My name is Anthony.
There is one mistake I made that changed how I look at trust, money, and human responsibility.
It happened during one of the most difficult seasons of my life.
My wife had started a small business, and after months of saving, we finally had enough money to buy new stock. That KSh 80,000 was not just money.
It was our plan.
It was our chance to grow.
It was the hope that our family would finally move forward.
On that morning, I sat down with my phone and prepared to send the money to the supplier.
I copied the number.
I entered the amount.
I pressed send.
Everything happened in seconds.
A few moments later, I received the M-Pesa confirmation message.
Something immediately felt wrong.
I checked the number carefully.
I had sent the money to the wrong person.
My heart started beating faster.
I called the number immediately.
A man answered.
I explained the mistake.
“Brother, I have accidentally sent you KSh 80,000. Please help me return it. It was meant for business stock.”
I expected him to understand.
I expected him to see that behind that money was a family trying to improve their life.
He told me he would look into it.
I waited.
Minutes passed.
Then hours.
I called again.
This time, the phone was switched off.
I sent messages.
I explained everything again.
I pleaded with him.
I told him that keeping money sent by mistake could cause serious problems for another person.
But there was no response.
The supplier was waiting.
My wife was waiting.
The business opportunity we had planned started disappearing.
The stress affected our entire family.
I could not understand how someone could receive money that clearly did not belong to them and decide to keep quiet.
I reported the matter and followed the proper channels, hoping for a quick solution.
But the process was slower than I expected.
Every day that passed increased my frustration.
I started carrying anger inside me.
I wanted the person to understand the pain his decision had caused.
A close family elder noticed my emotional struggle and advised me to seek guidance from Dr. Magongo in Kisumu as part of a traditional consultation and reflection process.
I went and shared my story.
I explained the mistake, the unanswered calls, and how the situation had affected my family.
He listened carefully.
He reminded me that seeking what is right should not destroy my own peace.
He encouraged me to focus on restoration, patience, and making decisions with a clear mind.
A symbolic cleansing process was prepared.
A red cloth represented the seriousness of the situation and the emotional pain caused by the loss.
A red thread represented reconnecting what had been separated and seeking a resolution.
A piece of garlic (kitunguu saumu) represented strength and protection in the cultural symbolism of the ceremony.
A calabash of water represented calmness and renewal after a stressful experience.
During the process, I reflected on how one mistake can affect many people and how important it is to handle difficult situations wisely.
The next morning, my phone rang.
I looked at the screen.
It was the same man.
I answered.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then he said,
“I know I have caused you pain. I want us to resolve this.”
He explained that he had ignored my calls but had started feeling uncomfortable about the situation.
He apologized.
He agreed to return the money and discuss the inconvenience caused.
When the money finally came back, I felt a heavy weight leave my heart.
But the experience taught me a lesson I will never forget.
Money is not only about the amount.
Every coin can carry someone’s dream, emergency, or sacrifice.
Today, before I send any payment, I check every detail twice.
And whenever I hear about someone receiving money by mistake, I remind them:
“Behind that transaction is a real person who may be depending on it.”
A simple act of honesty can protect someone else’s future.
