KPLC Okoa Stima Loan: How to Register and Get Emergency Tokens( 2024 Update)

Imagine a scenario where you're in the midst of a crucial virtual meeting or about to prepare a family dinner, and suddenly, the lights go out, plunging you into darkness. Power outages can disrupt our lives at the most inconvenient times. Still, if you're in Kenya and a Safaricom subscriber, there's a solution at your fingertips. Enter Okoa Stima, a groundbreaking initiative born from a partnership between Safaricom and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC). Okoa Stima is designed to ensure that electricity remains accessible even when your financial resources are running low.

Whether you're a pre-paid or post-paid KPLC consumer, Okoa Stima provides the means to borrow amounts ranging from Ksh. 100 to Ksh. 2,000, allowing you to settle your electricity bills or purchase tokens to avoid unexpected blackouts. This borrowed amount comes with a nominal facility fee, payable within seven days. The borrowed funds are converted into tokens for pre-paid customers, while post-paid users can clear their bills.

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What is Okoa Stima?

Okoa Stima is more than just a service; it's a lifeline for those who rely on electricity daily. This innovative service is made possible through a partnership between Safaricom, one of Kenya's leading mobile network operators, and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC). Okoa Stima is designed to address a common dilemma faced by Kenyan consumers - the fear of a sudden power blackout when funds for electricity run low.

How Does Okoa Stima Work?

At its core, Okoa Stima offers a straightforward solution: it allows Safaricom subscribers to borrow funds specifically for paying their electricity bills or purchasing tokens. This means that even if your electricity meter runs low on credit, Okoa Stima keeps your lights on, ensuring that your essential appliances and devices continue functioning smoothly.

Here's how Okoa Stima operates:

1. Borrowing Range: Okoa Stima allows borrowers to borrow any amount between Ksh. 100 and Ksh. 2,000. This range accommodates various electricity needs, from topping up a pre-paid meter to settling a post-paid bill.
2. Facility Fee: A nominal facility fee is deducted upfront when you borrow funds through Okoa Stima. This fee is a small percentage of the borrowed amount and ensures that the service remains sustainable.
3. Usage: The funds borrowed through Okoa Stima can be used in two primary ways, depending on your KPLC account type:

• For pre-paid customers, the borrowed funds are converted into tokens. These tokens are credited to your pre-paid meter, instantly restoring your electricity supply.
• Post-paid customers can use the borrowed funds to clear their electricity bills. This ensures that your outstanding balance with KPLC is settled promptly.

4. Repayment: Borrowers have a grace period of seven days to repay the Okoa Stima loan. This means you have a week to settle the borrowed amount and the facility fee. The repayment process is designed to be hassle-free and convenient.

Registration for Okoa Stima

Step 1: Dial 885# from Your Safaricom Line

Begin by picking up your Safaricom phone and dialling *885#. This USSD code serves as the gateway to accessing Okoa Stima. It's worth noting that Okoa Stima is exclusively available to Safaricom subscribers, ensuring that you can conveniently access it through your mobile network provider.

Step 2: Accept Okoa stima's Terms and Conditions

Upon dialling *885#, you'll be prompted to accept Okoa Stima's terms and conditions. It's essential to read and understand these terms, as they outline the agreement between you and the service provider. Once you've reviewed and accepted the terms, you can proceed with the registration process.

Step 3: Provide Your National ID Number

The next step involves inputting your National ID number. This is critical information, as it helps verify your identity and ensures that the service is accessible to eligible individuals. Make sure to enter your ID number accurately.

Step 4: Set Up Your Preferred PIN and Confirm

To enhance the security of your Okoa Stima registration, you'll be prompted to set up a PIN (Personal Identification Number). Choose a PIN that is both secure and memorable. After selecting your PIN, you must confirm it by entering it again. This PIN will be used to authenticate your transactions when accessing Okoa Stima.

Step 5: Confirmation via SMS

Once you've completed the previous steps, you'll receive a confirmation message via SMS. This message serves as confirmation that your registration for the Okoa Stima credit service has been successful. It's essential to keep this SMS for reference.

Step 6: Enter Your Service PIN

To further enhance security, you must enter your Service PIN during registration. This PIN is used to authorize specific actions within the Okoa Stima service. Keep your Service PIN confidential, and do not share it with others.

Step 7: Select Register Meter/Account and Choose "Register Now"

Now that you've successfully registered for Okoa Stima, you can "Register Meter" or "Register Account." Choose "Register Now" to initiate the meter registration process. This step is crucial, ensuring that the tokens or bills accessed through Okoa Stima can only be used on the meters/accounts you've registered.

Step 8: Choose Your Account Type - Pre-paid or Post-paid

Depending on whether you have a pre-paid or post-paid account with KPLC, you'll need to specify your account type. This distinction is essential, as it determines how the borrowed funds from Okoa Stima will be utilized. For pre-paid customers, the funds become tokens, while for post-paid customers, they clear the outstanding bill.

Congratulations! You've completed the registration process for Okoa Stima. You're now one step closer to having a reliable emergency electricity source. With your registration complete, you can access an Okoa Stima loan, as discussed in the next section of this article.

How to Access an Okoa Stima Loan

Now that you've successfully registered for Okoa Stima and taken the first crucial step toward securing uninterrupted access to electricity let's delve into the next phase of this process: accessing an Okoa Stima loan. This part of the article will guide you through the step-by-step procedure to obtain a loan from Okoa Stima when needed.

Step 1: Dial 885# from Your Safaricom Line

To initiate the process of accessing an Okoa Stima loan, pick up your Safaricom phone and dial *885#. As a Safaricom subscriber, you can access this service through your mobile network provider.

Step 2: Choose "Pre-paid" or "Post-paid" and Send

After dialling *885#, you'll be presented with a menu. You must select whether you have a pre-paid or post-paid KPLC account. This selection determines how the borrowed funds from Okoa Stima will be utilized. If you're a pre-paid customer, the borrowed funds will be converted into tokens for your meter. For post-paid customers, they will be used to clear your outstanding electricity bill.

Step 3: Select the Meter Number or Account Number

Once you've chosen your account type (pre-paid or post-paid), the next step is to select the specific meter number or account number for which you require the Okoa Stima loan.

Step 4: Choose the Bill Amount You Wish to Clear or "Okoa."

Now, it's time to specify the bill amount you wish to clear or the amount you'd like to borrow ("Okoa"). The flexibility of the Okoa Stima service allows you to tailor the loan to your immediate needs. 

Step 5: Repay Your Okoa Stima Loan

Once you've successfully accessed an Okoa Stima loan, you must know the repayment process. The borrowed amount comes with a grace period of seven days, during which you're expected to repay the loan and the facility fee.

To repay your Okoa Stima loan, follow these steps:

• Dial *885# from your Safaricom phone.
• Choose whether you are a pre-paid or post-paid customer.
• Select "Repay Loan" from the menu.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repayment via M-Pesa.

Repaying your loan within seven days ensures a smooth experience and maintains your eligibility for future Okoa Stima loans.

The Importance of Timely Repayment

Timely repayment of your Okoa Stima loan is crucial for several reasons:

• It ensures you remain eligible for future Okoa Stima loans, allowing you to continue accessing emergency electricity when needed.
• It helps you maintain a positive relationship with Okoa Stima and Safaricom, enhancing your borrowing experience.
• It supports the sustainability of the Okoa Stima service, allowing it to remain available to Safaricom subscribers.

Additional Information and Customer Support

1. Additional Services Offered by Okoa Stima

Beyond its core function of providing emergency electricity loans, Okoa Stima offers several additional services to Safaricom subscribers. These services include:

• Electricity Bill Payment: Okoa Stima allows you to settle your electricity bills conveniently through the borrowed funds. This ensures that you stay on top of your payments without hassle.
• Purchase of Tokens: For pre-paid customers, Okoa Stima provides the flexibility to purchase tokens when your meter runs low. This means you can access electricity tokens even if you're currently low on credit.
• Electricity Bill Querying and Presentment: Okoa Stima lets you inquire about your electricity bill and receive timely bill presentations, helping you manage your consumption and payments effectively.
• Access to Emergency Power Top-Up: Whether you need a quick pre-paid meter or an immediate solution for your post-paid bill, Okoa Stima has you covered with its emergency power top-up feature.

2. Customer Support and Contact Details

While Okoa Stima is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, it's always helpful to know how to reach customer support if you have questions or encounter any issues. Here are the contact details for Okoa Stima customer support:

• Okoa Stima Customer Care: You can reach Okoa Stima customer care through the following phone numbers:
• +254 700 106 002
• 790 786 034
• Contacting Safaricom: You can also contact Safaricom directly by dialling 100. Their customer support team can help you with any Okoa Stima-related inquiries.
• Contacting Kenya Power (KPLC): If you have specific questions related to your electricity bill or meter, you can reach out to Kenya Power on the following numbers:
• 97771
• 0703070707
• 0732170170

3. Download the Okoa Stima App

For added convenience, Okoa Stima offers a dedicated mobile application that Safaricom subscribers can download from the Google Play Store or App Store. The Okoa Stima app provides an intuitive interface for accessing and managing your Okoa Stima services. It simplifies the borrowing process and offers additional features for a seamless experience.

With the Okoa Stima app, you can access Okoa Stima services with just a few taps on your smartphone, making it even more convenient to secure emergency electricity.

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Conclusion

Okoa Stima service is your reliable lifeline to uninterrupted electricity in Kenya. By borrowing funds with Okoa Stima, Safaricom subscribers can ensure that essential lights and appliances stay on during power outages or low credit periods. We've covered the straightforward registration process, loan access, additional services, and customer support.