How to Raise a Dispute on Kaziiko and Get Your Money Back

Money disappears. A client vanishes after you deliver work. A service provider goes silent. If you're using Kaziiko to find clients or hire freelancers, disputes aren't a question of if—they're a question of when. The difference between losing your money and recovering it often comes down to knowing the dispute process and acting fast.

Kaziiko's dispute system exists specifically to protect both clients and service providers. But it only works if you understand the mechanics and follow the process correctly. This guide walks you through the real steps, common mistakes, and what actually happens when you raise a dispute.

Understand What Kaziiko's Dispute System Covers

Not every disagreement qualifies as a valid dispute. Kaziiko's system handles concrete financial losses: a client who hasn't paid after the deadline, a service provider who didn't deliver what was agreed, or payment taken without work completion. It does not settle subjective disagreements about quality or taste, nor does it mediate contract renegotiations that both parties initially agreed to.

Check your contract terms carefully. The dispute window has time limits—typically 30 days from the agreed deadline or expected service completion date. The moment you realize there's a problem, document everything. Screenshots of messages, the original job listing, delivery confirmations, payment receipts—collect it all before you file anything.

How to File a Dispute on Kaziiko

Log into your Kaziiko account and navigate to your active or completed transactions. You'll find the dispute option directly on the job or service card. Click it. The platform will ask you to select a reason: payment not received, work not delivered, work delivered but doesn't match agreement, or funds held without service completion.

Be specific in your description. Don't write "client is dishonest." Instead, state facts: "Client agreed to deliver three website pages by January 15. Delivery date is now January 28. No pages have been provided. Messages unanswered for five days." Include dates, amounts, and exactly what was promised versus what was delivered. Verified experts on Kaziiko will sometimes advise on dispute language if you hire them separately.

Upload evidence. Attach screenshots of your contract, the job posting, payment confirmations, and all communication threads. If you used M-Pesa or another payment method outside the platform, include those transaction receipts too. The clearer your documentation, the faster the resolution.

What Happens After You File

Kaziiko assigns your dispute to a resolution specialist. The other party gets notified and has a set time—usually 5 to 7 business days—to respond. They'll likely provide their side of the story and their own evidence. You both can reply and counter-argue during this period.

The platform doesn't always side with whoever files first. They review the original agreement, the evidence from both parties, and communication history. If the contract was unclear or both parties share blame, Kaziiko may propose a partial refund or split the loss.

Most disputes resolve within 10 to 20 business days. If one party disagrees with the decision, Kaziiko allows an escalation to a senior reviewer, though this extends the timeline by another week or two. Payouts happen to your Kaziiko wallet or back to your original payment method once the decision is final.

Common Reasons Disputes Fail

You filed late. The 30-day window exists whether you notice immediately or not. A client's disappearance doesn't reset the clock.

Your contract was vague. "Build me a website" without deliverables, timeline, or cost breakdown is nearly impossible to dispute. Specific, written agreements protect you both.

You have no evidence. Messages deleted, screenshots not saved, no payment trail visible. Without proof, even legitimate disputes stall.

You engaged outside the platform. If you and another party agreed to handle payment via M-Pesa without using Kaziiko's system, the platform has limited ability to intervene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I dispute a job after I've already left positive feedback?

Leaving positive feedback doesn't bar a dispute, but it complicates it. The platform will question why you approved the work but now claim it wasn't delivered. Feedback should always reflect your honest assessment before filing any dispute.

How much does it cost to raise a dispute on Kaziiko?

Filing a dispute is free. Kaziiko doesn't charge fees to use the system. However, if the dispute doesn't go your way, you lose the money or service involved—there's no refund of the claim itself.

What if the other party simply ignores the dispute?

Silence counts as non-cooperation. If the other party doesn't respond within the given timeframe, Kaziiko reviews available evidence and often rules in favor of the responding party. Non-response doesn't automatically mean you win, but it strengthens a well-documented dispute.

Can I dispute a payment I made through M-Pesa instead of Kaziiko's platform?

Kaziiko has limited authority over payments made outside its system. Contact your bank or M-Pesa directly for those disputes. For Kaziiko jobs, always use the platform's payment method so you're covered by its protections.