semeni | Help

semeni is a SMS-based group messaging service that provides users with a fun and economical way to keep in touch with your group of friends, family, workmates, or any other group. All you do is send one message from your mobile phone and your group receive it simultaneously. semeni is built for all types of groups, from friends confirming their evening plans, a church group planning a prayer session, a neighborhood football team looking to coordinate practice, or a chama (investment group) looking to make a quick decision on a opportunity that has just come up.

semeni is built for all types of groups, from friends confirming their evening plans, a church group planning a prayer session, a neighborhood football team looking to coordinate practice, or a chama (investment group) looking to make a quick decision on a opportunity that has just come up.

Can I create multiple groups?

Yes, you can create multiple groups but there is a limit; you can only belong to a total of 10 groups (created by you or you’ve been invited to join) at any one time.

What types of groups are allowed?

Any group is allowed to use the service. However, Safaricom reserves the right to refuse service to any group, group-member or to cancel groups at any time who do not fulfill the requirements set forth in the Terms and Conditions.

Who can join my group?

Any of your friends, family or colleagues can be invited to join a group you’ve created. Note that they must be Safaricom subscribers.

How much does it cost?

You will be charged Ksh10/- for every SMS sent to the group number (4 digit number)
Receiving a message on semeni is free.
Dialing *184# is free.
Logging onto the website at www.semeni.co.ke is also free.

Is semeni available for users outside of Kenya?

Currently, semeni is only available to Safaricom subscribers in Kenya.

Why can’t I add a friend on another network?

semeni is a Safaricom service and is only available to Safaricom subscribers.

I’m not in Kenya will I be able to use semeni?

semeni is available to Safaricom subscribers who are roaming. However, they will incur additional roaming charges for using the service. Please confirm with Customer Care if you are unsure about the roaming charges.

Are there any restrictions on group names?

A group name must be between two (2) to ten (10) characters long and those characters can only contain letters a-z and numbers 0-9.

How will semeni appear on my bill (postpaid)?

Itemized postpaid bills will indicate a cost for each SMS that was sent to the group number (4 digit number).

Can I change my phone number?

This is currently not possible. However, the group leader can replace you in the group by replacing your old number with your new number.

Who can view my group’s profile?

It depends. If your group is set as Public, other web users are able to view your group profile and group members. However, no phone number is disclosed. If your group is set as Private, no one can view the group other than the group members.

Who can read my group’s messages?

Only members of the group can view the messages exchanged within the group.

How does it work?

How do I create a group?

There are 3 ways you can create a group:

1) Go to www.semeni.co.ke and go through the process of creating a group.

2) Dial *184# and select 'create a new group' and follow through the process.

3) Send a SMS with the text 'create group name' to the number 184. The group name refers to the name of the group you want to create and follow the instructions.

How do I send a message to my group?

Using your phone, create a new SMS and send it to the corresponding group number.

What is the Group Number?

A number is assigned for every group a user creates or joins. For example 0722000001 creates a group (Pals) and 1841 becomes the group number for Pals. The same user then joins another group (Church) and allocated the number 1842 for the group Church.

Number	Use
1841	Assigned to users 1^stgroup on semeni
1842	Assigned to users 2^ndgroup on semeni
1843	Assigned to users 3^rdgroup on semeni
1844	Assigned to users 4^thgroup on semeni
1845	Assigned to users 5^thgroup on semeni
1846	Assigned to users 6^thgroup on semeni
1847	Assigned to users 7^thgroup on semeni
1848	Assigned to users 8^thgroup on semeni
1849	Assigned to users 9^thgroup on semeni
1840	Assigned to users 10^thgroup on semeni

Note: The group number is different for every user. For example if Peter created a group called Pals he would have 1841 as the group number for Pals. Paul has also created a group called Church so he has 1841 as his group number for Church. If Paul is invited to the group Pals, his group number for Pals is 1842 whereas Peter's number is 1841 for the same group.

How do I add people to my group?

There are two (2) ways you can add people to a group. (Note that only a group leader can invite people to join a group)

1. Go to www.semeni.co.ke, sign in, and click on the ‘invite member’ link.

2. Dial *184#, select your group (if more than one) select ‘manage group’. Then select the 'invite a new member' option and enter their mobile phone number when prompted.

How do I STOP receiving group text messages?

When you leave the group, you will permanently stop receiving group messages. There are 2 ways to leave a group.

1. Click here to visit your group profile and click on the 'leave group' link

2. Dial *184# and select the 'view group' option and then select the 'leave group' option.

Note: If you are the Group Leader, you will have to Transfer Leadership to another group member prior to leaving the group.

How do I TEMPORARILY STOP receiving group text messages?

There are three (3) ways you can temporarily stop receiving messages:

1) Go to www.semeni.co.ke and upon signing in; click on the ‘go offline’

2) Dial *184#, select the 'view group' option and then select the 'go offline’ option.

3) Send a SMS with the text 'Offline' to the group number

This will temporarily exclude you from all communication exchanged but not remove you from the group. To view messages exchanged while you were away, click here to visit your group profile.

How do I check the members on my semeni group?

1. Dial *184#, select 'view group' and select your group (in case you have more than one). Select the 'List members of group_name' option, which lists all the members of your group.

2. Go to www.semeni.co.ke and access your group profile. Click on the 'Group members' tab to view a list of the group members.

How do I setup my nickname for my group?

1. Dial *184# and select 'view group'. Select the 'create nickname' option and enter your nickname when prompted. All your future messages will have your nickname included.

2. Go to www.semeni.co.ke and access your group profile. Click on the ‘create nickname’ link.

NB: Your nickname applies to one group only and so this step has to be repeated for all your groups

I do not want to manage my semeni group anymore. How do I transfer the management of the group?

Go to www.semeni.co.ke and access your group profile. Click on ‘transfer leadership’ link then follow the procedure.

Note: This applies to group leaders only

How do I delete a group I created?

1. Dial *184#, select your group (in case you have more than one) then select 'manage group'. Then select the 'delete group' option.

2. Go to www.semeni.co.ke and access your group profile to delete the group.

I forgot my password (website only), what do I do?

Visit www.semeni.co.ke and click on the 'forgot password' link.

You will be asked to enter your phone number. When your number is verified, you will be able to access the site and create a new password.

How do I remove a person from my group?

1. Dial *184#, select your group (if you have more than one) then select 'manage group'. Then select the 'remove a member’ option

2. Alternatively, go to www.semeni.co.ke and access your group profile and select the member you want to remove.

NB: Only the group leader can remove a member of a group.

How do I confirm my group numbers?

Dial *184# and select 'Help', then select the 'get numbers for your groups' option. You will receive a list of all your groups and their corresponding numbers.

How do I confirm my group status?

Dial *184# and select 'Help' and then select the option to 'check your status in your groups'. You will receive your current status in all your groups.

Or click here to view your status within the group (check the group members list).

I'm not receiving messages?

1. Check that you are NOT offline. Dial *184# and select 'Help' and then select the ' to check your status in for your groups'

2. Check that you have not been removed by the group leader or that you have not left the group yourself.

3 Check your line is active on the Safaricom network by calling Customer Care.

How do I change my profile picture?

Go to www.semeni.co.ke and access your group profile. Select the 'my settings' link and then click 'photos' tab. From there you can select your photo or upload a new one. This photo will be used across all your groups.