Bulk SMS provider in Kenya
Bulk SMS in Kenya, sent from your own Sender ID
Brilio Technologies is a bulk SMS provider in Kenya for businesses, SACCOs, schools, churches, NGOs and developers. Send promotional and transactional SMS to Safaricom, Airtel and every other Kenyan network from our web portal or SMS API, with a delivery report for every message and M-Pesa top-ups.
What is bulk SMS?
Bulk SMS is sending one text message to many phone numbers at once, from a web portal or straight from your own software through an SMS API. In Kenya it is still the most reliable way to reach customers: an SMS arrives on every phone, including feature phones, with no data bundle, no app and no internet connection needed.
Messages go out under your Sender ID, your business name of up to 11 characters, so customers see who is texting them instead of an unknown number. Kenyan businesses use bulk SMS in two ways:
- Transactional SMS: messages the customer expects, such as OTP codes, M-Pesa payment confirmations, loan and fee reminders, appointment and delivery updates.
- Promotional SMS: marketing to customers who opted in, such as offers, new products, events and announcements, which can be scheduled and repeated.
Bulk SMS prices in Kenya
You pay per SMS, priced in Kenya shillings. The more you top up, the lower your price per SMS. There is no monthly subscription for sending. A Sender ID is a one-off setup fee per network.
Bulk SMS Rates
| TELCO | STARTER KES 0 – 19,999 | GROWTH KES 20,000 – 99,999 | BUSINESS KES 100,000 – 399,999 | ENTERPRISE KES 400,000+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safaricom | KES 0.80 | KES 0.60 | KES 0.50 | KES 0.40 |
| Airtel | KES 0.80 | KES 0.80 | KES 0.70 | KES 0.60 |
Sender ID
One-time setup cost for a custom Sender ID, per network.
| NETWORK | SET UP |
|---|---|
| Bundled Safaricom & Airtel | KES 14,500 |
| Safaricom only | KES 7,000 |
| Airtel only | KES 7,000 |
Messages over 160 characters are sent in parts and each part is billed as one SMS. Full rate card for SMS, USSD and short codes: Brilio pricing.
How to send bulk SMS in Kenya
- Create your accountSign up free in the bulk SMS portal. No contract and no setup fee to get started.
- Top up with M-PesaLoad your wallet from the portal. Credit is available as soon as the payment is confirmed.
- Register your Sender IDSend us an authorisation letter and your business registration certificate. We submit the Sender ID to Safaricom, Airtel and the other networks for you.
- Add your contactsPaste numbers, upload a CSV or save reusable contact groups for customers, members, parents or staff.
- Send, schedule and trackSend now or schedule promotional campaigns, then follow the delivery report for every number.
Sender ID registration in Kenya
Every branded bulk SMS in Kenya needs a Sender ID registered on each mobile network. The name must be 11 characters or fewer and clearly belong to your business; a product or brand name that differs from your company name may also need a trademark certificate.
To apply you need an authorisation letter on your company letterhead, your certificate of registration or incorporation and a few sample messages. Approval usually takes one to two weeks, depending on the network. We handle the submission, follow up with each network and tell you when your Sender ID is live.
Read the full guide: Sender ID registration for bulk SMS in Kenya.
Who uses bulk SMS in Kenya
SACCOs & microfinance
Loan repayment reminders, contribution receipts, balance alerts and AGM notices for members.
Schools & colleges
Fee reminders, exam results, closing and opening dates and urgent notices to parents.
Retail & e-commerce
Offers to opted-in customers, order confirmations, delivery updates and loyalty rewards.
Fintech & lenders
OTP codes, M-Pesa payment confirmations, loan disbursement and due-date alerts.
Churches & NGOs
Service and event announcements, fundraising updates and community alerts.
Healthcare & services
Appointment reminders, test-result notifications, rent reminders and customer support.
Bulk SMS API for developers
Send SMS from your own app, website, loan system or ERP with the Brilio SMS API. Authorise with an API key from your portal, send to a list of numbers, a CSV or a saved contact group, and track delivery for every message. Sandbox keys return realistic responses without sending or charging, so you can test before going live.
curl -X POST https://sms-api.briliotechnologies.com/v1/messages/send \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $BRILIO_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"send_path": "direct",
"sms_type": "transactional",
"sender_id": "YOURBRAND",
"message": "Your payment of KES 1,500 has been received. Thank you!",
"recipients": ["254712345678", "254733123456"]
}'Guides and code samples: Brilio developer documentation.
Why choose Brilio as your bulk SMS provider in Kenya
Every Kenyan network
Deliver to Safaricom, Airtel and the other networks from one account and one Sender ID application.
Clear, published prices
Per-SMS rates in KES by volume, shown on this page. No monthly fee for sending.
Delivery you can see
A delivery report for every number, so you know exactly who received your message.
Scheduling & groups
Contact groups, CSV uploads, scheduled and recurring promotional campaigns.
Developer-first API
REST API with sandbox keys, contact groups and CSV sends, documented with working examples.
SMS, USSD & software
Add a USSD code or a custom system later with the same Kenyan team in Mombasa.
How we compare with other providers, and how to switch: Brilio as your bulk SMS provider in Kenya.
Bulk SMS in Kenya: frequently asked questions
How much does bulk SMS cost in Kenya?
With Brilio Technologies bulk SMS starts from KES 0.40 per SMS. Your rate depends on the network and how much you top up: the more you send, the lower the price per SMS. There is no monthly fee for sending, and the full rate card is on our pricing page.
Do I need a Sender ID to send bulk SMS in Kenya?
To send from your business name instead of a number, yes. A Sender ID is up to 11 characters and must be registered separately on each network (Safaricom, Airtel and others). We submit the application for you; you provide an authorisation letter on your letterhead and your business registration certificate.
How long does Sender ID registration take in Kenya?
Usually one to two weeks, depending on the network. Safaricom reviews applications in batches each week, and other networks can take up to 14 working days. Complete documents and a Sender ID that clearly matches your registered business name are the fastest route to approval.
Which networks can I send bulk SMS to?
Safaricom, Airtel and the other Kenyan mobile networks. Each message gets a delivery report, so you can see which numbers received it and which failed.
Can I pay for bulk SMS with M-Pesa?
Yes. You top up your account wallet with M-Pesa from the bulk SMS portal and the credit is available as soon as the payment is confirmed.
Can I send bulk SMS from an Excel or CSV contact list?
Yes. Upload a CSV of phone numbers, save contacts into groups you can reuse, or paste numbers directly. Promotional campaigns can also be scheduled for a later date or set to repeat.
What is the difference between transactional and promotional SMS?
Transactional SMS are messages a customer expects, such as OTPs, payment confirmations, loan reminders and delivery updates. Promotional SMS are marketing messages such as offers and announcements; they may only go to people who agreed to receive them and must include a way to opt out.
Is bulk SMS marketing legal in Kenya?
Yes, when you follow the rules: send promotional messages only to people who opted in, include an opt-out, identify your business through a registered Sender ID and handle phone numbers as personal data under the Data Protection Act, 2019.
Do you have a bulk SMS API?
Yes. The Brilio SMS API is a REST API authorised with an API key from your portal. Sandbox keys return realistic responses without sending messages or charging your wallet, so you can build and test your integration first.
How many characters can one SMS have?
One SMS holds 160 standard characters. Longer messages are split into parts and each part is billed as one SMS, so keep campaigns short and clear.
Bulk SMS guides for Kenyan businesses
-
SMS
Bulk SMS Prices in Kenya (2026): Cost per SMS, Sender ID and Real Budgets
What bulk SMS really costs in Kenya in 2026: price per SMS by network and volume, Sender ID fees, Safaricom's direct tariff compared, and monthly budgets for a school, a SACCO and a fintech.
5 min readRead guide → -
SMS
Bulk SMS Provider in Kenya: How to Choose the Right One (2026 Guide)
What a bulk SMS provider in Kenya does, what really drives the cost per SMS, and a 10-point checklist for choosing one, for SACCOs, schools, shops and developers.
5 min readRead guide → -
USSD
USSD and Bulk SMS in Kenya: How to Use Them Together
USSD lets customers act, SMS confirms it and brings them back. How Kenyan lenders, SACCOs, schools and retailers combine the two, with five flows you can copy.
4 min readRead guide →
Start sending bulk SMS in Kenya today
Create a free account, top up with M-Pesa and send your first campaign. Need help with your Sender ID? Call us on +254 799 043 853.
