Kenya’s High Court has again ruled that Safaricom cannot let your hard-earned Bonga Points expire, cementing the view that loyalty points are customer-owned property rather than a corporate perk. The decision blocks the telco’s bid to pause an earlier 2024 judgment while it waits for an appeal, ending—at least for now—the long back-and-forth over one of the country’s most popular rewards programmes.
How We Got Here
October 2022: The Expiry Bombshell
Safaricom shocked subscribers when it announced that any points older than three years would disappear from January 2023, a move explained in detail in our Safaricom’s initial expiry announcement in 2022.
November 2024: First Court Defeat
Consumer rights groups and individual users sued, arguing the plan was unfair and unconstitutional. Justice Chacha Mwita agreed, declaring the policy “null and void” and affirming that points belong to customers once earned.
July 2025: Second Court Setback
Safaricom asked the same judge to suspend that ruling during its appeal. Justice Mwita refused, saying allowing the expiry to proceed would perpetuate an unconstitutional act.
Why Safaricom Keeps Fighting
Unredeemed points sit on Safaricom’s books as a liability. With billions of points outstanding, the telco fears a sudden redemption surge could hurt cash flow. By re-introducing expiry rules, Safaricom hoped to chip away at that liability while it awaited an appeal decision. The court’s latest refusal means the company must absorb the accounting cost a while longer.
What This Means for You
- No ticking clock: Whether you’ve saved points since 2015 or last week, they remain valid.
- Full redemption menu: You can still swap points for airtime, data, or pay with them at partner merchants.
- A stronger legal precedent: Loyalty rewards now sit firmly under consumer-protection law—useful ammunition if other brands try similar tactics.
Bonga Points Still Matter
During the COVID-19 crunch, Kenyans donated more than KES330 million worth of points via the Bonga For Good campaign during COVID-19. The programme also lets users invest in shares with Bonga Points or even redeem for LG appliances. In short, points are woven into daily life—one reason the expiry plan hit such a nerve.
Wider Impact on Loyalty Schemes
Safaricom’s defeat signals to other Kenyan companies that loyalty points may legally qualify as “property.” Any brand contemplating silent rule changes—especially expiry dates—faces a higher legal hurdle and reputational risk. Expect airlines, supermarkets, and banks to scrutinise their own terms to avoid similar courtroom drama.
What Happens Next?
Safaricom’s appeal heads to the Court of Appeal. If it overturns the High Court decision, the telco could re-impose expiry. If not, the precedent will solidify, shaping how Kenyan loyalty programmes operate for years. Either way, the burden now lies with companies—not customers—to justify any claw-back of earned rewards.
Bottom Line
For now, your Bonga Points are safe and timeless. Keep collecting, keep redeeming, and remember: those points are yours until a higher court says otherwise.
