The M-Pesa, Cheque & Trade-Finance Menu That Keeps Cash-Flow Happy
The Real Kenyan Cash-Flow Truth
60-day debtor cycles, LPO financing, mattress money — we get it.
So we split our own fee into instalments that match your cash-flow, not ours.
Standard Instalment Map (Already in Contract)
Grow People – KES 400k Example
| Milestone | % | Amount | Days from Invoice | Payment Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kick-off | 50 % | KES 200k | Day 0 | Any of 6 options below |
| Value Gate | 25 % | KES 100k | Day 60 | Any |
| Sign-off | 25 % | KES 100k | Day 90 | Any |
Zero interest, zero bank fees — we absorb the float.
Six Payment Channels You Can Actually Use
a) M-Pesa Paybill xxx xxx
- Scan QR on invoice → pops amount automatically
- Instant receipt to email (Xero plugin)
- Limit: KES 500k per transaction → covers full project
b) Bank Transfer / RTGS
- Bank Account xxxxxxxxxx
- Same-day if before 3 pm — no charge at most banks
c) Cheque (Yes, Still Valid)
- Drop at 137 Farah Road, Karen — receipt issued
- 3-day clearance — work starts on the cheque deposit date
d) LPO Financing — Our Favourite
- You upload our invoice to the Bank Portal → they pay us Day 0
- You repay the bank in 90 days — cash-flow untouched
- We provide an acceptance letter & performance bond (if needed)
e) Trade-Finance / Supplier Credit
- If you’re an exporter → use AFEX or FCI — they settle us, you repay after export proceeds.
- We’ve done 4 projects paid from coffee export proceeds — no drama.
f) Sacco / Chama Bulk Payment
- Some clients bulk-pay from Sacco — we accept as long as the remittance shows names.
M-Pesa Step-by-Step (30 Seconds)
- Open STK → Paybill
- Business No. XXX 222
- Account No. = Invoice number (e.g., WU-2025-07-001)
- Amount = 200000 (no comma)
- PIN → Send
- Screenshot → WhatsApp to +254 798 386137 → receipt issued in 5 min.
LPO Finance Walk-Through (Century Micro-Finance Example)
Day 0
- You upload: our invoice + your LPO + our acceptance letter
- Century pays usKES 200k (less 2.5 % fee = KES 195k received)
- Work starts immediately
Day 90
- You repay CenturyKES 200k — cash-flow stretched 90 days, no interest.
Cost to you: 2.5 % (cheaper than overdraft).
Late-Payment Policy (We Hate Surprises)
- 7-day grace — no fee, just a polite SMS.
- Day 8-30: 1.5 % simple interest (legal CBK rate).
- >30 days: project pauses, warranty freezes, no lawyers — we talk first.
Currency & Forex
- Quotes issued in KES — protects you from USD swings.
- If you earn in USD → we acceptat Central Bank mean rate on invoice date.
Refund Mechanics (When Guarantee Is Missed)
- Paid via M-Pesa → reversal in 24 hrs (STK push).
- Bank transfer → RTGS refund same day (fees on us).
- Cheque → refund cheque or RTGS — your choice.
Longest refund so far: 48 hrs (bank holiday weekend).
Real Client Payment Mix (Last 20 Invoices)
- M-Pesa: 45 %
- Bank RTGS: 25 %
- LPO Finance: 20 %
- Cheque: 10 %
Zero defaults, zero legal letters — so far.
One-Page Payment Menu (PDF)
Download: wiseup.co.ke/payment-menu
- QR codes for each channel
- Bank details in one scan
Bottom Line
- Cashflow should never be the reason you lose good people.
- Pick M-Pesa for speed, LPO finance for stretch, cheque for tradition.
- We fit your rhythm, not the other way round.
Next article: “What If We Are Outside Kenya?” — regional projects, East Africa logistics, currency hedging and why Busia border is our favourite gateway.**
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