The latest in mobile money transfer is the partnership between Nairobi Water Company and Safaricom the largest mobile service provider by market share in Kenya. Nairobi residents will now be able to make payments for their water bills using Mpesa service at their convenience. Only residents who use water from Nairobi Water Company will be able to make payments using Mpesa service without having to visit the company’s offices.

 Safaricom through Mpesa and Nairobi Water Company signed the agreement which gives their customers an effective and efficient way to settle their water bills by using Mpesa mobile money transfer service. The CEO of Safaricom Michael Joseph said that the agreement between Mpesa and Nairobi Water Company was a quest in improving service delivery to its customers.
Customers getting water from Nairobi Water Company have previously been forced to pay their water bills at over 18 Nairobi Water Company outlets across the city of which has resulted in long queues especially at peak times. Safaricom has also partnered with other companies like KPLC to improve efficiency in payment of utility bills.
Here is the process of paying water bills by Mpesa;
1.      From the MPESA menu on your phone, select PAY BILL
2.      Enter the Nairobi Water Company (NWC) business number 444400
3.      Enter your full Nairobi Water Company ACCOUNT NUMBER
4.      Enter amount you intent to pay for your bill.
5.      Enter your MPESA secrete pin
6.      Confirm and wait for the transaction confirmation message from MPESA.
To get your outstanding water bill, send an SMS with full account number to Nairobi Water Company short code 5571
Mpesa which is a mobile money transfer service has grown beyond its primary intensions to simplifying payment of utility bills from major companies. The CEO added that he was exited with the partnership and the advantages that it gives to their customers. Paying water bills by Mpesa will reduce the long queues at the NWC outlets saving the time spend by customers to pay water bills.
It should however be NOTED that paying water bill by Mpesa is currently applicable to Nairobi residents who get metered water from the Nairobi Water Company. Other water companies are yet to come on board. Technology in Africa will continue to aid in innovation of new ideas for its population.