A KSh 32,300 Airtel Money transfer error in October 2023 between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia led to a protracted cross-border consumer rights battle for Patrick Hembi when funds were sent to an inactive number.

• The erroneous transfer involved US$250 (approximately KSh 32,300).
• Patrick Hembi, the sender, fought for two years to recover his funds from Airtel DRC and Airtel Zambia.
• The COMESA Competition Commission (CCC) intervened, finding Airtel's inaction potentially “unconscionable” under COMESA rules, leading to the return of KSh 32,300 on May 5, 2025.