Kenyans Blast Safaricom Over New E-Waste Campaign: “Why Are We Paying Fare To Drop Free Items?”

Safaricom’s massive new countrywide electronic waste collection drive has backfired spectacularly on social media, with furious customers blasting the telco giant over a shocking zero-payment catch.

The corporate giant sparked instant outrage after ordering Kenyans to empty their drawers of old phones, dead chargers, and broken earphones before a strict November 13 deadline. But the real trouble started when Safaricom confirmed it will not pay users a single cent of M-Pesa cash for surrendering their valuable gadgets.

Netizens immediately flooded the comment sections with angry complaints, questioning why they should spend their own hard-earned money on transport just to give a multibillion-shilling company free raw materials.

“Fine, there is no payment, but what about fare? I have a full bag, and the fare to the collection point is KSh 800,” blasted a frustrated user named Kikwai Johana, perfectly capturing the anger of millions.

Another skeptical customer, Justice Muli, went straight to the point, writing: “Now that you will get value from it, how much are we talking about?” while others flatly asked if they would receive any compensation at all.

Safaricom has defended the behind-the-scenes plan, insisting the move is purely an environmental project to keep toxic materials out of open dumping sites. The company revealed that all dead gadgets dropped off at its retail shops will be handed over to professional recyclers like the WEEE Centre and Warmtech to be dismantled for metals and plastics.

But for everyday Kenyans struggling with high living costs, the zero-payment rule feels like a major corporate rip-off. Many users are now threatening to keep their broken chargers in their drawers rather than paying bus fare to hand them over to Safaricom for free.

Rachael-Writes feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com