East Africa's Mobile Money Leader
Sending toKenya · KES
Send Money to Kenya at the Best Exchange Rates
Send money to Kenya for less. Compare verified money transfer providers for GBP, USD, CAD, AUD, EUR and NZD to KES side by side, with exchange rate, fee and delivery speed together, so you can see exactly what your family in Kenya will receive before you send.
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Why compare
Money Transfer to Kenya: A Leading East African Remittance Market
Kenya receives roughly $4 billion or more a year in remittances, one of the larger inflows in East Africa, from a diaspora spread across the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. With many providers competing for every money transfer to Kenya, exchange rates and fees vary a lot, which makes comparing the easiest way to get more shillings for your money.
KES rate spreads vary widely
The gap between the best and worst provider can be several percent on some days. On a £1,000 transfer, that can mean thousands of shillings.
Banks rarely offer the best KES rate
High-street banks usually add a wider margin to the mid-market rate than specialist providers, so compare before you send from your bank.
Kenya's receiving side is fast
M-Pesa mobile money and bank transfers run around the clock, so the real savings are found on the sending side.
Sending corridors
Money Transfer to Kenya: Choose Your Sending Country
Select the corridor that matches where you are sending from to compare the best money transfer rates to Kenya for that specific route.
UK to Kenya money transfer comparison
GBP → KES
USA to Kenya money transfer comparison
USD → KES
Canada to Kenya money transfer comparison
CAD → KES
Australia to Kenya money transfer comparison
AUD → KES
Europe to Kenya money transfer comparison
EUR → KES
New Zealand to Kenya money transfer comparison
NZD → KES
Quick compare
Popular Amounts to Send to Kenya
Jump straight to a comparison for a common transfer amount, in whichever currency you are sending from.
Simple process
How to Send Money to Kenya in 4 Steps
- 1
Choose your corridor
Select where you are sending from and enter the amount. We show you the providers offering that route to Kenya.
- 2
Compare providers
See exchange rates, transfer fees, delivery speed and user ratings for each verified provider, side by side.
- 3
Pick the best deal
Choose the provider that fits your priority: the strongest KES rate, the lowest fee, or the fastest delivery.
- 4
Send with confidence
Complete the transfer directly with your chosen provider. Many transfers reach Kenya within minutes to 1–3 business days.
Why Leave Cedis on the Table?
Exchange rates and fees differ from one provider to the next, and on a £1,000 transfer to Kenya that difference can add up to a lot of shillings. Remit Select shows exchange rates, fees and delivery speed side by side, in seconds, for free.
How to pay
Ways to Pay When You Send Money to Kenya
Most providers accept several ways to pay. The right choice depends on your bank, the size of your transfer, and how quickly you need the money to arrive.
- Most popular
Bank transfer
Send directly from your bank account. Usually the best rates and no card surcharges, and the most reliable option for larger transfers.
- Instant
Debit card
Fast and convenient, with funds sent immediately. Some providers add a small surcharge.
- Secure
Credit card
Accepted by some providers, though it often carries higher fees and may be treated as a cash advance by your card issuer.
- Instant
Open banking / pay by bank
A newer method offered by select providers: fast setup, no card fees, and strong fraud protection.
- Secure
Cash deposit
Pay cash at an agent location, useful without a bank account. In the USA, cash-funded transfers carry a 1% federal tax.
- Popular
Digital wallet
Pay via PayPal or similar wallets on select platforms. Convenient if you already use one day to day.
How recipients get paid
How Your Family Can Receive Money in Kenya
Kenya supports a wide range of receiving methods, from instant bank deposits and mobile money to cash pickup across the country.
M-Pesa mobile money
Many providers pay straight to a Safaricom M-Pesa number, often within minutes and around the clock. No bank account is needed.
- M-Pesa
- Safaricom number
- Fast delivery
Bank account deposit
Funds go straight into a Kenyan bank account, usually the same or next business day. A reliable choice for larger amounts.
- KCB
- Equity Bank
- Co-operative Bank
- Absa Kenya
- NCBA
Other mobile wallets
Select providers also support other mobile wallets, so check which payout options your chosen provider offers before you send.
- Airtel Money
- T-Kash
- Select providers
Cash pickup
The recipient collects shillings from a local agent. Valid ID matching the name on the transfer is required.
- Western Union
- MoneyGram
- Ria Money
Bank remittance counters
Many major banks offer dedicated remittance services for collecting funds in person at branches.
- Major banks
- Nationwide
Home delivery
Cash delivered to the recipient's door in select cities through certain provider partners.
- Nairobi
- Mombasa
- Select cities
Expert advice
Tips to Get the Best Rate When Sending Money to Kenya
Small choices in how, when and how much you send can add up to real savings over a year. Here is what experienced senders know.
Compare before every transfer, even with a regular provider
Exchange rates move daily, and KES spreads differ a lot between providers. Checking Remit Select before each transfer takes under a minute and can put more shillings in your family's hands.
Compare the final KES amount, not the headline rate
A great-looking rate can be cancelled out by fees or a hidden margin. Look at what your recipient actually receives after everything is taken into account.
Fund by bank transfer, not card or cash
Card payments can add a surcharge, and in the USA cash-funded transfers carry a 1% federal tax. Bank transfers are usually the cheapest way to fund a transfer to Kenya.
Check mobile money and bank payout options
If your recipient has an M-Pesa number, many providers can pay straight to it, often within minutes, any day of the week. Always confirm the payout method is supported before you send.
Double-check the recipient's details
For bank deposits, you need the account name exactly as on the account, the account number and the bank name (and branch if asked). For M-Pesa, use the recipient's registered Safaricom number. A typo can delay or misdirect a transfer.
Regulations
Limits, Taxes and Rules for Sending Money to Kenya
Money transfers to Kenya are regulated on both ends. Understanding the key rules helps you plan a transfer smoothly and avoid unnecessary delays.
- Personal remittances such as family support, education and property are generally permitted, and Kenya does not set a standard annual cap on receiving them.
- Use providers that are licensed or partnered with licensed operators in Kenya and regulated in your sending country.
- Regulated providers verify your identity and may ask for source-of-funds documents on larger transfers under anti-money-laundering rules.
- USA: since 1 January 2026, a 1% federal tax applies to remittances funded with cash, a money order or a cashier's check. Bank account and US debit or credit card funding is exempt.
- M-Pesa wallets have their own transaction and daily limits by account tier, so larger amounts are often better sent to a bank account.
Common questions
Send Money to Kenya: Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about sending money to Kenya.
It depends on where you send from and how much. Specialist money transfer providers usually offer better exchange rates and lower fees than banks. Use Remit Select to compare providers for your corridor and amount, then pick the one that gives your recipient the most shillings.
Compare GBP to KES providers on Remit Select, choose one, register and verify your ID, enter the amount and your recipient's Kenyan bank details, then pay from your UK bank account or card. Paying from a bank account usually gives the best rate.
Pick a licensed provider, register and verify your identity, enter your recipient's name, bank and account number, and choose how to pay. Most providers show the exchange rate, fee and exact KES amount before you confirm.
The best rate is the one closest to the mid-market rate with the lowest fees. It changes daily and differs by provider, amount and payment method, so compare the final KES amount received, not just the headline rate.
Many digital transfers arrive within minutes to 1–3 business days. M-Pesa payouts and some bank deposits can be near-instant with some providers, while cash pickup depends on the agent network and your chosen provider.
Three things: the exchange rate applied, the transfer fee, and any margin the provider adds to the mid-market rate. Card payments can add a surcharge too. Compare all of these together to see the true cost.
Kenya does not set a standard annual cap on personal inward remittances. Each provider sets its own per-transfer limits, and larger amounts usually need extra ID or source-of-funds checks.
Since 1 January 2026, the USA charges a 1% federal tax on remittances funded with cash, a money order or a cashier's check. Transfers funded from a bank account or a US debit or credit card are exempt.
For bank deposits: the recipient's full name as on the account, their account number and bank name. For M-Pesa: the registered Safaricom phone number. For cash pickup: their full name matching a valid government-issued ID.
Major commercial banks such as KCB, Equity Bank, Co-operative Bank, Absa Kenya, NCBA and Stanbic accept international remittances. Which banks a provider pays into depends on the provider, so check before you send.