How to Send Money via M-Pesa for Beginners (Using Hakikisha Safely)

Q: What if the name shown is not who I expected?

Do NOT enter your PIN. Press 'Cancel' immediately. Double-check the phone number you entered. If you are unsure, call the person first to confirm their number.

Q: Can I send M-Pesa to non-Safaricom numbers?

Yes, you can send money to other networks like Airtel using the 'Send Money' option. The Hakikisha feature works for most registered numbers across networks.

Why This Guide Matters

Sending money via M-Pesa is one of the most useful skills you can learn today. Whether you are sending airtime to a grandchild, paying a bill, or helping a family member in need, M-Pesa makes it fast and easy.

But there is one big risk: sending money to the wrong number. This happens to many people — even young people! Once money is sent to the wrong person, getting it back can be difficult and stressful.

Good News!

Safaricom has a free safety feature called Hakikisha (which means "to make sure" in Kiswahili). If you use it every time, you will almost never send money to the wrong person.

This guide will teach you exactly how to send money safely, step by step. We will go slowly, and you can practice with small amounts first.

What You Need Before You Start

A Safaricom SIM card with M-Pesa registered (you should have an M-Pesa PIN)
Some airtime on your phone (you need airtime to access the M-Pesa menu)
The correct phone number of the person you want to send money to (double-check this!)
Your M-Pesa PIN (never share this with anyone)

Important Safety Rule

Never share your M-Pesa PIN with anyone. Not your children, not your friends, not someone who calls claiming to be from Safaricom. Your PIN is yours alone.

Step-by-Step: How to Send Money Safely

1 Go to the M-Pesa Menu

On your phone, go to the main menu and select M-Pesa. If you have a smartphone, you can also open the M-Pesa app.

2 Select "Send Money"

In the M-Pesa menu, choose the option that says "Send Money". This is usually the first option.

3 Enter the Phone Number

Carefully type the phone number of the person you want to send money to. Make sure you enter all 10 digits correctly (for example: 0712 345 678).

Tip: If you have saved the person's number in your phone contacts, you can select it from there instead of typing.

4 Enter the Amount

Type the amount of money you want to send. For example, 500 or 1000. Make sure you have enough money in your M-Pesa account.

🔍 THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP: HAKIKISHA

Before you enter your PIN, Safaricom will show you the NAME of the person who owns that phone number.

READ THIS NAME SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY.

Ask yourself: "Is this the name of the person I want to send money to?"

✅ If YES — continue to the next step.
❌ If NO — press CANCEL immediately. Do not enter your PIN.

5 Enter Your PIN

If the name is correct, enter your secret M-Pesa PIN. This confirms the transaction.

Remember: You are typing this into your own phone's menu. This is safe. You are NOT telling the PIN to any person on the phone.

6 Wait for Confirmation

You will receive two SMS messages:

One confirming you sent the money
One showing your new M-Pesa balance

Keep these messages! They are your proof of payment.

When to Use Hakikisha (The Answer: ALWAYS!)

Some people think they only need to check the name when sending large amounts. This is wrong.

You should use Hakikisha EVERY SINGLE TIME you send money, even if it is just KSh 50 for airtime. Here is why:

Mistakes happen when we rush. One wrong digit can send money to a stranger.
People change numbers. Your friend may have sold their old SIM card to someone else.
It is free. Checking the name costs nothing, so there is no reason to skip it.

Real Story: What Happened to Mama Wanjiku

Mama Wanjiku wanted to send KSh 2,000 to her son. She typed the number quickly without checking the name. The number was wrong — she sent it to a stranger in another town!

Because she did not use Hakikisha, she had to spend days trying to reverse the transaction. She was very stressed.

Don't be like Mama Wanjiku. Always check the name first. Pole pole ndiyo mwendo.

What If the Name Does Not Match?

If the name shown on the screen is NOT the person you expected, follow these steps:

Press CANCEL immediately. Do not enter your PIN. Nothing bad happens when you cancel.
Check the number you typed. Did you make a mistake? Compare it with the number in your contacts or on a piece of paper.
Call the person first. If you are unsure, call the person you want to pay and ask: "What is your M-Pesa number? Let me confirm."
Try again. Once you are sure the number is correct, start the process again from Step 1.

Remember

It is better to cancel and try again than to send money to the wrong person and struggle to get it back.

Sending Money to Other Networks (Airtel, Telkom)

You can also send money from M-Pesa to people on other networks like Airtel or Telkom. The process is the same:

Go to M-Pesa Menu → Send Money
Enter their phone number
Enter the amount
Wait for the name to appear (Hakikisha works for most networks!)
If the name is correct, enter your PIN

Note: The person receiving the money must have registered their SIM card with their real name for Hakikisha to work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	How to Avoid It
Rushing and typing the wrong number	Slow down. Type carefully. Check twice before proceeding.
Not waiting for the name to appear	Always wait 2-3 seconds for the name to load. Be patient.
Ignoring a name that looks wrong	If something feels off, cancel. Trust your instincts.
Sharing your PIN with someone helping you	Do it yourself. If you need help, ask someone to guide you, but YOU type the PIN.
Deleting confirmation SMS	Keep all M-Pesa messages. They are your receipts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hakikisha in M-Pesa?

Hakikisha is a free safety feature that shows you the registered name of the person you are sending money to BEFORE you confirm the transaction. It helps you verify you have the right number. The word "Hakikisha" means "to make sure" in Kiswahili.

Is sending money via M-Pesa free?

No, there are small transaction fees charged by Safaricom depending on the amount sent. For example, sending KSh 100-500 costs about KSh 6.50, while sending KSh 2,500-5,000 costs about KSh 55. However, checking the name with Hakikisha is completely free.

What if the name shown is not who I expected?

Do NOT enter your PIN. Press "Cancel" immediately. Double-check the phone number you entered. If you are unsure, call the person first to confirm their number. It is better to cancel and try again than to lose money.

Can I send M-Pesa to non-Safaricom numbers?

Yes, you can send money to other networks like Airtel and Telkom using the "Send Money" option. The Hakikisha feature works for most registered numbers across all networks, as long as the recipient has registered their SIM with their real name.

What if I already sent money to the wrong number?

Do not panic. Act fast! Forward the M-Pesa confirmation SMS to 456 within 24 hours. You can also dial *234# or call Safaricom on 100. For more details, read our guide on how to reverse an M-Pesa transaction.

Final Tips for Success

Practice with small amounts first. Send KSh 50 to a family member to build confidence.
Save important numbers in your contacts. This reduces typing mistakes.
Put on your reading glasses. Make sure you can see the screen clearly before entering any information.
Ask for help if needed. There is no shame in asking a family member or friend to sit with you while you learn.
Remember: Pole pole ndiyo mwendo. Slowly slowly is the way to go. Rushing causes mistakes.

You Can Do This!

Sending money via M-Pesa is a valuable skill. With practice and by always using Hakikisha, you will become confident and safe. Millions of Kenyans use M-Pesa every day — and now you can too!