Startimes is one of the most preferred Pay TV options in Kenya. Over the years, the service provider has grown to a household television service in Kenya, thanks to its viewing options for all Kenyans, whether young or adult. With over 1 million active subscribers nationwide and a presence in more than 30 African countries, StarTimes has established itself as a leading digital TV provider offering both satellite DTH and terrestrial services. If you are using Startimes TV Kenya, you need to know how to pay for the service to avoid service interruptions. So, are you looking forward to paying for Startimes using M-Pesa in Kenya?
When it comes to Startimes payments, M-Pesa is a go-to solution. M-Pesa is a well-known Payment provider in Kenya. It was launched in 2007 and has more than 35 million active users today (Abojani). It has been adopted by financial institutions such as banks and pay TV channels such as DStv and Startimes to facilitate easy Subscription payments. The platform processes over 1.7 billion transactions annually, making it the most reliable payment method for utility bills and entertainment subscriptions in Kenya. This guide will walk you through all you need to know about using M-Pesa for Startimes payments.
StarTimes Technology Types
Before we take a look at how you can pay for your subscription, it’s crucial to understand that StarTimes offers two distinct technologies in Kenya. If you’re using a satellite dish with a satellite decoder to receive StarTimes TV channels, you’re using DTH (Direct to Home) technology, which provides HD quality and access to more channels including premium sports and international content. On the other hand, if your decoder only requires an aerial to receive channels, you have a DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) decoder, which is more affordable but offers fewer channels and standard definition quality.
StarTimes Packages In Kenya
Before we go deep into the process of paying for Startimes, it is essential to understand how much the Startimes Bouquet costs per month in Kenya. This is essential to ensure you know how much you will be charged at the end of the month.
Below is the stable for all Startimes packages and their process as of 2025:
Satellite TV Packages (DTH)
| Package | Price | Channels | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova | Ksh. 549 | 40+ | Budget-conscious viewers |
| Smart | Ksh. 1,199 | 60+ | Sports and movie enthusiasts |
| Super | Ksh. 1,799 | 80+ | Premium entertainment |
| Chinese | Ksh. 2,300 | 100+ | International content |
Antenna TV Packages (DTT)
| Package | Price per Month | Channels Available | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| StarTimes Nyota | Ksh. 329 | 35+ | Basic entertainment, local channels |
| StarTimes Basic | Ksh. 749 | 56+ | Sports channels, international content |
| StarTimes Classic | Ksh. 1,149 | 75+ | Premium sports, movies, kids channels |
Weekly Subscription Options
For flexible viewing, StarTimes also offers weekly subscriptions at reduced rates:
- Nyota bouquet: Ksh. 110 per week
- Basic bouquet: Ksh. 260 per week
- Classic bouquet: Ksh. 400 per week
- Nova bouquet: Ksh. 190 per week
- Smart bouquet: Ksh. 420 per week
- Super bouquet: Ksh. 600 per week
Kids Channel Add-on
Parents can enhance Nyota and Basic packages by paying an additional Ksh. 150 monthly to access premium kids’ channels including CBeebies, Akili Kids, and Canal J, providing educational and entertainment content for children.
How to pay StarTimes Using pay bill number
When it comes to paying for Startimes, using M-Pesa is an easy process that you can comfortably do in the comfort of your own home without seeking any help from the Startimes Team. However, before you proceed with the payment process, ensure you know the right Startimes Paybill number in 2025, which is 585858. Additionally, the process will require you to have an active account number, which is your Smart card number (Found below your Startimes decoder).
If you have all this, you can follow the process below to proceed with the payment part:
Step-by-Step M-Pesa Payment Process:
- On your Phone, Locate the STK tool and Navigate to the M-Pesa Menu (dial *334# or use the M-Pesa app)
- Once on M-Pesa, Select “Lipa na M-Pesa” and then Choose “Pay Bill.”
- When Prompted to enter a Business Number, use Startimes Pay bill number 585858 and Press OK
- Next is the Account number here; make sure to use the Smart decoder Number found at the bottom of your decoder
- Proceed to enter the right amount (Exactly as the Start times package prices we have listed above) and press on Ok
- Finally, Enter your M-Pesa Pin and wait for a confirmation message from M-Pesa
- You’ll receive two confirmation SMS messages: one from M-Pesa and another from StarTimes confirming your subscription activation
NOTE: If you are using the M-Pesa App to pay, the process is similar to the one discussed above. Use the same StarTimes Paybill 585858 and Smart card numbers as your Account numbers. Immediately you pay, you will have to wait for a few minutes before Startimes payment systems can receive your payment. The whole process takes less than five minutes, with most payments reflecting instantly.
Alternative Payment Options
Aside from using M-Pesa to Make Payments, Startimes offers other payment options to ensure all Kenyans can access their services regardless of their mobile money provider. They include:
Airtel Money
- On your phone, Open the STK Tool and go to the Airtel Money Menu (dial *222#)
- Select Make Payments and then Tap on Pay bill
- Many popular Paybill options will be presented. Proceed and choose Other at the end of the list
- Now, as for the business name, Enter STARTIMES in capital letters and then Enter amount in Ksh and Press OK
- Enter your Airtel Money PIN, and then for the reference number, now proceed to Enter your Startimes SmartCard Number
- When done, press send to complete the transaction process.
Equitel
- Open the Equitel SIM toolkit on your phone.
- Select my Money option, then EazzyPay, and Lastly, Pay the bill
- Next, Proceed to the account from the presented options, proceed to Businesses and then choose Startimes.
- Enter your smartcard number and follow the rest of the Prompts to complete the payment process.
T-Kash (Telkom)
For Telkom users, follow these steps:
- Dial *160#
- Select “Pay Bill”
- Enter the Paybill number 585858
- Input your StarTimes account number
- Key in the amount you wish to pay
- Confirm the transaction with your T-Kash PIN
StarTimes Self-Service Options
StarTimes provides a convenient USSD code *858# available on Safaricom and Airtel networks for:
- Checking account balance and expiry dates
- Upgrading or downgrading packages
- Viewing payment history
- Getting technical support
The StarTimes ON app, available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, offers comprehensive self-service features:
- Package subscription and renewal
- Live streaming of StarTimes content
- Payment history tracking
- Customer support chat
- Package switching and management
How to Change Your StarTimes Package
You can easily upgrade or downgrade your StarTimes package using several methods:
Via USSD Code:
- Dial *858# on Safaricom or Airtel
- Follow the prompts to select your new package
- Confirm with your decoder’s smartcard number
Via StarTimes ON App:
- Log into the app with your account details
- Navigate to “My Account”
- Select “Change Package” and choose your preferred option
- Complete payment for the new package
StarTimes customer care
For immediate assistance, reach out to StarTimes using:
- StarTimes customer care number (National Service Hotline): 0719077077
- Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Email address: info.ke@startimes.com.cn
- Physical address (Headquarters): Victoria Towers, Kilimanjaro Avenue, Opposite Crowne Plaza, G/F, Nairobi, Kenya
- Facebook: @startimeskenya
- Self-Service USSD: *858# (Safaricom and Airtel)
- StarTimes ON App: Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you quickly pay for your Startimes subscription in Kenya. When it comes to payment, use M-Pesa and remember to use the correct Startimes pay bill number 585858. Whether you’re a new subscriber looking for affordable entertainment or an existing customer wanting to upgrade your viewing experience, StarTimes offers flexible packages and convenient payment methods to meet your needs. With multiple customer support channels and self-service options, managing your StarTimes subscription has never been easier.
