Hiring someone online to handle paperwork or creative work can feel like a leap of faith. What happens if the delivery is incomplete, differs from the brief, or simply isn't what you expected? According to Kaziiko, the Kenyan marketplace for government and digital services, its system is built around a simple rule: the expert gets paid only when the client approves the work. That structure, the site says, shifts the usual risk and gives the client a chance to ask for changes or, if needed, raise a formal dispute.
When you place an order on the platform—whether for a tax return filing starting at KSh 300, a logo from KSh 2,000, or website development from KSh 5,000—the payment goes into M-Pesa escrow. The money sits there, visible to both sides but released to no one, until you mark the order as complete. If the expert delivers a logo in the wrong file format, or a government application form that's missing a section, the site says you can request a revision directly through your dashboard. The expert sees the request, makes the changes, and resubmits. Only then does the approval timer restart.
Kaziiko says most issues are resolved at the revision stage, with no need for outside help. But if the back-and-forth stalls—perhaps the expert stops responding, or you believe the work fundamentally doesn't match what was agreed—you can escalate to the Kaziiko team. According to the site, the platform reviews the original brief, the messages exchanged in the private chat thread, and the files delivered. Because every order carries a full audit trail, the team can see what was promised and what arrived. The site says this mediation is handled by people, not algorithms.
The outcome of mediation depends on what the evidence shows, Kaziiko says. If the expert met the brief, the order may be approved and payment released. If the work fell short, the site says it can issue a full refund, returning the escrowed amount to your M-Pesa account. The platform does not publish statistics on how often refunds are granted or how long mediation takes, so it is worth treating the process as a safety net rather than a routine step. The clearer your original brief and the more specific your revision requests, the smoother any dispute is likely to be.
For buyers new to hiring online, this escrow-and-review structure offers a measure of control that a cash handover or direct bank transfer does not. For experts, the flip side is that professionalism and communication matter: a client who feels heard is less likely to escalate. Kaziiko invites individuals, agencies and cybercafés to list services across 13 categories, from eCitizen help and NTSA applications to video editing and API integration, with the platform keeping a fifteen per cent fee on completed orders. The site says every expert is ID- and skills-verified before their first listing goes live, and that only verified buyers can leave reviews.
No system eliminates every possible friction, but knowing the steps—revision first, then mediation if needed, with your money held until you agree—can make the decision to hire feel less like a gamble. If you do place an order, keep your brief detailed, respond to messages promptly, and use the revision button as soon as something looks off. According to Kaziiko, that combination of clear communication and structured recourse is what turns a marketplace into a workplace both sides can rely on.
Browse the services or post what you need at kaziiko.co.ke. See how it works, the full list of services, or register as an expert, which the site says is free.
Promoted content. Kaziiko is a product of Mycrea Technologies Ltd, which also designs and maintains Kijiji News.