Payment & M-Pesa Integration

Everything about payments, M-Pesa, deposits, and financial transactions on Zena

How do I make payments on Zena?

Zena uses M-Pesa STK Push for all payments. When you request property contact information, you'll receive an M-Pesa prompt on your phone. Simply enter your PIN to complete the payment. The process is instant, secure, and you receive a confirmation SMS from M-Pesa.

What is M-Pesa STK Push?

STK Push (SIM Toolkit Push) is a secure M-Pesa feature that sends a payment prompt directly to your phone. You don't need to go through the M-Pesa menu - just enter your PIN when prompted. It's faster, more convenient, and reduces errors compared to manual M-Pesa transactions.

What payment methods does Zena accept?

Currently, Zena accepts M-Pesa payments only. This is the most popular and convenient payment method in Kenya, used by over 30 million people. We're working on adding more payment options including card payments and bank transfers in the future.

How much does it cost to contact a property owner?

The cost varies by property. Property owners set their own finder's fee, typically ranging from KSh 1,000 to KSh 200,000. The fee is displayed before you make payment. Zena takes a small platform fee (2-15% depending on the amount), and the rest goes to the property owner.

Is my M-Pesa payment secure?

Yes, absolutely. Zena uses Safaricom's official M-Pesa API with enterprise-grade security. We never store your M-Pesa PIN. All transactions are encrypted and processed directly by Safaricom. You receive official M-Pesa confirmation SMS for every transaction.

What if my payment fails?

If your payment fails, you won't be charged. Common reasons for failure include: insufficient M-Pesa balance, incorrect PIN, or network issues. You can try again immediately. If problems persist, check your M-Pesa balance and ensure you have a stable network connection.

Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied?

Refunds are issued if: the property owner denies your contact request, the property is no longer available, or there's a system error. Refunds are processed automatically within 24-48 hours back to your M-Pesa account. Contact our support if you believe you're entitled to a refund.

Do I need to pay to search for properties?

No, searching for properties on Zena is completely free. You can browse unlimited properties, view photos and videos, read descriptions, and use our AI assistant at no cost. You only pay when you want to contact a property owner to arrange viewings.

What happens after I make a payment?

After successful payment, you immediately receive: the property owner's phone number and email, a payment receipt via SMS and email, and the ability to contact the owner directly to arrange viewings. The owner is also notified that you've paid and will be expecting your call.

Can I pay for multiple properties at once?

Each property requires a separate payment. This ensures property owners receive their finder's fees individually. However, you can request contact information for multiple properties in succession - just complete one payment before moving to the next.

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