Frequently Asked
Questions
If you're new to Dukene or looking to improve your storefront checkout and M-Pesa payment experience, these guides will help you learn more about our platform and its architecture.
Dukene basics
What is Dukene and who is it built for?+
Dukene is the multi-tenant commerce and payment backbone for Kenyan merchants. We empower FMCG distributors, dropshippers, and retail brands to run high-converting online storefronts and native WhatsApp checkout experiences without monthly subscription lock-ins.
Read our comprehensive guide: What is Dukene? →How much does Dukene cost?+
We operate on a transparent, pay-as-you-sell model. There are zero setup fees, zero monthly subscription lock-ins, and no hidden maintenance charges. You only pay a small transaction fee when a customer completes an order.
Explore our payment solutions and transparent pricing →How long does setup take?+
Most merchants go live in under 30 minutes. Our five-step onboarding flow guides you through catalog creation, payment channel connection, and WhatsApp bot activation with zero technical setup required.
Read the 2026 Kenyan Dropshipping Playbook →The Dukene difference & architecture
How does Dukene handle high-volume catalog sync without crashing?+
Unlike traditional monolithic e-commerce platforms, Dukene uses an isolated multi-tenant architecture with high-speed caching and real-time inventory locking. When hundreds of customers order simultaneously during flash sales, your catalog remains instant and stable.
Learn how our multi-tenant catalog sync fixes FMCG instability →Can I import thousands of products in bulk?+
Yes. Our merchant dashboard provides rapid CSV bulk import and real-time inventory adjustment tools capable of handling over 1,000 SKUs instantly.
What is agentic commerce and how does it automate my store?+
Agentic commerce refers to our intelligent AI-driven workflows that automatically handle customer product inquiries, inventory deductions, order confirmations, and abandoned cart follow-ups directly inside WhatsApp.
Discover how agentic commerce works for Kenyan retail →Payments, PayHero & Paystack
How do I receive customer payments on M-Pesa?+
We have partnered directly with PayHero and Paystack to enable merchants to receive payments into their existing M-Pesa Till, Paybill, or Bank Account. Customers get an instant STK push on their phone, and funds settle automatically.
Read our detailed guide: How Dukene handles payments →Do I need to change my existing M-Pesa Till or Paybill number?+
No. You connect your existing business Till or Paybill directly through our secure PayHero or Paystack onboarding portal during setup. All funds flow directly to your designated accounts.
Are transactions secure and compliant?+
Yes. Every transaction is encrypted and verified through direct banking and M-Pesa API webhooks, ensuring 100% accurate reconciliation before orders are marked as paid.
WhatsApp Native Checkout
How does WhatsApp native checkout work?+
When customers chat with your store on WhatsApp, our bot presents your interactive catalog. Customers can select variations, add items to their cart, and trigger an M-Pesa STK push without ever leaving WhatsApp.
Read the step-by-step WhatsApp Native Checkout Guide →Does Dukene add friction or second checkouts to my store?+
Never. Whether ordering via your web storefront or WhatsApp, customers experience a frictionless, one-click checkout flow optimized specifically for mobile buyers.
Learn how merchants scale from 0 to 100 daily orders on WhatsApp →