How to Send Money to Kenya from USA (6 Cheapest Ways 2026)
Kenya receives over $4 billion in remittances annually, with M-Pesa making it one of the world’s most mobile-money-friendly countries. If you’re sending money to family in Kenya, knowing the right service can save you hundreds.
I tested all major providers to find the cheapest and fastest ways to send dollars to Kenyan shillings in 2025.
What You Need to Send Money to Kenya
Before comparing services, gather:
-
Recipient’s details:
- Full name (as on national ID)
- M-Pesa number (most common), OR
- Bank name and account number, OR
- Pickup location for cash
-
Your information:
- Valid US ID
- US bank account or card
- Purpose of transfer (family support, etc.)
6 Cheapest Ways to Send Money to Kenya
1. Remitly – Best Overall for Kenya
Fees: $0-4 Exchange Rate: 0.5-1.5% markup Speed: Minutes (Express) to 3 days (Economy) Delivery: M-Pesa, bank, Airtel Money, cash pickup
Why Remitly wins: Instant M-Pesa delivery. Competitive rates. Built specifically for Kenya corridor.
Best for: Most transfers, especially to M-Pesa users
2. Sendwave – Best for Small Amounts
Fees: $0 Exchange Rate: 1-2% markup Speed: Minutes Delivery: M-Pesa, Airtel Money, bank
Why choose Sendwave: Zero fees make it unbeatable for smaller, frequent transfers. Simple app.
Best for: Transfers under $300
3. WorldRemit – Best for M-Pesa
Fees: $1-4 Exchange Rate: 1-2% markup Speed: Minutes Delivery: M-Pesa, bank, Airtel Money, cash pickup
Why choose WorldRemit: Strong M-Pesa integration. Reliable. Good customer service.
Best for: Regular M-Pesa users
4. Wise – Best Exchange Rate
Fees: $5-9 for $500 Exchange Rate: Mid-market (no markup) Speed: 1-2 business days Delivery: M-Pesa, bank deposit
Why choose Wise: True mid-market rate. Best for larger amounts. Now supports M-Pesa.
Best for: Amounts over $500 when you can wait 1-2 days
5. Western Union – Most Locations
Fees: $5-15 Exchange Rate: 2-4% markup Speed: Minutes Delivery: Cash pickup, M-Pesa, bank
Why choose Western Union: 600+ pickup locations across Kenya. Good for emergencies.
Best for: Emergency cash to remote locations
Find Western Union locations →
6. Xoom (PayPal) – Good for PayPal Users
Fees: $0-5 Exchange Rate: 1.5-2.5% markup Speed: Minutes to hours Delivery: M-Pesa, bank, cash pickup
Why choose Xoom: Integrates with PayPal. Fast M-Pesa delivery. New user promotions.
Best for: PayPal users, urgent M-Pesa transfers
Quick Comparison: Sending $500 to Kenya
| Provider | You Pay | Recipient Gets (KES) | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sendwave | $500 | ~129,500 | Minutes |
| Remitly Economy | ~$500 | ~129,200 | 3 days |
| Wise | ~$508 | ~129,800 | 1-2 days |
| Remitly Express | ~$504 | ~128,500 | Minutes |
| WorldRemit | ~$503 | ~128,700 | Minutes |
| Xoom | ~$502 | ~128,000 | Minutes-hours |
| Western Union | ~$515 | ~126,500 | Minutes |
Rates change constantly. Always verify current rates.
How to Get the Best USD to KES Rate
1. Use M-Pesa When Possible
M-Pesa transfers are often cheaper than bank deposits:
- Lower processing fees for providers
- Instant delivery
- No intermediary bank charges
- Available 24/7
If your recipient has M-Pesa (most Kenyans do), use it.
2. Sendwave for Frequent Small Transfers
With $0 fees, Sendwave is perfect for weekly or monthly transfers under $300.
3. Wise for Large One-Time Transfers
For amounts over $1,000, Wise’s mid-market rate saves the most money overall.
4. Compare Economy vs Express
Remitly Economy (3 days) often has rates very close to Wise but lower fees. If not urgent, this saves money.
5. Avoid Credit Card Payments
Credit cards add 1-3% in fees. Use bank transfer (ACH) instead.
6. Time Large Transfers
The KES/USD rate moves based on:
- Central Bank of Kenya policy
- Tourism seasons
- Political events
- Global oil prices
For transfers over $1,000, watching the rate for a few days can save $30-70.
Kenya-Specific Tips
M-Pesa Dominance
M-Pesa facts:
- 30+ million users in Kenya (65% of population)
- Used for everything: bills, shopping, savings
- Cash out at any M-Pesa agent (100,000+ locations)
- No bank account needed
Why M-Pesa is better:
- Instant delivery (minutes)
- Often cheaper fees
- Recipient can use money immediately
- Cash out anywhere
- Lower risk than carrying cash
Kenyan Banks
All major providers support:
- Equity Bank
- KCB (Kenya Commercial Bank)
- Cooperative Bank
- NCBA Bank
- Standard Chartered Kenya
- Absa Bank Kenya
- DTB (Diamond Trust Bank)
- Stanbic Bank Kenya
Bank transfers take 1-2 business days typically.
Cash Pickup Locations
Available through:
- Western Union – 600+ locations
- MoneyGram – 400+ locations
- Post Posta – nationwide network
- Bank branches – most offer cash pickup
Found in all cities: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret.
M-Pesa Limits
- Daily limit: Up to KES 500,000 depending on account level
- Monthly limit: Varies by M-Pesa tier
- Per transaction: Typically up to KES 250,000
For amounts over the limit, use bank transfer.
Remittance Regulations
- No limit on receiving money from family abroad
- Amounts over $10,000 may require source documentation
- Central Bank of Kenya encourages formal channels
- All legitimate remittances are protected
Tax Implications
Money from family abroad is generally not taxable in Kenya if it’s:
- For family support/maintenance
- Personal gifts from relatives
- Not business income or salary
Large amounts may require documentation at the bank.
Delivery Speeds by Method
Instant (minutes):
- M-Pesa (Remitly, Sendwave, WorldRemit, Xoom, Wise)
- Airtel Money (Remitly, Sendwave, WorldRemit)
- Cash pickup (Western Union)
Same day:
- Bank transfers sent before noon EAT
1-2 business days:
- Wise bank transfers
- Most bank transfers
3 business days:
- Remitly Economy
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest way to send money to Kenya?
For amounts under $300, Sendwave ($0 fees) is cheapest. For larger amounts, Wise offers the best exchange rate. Remitly is excellent for M-Pesa.
Can I send directly to M-Pesa?
Yes. Remitly, Sendwave, WorldRemit, Xoom, and Wise all support direct M-Pesa transfers. Money arrives in minutes with most services.
How long does it take to send money to Kenya?
M-Pesa: minutes. Bank transfers: 1-2 business days. Cash pickup: available within minutes after sending.
Is it safe to send money to Kenya online?
Yes. All listed services are licensed, regulated by FinCEN (US), and use bank-level encryption. Millions safely send to Kenya monthly.
What’s the current dollar to shilling exchange rate?
The KES/USD rate fluctuates. As of writing, it’s approximately 129-130 shillings per dollar. Use our comparison tool for live rates.
Can I send to someone without M-Pesa?
Yes. Use bank transfer or cash pickup. However, most Kenyan adults have M-Pesa – it’s the easiest option.
What’s the M-Pesa limit per transaction?
Typically up to KES 250,000 per transaction, with daily limits varying by account level. For larger amounts, use multiple transfers or bank deposit.
Start Saving on Kenya Transfers
Compare live rates from Remitly, Sendwave, Wise and 15+ providers. See exactly how many shillings your recipient will get.
Compare Kenya Transfer Rates Now →
Rates and fees are estimates. Verify before sending. BankSeer may earn commissions from providers.
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