Many Kenyans today are drawn to payment plans that promise to make life easier. In towns and rural areas alike, people are told they can own a smartphone, solar kit, or even a motorbike by paying small daily amounts.
At first, this seems like a good way to get something useful without saving for months. But as time passes, many discover that these deals are not as simple as they appear. Hidden costs, unclear interest rates, and strict payment systems leave some customers worse off than before.
Mkopa, one of the biggest companies offering such plans, began by selling solar systems but has since expanded to phones and other gadgets. Many of its customers say they were drawn by the promise of affordable ownership, only to face disappointment later.
One man said he finished paying for his phone but still could not use it freely because Mkopa refused to remove the digital lock. When he complained, the company claimed there was nothing more they could do.
He believes this happened because he declined their offer for another loan. Another person who bought a solar kit and television faced similar issues. His products worked well until the final payment, after which they began breaking down.
When he sought help, Mkopa told him the warranty had expired, leaving him frustrated and feeling cheated.
Photo Courtesy/Nation Africa.
Online discussions show that these experiences are not isolated. Many people report that second-hand Mkopa phones can lock up even if new buyers are unaware they were previously linked to the company’s system.
Some users also mention poor product quality, such as weak batteries or network problems, which persist even while they continue paying high amounts.
Consumer rights advocates and financial experts have warned that these business models take advantage of struggling families. They say that while daily payments appear affordable, the total cost often ends up being two or three times the real price of the product.
A phone worth around twelve thousand shillings can end up costing close to thirty thousand by the end of the payment period. This difference, they say, traps people in unnecessary debt.
Some activists have called this kind of credit “digital slavery,” arguing that companies use technology to control customers through remote locks and hidden charges.
Even politicians have started paying attention. Babu Owino, a Member of Parliament, recently said he wants new laws to regulate such lending practices. He believes it is unfair for companies to use digital controls to punish customers who delay payments by even a day.
In rural areas, where Mkopa first became popular for providing solar lights, many homes now struggle after their systems stopped working soon after final payments.
Without power, families have had to return to using kerosene lamps, which are more expensive and unsafe. One parent said his children can no longer study at night because their solar lamp no longer works.
These pay-as-you-go systems reveal the risk of trusting convenience over caution. What begins as a solution to poverty can easily become another burden. People lose access to items they have worked hard to pay for, and in many cases, they lose trust in financial systems altogether.
The stories of Mkopa customers serve as a reminder that true progress should help people rise, not hold them down through hidden debt and digital control.
