Safaricom pilots new M-PESA feature allowing shared spending

Safaricom PLC is testing a new M-PESA mini-app called Shiriki Pay, which was added in January 2026. The feature allows a wallet owner to let up to two people spend money directly from their M-PESA balance, but within a monthly limit set by the owner.

With this new option, the wallet owner does not need to send money first. Instead, the selected beneficiaries can pay merchants using Buy Goods, Paybill or Pochi la Biashara, and the amount is deducted instantly from the sponsor’s wallet. However, the spending is controlled because the sponsor sets a monthly cap, and the limit resets every month without rollover.

Unlike transferring money to another wallet, Shiriki Pay keeps the funds in one account, and this makes it easier to monitor usage. At the same time, any misuse affects the sponsor directly, since the money remains in their wallet.
The product works differently from Safaricom’s Ratiba service. While Ratiba focuses on automatic and scheduled payments, Shiriki Pay allows controlled and flexible spending because the beneficiary decides when to pay, but still within the agreed limit.

Many families and businesses often rely on one central person to send money to others, and once the money is sent, control is lost. However, Shiriki Pay removes the need to “send money first,” and this may help users manage their budgets better, especially at a time when incomes are under pressure.

As Safaricom continues to expand digital services, the new feature could also increase transactions within the M-PESA system, while giving users more control over how their money is spent.