Beneficiary Claims

In case of demise or incapacitation, Safaricom allows an M-PESA account holder’s next of kin or legal representative to claim funds in their account. Next of kin refers to a person’s closest living blood relative whom Safaricom may contact in case of any eventuality. 

A legal representative is A person authorized by a court or will to manage the estate of the deceased. 

Safaricom requires the claimant to visit any retail center and present the necessary documents for inspection and approval before any funds can be released. 

These are the Required Documents: 

• ID of claimant – The national ID of the person claiming the deceased’s funds. 
• Death Certificate – An official government document proving that the person is deceased. 
• Statutory Declaration (Affidavit) – A document witnessed by an advocate or commissioner for oaths, stating facts such as the claimant’s relationship to the deceased. 
• Grant of Letters of Administration (intestate) – A legal document issued by a probate & administration court when the deceased did not leave a will. It authorizes a legal representative to manage the estate. 
• Grant of Probate – A legal document issued by the court to an executor of a deceased person’s estate where a will exists. The executor must present the will and supporting documents to obtain this grant. 
• Confirmation of Grant of Probate or Confirmation of Grant of Letters of Administration – A court-issued document naming the beneficiaries and outlining their entitlement to the deceased’s estate. 
• Letter from the Provincial Administration – A letter from a chief, DC, or PC confirming the deceased’s details such as name and area they came from, and listing all beneficiaries of the estate. 

The Process 

Once Safaricom is notified of a customer’s death, the M-PESA account is frozen to protect the funds. 

The claimant must visit a Safaricom Retail Centre with the required documents. 

Submitted documents are reviewed and verified. 

Once approved, the funds are transferred to the rightful beneficiary’s registered M-PESA account. Safaricom does not pay out in cash or other forms.