| 1. | What is Chiriku SMS? |
| Chiriku SMS is a classifieds service which lets users post and search for items through the Internet and text messages (SMS). The SMS access number or "shortcode" for the service is 8000. |
| 2. | How do I use Chiriku SMS? |
| For information on how to use Chiriku SMS, click here. |
| 3. | What can I sell on Chiriku SMS? |
| You can probably sell anything on Chiriku. However, it is more likely that the service will work better for certain kinds of items and not others. Your feedback will be valuable in showing us how to make the service more useful. |
| 4. | What language should I use on Chiriku SMS? |
| We recommend that you use English or Swahili. This does not mean that you cannot use other languages, but English and Swahili are the two most common languages in use. |
| 5. | Why is it taking so long to get a response? |
| Performance of the service may be affected by such things as network traffic and the amount of activity on our system. Nevertheless, we aim to provide a response to all messages in a reasonable amount of time. Normally, you should receive a response within a few seconds. |
| 6. | How much does it cost to use Chiriku? |
| Each SMS sent to the system will be charged Ksh. 10. There are no daily, weekly or other charges. |
| 7. | For how long will my advertisement be on the system? |
| Each listing expires after 21 days. However, if the item listed finds a buyer before the 21 days are over, it is the seller’s responsibility to remove the listing. This can be done using P DELETE followed by the number of the advertisement to be deleted, e.g., P delete 3. To view your listings, send P LIST to 8000. |
| 8. | Why should I put my advertisment in Chiriku rather than in a newspaper? |
| There is no reason why you cannot place your advertisement in the newspaper as well as in Chiriku. However, remember that the mobile phone system has a much wider coverage than newspapers. Also, an advertisement posted on Chiriku will be available for 21 days as opposed to the one day you will get in a newspaper. Advertising in Chiriku is also much cheaper than in a newspaper and since an SMS message can carry up to 160 characters, you can say a lot more. In addition, when advertising in a newspaper there is the hassle of having to go to a newspaper office to place your ad, while you can post an ad on Chiriku from virtually anywhere, at any time, day or night.(Some newspapers are now turning to the Web and SMS, but they are certainly not as convenient or as affordable as we are!). |
| 9. | How long will it take for my advertisement to be listed on the database? |
| Your advertisement will be listed on the database immediately and is searcheable within seconds! |
| 10. | Are results to queries limited to a single SMS? |
| No, if your results exceed 160 characters (the size of an SMS message), you will be asked to reply with the letter N (for "next") to see the rest of the results. |
| 11. | Can I edit my post? |
| Unfortunately, once your advertisement has been posted you cannot edit it. Instead you will have to delete it and re-post it. |
| 12. | Can I view Chiriku.com on my mobile phone? |
| Currently, Chiriku.com is best viewed on a computer. However, a version that is suitable for viewing on most Internet-enabled mobile phones is in the pipeline. |
| 13. | Why do I need to enable JavaScript? |
| Chiriku needs JavaScript to work properly. For instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser, click here. If you are using Firefox and the NoScript addon, click on "Allow chiriku.com" to mark Chiriku as trusted. |
| 14. | Is the service available on every mobile network? |
| Currently, the service is available on the Safaricom, Orange and Zain networks. We hope to extend the service to the Yu network at some point in the near future. |
| 15. | Is there a number I can call if I need assistance or if I want to report a problem? |
| Yes, you can call or text us at 0717 034 018 between 9 a.m and 6 p.m any day of the week (including Sunday and public holidays). You can also use our contact form or send us an email. |
| 16. | What’s the difference between Website and SMS search results? |
| Search results on the website are slightly older than SMS search results. Search results on the website are at least a day old while Get Alerts and SMS search results can be just a few seconds old! In other words, Get Alerts and SMS search offer the most up-to-date results. In addition to its being more up-to-date, SMS search also means that you don’t have to get onto the Internet to do a search, and in the case of Get Alerts, the system will actually do the search for you and send you the results when the item you’re looking for becomes available! |
| 17. | What does the name Chiriku mean? |
| Chiriku is the Swahili word for the canary bird. The canary is a small, yellow, lovable yet talkative songbird. While canaries are often kept as pets, they are still quite common in the wild. Examples include the Yellow-fronted Canary and the White-bellied Canary, pictured here and here. |
