Buy on Jiji without the risk

Why marketplace deals are risky

Jiji, Facebook Marketplace, and WhatsApp groups connect you with strangers. The deal is usually fine — but when it's not, it's catastrophic: pay first and the "seller" vanishes, or the item that arrives is fake, broken, or a box of tiles. A direct M-Pesa transfer gives you zero recourse.

How to buy safely with escrow

• Agree the deal with the seller — item, price, delivery arrangement.
• Create the transaction on Kenya Escrow — enter the item, both M-Pesa numbers, and amount. Under a minute, no account.
• Pay into escrow by M-Pesa — STK push, instant. The seller is notified by SMS & WhatsApp that payment is secured.
• Receive and inspect the item — check it's exactly what was agreed.
• Release the payment — one tap on your escrow link and the seller is paid instantly.

If the seller refuses escrow

A legitimate seller has nothing to lose — their payment is guaranteed the moment you pay into escrow. If a seller insists on direct M-Pesa and refuses escrow, that's one of the clearest scam signals there is. Walk away.

Works for any marketplace

Jiji, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram sellers, WhatsApp group deals, OLX-style listings — anywhere you're buying from someone you don't know. The seller doesn't need an account either; they just get an SMS.