How to Pay NSSF Contributions via USSD *222# in Kenya
USSD *222# is the fastest way to pay your NSSF contributions without internet access — no eCitizen account, no smartphone app, no data required. Dial from any mobile phone on any Kenyan network and pay directly via M-Pesa in under two minutes.
This guide covers the complete *222# steps for both Voluntary Members (NSSFV) and Employers (NSSFE + UPN), plus M-Pesa Paybill 222222 as a backup channel.
Quick answer: Dial *222# → Make Payment → Option 2 (Enter Service Code) → enter NSSFV (voluntary) or NSSFE (employer) → enter your NSSF number or UPN → enter amount → confirm → enter M-Pesa PIN. Done.
Per Kenya Gazette No. 16008 of 2022 and the Presidential Directive dated June 30, 2023, all other mobile money payment platforms for NSSF have been discontinued. Use only: eCitizen portal (ecitizen.go.ke), USSD *222#, or M-Pesa Paybill 222222. Old NSSF paybill numbers no longer work.
Before You Start — What You Need
| Payment Type | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Voluntary Member | Your NSSF Member Number (full number including leading zeros and trailing X where applicable) + M-Pesa registered SIM |
| Employer | Your Unique Payment Number (UPN) generated from the NSSF E-Service portal at eservice.nssfkenya.co.ke + M-Pesa registered SIM |
Don’t know your NSSF number? Check it free via USSD *303# or at selfservice.nssf.or.ke. You can also check your NSSF number via USSD using our step-by-step guide.
Method 1 — Pay via USSD *222#
The *222# USSD menu is operated by eCitizen and routes your M-Pesa payment directly to NSSF. The process is identical on Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom — the USSD session opens, and you follow the menu. Your M-Pesa must have sufficient balance before you dial.
Option A — Voluntary Contribution via *222# (NSSFV)
For self-employed individuals, informal sector workers, and members making top-up contributions independently.
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Dial *222#
Open your phone’s dialer and dial *222#. The eCitizen USSD menu will open within a few seconds.
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Select “Make Payment”
From the main menu, choose the Make Payment option and press Send or OK.
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Select Option 2 — Enter Service Code
When prompted to select a payment method, choose Option 2: Enter Service Code.
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Enter the service code: NSSFV
Type NSSFV exactly (no spaces, no hyphens) and press Send. NSSFV is the code for NSSF Voluntary Contributions.
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Enter your NSSF Member Number
Type your full NSSF member number — include all leading zeros and the trailing ‘X’ character if your number has one. Example: 0012345678X. Press Send.
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Enter the amount to pay
Type the amount you wish to contribute (minimum Ksh 200 per month) and press Send.
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Confirm payment — select 1
A confirmation screen will show the payment details. If correct, select 1 to confirm and press Send.
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Enter your M-Pesa PIN
You will be prompted to enter your M-Pesa PIN on the standard M-Pesa screen. Enter your PIN and press OK to complete the transaction.
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Receive confirmation SMS
You will receive an M-Pesa confirmation SMS immediately. NSSF also receives notification of the payment in real time.
How the *222# Menu Looks — Voluntary Member
Option B — Employer Payment via *222# (NSSFE)
For employers remitting monthly NSSF deductions on behalf of employees. You must have a Unique Payment Number (UPN) before starting — generate it from the NSSF E-Service portal at eservice.nssfkenya.co.ke.
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Generate your UPN first
Log into the NSSF E-Service portal, process your monthly payroll return, and note your Unique Payment Number (UPN). A new UPN is required every month.
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Dial *222#
Open your phone’s dialer and dial *222#. The eCitizen USSD menu will appear.
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Select “Make Payment”
Choose the Make Payment option and press Send.
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Select Option 2 — Enter Service Code
Choose Option 2: Enter Service Code when prompted.
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Enter the service code: NSSFE
Type NSSFE exactly (no spaces) and press Send. NSSFE is the code for NSSF Employer Payments.
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Enter your UPN
Type your full Unique Payment Number exactly as generated from the NSSF E-Service portal. Example: 823000000000. Press Send.
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Confirm payment — select 1
Review the payment details shown on screen. If correct, select 1 to confirm and press Send.
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Enter your M-Pesa PIN
Enter your M-Pesa PIN on the standard M-Pesa screen and press OK to complete.
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Receive confirmation SMS
You will receive an M-Pesa confirmation SMS. NSSF receives immediate notification and reconciles the payment against your payroll return.
What is a UPN? A Unique Payment Number is a one-time reference code generated for each monthly payroll submission on the NSSF E-Service portal. It links your M-Pesa payment to the specific month’s payroll data so NSSF can correctly allocate contributions per employee. You cannot complete an employer payment without a current UPN — a new one is needed each month.
How the *222# Menu Looks — Employer Payment
Method 2 — Pay via M-Pesa Paybill 222222 (Backup)
If the *222# USSD service is unavailable or times out, use M-Pesa Paybill 222222 directly. The account number format is different for voluntary members and employers — using the wrong format will cause your payment to be misallocated or fail.
M-Pesa Paybill Details
The account number format differs for voluntary members and employers. See formats below before paying.
Account Number Format — Voluntary Members
Account Number Format — Employer Payments
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Open M-Pesa → Lipa na M-Pesa → Pay Bill
Go to your M-Pesa menu, select Lipa na M-Pesa, then select Pay Bill.
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Enter Business Number: 222222
Type 222222 as the business number and press OK.
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Enter the correct Account Number
For voluntary contributions: NSSFV- followed by your full NSSF member number (including leading zeros and trailing X).
For employer payments: NSSFE- followed by your UPN. Press OK. -
Enter the amount and press OK
Type the amount you wish to pay and press OK.
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Enter M-Pesa PIN and confirm
Enter your M-Pesa PIN and press OK. You will receive a confirmation SMS and NSSF is notified immediately.
A common mistake is shortening the NSSF member number by dropping leading zeros or the trailing X. Your number must be entered in full exactly as it appears on your NSSF card or statement. An incomplete number causes payment failure or misallocation. Verify your full number at selfservice.nssf.or.ke or via USSD *303#.
How to Verify Your Payment Was Received
Regardless of which channel you used, confirm your contribution was correctly recorded within 24–48 hours:
- Log into selfservice.nssf.or.ke and view your NSSF Contributions Statement
- Your payment should appear within 24–48 hours of the transaction
- If it does not reflect after 48 hours, contact NSSF toll-free on 0800 221 2744 or email info@nssfkenya.co.ke — attach your M-Pesa confirmation SMS when contacting them
USSD vs eCitizen vs Paybill — Quick Comparison
| Channel | Internet Required? | eCitizen Account? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| USSD *222# | No | No | Quick payment from any phone, no data |
| eCitizen Portal | Yes | Yes | Full-featured, supports card and bank payments |
| M-Pesa Paybill 222222 | No | No | Backup when *222# is unavailable |
NSSF Contact Details
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Toll-free line | 0800 221 2744 |
| info@nssfkenya.co.ke | |
| Self-service portal | selfservice.nssf.or.ke |
| NSSF E-Service (employers) | eservice.nssfkenya.co.ke |
| Main website | nssf.or.ke |
More NSSF Guides on MyCyber
USSD Not Working? Payment Not Reflecting?
If *222# gives an error, your UPN is not generating, or your contribution is not showing on your statement, we can help resolve it remotely via WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsApp +254751947700Frequently Asked Questions
Does *222# work on Airtel and Telkom, or only Safaricom?
The *222# USSD code works on Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom Kenya. However, payment is completed via M-Pesa, so you need an active M-Pesa account (Safaricom) with sufficient balance regardless of which network you dial from. Airtel Money and Telkom T-kash are not currently supported for this payment.
What is the difference between NSSFV and NSSFE?
NSSFV is the service code for NSSF Voluntary Contributions — used by self-employed individuals, informal sector workers, and members making personal top-up contributions. NSSFE is the service code for NSSF Employer Payments — used by businesses remitting the monthly deductions collected from employees’ salaries. NSSFE requires a Unique Payment Number (UPN).
Where do I get my UPN for employer payments?
A UPN (Unique Payment Number) is generated when you process your monthly payroll return on the NSSF E-Service portal at eservice.nssfkenya.co.ke. You need a new UPN every month — it is a one-time reference code tied to that month’s payroll data. You cannot use last month’s UPN.
The *222# USSD session timed out before I could complete payment. What do I do?
USSD sessions expire quickly if there is no input. If your session timed out before payment was confirmed, no money was deducted — USSD payments are only processed after you enter your M-Pesa PIN. Simply dial *222# again and restart the process, or use M-Pesa Paybill 222222 as an alternative.
My NSSF contribution is not showing on my statement after 48 hours. What should I do?
First, confirm you have an M-Pesa confirmation SMS showing the payment went through. If you do, contact NSSF on toll-free 0800 221 2744 or email info@nssfkenya.co.ke — provide your full NSSF number, the transaction date, amount, and the M-Pesa confirmation code (e.g. QKJ12345X). NSSF will trace and reconcile the payment manually.
Can I pay NSSF for multiple months at once via *222#?
Yes — voluntary members can pay any amount at or above the Ksh 200 minimum per transaction, and NSSF will allocate the total across months. However, if you are an employer, each UPN covers exactly one month’s payroll — you will need a separate UPN and separate transaction for each month you are catching up on.
What is the minimum NSSF contribution I can make via USSD?
The minimum voluntary NSSF contribution is Ksh 200 per month. There is no maximum for voluntary members — you can contribute any amount above the minimum. Employer contributions are fixed by the payroll amounts declared in the NSSF E-Service portal.
Disclaimer: MyCyber (mycyber.co.ke) is an independent website and is not affiliated with NSSF, eCitizen, or the Government of Kenya. All USSD steps, service codes, account number formats, and policy references in this guide were verified from the official NSSF Public Notice (February 2024) and nssf.or.ke. Payment procedures are subject to change by NSSF — always confirm at nssf.or.ke.
