You’re trying to make a quick call and just as the phone starts ringing… you’re hit with that all too familiar voice: “You have insufficient funds.” It’s frustrating, inconvenient and sometimes urgent. But in 2025, Safaricom has a smart solution for you — Okoa Chap Chap.
If you’ve ever run out of airtime at the worst possible moment, this guide will show you exactly how to use Safaricom’s Okoa Chap Chap to complete calls with zero balance — no need to top up first.
What Is Okoa Chap Chap?
Okoa Chap Chap is Safaricom’s latest innovation — an airtime overdraft service that allows you to start and complete a call even with zero airtime. The cost of the call is calculated after you hang up and is deducted from your account the next time you top up.
It’s like Fuliza, but for phone calls.
Why Was Okoa Chap Chap Introduced?
Safaricom found out that over 10 million calls were being dropped daily due to users running out of airtime mid-call. Existing options like Okoa Jahazi and Please Call Me didn’t fully solve the problem — especially when you wanted to keep talking without interruption.
Thanks to Safaricom’s agile innovation team, led by Product Manager Shiffira Gakenia, Okoa Chap Chap was born to fill this gap — so calls don’t drop just because your balance hits zero.
How Okoa Chap Chap Works
When you make a call with no airtime:
Safaricom detects your zero balance.
You hear a prompt:
“Your call is going to complete shortly using Okoa Chap Chap. You have up to Sh25 to complete your call. To continue, press zero.”Once you press 0, your call continues normally.
After the call ends, the cost is charged to your account as a credit (a small overdraft).
The amount is deducted the next time you top up your line.
Okoa Chap Chap Limits
You can use up to Ksh 25 per call.
Maximum limit per day is Ksh 250.
You must accept the service manually during the call (by pressing 0).
Charges are only applied after your call ends — no upfront deductions.
How to Activate or Use Okoa Chap Chap on Safaricom
No registration required. Okoa Chap Chap is available to all eligible customers. Here’s how to use it:
Try to make a call as usual (even with zero airtime).
Wait for the Okoa Chap Chap prompt.
Press 0 when prompted to proceed.
Continue your call.
Charges will be deducted automatically once you top up your airtime.
Who Can Use Okoa Chap Chap?
Prepaid Safaricom subscribers
Customers with a good repayment record (those who frequently use Fuliza or Okoa Jahazi are more likely to qualify)
PostPay users are not eligible since they already use a billing system
How Popular Is It?
Over 2 million Kenyans use Okoa Chap Chap every day
1 million users adopted it on launch day
Call drops caused by lack of airtime have reduced from 10 million to 6 million daily
What Happens If You Don’t Repay?
Only about 2% of users default on their payments. If you don’t repay after using Okoa Chap Chap, you may be temporarily blocked from using the service again — just like Fuliza or Okoa Jahazi.
What’s Next for Okoa Chap Chap?
Safaricom is working on expanding the service even further — possibly allowing you to use it even if your airtime runs out mid-call, not just at the beginning.