{
  "id": 5022089,
  "title": "Safaricom explains M-PESA security scare after customer reports 2 night withdrawal attempts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/safaricom-explains-m-pesa-security-scare-after-customer-reports-2",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T05:17:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/news/safaricom-explains-m-pesa-security-scare-after-customer-reports-2-night-withdrawal-attempts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Safaricom addressed concerns raised by an M-PESA customer who reported two attempted withdrawals from his account at night. The customer, identified as Steve Osanya using the username @DuanZnation, expressed confusion over how unauthorized access could have occurred. Osanya questioned Safaricom's security protocols, stating, \"During the night someone tried twice to withdraw money from my Mpesa account. How did they get access to it? You really need to fix your security protocols.\"\n\nIn response, Safaricom pointed to its Shiriki Pay service as a potential explanation, asking Osanya if he had activated the feature and added beneficiaries authorized to access his funds. Osanya confirmed he had not enrolled in Shiriki Pay, leading the company to suspect a hacking attempt rather than Shiriki Pay being the cause. Safaricom directed Osanya to check for Shiriki Pay activation and added beneficiaries via dialing *334# and selecting Shiriki.\n\nThe telecommunications company emphasized that Shiriki Pay allows wallet owners to securely share access with trusted beneficiaries, enabling approved payments while retaining control over their accounts. However, Osanya maintained no Shiriki Pay subscription, attributing the issue to a hacking attempt. Safaricom did not confirm a hacking incident or unauthorized withdrawals, instead advising customers to periodically review their account services and beneficiaries linked to their M-PESA wallets, reporting any suspicious activity.",
  "summary": "Safaricom has responded to concerns raised by an M-PESA customer who reported that attempts were made to withdraw money from his account twice during the night. The customer, Steve Osanya, who uses the X handle @DuanZnation, raised the alarm on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, after discovering the attempted transactions, questioning how someone could have accessed […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Steve Osanya reported two unauthorized M-PESA withdrawals at night.",
    "Safaricom suggested Shiriki Pay feature as potential cause, but Osanya denied activation.",
    "Company advised customers to review account services and report suspicious activity."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}