Safaricom has quietly rolled out a new data product called B-Live, and depending on who you ask, it’s either a small revolution for budget-conscious internet users or just another case of Safaricom promising too much and delivering too little.
I’ve been following the rollout closely, comparing Safaricom’s official FAQs, my own experience when I checked the menus, and even a fiery Reddit post from a disappointed customer. Let’s break it all down.
What Exactly is B-Live?
At its core, B-Live shifts your internet usage from MB-based bundles to time-based bundles. Instead of worrying about whether that YouTube video will eat up half your bundle, you’re simply buying hours of “worry-free” internet.
Safaricom describes it as a way to “liberate” customers. In reality, it’s more like paying to open a time-gated data buffet. Once your clock starts ticking, you can use as much data as you can squeeze into that time.
Official Pricing for Safaricom B-Live Data Bundles
Here’s what Safaricom lists in its FAQs:
- KES 20 = 1 Hour
- KES 30 = 1.5 Hours
- KES 50 = 3 Hours
- KES 60 = 2 Hours
- KES 75 = 4.5 Hours
- KES 150 = 6 Hours
That’s the official lineup. But here’s where things get weird.
The Mystery of Missing Options
On my line, I only see KES 30 for 1.5 Hours and KES 75 for 4.5 Hours. None of the other options are available for me. Meanwhile, my wife’s line shows KES 20 for 1 Hour and KES 75 for 4.5 Hours.
Why are we being served different menus? Is Safaricom running A/B testing to see which pricing Kenyans bite first? Are they experimenting regionally? Or is it just Safaricom being Safaricom, changing or removing affordable data bundles, often with no warning? Honestly, I have no idea. But clearly, not everyone gets the same options.
How to Buy B-Live
You can purchase through:
- *544#
- *555#
- *444#
- *200#
- mySafaricom App or web
Checking your balance? Dial *544*44# or just use the app.
While it sounds fair on paper, the devil is in the experience. For instance:
- No Sambaza – You can’t share the bundles.
- No Hotspot/Tethering – You’re locked to your device.
- No Rollovers – Buying a new bundle won’t extend your existing time.
- Priority Data – If you have normal MB bundles, B-Live eats first before dipping into them.
- Buy for self only – You can’t gift your friend a B-Live session.
On top of the above restrictions, one Safaricom user shared a very different story on Reddit. He bought the KES 50 = 3 Hour unlimited bundle and started grinding through his tasks. Within 20 minutes, speeds slowed to a crawl and then the connection was cut off completely. He had only managed to use about 12GB of data.
Thinking maybe it was a glitch, he tried the KES 20 = 1 Hour bundle. Same story. Connection off after about 6GB. To make it worse, Safaricom wouldn’t let him repurchase another bundle until the original “time” had elapsed even though he had been cut off early. So much for “unlimited.”
His conclusion? Safaricom is running a Fair Usage Policy (FUP) that they never mention in the official documentation. That smells like a bait-and-switch.
So, What’s the Deal?
Safaricom is selling B-Live as “worry-free internet,” but the real-world experience suggests there are hidden speed caps and data limits. It’s “unlimited” until you hit a threshold Safaricom won’t admit exists.
If you’re someone who just wants to hop on TikTok, make a Zoom call, or scroll Twitter/X for a couple of hours, B-Live might feel like a bargain. But if you were dreaming of downloading your entire Google Drive or bingeing HD Netflix, you’re going to hit that invisible wall very quickly.
My Take
B-Live is interesting. I like the idea of paying for time instead of MBs. It feels simpler. But Safaricom really needs to be transparent about the limits. If there’s a cap after 6GB or 12GB, just say it. Don’t sell it as “worry-free” and then quietly throttle people. Also, the fact that I get a different menu from my wife, and from what Safaricom claims in their FAQ, makes the whole thing even more confusing. If this is still a “promotion,” maybe they’re testing it out and haven’t standardized the pricing yet.
For now, I’d say: try it, but don’t expect miracles. If you’re a casual user, it could save you a few shillings. If you’re a heavy user, you might just end up frustrated.
