We are so back: Linda Mwananchi announces Paybill is restored

The Linda Mwananchi movement has announced that its Paybill donation platform is back online after experiencing a temporary technical disruption that interrupted contributions from supporters.

In a brief update shared on Thursday, the movement declared, "We are so back!!", signalling that the Paybill service had been restored.

The announcement comes hours after the movement informed supporters that it was experiencing technical challenges affecting donations made through its Paybill platform.

In a public notice issued earlier, the movement said it had contacted the service provider immediately after identifying the problem and was working to restore normal service.

"We are currently experiencing technical issues with the Paybill mode of payment. We have reached out to the provider to resolve the issue as quickly as possible," the notice said.

The movement appealed for patience while the issue was being addressed.

"Kindly bear with us. Thank you for your patience and understanding!"

The Paybill, number 3033049, remains the official platform through which supporters are encouraged to contribute, with donors required to use their phone numbers as the account number.

The fundraising initiative was unveiled earlier this week as part of efforts to finance the activities and logistics of the Linda Mwananchi movement.

Speaking during an interview on Mulembe FM after launching the Paybill, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna urged supporters to contribute Sh10 each, saying the movement intended to rely on small public donations rather than wealthy financiers.

He also rejected claims that the movement was being funded by hidden sponsors.

"The critics should choose one battle. If I'm someone's project, then I have money; why do they then say that I do not have money? They should choose one: either I have or I do not have money. Either I have a sponsor or I do not have one," Sifuna said.

The senator explained that because Linda Mwananchi has not yet been registered as a political party, the Paybill account was opened under his official name.

"I want to explain to Kenyans about our Paybill. We have not registered Linda Mwananchi as a party, so when we are looking for a Paybill account, we use our official names. You will see my name on the Paybill. The Paybill number is 3033049. You will see the name E Sifuna," he said.

Sifuna also pledged that the movement would publicly account for all money raised and explain how the funds are utilised.

Before the temporary disruption, the movement had announced that it had raised Sh2,210,836.82 through contributions made via the Paybill.

The fundraising milestone came just 36 hours after the launch of the platform, with the movement continuing to encourage supporters to make Sh10 contributions as part of its grassroots fundraising campaign.

With the service now restored, the movement is expected to resume its fundraising drive through the Paybill as it continues mobilising support for its activities.