Businesses take M-PESA in two main ways. Both are under Lipa na M-PESA on your M-PESA menu.
| Paybill | Till number (Buy Goods) | |
|---|---|---|
| Used by | Schools, banks, utilities, big companies | Shops, kiosks, supermarkets, matatus |
| What you enter | Business number and an account number | Till number only |
| Account number | Tells the business who is paying (e.g. your admission number) | Not needed |
Pay a Paybill
- Open M-PESA and choose Lipa na M-PESA, then Pay Bill.
- Enter the business number (e.g. the school's Paybill).
- Enter the account number exactly as the business told you, e.g. the learner's admission number and name, or your meter number.
- Enter the amount and your M-PESA PIN.
- Check the business name on the screen, then confirm. Keep the confirmation SMS.
Tip: For school fees, use the account format on the school's fee structure (often the admission number). A wrong account number is the most common reason a payment "doesn't reflect".
Pay a Till number
- Open M-PESA, choose Lipa na M-PESA, then Buy Goods and Services.
- Enter the Till number shown at the counter.
- Enter the amount and your PIN.
- Check the business name, confirm, and show the SMS to the cashier.
If the payment doesn't reflect
- Give the business the transaction code from your SMS. They can look it up.
- If you used the wrong account number, ask the business to move it to the right account; they can see your payment.
- If you paid the wrong business, see how to reverse an M-PESA payment.
Steps, fees and websites change from time to time. This guide was last checked on 12 November 2026. Before you pay or submit anything, confirm the details on the official website (Safaricom Lipa na M-PESA). Never share your PIN or passwords with anyone who calls or texts you.