Residents of Kisii County have received a major boost in access to mobile phone after-sales services following the opening of a new Samsung Experience Store at Naivas Mall in Kisii town.

The facility was launched during the Customer Service Week through a partnership between Samsung Electronics and Watu Credit and is expected to bring repair and customer support services closer to thousands of mobile phone users in Kisii and neighbouring areas.

Samsung, through its Enterprise Investment Partner Nexora Agencies, will oversee repairs at the centre, enabling customers to access genuine spare parts and other after-sales services without travelling to distant service centres.

Speaking during the launch, Watu Credit Country Manager Damien Gueroult said the facility will improve access to quality and affordable services while reducing the cost and inconvenience associated with travelling long distances for repairs.

“Watu Credit is an asset-financing company that has enabled residents of Kisii and beyond to acquire smartphones through its mobile-phone financing programme,” Gueroult noted.

He explained that customers can acquire phones on credit and make repayments over an agreed period, after which ownership of the devices is transferred to them.

The Country Manager assured customers that the new centre will offer genuine products and after-sales services, including affordable repairs and faster turnaround times.

 However, he cautioned customers who acquire phones on credit against tampering with or attempting to remove tracking mechanisms installed on the devices.

He pointed out that such actions could constitute an offence and may also affect customers’ ability to access future financing.

Further, Gueroult called for increased public awareness of the terms and conditions governing financed mobile phones to ensure customers understand and meet their obligations.

Samsung’s Device Financing Lead for East Africa George Kebaso said the Kisii facility is the 24th service centre established through the partnership in Kenya.

Kebaso noted that companies are responding to growing demand for smartphones and other digital devices, with advancements in artificial intelligence also influencing the development of new products.

He said that Samsung remains committed to designing devices that meet the needs of different categories of consumers while taking into account their varying purchasing power.

According to data from the Communications Authority of Kenya, smartphones account for 63.7 percent to 80.5 percent of mobile devices connected to mobile networks in Kenya.

At the same time, asset-financing models similar to the partnership between Samsung and Watu are increasingly being embraced by Kenyans for everyday phone purchases due to affordability hurdles.

 by Mercy Osongo