How to Buy Airtime for Someone Else in Kenya

A younger sister at college, a parent in the village, a friend between jobs: sometimes the kindest thing you can do is buy airtime for someone else. It takes a minute, but a single wrong digit can send credit to a stranger, so a few careful habits are worth learning.

Step 1: Get the right number

Do not rely on memory. Ask the person to send you their number in a message, or open their contact in your phone and read it from there.

• Check that the number has the right number of digits.
• Ask which network the line is on if you are unsure.
• If they have two lines, confirm which one they want to top up.

If the person is not comfortable with technology, offer to help them save your number and theirs under clear names, so future top-ups are easy. A quick call to say hello is also a good way to be sure you have the right line.

TekeTeke works on all major networks in Kenya, including Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom and Faiba, so you do not need to switch methods for different lines.

Step 2: Decide the amount

Ask yourself what the person needs the airtime for. A few short calls need less than a week of family check-ins. Teke Basic top-ups start from KSh 10, so you can help even when money is tight. If you are unsure how much to buy, our top-up calculator shows how your amount and the 2% bonus add up.

Step 3: Double-check before you buy airtime for someone else

This is the most important step of all. Before you confirm any payment:

1. Read the phone number aloud, digit by digit.
2. Compare it with the number the person sent you.
3. Check the amount on the screen.
4. Only then confirm.

Dial *831# and follow the on-screen instructions. If you are asked for details such as the number and amount, take your time and check each one. If anything on the screen looks unfamiliar, stop and contact our team before going further.

Step 4: Keep the confirmation

Every TekeTeke transaction ends with an instant confirmation. Keep that message until the person confirms the airtime arrived. If something goes wrong, having it makes it much easier for our team to help you. Our guide to how to confirm your airtime purchase went through explains what to check.

Tell the person to expect the airtime, so they can watch for it and let you know. It also avoids the awkward moment when they wonder who the mystery credit came from.

Making it a regular gift

If you top up for the same person often, or want to look after several people at once, airtime gifting is part of Teke Elite (KSh 6,000 to KSh 11,000), which also includes the highest bulk discounts and a dedicated account manager. Read Airtime as a Gift for more.

Not sure how gifting would work for your situation? Call or WhatsApp our team on +254 713735116, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and we will guide you.