How to follow up customers who owe money in Kenya

Customer debts can hurt cash flow, especially for small businesses that rely on daily money to buy stock, pay suppliers and cover expenses.

Why customer debts need clear records

If customer debts are tracked only in a notebook or memory, it is easy to forget part payments, old balances or the exact amount still owed.

What to record

• Customer name.
• Invoice date.
• Invoice amount.
• Items or services provided.
• Payments received.
• Balance still owed.
• Payment method used.
• Due date or agreed payment date.

Example

• Invoice total: KSh 18,000.
• Customer paid: KSh 6,000.
• Balance due: KSh 12,000.

The business should be able to see the KSh 12,000 balance clearly when following up.

Follow-up checklist

1. Check the invoice balance.
2. Confirm all part payments have been recorded.
3. Check the customer phone or email.
4. Send a polite reminder.
5. Record payment immediately when received.
6. Review unpaid invoices regularly.

How Bizwazi helps

Bizwazi helps create invoices, record payments, track customer balances and show what is still owed. This makes customer follow-up easier and more professional.