Kenyatta University has unveiled a new prepaid, PayPass-enabled card for its alumni, the KU Alumni Card, which will allow former students to enjoy discounts from selected partners including mobile networks, hotels and bookshops.
The KU Alumni Card allows cardholders to transact at more than 34 million MasterCard points of sale worldwide as well as access money at all Equity Bank ATMs and agents.
Speaking during the unveiling of the card at the Laico Regency, Kenyatta University, vice chancellor Olive Mugenda said: “A university is only as strong as its alumni. We are proud of what our alumni are doing out there and we want them to continue fostering the relationship they have with the university through the usage of this card.”
KU Alumni cardholders will also be allowed discounts at all KU outlets including the KU Conference Centre and the North Coast Beach Hotel, the Post Modern Library and will get discounts on tuition fees for their children as well.
Other partners offering discounts to cardholders include Safaricom, Text Book Centre, Automobile Association of Kenya, Apollo Insurance and Emergency Plus services (Red Cross).
“As an alumnus of Kenyatta University it gives me great pleasure to be working with the institution that prepared me for the world of finance,” said James Wainaina, vice president and area business head for MasterCard Worldwide in East Africa.
“We are excited about including PayPassin this card.”
PayPass works by simply tapping on a specially equipped merchant terminal.
James Mwangi, chief executive officer (CEO) of Equity Bank, said: “What we are offering is a service that is in line with our vision of enhancing access to financial services. By promoting the use of cards to carry out financial transactions, we will be able to shape the future uptake of cashless transactions.”
KU Alumni Card users will earn redeemable points each time they transact with the cards. They will also be able to load them by transferring funds directly from their Equity Bank accounts or via M-Pesa.
