Tuesday 13th October, 2026 07:43 AM|
By David Nthua
Someone using MPESA service.PHOTO/@SafaricomPLC/X
Safaricom has clarified that mobile money transaction limits in Kenya are regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), following a customer’s request to increase the M-Pesa limit to Ksh10 million.
In an exchange on X on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the telecommunications company responded to a customer who questioned why M-Pesa users could not transact larger amounts, particularly when using the M-Pesa GlobalPay Visa card.
The customer, identified as Kanoti88 on X, proposed introducing additional security measures for different transaction amounts to enable users to transfer or spend more money.
Safaricom responds to Ksh10 million proposal
Addressing Safaricom directly, the customer asked the company to consider raising the existing limits to accommodate people making high-value transactions.
“Aloooo @SafaricomPLC why don’t you guys find a way to increase M-pesa limit to like 10 million then in each level of amount of money add different security passes,” the customer wrote.
The customer also questioned the usefulness of the M-Pesa Visa card for people seeking to make larger payments.
“Man m-pesa visa card is useless if I can’t make serious transactions man…look into that,” the post continued.
Responding through its verified X account, Safaricom explained that the regulation of mobile money transaction limits falls under the CBK.
“Hello Kanoti. Thank you for reaching out. Mobile money transaction limits are regulated by CBK,” Safaricom stated.
The response did not indicate whether Safaricom would seek approval to increase the limits or introduce additional security requirements.
What M-Pesa users should know about transaction limits
The exchange highlights the distinction between Safaricom’s role as an M-Pesa service provider and the CBK’s responsibility for regulating mobile money services.
Under the established M-Pesa limits, customers can hold up to Ksh500,000 in their accounts, while the maximum amount permitted in a single transaction is Ksh250,000.
The daily transaction limit is Ksh500,000.
These limits mean customers cannot transfer Ksh10 million through a single ordinary M-Pesa transaction.
However, the customer’s proposal concerns more than daily transfers, raising questions about whether higher-value transactions could be supported through additional security checks.
Safaricom’s response did not announce any changes to existing limits.
Customers should therefore continue observing the applicable M-Pesa transaction limits unless Safaricom or the CBK formally communicates revised arrangements.
David Nthua
David Njeru Nthua, known professionally as David Nthua, is a Kenyan digital journalist with over six years of experience.
He began his journalism career with Opera News in May 2020 and currently works as a Politics and Breaking News Writer at People Daily Digital.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Mount Kenya University, Main Campus, Thika.
Phone: 0708015379
Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
Facebook: @davidnthuake | X: @davidnthuake