StarTimes paybill number 585 858
Pay your StarTimes digital TV subscription via M-Pesa.
Verified by paybillke on 27 April 2026how we verify
Pay smarter
Calculate what this transaction will cost
Use the M-Pesa fees calculator to see the exact 2026 cost, in KES or your home currency if you're paying from abroad.
Open calculatorAccount number for StarTimes
- Format
- Account number
- What to type
- Your StarTimes smartcard or IUC number.
- Common mistake
- Including a hyphen, slash, or space: most paybill systems reject the entry silently and the money waits in suspense until manually reconciled.
StarTimes payment not working? Top fixes
Common failure modes when paying StarTimes via M-PESA, with the first fix to try. If none of these resolve it, the 10-character M-PESA transaction code is the universal proof of payment, keep the SMS until the issue clears.
Decoder still shows "subscription expired" and refuses to decode channels after payment.
Unplug the decoder for 30 seconds and let it boot fully: most decoders need a hard reset before they pick up a fresh subscription. If it still fails, dial the operator reactivation USSD (DStv and GOtv: *423#, StarTimes: *679#, Azam: *214#).
Still stuck? How to reverse an M-PESA transaction and M-PESA error code lookup.
Common help with StarTimes
M-PESA paybill cost
What does paying StarTimes cost you?
For KES 2,500 to StarTimes (paybill 585858), you pay KES 33 on top (total KES 2,533 debited from M-PESA). The fee is set by Safaricom, not by the paybill.
Result
Fee
KES 20
Total cost
KES 2,520
Free for transactions up to KES 100.
Some paybills (e.g., government services on eCitizen) are zero-rated, Safaricom waives the customer fee. Confirm with the receiving entity.
Fees are typically lower than Send Money for the same amount.
Updated for 2026 Safaricom tariffs. Verify on safaricom.co.ke before sending large amounts.
How to pay StarTimes
M-Pesa
Pay via M-Pesa 585 858
- Open M-Pesa, dial *334# or open the M-Pesa app.
- Select Lipa na M-Pesa, then Pay Bill.
- Enter Business Number: 585 858
- Enter Account (Account Number): Your StarTimes smartcard or IUC number.
- Enter the amount, in KES.
- Enter your M-Pesa PIN and confirm. You'll get an SMS confirmation.
Account format
Account Number: Your StarTimes smartcard or IUC number.
Paying StarTimes from outside Kenya
If you are abroad and this is a bill for family at home, the usual route costs you twice. You pay a transfer fee to get money into someone's M-PESA, then paying 585858 from that wallet is charged again on the M-PESA paybill tariff.
Before you send, check whether your transfer provider can pay a Kenyan paybill directly rather than paying a person. If it can, the money goes straight to StarTimes, the second charge never happens, and nobody at home has to do anything. Providers differ on this and it changes, so confirm it in your own app rather than taking anyone else's word.
The exact M-PESA charge depends on the amount. Work it out on this page, or compare what the transfer itself costs on the send-money comparison.
M-PESA cost to pay StarTimes (2026 Safaricom tariff)
Total customer fee when paying paybill 585858 from M-PESA at common amounts. Fees are the standard Safaricom paybill bracket; some government services (eCitizen, KRA, NHIF/SHA) are zero-rated and these fees may be waived.
| If you pay StarTimes | M-PESA fee | Total off your M-PESA |
|---|---|---|
| KES 200 | KES 5 | KES 205 |
| KES 500 | KES 5 | KES 505 |
| KES 1,000 | KES 10 | KES 1,010 |
| KES 2,500 | KES 20 | KES 2,520 |
| KES 10,000 | KES 48 | KES 10,048 |
| KES 50,000 | KES 67 | KES 50,067 |
Free for amounts up to KES 100. StarTimes does not charge its own fee on top of the M-PESA tariff; what you see is what you pay.
See full M-PESA fee bands, limits, and the 20% excise duty explained for every amount up to KES 250,000.
StarTimes payment not working? Top fixes
Common failure modes when paying StarTimes via M-PESA, with the first fix to try. If none of these resolve it, the 10-character M-PESA transaction code is the universal proof of payment, keep the SMS until the issue clears.
Decoder still shows "subscription expired" and refuses to decode channels after payment.
Unplug the decoder for 30 seconds and let it boot fully: most decoders need a hard reset before they pick up a fresh subscription. If it still fails, dial the operator reactivation USSD (DStv and GOtv: *423#, StarTimes: *679#, Azam: *214#).
Payment posted to the wrong account because the smartcard / IUC number was off by one digit.
Call the operator with the M-PESA code, your phone number, and the correct smartcard number. The fix is a manual transfer between accounts on the operator side; they cannot reverse the M-PESA leg, only re-attribute their internal record.
Still stuck? How to reverse an M-PESA transaction and M-PESA error code lookup.
Calculator preview
M-Pesa fees for StarTimes
| Amount | M-Pesa fee | Total cost | % fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| KES 50 | Free | KES 50 | , |
| KES 200 | KES 5 | KES 205 | 2.50% |
| KES 1,000 | KES 10 | KES 1,010 | 1.00% |
| KES 5,000 | KES 34 | KES 5,034 | 0.68% |
| KES 20,000 | KES 62 | KES 20,062 | 0.31% |
About StarTimes
Pay your StarTimes digital TV subscription via M-Pesa.
- Sector
- Media
- Official site
- startimes.co.ke
Frequently asked about StarTimes
What is StarTimes's paybill number?
StarTimes's M-Pesa paybill is 585858. Pay your StarTimes digital TV subscription via M-Pesa.
How do I pay StarTimes via M-Pesa?
Open M-Pesa, select Lipa na M-Pesa, then Pay Bill. Enter business number 585858, then your account (Your StarTimes smartcard or IUC number.), then the amount, then confirm with your M-Pesa PIN.
What account number do I use for StarTimes?
Your StarTimes smartcard or IUC number.
Can I pay StarTimes from abroad?
Yes, diaspora users typically send via remittance services like Wise, Sendwave, Lemfi, or WorldRemit, which deposit directly to StarTimes's paybill 585 858. Compare fees on our diaspora hub before sending.
What are the M-Pesa fees for paying StarTimes?
M-Pesa charges a transaction fee based on the amount sent. Use our M-Pesa fees calculator to see the exact 2026 cost for any amount.
What if I pay the wrong amount or use the wrong paybill?
Contact StarTimes support immediately with your M-Pesa transaction code. If you sent to the wrong paybill entirely, contact Safaricom on 100 (free from a Safaricom line) within 7 days to request a reversal, though success isn't guaranteed.
How do I confirm my payment to StarTimes went through?
M-Pesa sends a free SMS confirmation with a transaction code (e.g., ABC12DEF345). Save this code, it's your proof of payment. StarTimes should also confirm receipt via their channels.
Read deeper
TV & streaming
DStv, GOtv, StarTimes, and the broader Kenyan pay-TV market.
Pillar guide
DStv vs GOtv vs StarTimes: which TV package is best in Kenya (2026)
Honest 2026 comparison of DStv, GOtv, and StarTimes, packages, prices, channels, sports coverage, and which fits your household.
More from Media
Related paybills
paybillke is an independent directory and tools service. We are not affiliated with Safaricom, Airtel, T-Kash, or any listed company.
Paybill displayed: 585 858 (mpesa paybill). How we verify.