Send Money to Kenya – Fast, Secure & Mobile-Friendly

  • Fast M-Pesa transfers
  • Low fees
  • Great GBP→KES rates
  • Secure & FCA-regulated
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Compare fees, GBP to KES rates & fast transfers to Kenya

  1. You can trust these FCA-Regulated services.
  2. Send money right to mobile wallets like M-Pesa.
  3. Enjoy low fees and great exchange rates.
  4. You can transfer money online or on the app anytime, day or night.

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Sending money to Kenya is quick and affordable when you compare trusted UK money transfer providers. Specialist services offer low fees, competitive GBP to KES exchange rates and fast delivery to M-Pesa, Kenyan bank accounts or cash pickup locations.

Compare today’s GBP→KES rates in seconds

Best Ways to Send Money to Kenya

Choose from several secure transfer methods depending on how your recipient wants to receive funds:

Bank Deposit (Equity, KCB, Co-operative Bank, DTB, Absa)

Send money directly to Kenyan bank accounts.
Fast, reliable and ideal for family support, bills or business payments.

Mobile Wallets (M-Pesa)

The fastest and most convenient method.C
Transfers to M-Pesa typically arrive within minutes, even outside banking hours.

Cash Pickup

Your recipient can collect Kenyan shillings from approved partner agents across Kenya.
Useful for rural areas or for recipients without bank access.

Debit Card / Bank Transfer Payments

Most UK providers accept debit cards, online banking, Faster Payments or standard bank transfers.
Card payments offer speed; bank transfers usually offer the lowest fees.

Which Money Transfer Services Offer the Lowest Fees to Kenya?

Compare trusted UK money transfer providers to find the best GBP → KES rates, lowest fees and fastest delivery times.

(Illustrative — real rates vary by provider, payment method and time of day.)

Provider Fees GBP → KES Rate Recipient Gets (KES) Delivery Time
Equals Money £0.00 170.55 KES 170,550 Same-day or next day
Regency FX £1.00 170.40 KES 170,400 1 business day
Key Currency £1.50 170.30 KES 170,300 Same-day or next day
Halo Financial £0.00 170.25 KES 170,250 Instant to 1 business day
OFX £0.99 170.10 KES 170,100 1–2 business days

These are example rates from 04 December 2025. Real provider rates vary based on fees, payment method and the time of day.

See which provider gives your recipient the highest KES amount

Compare International Money Transfer Services

Comparing Features, Fees, and Reliability for Seamless Money Transfers

How Long Does It Take to Send Money to Kenya?

Delivery Method Estimated Time
Mobile Wallet (M-Pesa) Minutes to 1 hour
Bank Transfer 1–2 business days
Cash Pickup 15 minutes to 24 hrs
Debit/Credit Card Instant to 24 hours

Most online money transfers to Kenya let you track your transfer in real time. You can get updates through SMS or on the app.

Can I Send Money to an M-Pesa Mobile Wallet in Kenya?

Yes. M-Pesa is a popular mobile money service in Kenya. Many UK-based companies let you send money straight to M-Pesa.

To send money to a mobile wallet:

  1. Choose mobile wallet to get the money.
  2. Type in the mobile phone number of the person who has M-Pesa on their mobile phone.
  3. Check everything and then send the money.

Your recipient will get an SMS from M-Pesa when the money comes in. They can use the money right away for shopping, to pay bills, or to take cash out.

Can I Send Money to an M-Pesa Mobile Wallet in Kenya

What Payment Options Can I Use?

Online money transfer platforms take many ways to pay:

  1. You can use a debit card.
  2. A credit card can be used too, but it may come with extra fees.
  3. Bank account transfers are an option.
  4. On mobile apps, you can pay using Apple Pay or Google Pay.
  5. You can also pay with linked mobile wallets.

The payment method you pick can change how fast you get your order. It may also lead to some additional fees.

What Information Do I Need to Send Money to Kenya?

Before your first transfer, you’ll need:

  1. Your full name, date of birth, and address
  2. Your phone number and email address
  3. The name of the person getting the money, just as it is on their ID or at their bank
  4. The recipient’s mobile phone number if you use M-Pesa
  5. The recipient's bank account number if you do a bank transfer
  6. The bank name and the SWIFT or BIC code if you need it

For cash pickup:

  1. You must have a valid government ID when you go to the pickup point.
  2. You may need to give the transaction number to the person who gets it.

Compare International Money Transfer Services

Comparing Features, Fees, and Reliability for Seamless Money Transfers

What Exchange Rate Should I Expect?

Exchange rates between the British pound (GBP) and Kenyan shilling (KES) change throughout the day. Most providers apply a small markup to the mid-market rate, which affects how many Kenyan shillings your recipient receives.

What Exchange Rate Should I Expect

To get the best value:

Compare the GBP→KES rate, not just the fees

A slightly better exchange rate can increase the total amount delivered to Kenya.

Always check the total payout

Look at how many KES your recipient actually receives after all fees and markups.

Avoid providers that don’t show their real rate upfront

Transparent services display live mid-market comparisons and the final KES payout before you send.

Clear pricing helps you avoid hidden costs and ensures more of your money reaches your recipient in Kenya.

Can I Send Money to Kenya Without a Bank Account?

Yes — you can send money to Kenya even if you don’t have a UK bank account. Most transfer providers offer alternative payment methods, including:

  • Debit card payments
  • Credit card payments (may include extra fees)
  • Prepaid cards
  • Mobile wallet top-ups such as Apple Pay or Google Pay

On the recipient side, Kenyans can receive funds without a bank account by using M-Pesa. Mobile wallet users can withdraw cash, pay bills, buy goods or transfer money instantly — no bank details required.

This makes bank-free transfers one of the easiest and fastest ways to send money to Kenya.

Are There Limits on Transfers to Kenya?

Yes. Transfer limits vary by provider and depend on your verification level. Higher limits are usually available once you complete ID checks.

Verification Level Max per Transfer Max per Month
Basic Up to £2,000 Around £8,000
Fully Verified £5,000–£10,000+ £25,000+

Transfer caps are in place to protect against fraud and comply with anti-money-laundering rules. Most apps will notify you if you are close to your limit or if further verification is required.

M-Pesa also has its own internal wallet limits, so the recipient may need to clear space in their account before receiving a high-value transfer.

Compare International Money Transfer Services

Comparing Features, Fees, and Reliability for Seamless Money Transfers

What Should I Do If My Recipient Has Trouble Receiving Funds?

If your recipient has issues receiving a transfer, check the following common causes:

1. Incorrect Recipient Details

Make sure the mobile number, M-Pesa wallet ID, or bank account details match exactly what you entered.

2. ID Mismatch for Cash Pickup

For cash collection, the recipient’s name must match their government ID. Even small spelling differences can cause delays.

3. Check Transfer Status

Most providers offer real-time tracking through their app, SMS alerts or email updates. This will tell you whether the transfer is pending, processed, or held for verification.

4. Contact Customer Support

If the transfer is stuck, the provider can check M-Pesa or the receiving bank to identify the issue.

Refunds

If a transfer fails, refunds typically take 2–5 business days depending on the provider and payment method.

Are There Any Hidden Fees?

Some services advertise “zero fees”, but costs may still appear in other ways. The most common include:

  • Exchange rate markups (a margin added to the mid-market rate)
  • Card payment fees when using credit or debit cards
  • Faster delivery charges for instant or same-day transfers

To avoid unexpected costs:

Always check the full cost before confirming

Look for providers that show fees and the GBP→KES rate upfront.

Compare the exchange rate, not just the fee

A low fee with a poor rate may leave your recipient with less money.

Review payment method fees

Credit cards often attract additional charges.

Clear, transparent pricing helps ensure more of your money reaches your recipient in Kenya, whether they use M-Pesa, bank deposit or cash pickup.

Check secure, FCA-regulated transfer options now

Are There Promotions for New Customers Sending to Kenya?

Many UK money transfer providers offer introductory discounts for new customers. These may include:

  • Fee-free first transfers
  • Discounted exchange rate margins
  • Lower card payment fees
  • Bonus credits for repeat transfers

Promotions change regularly, so always:

  • Check the provider’s offers or promotions page
  • Confirm whether you qualify as a first-time customer
  • Compare the total cost (rate + fees) rather than relying on the offer alone

Intro deals can help reduce your first transfer cost, but comparing providers side-by-side ensures you still get the best overall value for sending money to Kenya

Compare International Money Transfer Services

Comparing Features, Fees, and Reliability for Seamless Money Transfers

Understanding Transfer Costs and Exchange Rate Changes

When sending an international money transfer from the United Kingdom to Kenya, the total cost of a transfer depends on several factors. Providers may apply fees upfront or include a small markup in the exchange rate. Transfer speeds also vary depending on the delivery method and bank processing times.

Most services allow payment via UK local bank accounts, and transfers are completed using secure SWIFT payments or IBAN transfers where required. You may be asked for the recipient’s email address or bank code to ensure accuracy.

Comparing international transfers side-by-side gives you a personalised estimate and helps you find the cheapest way to send money with confidence and peace of mind.

Find the fastest way to send money to Kenya today

FAQs – About Sending Money to Kenya

The total cost of a transfer depends on fees upfront, the GBP→KES exchange rate, the payment method and how quickly you want the money to arrive. Some banking services include small rate markups, while specialist providers often offer clearer pricing and faster transfer speeds.

For UK payments, you may need your own sort code or bank account details. For international transfers to Kenya, your provider may request the recipient’s bank code, SWIFT payment details or their email address to confirm the transfer.

Western Union is widely used, but not always the cheapest way. Comparing multiple international transfer providers helps you find lower fees and better exchange rates.

Trusted providers use HTTPS encryption, strong authentication and secure banking systems to keep your details safe. This gives you peace of mind when sending money abroad.

You can send up to £8,000 without needing to show ID. Some services let you send over £25,000 if you give full identification.

Yes. Platforms such as M-Pesa are used by many people, and there are rules that control how they work.

Yes. When you move money using a mobile wallet or a debit card, it is often instant. This works even on weekends.

Services like WorldRemit, PaySend, and Remitly give you low fees. You can track your transfers with the app. These services also work with M-Pesa.

Only if you are using bank deposit, you will need more details. For M-Pesa, you just need a mobile number.

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Page last updated on: 17/12/2025

Page reviewed by: Andrea Troy

4000+ reviews