Mpesa next of kin claim
The next of kin of an Mpesa subscriber who passes away may collect the money in the account of the deceased.
The person with the closest blood connection to the deceased is the next of kin.
In a similar vein, legal representative is a term used to describe a person who is authorised to manage the estate of a deceased person. This can be done either by appointment under a will or by right, followed by a legal application to a court.
Before any money is released, Safaricom requires that the claimant visit one of the retail locations and present specific documents for inspection and approval.
To claim the funds, the next of kin must visit a Safaricom retail centre and provide the following documents:
- The next of kin’s ID
- The deceased person’s death certificate
- A statutory declaration (affidavit) stating that the next of kin is the deceased person’s closest living relative
- A letter from the provincial administration confirming the next of kin’s relationship to the deceased person
The process
When a subscriber’s death is reported, the Mpesa account is frozen to stop any further transactions and to safeguard the deceased subscriber’s estate.
Funds will be transferred to the beneficiaries entitled to the Mpesa account balances once all necessary paperwork has been submitted and verified as being in order.
To receive the monies, the beneficiary must also provide a valid Mpesa account, as Safaricom does not disburse cash in any other form.
The next of kin can claim the money if it is less than KSh 30,000 in the deceased person’s Mpesa account. It’s important to note that, while claiming amounts under KSh 30000, they do not need to acquire a grant of probate or letters of administration.
However, the next of kin must first acquire a grant of probate or letters of administration if the sum is greater than KSh 30,000.
An official document known as a grant of probate gives the executor of a will the power to transfer the deceased person’s assets.
Letters of administration provide the administrator of the estate with the power to divide the deceased’s assets if the deceased person did not leave a will.
The next of kin must file an application with the High Court in order to receive letters of administration or a grant of probate. The following details must be included in the petition:
- The deceased person’s name
- The deceased person’s date of death
- The deceased person’s assets
- The next of kin’s relationship to the deceased person
The assets of the deceased person will thereafter be distributed by an executor or administrator appointed by the High Court. Following their appointment, the executor or administrator will get in touch with the next of kin to make arrangements for the distribution of money from the deceased’s Mpesa account.
Claim of funds requirements
(a). Next of kin claims
(i)Amount between 1 – 30,000
- Duly filled Safaricom next of kin claims form
- Death Certificate
- Original registration document of the claimant, i.e., Alien ID, National ID, Valid Passport or Military ID
- The claimant should present either of the following:
(a) Affidavit (identifying the claimant) and Letter from chief/Assistant Chief OR
(b) Letter from Deputy County Commissioner or County Commissioner OR
(c) Letter from Public Trustee OR
(d) Letters of Administration/Grant of Probate
(ii) Amount between 1 – 200,000
- Duly filled Safaricom next of kin claims form
- Death Certificate
- Original Registration document of Claimant i.e. Alien ID, National ID, Valid Passport or Military ID
- Letter from either of the below:
(a) Deputy County Commissioneror County Commissioner OR
(b) Public Trustee OR
(c) Letters of Administration/Grant of Probate
(iii) Amount above 200,000
- Duly filled Safaricom next of kin claims form
- Death Certificate
- Original Registration document of Claimant i.e. Alien ID, National ID, Valid Passport or Military ID
- Letters of Administration/Grant of Probate
(b) Recycled line claims
Original Registration document of Claimant
Duly filled Safaricom Recycled line claims form
(c) Mentally incapacitated
- Court Order
- Original Registration document of Claimant
- Original Registration document of the Incapacitated customer
(d) Change of Ownership (Deceased customer line)
- Original Death Certificate.
- Original Registration document of Claimant i.e. Alien ID, National ID, Valid Passport or Military ID
- Confirmed grant of probate OR Confirmed letters of administration
- Dully filled Safaricom form by claimant
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(e) Change of Ownership (Line in use)
Original registration document of current owner (vetting will be applicable if not present at the retail shop)
Original Registration document of Claimant i.e. Alien ID, National ID, Valid Passport or Military ID and Claimant must personally present themselves at the retail shop.
Duly filled Safaricom form by both parties.
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