Since the launch of the Vodafone Mobile Money Transfer Service, popularly known as M-PESA, in Kenya five years ago, Safaricom / Vodafone have faced a wave of allegations claiming the telecoms giant ‘stole’ the idea. One unresolved case has even ended up in the courts.

Another case, although not in court, stands out because accuser Nyagaka Anyona Ouko has produced proof of a copyright certificate leaving the legal fraternity scratching their heads and others raising questions.

HumanIPO previously reported and asked the question “Is M-Pesa really Kenyan or British” and as part of that report mentioned Ouko, a man from Kenya who holds an authentic (as verified by HumanIPO sources) Kenya Copyright Board certificate for “Mobile Cash Transfer”.

His claim to being the “M-Pesa Innovator” becomes more curious as we learn (as per half year results released by Safaricom) Safaricom pays a “license fee” to Vodafone in the UK for their use of M-PESA in Kenya. This raises questions of whether Safaricom or Vodafone hold any copyrights or patents whatsoever in Kenya for mobile money transfer. M-PESA   was launched in April 2007.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let us tell Ouko’s story from his early days…(Continue Reading Here…)