealer outlet across the country.

Safaricom confirmed that the numbers are open to new customers and are accessible through its existing retail network.

The move comes as demand for mobile connectivity continues to grow in Kenya, with Safaricom remaining the country's dominant mobile network operator.

Expanding the pool of available number prefixes allows the telco to onboard a greater volume of new subscribers without exhausting existing ranges.

What did Safaricom remind Kenyans?

Alongside the announcement, Safaricom reminded subscribers to keep their SIM card PINs private, using the phrase "PIN YAKO SIRI YAKO," which translates to "Your PIN is your secret" in Swahili.

The reminder reflects the company's ongoing consumer awareness efforts around SIM card security and personal data protection.

Safaricom currently holds the largest share of mobile subscribers in Kenya, and the introduction of new prefixes signals continued capacity planning as the operator prepares to accommodate future growth in its customer base.

How did Kenyans react to new prefixes?

Living Hope:

"We don't need new numbers. We need data bundles that are mwananchi tailored."

Prince Justo:

"Mimi walahi sijawai penda hizi number."

Secretlight Silver:

"What if I want a 0722 line prefix? What should I do?"

Juma Robert:

"How will this help reduction of transaction cost?"

Governor Eric:

"Natafta lawyer my number was issued to another person without my consent."

Warren:

"You ran out of 07...?"

Elijah Onsongo:

"Hizi numbers za ma GenZ nafanyia nini? Mmi nataka 0720-29."

Elijah Muange:

"I don't like numbers that starts with 011...Like what happened to 07...we can even switch to 09.."

When can Kenyans access hourly bundles?

In other news, Safaricom acknowledged that access to its 1GB one-hour package for KSh 20 is now restricted to certain hours and is no longer available 24/7.

Safaricom Care clarified the modification in response to a customer complaint on X, stating that the offer now functions as a timed window every day.

The limitation is a component of a larger evaluation of data bundles that also included new Pata More packages with larger data amounts.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.