In Kenya, where M-Pesa has become the ‘de facto’ bank account for millions, a significant portion of a deceased person’s wealth often sits locked inside a SIM card, protected by a 4-digit PIN that has possibly gone to the grave with its owner.
Most families have found themselves in situations where they do not know what steps to take in order to access money left in M-Pesa wallets of their kin after death.
Theoretically, the process may sound tedious because of the documentation required and therefore many have ended up not following on the money.
While some often think of withdrawing the money directly just because they know the departed person’s PIN, the reality of digital inheritance is far more complex, legally precarious, and bureaucratic than a simple withdrawal.
Legally, using the credentials of a deceased person constitutes fraud and intermeddling with the estate.
So, what happens when you die?
When you die, Safaricom cannot simply transfer your money to the person listed as Next of Kin.
They are bound by Kenya’s succession laws, which demand proof that you are the rightful administrator of the deceased’s estate.
According to Safaricom, the first step is notifying Safaricom of the death.
This requires visiting a retail center with the original Death Certificate.
Once notified, Safaricom immediately freezes the M-Pesa account.
This prevents any further transactions—money can come in (though it shouldn't), but nothing can go out.
“The family member or the assigned next of kin will need to come and inform Safaricom and inquire about their balance. You need to write a letter indicating your name and your relationship to the deceased and your request,” the telecommunications company notes.
To unlock these funds, the claimant must produce documents of proof.
Safaricom has tiered this process into three categories, based on how much money is in the account.
Safaricom's M-Pesa. PHOTO/Safaricom
Tier 1: Small Balances (Sh1 – Sh30,000)
For these amounts, the process is simplified. The claimant typically needs the Death Certificate, their own ID, and a letter from the Provincial Administration (such as the Chief or Assistant Chief) confirming the relationship and the claimant’s right to the funds.
An affidavit sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths is also usually required.
Tier 2: Medium Balances (Sh30,001 – Sh200,000)
Here, a letter from the Chief is no longer enough. The claimant will likely need a letter from the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) or the Public Trustee (Attorney General’s office), alongside the standard death certificate and affidavits.
Tier 3: Large Balances (Above Sh200,000)
If the deceased held significant cash, Safaricom treats this as a full succession case.
The family must go to court to obtain a Grant of Probate (if there is a will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no will).
This legal document gives the administrator the authority to gather and distribute the deceased’s assets.
Once the documents are verified—a process that can take a few days to weeks depending on the complexity—Safaricom transfers the funds to the claimant’s registered M-Pesa account.
They do not issue cash or cheques.
In all three categories, the Service Level Agreement (SLA) allows the claimant to get the money 24 hours after submission of documents.
Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority
Safaricom further states that there’s a time limit of 2 years to claim the money from Safaricom, after that the money goes to the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA).
Unlike bank accounts, which typically have a dormancy period of five years before being declared "unclaimed," mobile money accounts operate on a tighter clock.
If an M-Pesa account remains inactive for two years, and no claim has been made, Safaricom is legally obligated to transfer the funds to the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA).
Once the money hits the UFAA, Safaricom washes its hands of the account.
The phone number may be recycled and sold to a new subscriber, but the old funds sit in a government trust fund, waiting for an owner who may never show up.
Recovering funds from this authority is possible, but it adds another layer of bureaucracy.
To claim money from the UFAA, the "Next of Kin" must visit the UFAA website or offices and initiate a claim.
The documentation requirements are stringent. They include the UFAA beneficiary claim forms (Form 4A/4B), An indemnity agreement (Form 5), official letter from Safaricom confirming they sent the money to UFAA and Court Confirmation of Grant (Letters of Administration).
Fuliza
While assets (cash) are frozen and subject to succession, debts behave differently. Products like M-Shwari and Fuliza often come with built-in insurance components.
According to Safaricom’s terms, upon the verification of death, the outstanding limits on loans like Fuliza are often "end of life," meaning they may be written off or covered by the underlying insurance policy, rather than being pursued against the grieving family—provided the death is reported and verified promptly.
