StarTimes is the budget end of Kenyan pay-TV, and its M-PESA payment is one of the simplest, once you know the account field is your smartcard or IUC number rather than your phone. The number is on a sticker on the decoder and also shows on screen under system or account information.
The verified paybill
StarTimes Kenya is paybill 585858. The account is your smartcard number or IUC number. The paybill is stable and does not change with your bouquet.
Pay StarTimes step by step
- Open the M-PESA app, or dial *334#.
- Select Lipa na M-PESA, then Pay Bill.
- Business number: 585858.
- Account: your smartcard or IUC number.
- Enter the amount for the bouquet you want.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN and confirm.
You get an M-PESA SMS with a transaction code. StarTimes reactivates the subscription within a few minutes in the normal case.
The decoder still says subscription expired
Payment cleared but channels are still scrambled. This is almost always a decoder that has not picked up the fresh subscription yet, not a payment problem.
Paid the wrong smartcard number
If a digit was off, the payment posted to someone else's StarTimes account. StarTimes cannot reverse the M-PESA leg, but they can re-attribute the payment on their side.
- Call StarTimes with your M-PESA code, your phone number, and the correct smartcard number.
- They move the payment to the right account. Keep the SMS until it is resolved.
What it costs
StarTimes payments carry the standard M-PESA paybill fee with no StarTimes surcharge. Bouquets are among the cheapest in the market, so most payments fall in the lowest fee bands.
| Bouquet payment | M-PESA fee | Total off your wallet |
|---|---|---|
| KES 200 | KES 5 | KES 205 |
| KES 550 | KES 5 | KES 555 |
| KES 1,000 | KES 10 | KES 1,010 |
| KES 1,900 | KES 13 | KES 1,913 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the StarTimes paybill number?
StarTimes Kenya is paybill 585858. The account is your smartcard or IUC number, found on a sticker on the decoder or on screen under system information.
My decoder still says expired after paying. What do I do?
Unplug the decoder for 30 seconds and let it fully reboot, then dial *679# to reactivate. If it still fails, call StarTimes with your M-PESA transaction code.
What account do I use for StarTimes?
Your smartcard or IUC number, not your phone number.
How fast does StarTimes reactivate?
Usually within a few minutes. A decoder reboot forces it to pick up a fresh subscription immediately.
Resources
- StarTimes paybill 585858, the verified directory entry, is at paybillke.com/paybill/startimes-kenya.
- Deciding between providers? Read DStv vs GOtv vs StarTimes for the 2026 package and price comparison.
- For GOtv and DStv, see the dedicated pay-via-M-PESA guides.