In Kenya, mobile money has become deeply woven into everyday life, with M-PESA acting not just as a tool for payments but as a store of value for millions.
But few people stop to ask, what happens to your M-PESA balance when you pass away?
Unlike physical assets, which might be listed in a will or inherited through a known legal process, digital money stored in your phone doesn’t automatically move to your loved ones.
M-PESA Doesn’t Close Automatically After Death
When a registered M-PESA user dies, their account does not shut down on its own. The funds remain in the mobile wallet under Safaricom’s custody. The SIM card might eventually expire if left unused, but the money remains intact.
It’s also important to understand: withdrawing the funds using the deceased person’s phone and ID is illegal.
Even if the line is active and someone close has access to the PIN, trying to retrieve funds this way can be considered fraud.
Safaricom strictly vets every withdrawal at agent level using biometric ID checks and system logs. This route isn’t worth the legal risk.
Step One: Notify Safaricom Immediately
To begin the right process, a family member or next of kin must notify Safaricom of the account holder’s death. This should be done at any Safaricom retail shop. The family member must write a formal request letter stating:
- Their full name and national ID number
- Their relationship to the deceased
- A clear request to access the deceased’s M-PESA funds
At this stage, documentary proof is required.
Required Documents: What You’ll Need
The documents Safaricom asks for will depend on how much money was in the account. The telco classifies balances into three tiers. Each has its own verification process.
1. Balances Between Ksh 1 and Ksh 30,000
For accounts holding up to Ksh 30,000, you’ll need the following.
- The original death certificate
- Your original national ID
- A letter from the area chief, assistant chief, or relevant county administrator confirming your relationship to the deceased
- A signed affidavit from a Commissioner for Oaths to indemnify Safaricom from liability
This is the most straightforward category and can be processed quickly—often within 24 hours of submitting valid paperwork.
2. Balances Between Ksh 30,001 and Ksh 200,000
For higher amounts, more formal channels are involved.
- A letter from the Public Trustee at the Attorney General’s office
- Authorization from the County Commissioner or Deputy County Commissioner, and
- Your personal ID and proof of relationship
- The original death certificate
- An affidavit may still be required, depending on circumstances
This category usually involves additional checks, but processing times remain relatively fast.
3. Balances Over Ksh 200,000 – Full Succession Required
If the deceased’s M-PESA wallet held more than Ksh 200,000, it falls under full estate succession laws.
The family must obtain either.
- A Grant of Probate (if there’s a will)
- A Letter of Administration (if there’s no will)
- These are official documents issued by a Kenyan court under the Law of Succession Act (Cap 160).
Applying for probate or administration can take several months—longer if there are disputes among family members or complex estate issues.
Unclaimed Money Transfers to UFAA After Two Years
There’s a limited window to claim M-PESA funds from a deceased person’s account.
If no action is taken within two years, the funds are transferred to the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA), a government body that holds money until rightful heirs step forward.
That said, the money does not expire.
Heirs can still approach UFAA even after the two-year mark, although the process becomes more bureaucratic.
Loans Like Fuliza and M-Shwari End Upon Death
If the deceased had borrowed money via Fuliza or M-Shwari, those facilities are closed after death.
The digital credit relationship ends and is not transferred to family members.
That said, any repayments made after death (intentionally or unintentionally) will be applied to the deceased’s outstanding loan.
Families should avoid making payments until Safaricom confirms what is owed, if anything.
Attempting to Withdraw Without Legal Clearance is a Crime
Many people might be tempted to “just withdraw” the money using the phone, PIN, and ID of the deceased. Don’t. Safaricom’s agent systems are designed to reject such transactions. If caught, the person trying to make the withdrawal may be charged with fraud, impersonation, or theft.
According to Safaricom’s retail operations team, the only lawful way to access funds from a deceased M-PESA account is through formal notification and document verification.
“Safaricom doesn’t authorize any withdrawal from a deceased person’s line. That money must go through the right legal channel,” said Selline Akoth, Safaricom’s Retail Operations Lead.
How Long Does It Take to Receive the Funds?
Safaricom’s internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) provides that, once all required documents are submitted and verified, the transfer of funds should happen within 24 hours. In practice, delays may occur if documentation is incomplete or conflicting.
To speed up the process, families are encouraged to:
- Start the claims process early
- Keep communication formal and clear
- Submit copies and originals of all documents requested
Digital Assets Need Planning Too
As M-PESA becomes an integral part of Kenyan life, it’s important to start thinking of mobile money as part of your estate. Just like land, bank accounts, and investments, mobile wallets should be included in your will or shared with your trusted next of kin.
You can also nominate a next of kin with Safaricom during your lifetime, simplifying the process should anything happen unexpectedly.
Your M-PESA account holds real money—and like any asset, it should be handled responsibly, even in death. Don’t assume your relatives will “figure it out” later.
Let them know what to expect, how the process works, and, if possible, start laying the legal foundation ahead of time.
Being proactive could save your loved ones time, stress, and financial hardship during a difficult period.
