Acceptable Use Policy
Last updated: · Imaripay Limited
This Acceptable Use Policy sets out the businesses and activities that may not use Imaripay (prohibited), and those that may only use Imaripay with our prior written approval and additional controls (restricted). It forms part of our Merchant Services Agreement. Our Partner Institutions and payment networks may impose additional restrictions, which also apply.
1. Prohibited businesses and activities
You may not use the Services for, or in connection with:
- any activity that is illegal in Kenya or in the jurisdiction of you or your Customers;
- money laundering, terrorism financing, proliferation financing, sanctions evasion or dealing with sanctioned persons or jurisdictions;
- narcotics, controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, and unlicensed sale of prescription medicines;
- weapons, ammunition, explosives and their components, except by licensed dealers with our approval;
- child sexual abuse material, non-consensual sexual content, human trafficking or exploitation of any kind;
- Ponzi or pyramid schemes, “get rich quick” schemes, unlicensed investment or deposit-taking, and unlicensed lending;
- counterfeit or infringing goods, and goods or services that infringe intellectual property rights;
- unlicensed gambling, betting, lotteries or games of chance;
- shell companies, unregulated money transmission, or processing payments on behalf of third parties (payment aggregation) without our written approval;
- deceptive, unfair or predatory practices, including hidden subscriptions and negative-option billing;
- trade in endangered wildlife, ivory or other products prohibited under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013;
- hate speech, incitement to violence, or content promoting terrorism;
- unlicensed sale of tobacco, alcohol or regulated products, or sale of such products to minors; and
- any activity that, in our reasonable opinion, poses an unacceptable legal, financial or reputational risk.
2. Restricted businesses
The following may be permitted subject to enhanced due diligence, evidence of applicable licences and any additional conditions we set, such as reserves or limits:
| Category | Typical requirements |
|---|---|
| Licensed betting, gaming and lotteries | Valid Betting Control and Licensing Board licence; responsible gaming controls; age verification. |
| Financial services, lending and SACCOs | CBK, SASRA, CMA or other relevant licence; disclosure of pricing and terms. |
| Virtual assets and crypto-related services | Registration or licensing as required under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 and applicable regulations; travel-rule compliance. |
| Money remittance and payment facilitation | Applicable CBK authorisation; documented downstream KYC. |
| Pharmacies and health products | Pharmacy and Poisons Board registration; prescription controls. |
| Alcohol and tobacco | County liquor licence and age verification. |
| Travel, ticketing and events | Evidence of fulfilment capability; possible reserve for future-dated delivery. |
| Charities, religious organisations and crowdfunding | Registration with the relevant authority; transparency on use of funds. |
| Forex and trading platforms | Capital Markets Authority licence or equivalent; client fund segregation. |
| Adult content (lawful) | Age and consent verification; enhanced monitoring. |
3. Prohibited uses of the platform
- Attempting to circumvent limits by splitting Transactions or using multiple accounts.
- Testing stolen card numbers or mobile accounts, or running unauthorised STK prompts.
- Interfering with, reverse-engineering or overloading the Services, or probing them for vulnerabilities outside our responsible disclosure process.
- Misrepresenting your identity, business, products or the nature of a Transaction.
- Using the Services to send unsolicited or harassing payment requests.
4. Enforcement
If we believe you are in breach of this policy we may, without prior notice where permitted by law, refuse or reverse Transactions, hold funds, require additional information, suspend or terminate your account, and report the activity to relevant authorities. Where funds are proceeds of prohibited activity, we may be required to withhold them.
5. Questions
If you are unsure whether your business is permitted, contact compliance@imaripay.com before you start processing.