Once you’ve registered, you will need to activate M-PESA before you can start transacting: 

1. Go to the Safaricom Menu (SIM Toolkit). 
2. Select M-PESA, then choose Activate or Wezesha. 
3. Enter the M-PESA PIN you received via SMS. 
4. Create your own secret PIN and confirm it. 
5. Enter the ID number used during registration. 
6. You will receive a confirmation message with your balance once activation is successful. 

M-PESA agents

Send and receive money hassle-free at our M-PESA agent outlets. There are over 160,000 agents countrywide ready to serve you wherever you are with many more added daily.

Fraudsters are known to use tactics that take advantage of customers; they require you to provide information or do something yourself. Outsmart frauds or scams on M-PESA by practicing these tips. 

1. Always check your M-PESA balance on SMS to confirm proof of transaction.

Checking your M-PESA balance

1. Select "Show balance" on the Safaricom App or select Check Balance on M-PESA menu in your Safaricom sim tool kit.
2. Enter your secret PIN
3. Wait for SMS confirmation message with your balance

To get onto M-PESA, you require the following: 

• A valid original identification document i.e., National ID, or a passport.  
• You must be over 18 years old. If under 18, you will need to be accompanied by a guardian.  

NB: Each person can register a maximum of two M-PESA lines.  

The registration process is simple: 

•  Visit your nearest M-PESA agent outlet or Safaricom shop with your mobile phone, a Safaricom SIM card, and your valid identification document.  
• Once registered, you will receive a confirmation message and a 4-digit M-PESA start PIN through SMS. Use this PIN to activate your account.  

Hakikisha is a service that allows M-PESA customers to confirm the recipient’s name and/or number, before completing a transaction.
This service is available for all customers, on all handsets.