Safaricom Sets Deadline for Kenyans to Surrender Old Phones and Chargers, Disappoints Many

Kenyans hoping to earn something from old phones and chargers have received an unexpected message from Safaricom as the deadline approaches.

The telecommunications company has announced a nationwide electronic waste collection drive, asking customers to surrender unused gadgets at its retail shops before November 13, 2026. But one detail has caught many people off guard: there will be no payment for the items handed in.

Safaricom made the announcement on November 6, saying the exercise is meant to help households dispose of electronic waste safely instead of keeping broken devices in drawers or throwing them away carelessly.

The company is inviting Kenyans to take old mobile phones, chargers, earphones, batteries and other small electronic accessories to any Safaricom shop. The drive is open to households, businesses and institutions, and there is no announced limit on how many items someone can bring.

For customers who expected a trade-in deal or cash in exchange for their gadgets, the clarification may come as a disappointment. Safaricom says the campaign is an environmental initiative, not a buy-back programme, meaning people should not expect money or credit regardless of their devices’ age or condition.

So what happens after collection? The items will be handed to licensed recycling partners, including the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre and Warmtech. They will be dismantled and processed so useful materials can be recovered, while hazardous components are handled safely.

The campaign has sparked questions online, with some Kenyans asking whether transport costs will be covered and whether power banks are accepted. Others have welcomed the effort but questioned why a collection exercise needs such a short deadline.

Safaricom says the drive supports its wider zero-waste-to-landfill commitment. Would you take your unused gadgets to a Safaricom shop without receiving payment? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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