1. Form the committee and agree the roles
Choose a small kamati with clear jobs: a chairperson who leads the meetings, a secretary who keeps the list of contributors, and a treasurer who handles the money. Agree from the first meeting who records pledges and who confirms payments, so there is one version of the truth.
2. Set the budget before asking for money
List the big costs - venue, catering, decoration, music, photography, transport, the dress and suits - and agree a total. Contributors give more confidently when the committee can explain what the money is for, and you will know early whether the plan needs to change.
3. Build the contributor list
Start from both families' contacts, colleagues, church or mosque members and friends. Record each person's name and phone number in one place. A spreadsheet works; an app that imports phone contacts saves hours.
4. Send pledge cards and record every pledge
Send each person a pledge request - the traditional kadi ya mchango, or a digital pledge link they can fill in themselves. Write down every pledge as soon as it is made, with the amount and the date.
5. Make paying easy and record every payment
Share one set of payment details - a bank account, an M-Pesa Lipa number or another mobile money option - and ask contributors to send a confirmation. Record each payment against the person's pledge so balances are always correct. Services such as MCHANGO, launched in February 2026 by Azania Bank and Mixx by Yas, can also receive contributions from several networks and banks.
6. Remind people politely, and only the right people
Most unpaid pledges are forgotten, not refused. Send reminders on a schedule - for example a month, two weeks and one week before the wedding - and only to people who still have a balance. Thank people who have paid in full; they should never receive a reminder.
7. Report back and say thank you
Share totals with the committee at every meeting - pledged, collected and outstanding. After the wedding, thank every contributor personally. Transparency is what makes people happy to contribute again next time.
Doing all of this in one place
Tukiohub was built around this exact process. The committee shares one contributor list, records pledges and payments, sees balances instantly, sends pledge links and reminders by SMS or WhatsApp, and uses the same guest list for the invitation cards and QR check-in on the day.
