Updated 20 October 2026
Billions of shillings sit with the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) waiting for their owners: forgotten bank accounts, unpaid dividends, insurance payouts, utility deposits and even unpaid wages. If you have ever changed jobs, moved banks or lost touch with a Sacco, some of that money could be yours or your family’s. This guide explains how to check for unclaimed assets in Kenya, what the search shows and what to do if you find something.
In this guide
What UFAA Is and Why It Holds Your Money
UFAA is a State corporation set up under the Unclaimed Financial Assets Act, No. 40 of 2011. Banks, insurers, Saccos, listed companies, pension schemes, utility companies and other “holders” must hand over money that has been dormant for a set period, together with the owner’s details. UFAA then keeps the money safe and reunites it with the owner or the owner’s heirs. Searching is free, and there is no deadline to claim: UFAA says owners can claim their assets at any time.
Three Ways to Search for Unclaimed Assets
1. USSD: Dial *361#
The quickest option on any phone. Dial *361# and follow the prompts. You register with your name and national ID number, then search by the owner’s name or ID number. It works on basic phones, so it is a good way to check for an elderly parent. Read the menu carefully for any charges shown before you confirm.
2. Online Through the UFAA Portal and eCitizen
UFAA’s “Find and Claim” service on its website lets you search by name or ID. In 2026 the Authority upgraded its Unclaimed Financial Assets Management Information System and linked it to eCitizen, so you can sign in with your eCitizen account and also lodge a claim online. Our guide on how to create an eCitizen account walks you through setting one up.
3. In Person at a Huduma Centre or UFAA Offices
Since February 2026 UFAA reunification services have been offered at Huduma Centres across the country, so you can ask for a search at the one nearest you. You can also visit UFAA at Pacis Centre, 2nd Floor, Slip Road, off Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi, or call 020 4023000 or 0706 866 984.
What the Search Result Means
If there is a match, the result typically tells you the type of asset, the amount, the owner’s name and ID, and the institution (holder) that surrendered it. Write all of this down. The holder’s name matters because, for most claims, you need an official letter from that holder confirming it sent the money to UFAA.
No match does not always mean there is nothing. Names may be spelt differently, initials may have been used, or the holder may not have surrendered the money yet. Try variations of the name, search by ID as well as name, and check again later. If you know you had an old account, also ask that bank or Sacco directly whether it is dormant or has been surrendered.
Which Assets End Up With UFAA
UFAA lists examples such as dormant bank accounts, unclaimed deposits and benefits from collapsed institutions, unclaimed dividends and interest on shares, utility deposits held by power and water companies, unclaimed retirement benefits, unclaimed insurance death benefits and annuities, bail and bond money deposited in court, and uncollected prize money. Each type becomes “unclaimed” after a different dormancy period. For example, savings and demand accounts at a financial institution are treated as unclaimed after five years, insurance policies two years after the money becomes due, unpaid wages one year after they become payable, and shares and other ownership interests after three years. UFAA publishes the full schedule of asset types and their dormancy periods on its website.
How to Claim After You Find Something
Claims are made on forms that UFAA publishes, and they must be commissioned (witnessed) by a lawyer or commissioner for oaths:
- Form 4A: original owner claim, where the owner is alive and claiming.
- Form 4B: beneficiary claim, for deceased owners.
- Form 4C: business entity claim, for companies and other organisations.
- Form 4D: agent claim, where someone claims for the owner under a registered power of attorney, or for a minor.
- Form 5: indemnity agreement, required with every claim.
For an original owner claim, UFAA’s checklist includes the completed Form 4A and Form 5, an original official letter from the holder confirming the money was sent to UFAA, a certified copy of your ID or passport, your KRA PIN certificate, a payment details form, and a recent bank or M-Pesa statement or slip showing the account name and number you want paid into. If your names differ across your ID, KRA PIN and the holder’s records, you also need an affidavit explaining the difference. If you need a PIN certificate, see how to get a KRA PIN.
UFAA does not pay in cash. Money goes to the bank account or mobile money number in your payment details. For deceased relatives, the process needs succession documents first; see our guide on claiming unclaimed assets of a deceased person.
How Long a Claim Takes
UFAA’s FAQs say that once it receives a fully supported claim, an original owner claim is processed within 30 days and a beneficiary claim within 90 days. Incomplete paperwork is the most common cause of delay, so check every item on the checklist before you submit.
Avoid Unclaimed Assets Scams
Because the search is free and the forms are public, be wary of anyone who calls or messages to say you have “money at UFAA” and asks for a fee to release it. Do the search yourself on *361#, online or at a Huduma Centre, and deal only with UFAA’s official channels. Never share your eCitizen password or M-Pesa PIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check unclaimed assets in Kenya?
Dial *361#, use UFAA’s Find and Claim service online through eCitizen, or visit a Huduma Centre or UFAA’s office in Westlands, Nairobi.
Is it free to search for unclaimed assets?
Yes. UFAA describes the search and claim service as free. Be careful of anyone who asks for a release fee.
Is there a deadline to claim?
No. UFAA says owners can claim their assets at any time.
Can I search for a relative who has died?
Yes, you can search by their name or ID. Claiming requires a death certificate and succession documents.
How will UFAA pay me?
By bank transfer or mobile money to the account in your payment details. UFAA does not pay in cash.
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