Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has sparked fresh debate on mobile money security after revealing that her M-PESA account was mysteriously emptied, leaving her with just KSh17 during the Christmas holidays.
In a candid post shared on her official social media pages, the outspoken legislator narrated how she discovered the shocking loss at a time when she was already financially stretched. Millie explained that she had invited guests over for Christmas and was counting on money she believed was safely stored in her M-PESA wallet.
Despite describing herself as “broke” then, she said she was confident her mobile money savings would help her manage the festive season.
That confidence quickly turned into disbelief when she tried accessing the funds, only to realize almost the entire balance had vanished.
What raised even more suspicion, according to the MP, was the fact that the account was not completely wiped clean. Instead, the alleged fraudsters reportedly left exactly 17 shillings, a detail she says points to a well-calculated transaction rather than a random error.
With no alternative, Millie revealed that she was forced to borrow money to take care of her Christmas guests an experience she described as both frustrating and humiliating.
The legislator openly questioned how such a large withdrawal could happen without her immediate knowledge, hinting that it may have been an inside job. She demanded answers and accountability, calling on M-PESA to investigate the matter and refund her money.
Millie further noted that the loss extended beyond the festive season into January, a period when many Kenyan families struggle with school fees and essential expenses.
She expressed anger at having to borrow funds despite believing she had savings securely stored on her phone.
Her experience has reignited nationwide concerns about the safety of mobile money platforms in Kenya. While services like M-PESA are widely trusted for transactions and savings, cases involving SIM swaps, PIN theft, fake messages, and social engineering scams continue to rise.
Many Kenyans online have related to Millie’s ordeal, saying they have faced similar losses but lack the influence to push for investigations or quick resolutions.
As the MP awaits answers, the incident serves as a stark reminder that digital financial crime can affect anyone, including high-profile leaders, and that stronger safeguards and faster response mechanisms are urgently needed to protect users.
