How to Get an M-Pesa Refund for Airtime Bought by Mistake

Kenyans who accidentally purchase airtime through M-Pesa can request a reversal and have the money refunded to their M-Pesa accounts, provided the transaction is eligible.

Safaricom allows customers to reverse qualifying airtime purchases through its 456 SMS service, offering a way to recover money sent to the wrong service instead of having to use the airtime or sell it to someone else.

Here is how to request an M-Pesa refund for airtime bought by mistake.

Also Read: How to Check and Increase Your Fuliza Limit

How to Reverse Airtime Bought Through M-Pesa

The process involves forwarding the original transaction confirmation message to Safaricom.

Step 1: Find the M-Pesa confirmation message

Once you realise you have purchased airtime by mistake, locate the original M-Pesa transaction confirmation SMS. Keep the message because you will need it to request a reversal.

Step 2: Forward the message to 456

Open the original confirmation SMS and forward it to 456. According to the provided instructions, the service is free.

Step 3: Wait for confirmation

Safaricom will process the request and send you an SMS confirming whether the reversal was successful. Where applicable, the message will also indicate how long the process is expected to take.

For eligible transactions, the amount can be credited back to your M-Pesa account.

Also Read: How to Get a Refund for Kenya Power Tokens You Bought By Mistake

What Happens If You Had an Okoa Jahazi Loan?

Customers who had an active Okoa Jahazi loan when they accidentally purchased airtime may need to top up an amount equivalent to what was deducted before requesting a reversal.

This is an important consideration for customers whose airtime purchase was affected by an outstanding Okoa Jahazi balance.

What If You Bought Airtime Through Your Bank?

If you accidentally purchased airtime directly through your bank, Safaricom advises affected customers to contact their bank for assistance rather than relying on the M-Pesa reversal process.

Also Read: Shiriki Pay: M-Pesa Feature That Lets You Give Others Limited Access to Your Money

How Many Times Can You Request an M-Pesa Reversal?

Safaricom allows a maximum of three reversal attempts per transaction.

The 456 service also supports eligible person-to-person transfers between Safaricom M-Pesa customers.

Customers should therefore keep the original transaction confirmation and submit their reversal request as soon as they notice the mistake. However, a refund is not guaranteed for every transaction, as the purchase must qualify for reversal.