10 Best Ways to Send Money to Kenya – Kenyan Diaspora Market (2024)

Introduction

Do you need to send money to a friend or family member in Kenya? Or, maybe you want to pay for goods, top-up airtime, or complete a business transaction from abroad? Gone are the days of queuing at the bank for hours to effect payment. For, you can now send money to Kenya from as little as $1 and as much as $1,000,000 instantly, from the comfort of your home. Huh? Indeed, reliable money transfer companies offer convenient funds transfer options online, in person, using agent locations, bank transfers, and debit or credit cards. More so, your recipient gets the funds instantly or after several minutes, directly to their bank account or mobile wallet.

Getting Started

First things first; is it your first time to send money to Kenya while abroad? Below is a standard step-by-step guide on how to use these platforms: –

The Steps to Send Money to Kenya

1. Download the app, open it, sign up & register at the service provider’s website or mobile app.
2. Next, choose how much you want to send to Kenya. Confirm the exchange rate upfront.
3. Now, decide how you want to send the money to Kenya.
4. Also, know who is to receive the money in Kenya. Type this recipient’s details or pick from a list of your past recipients.
5. Pay for the transfer using your registered payment method.
6. Finally, track your transfer via the mobile app or email notifications.

Our Top Ten Ways to Send Money to Kenya

1.Remitly – Best for Sending Money to Family & Friends Overseas

Do you need to send $100 or less to your family or friends in Kenya? Do it using Remitly. Indeed, Remitly is an international money payment provider with no minimum limits. The vendor works with most banks and money transfer companies in Kenya to deliver whatever amount of money to your friends and loved ones for as low as $3.99 per transaction. Furthermore, you can lower these transaction costs by taking advantage of the regular discount offers for new customers. CLICK TO VISIT REMITLY.

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via Remitly

• Transaction Fee: $3.99 (Factored in the Mid-Market Rate)
• Exchange Rate (varies): 1 GBP = 155.88 KES
• Amount You Pay:00GBP
• Amount Recipient Receives: 15,588.00KES
• Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: 0 – 2 Hours

What We Like About Remitly:

• No minimum limit
• Broader reach via most banks & money transfer agents
• Fee-free transfers, regardless of the amount
• Has discounts for new customers
• Secure Socket Layer (SSL) with 256-bit encryption (bank-level security)
• High customer rating for its mobile app

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:

• Tier 1 – $2,999 in 24 hours, $10,000 in 30 days, & $18,000 in 180 days
• Tier 2 – $6,000 in 24 hours, $20,000 in 30 days, & $36,000 in 180 days
• Tier 2 – $10,000 in 24 hours, $30,000 in 30 days, & $60,000 in 180 days

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts: Airtel Money, M-Pesa

Money Transfer Platforms: https://www.remitly.com/us/en/kenya, the Remitly Android or iOS App

Sender Payment Options: Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, or Debit Card Deposit

Recipient Delivery Channels: Bank Transfer, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money

Transfer time to send Money to Kenya: In Minutes When Paying with Debit/Credit Card, Up to 2 Hours When Paying with Bank Account.

CLICK TO VISIT REMITLY

2. Wise (Formerly Known as TransferWise) – Best for Competitive Exchange Rates

If you prefer to send money to Kenya via a bank transfer, reach out to Wise for competitive mid-market rates. Formerly known as TransferWise, Wise will facilitate an EFT of up to $1,000,000 to Kenya in under two business days. And, should you need to make changes, their customer service team is on call or mail ready to serve you. The company has one of the most user-friendly mobile app interfaces, making tracking your money convenient. CLICK TO VISIT WISE

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via Wise

• Transaction Fee: 4 USD + 0.86% of your amount
• Exchange Rate (varies): 1 GBP = 148.90 KES
• Amount You Pay:00GBP
• Amount Recipient Receives: 14,890.00KES
• Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: 30 Minutes

What We Like About Wise:

• Transparent fees and exchange rates
• The user-friendly mobile app interface
• Fastest transfers to a bank account
• Reliable customer support on email & phone

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:

• $1,000,000 per day per transfer

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts: M-Pesa Wallet

Money Transfer Platforms: https://www.wise.com, the Wise Android or iOS App

Sender Payment Options: Bank Transfer, SWIFT, PISP, Debit or Credit card

Recipient Delivery Channels: Bank transfer, Mobile Money Accounts

Transfer time to send Money to Kenya: Instantly – 2 Business Days depending on the location.

CLICK TO VISIT WISE

3. Taptap Send – Best for Fast and Affordable Mobile Money Transfers

Taptap Send is an ideal option for quick and low-cost international money transfers to family and friends in Kenya. Enjoy competitive exchange rates and zero upfront fees, ensuring that more of your money reaches your loved ones. With Taptap Send, you can conveniently send money using a debit card or a bank account. Funds are directly delivered to recipients’ mobile money accounts, making the process seamless and quick.

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via Taptap Send
Upfront Fee: £0
Exchange Rate (varies): 1 GBP = 150.1345 KES
Amount You Pay: £100
Amount Recipient Receives: 15,013.45 KES
Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: Instant or within minutes

What We Like About Taptap Send:

• Zero upfront fees
• Competitive exchange rates
• Instant transfers to mobile money
• Simple and user-friendly app

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:
Varies by country and payment method. Typically up to $2,500 per transaction for mobile money transfers.

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts:
M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and other popular mobile money platforms.

Money Transfer Platforms:
www.taptapsend.com, the Taptap Send Android or iOS app.

Sender Payment Options:
Debit card, Bank account.

Recipient Delivery Channels:
Mobile Money.

Transfer Time to Send Money to Kenya:
Instant or within minutes, depending on network conditions.

4.WorldRemit – Best for Sending Cash, Mobile Money Transfers & Airtime Purchase

WorldRemit is your go-to instant international money transfer provider to family and friends anywhere in Kenya. More so, enjoy competitive exchange rates and lower fees that you can view and compare upfront. Then, choose one of the flexible payment options that include a card (debit, credit, or prepaid card), bank transfer, Poli, Interac, iDEAL Klarna, or Apple Pay. Your family and friends receive the funds from designated cash pickup locations, as a bank transfer, Alipay, on their phones as mobile money receipts or as airtime top-ups.

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via WorldRemit

• Upfront Fee: 0
• Exchange Rate (varies): 1 GBP = 149.35249 KES
• Amount You Pay:00GBP
• Amount Recipient Receives: 14,935.00KES
• Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: Less than 10 Minutes

What We Like About WordRemit:

• Instant money transfers
• Lower fees & competitive exchange rates
• Flexible payment options
• Multiple delivery channels

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:

• $9,000 in 24 hours, $5,000 per transaction for Debit, Credit & Prepaid Cards
• 150,000 per transaction to M-Pesa accounts & Kshs. 300,000 per transaction to Equitel accounts

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts: Airtel Money, M-Pesa, Equitel

Money Transfer Platforms: www.worldremit.com, the WorldRemit Android or iOS App

Sender Payment Options: Card (Debit, Credit, or Prepaid card), Bank Transfer, Poli, Interac, iDEAL Klarna, or Apple Pay.

Recipient Delivery Channels: Bank Transfer, Cash pickup, Mobile Money, Airtime Top up, or Alipay

Transfer time to send Money to Kenya: Less than 10 Minutes

5.Payoneer – Best for Cross-border business payments

Are you a freelance professional who wants to send as little as $50 to Kenya? Opt for Payoneer, an international money transfer provider for your business payments. Here, freelancers, online sellers, SMBs, marketplaces, and enterprises can send and receive money for their products and services from at least 150 countries across the globe. It gives your small business a head start as you get reports and real-time analysis of your B2B payments for tax accountability. And, should you need a cash advance to grow your business, Payoneer can lend you up to $750,000.

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via Payoneer

• Transaction Fee: 2%
• Exchange Rate (varies): 1 GBP = 155.88 KES
• Amount You Pay:00GBP
• Amount Recipient Receives: 15,588.00KES
• Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: 10 Minutes

What We Like About Payoneer:

• Reliable money transfers for B2B payments
• Operates in at least 150 countries and currencies
• $50 Minimum transaction limit
• Generates regular reports for tax accountability
• Gives up to $750,000 merchant cash advances to small businesses

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:

• $5,000/day with up to 30 withdrawals daily

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts: M-Pesa

Money Transfer Platforms: https://www.payoneer.com, the Payoneer Android or iOS App

Sender Payment Options: Payoneer Account or Bank Account

Recipient Delivery Channels: Bank transfer, Payoneer Account, Mobile Money Accounts

Transfer time to send Money to Kenya: 2 – 5 Business Days to Bank Accounts, 2 hours to another Payoneer Account

6.Western Union – Best for Cross-border Business Payments

Western Union is one of the pioneer international money payments companies serving the Kenyan market. It has a broad reach allowing you to send money to Kenya directly from 200 countries, including Vietnam, Yemen, Virgin Islands, Uzbekistan, and Ireland. Here, send up to $10,000 per day to your recipient’s bank account, M-Pesa account, or a local Western Union cash pick-up agent. Better still; pay utility bills for family and friends in Kenya at no extra cost.

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via Western Union

• Transaction Fee: 2%
• Exchange Rate (varies):00 GBP = 149.7645 KES
• Amount You Pay:00GBP
• Amount Recipient Receives: 14,977.00KES
• Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: 10 Minutes

What We Like About Western Union:

• No hidden fees
• Convenient repeat transfers
• Has a global network of in more than 200 countries
• Supports utility bill payments & cash pickups

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:

• $10,000/day

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts: M-Pesa Global

Money Transfer Platforms: https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/web/send-money/start, the Western Union Android or iOS App, or in Person

Sender Payment Options: Bank Transfer, Debit or Credit Card

Recipient Delivery Channels: Bank transfer, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money Accounts

Transfer time to send Money to Kenya: 1 – 5 Business Days

7. Azimo – Best for Bulk Bank Transfers

Do you prefer making bulk payments using a money transfer platform in your native Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, French, Italian, Russian, or English languages? Azimo is your go-to money payment vendor for this. Indeed, you get to wire any amount from zero to £250,000 through an EFT or £12,000 using your debit or credit card to up to 200 countries. It is an instant money transfer for your e-commerce transactions, even on a weekend.

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via Azimo

• Transaction Fee: 0
• Exchange Rate (varies): 1 GBP = 159.41 KES
• Amount You Pay:00GBP
• Amount Recipient Receives: 15,941.00KES
• Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: Instant

What We Like About Azimo:

• Instant international money transfers, no weekend delays
• No minimum limit
• Web-based platform supports 8 languages
• First two personal transfers & five business transfers free
• Multiple delivery options, including cash pickups & mobile phone top-ups

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:

• £250,000 per bank transfer or £12,000 for debit or credit card payments

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts: M-Pesa

Money Transfer Platforms: https://azimo.com/, the Azimo Android or iOS App

Sender Payment Options: Bank transfer, debit/credit card

Recipient Delivery Channels: Bank transfer, Cash Pickups, Mobile Wallet, Mobile Phone Top Ups

Transfer time to send Money to Kenya: Instant

8. MoneyGram – Best for Online & In-person Money Transfers

Do you have family and friends in remote locations, away from mainstream banking services? Send them money via MoneyGram and ask them to pick it up at the vendor’s agent location near them. See, MoneyGram has 70 agent outlets spread out throughout Kenya where the recipient can pick up the cash in person. And the vendor facilitates funds transfer to M-Pesa, Kenya’s leading mobile money service with thousands of outlets across the country.

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via MoneyGram

• Transaction Fee: $99
• Exchange Rate (varies): 1 GBP = 152.285878 KES
• Amount You Pay:00GBP
• Amount Recipient Receives: 15,228.00KES
• Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: 10 Minutes

What We Like About MoneyGram:

• Up to 350,000 MoneyGram agent locations worldwide
• Online & in-person transfers are available
• Lower fees with the MoneyGram Plus Reward Program
• Can send funds to an inmate in the United States

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:

• $10,000 per transaction

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts: M-Pesa

Money Transfer Platforms: https://www.moneygram.com, the MoneyGram Android or iOS App

Sender Payment Options: Bank Transfer, Online, MoneyGram Agent, Cash Transfer, International Money Order

Recipient Delivery Channels: Bank transfer, Mobile Money Accounts, MoneyGram Agent, Cash Pick Ups

Transfer time to send Money to Kenya: Under 10 Minutes for Online Transfers, Up to 5 Business Days for Bank Transfers

9. Sendwave – Best for Instant Money Transfer to Mobile Wallets

Sendwave is your go-to international money payment provider for mobile banking solutions. Indeed, the vendor facilitates instant funds transfer to mobile wallets at no extra cost. Download the Sendwave mobile app, sign up, link your debit card, and send money to Kenya from your phone to your loved ones’ phones in minutes. If the current rating of 4.6 out of 5 for the mobile app is anything to go by, then Sendwave remains a force to reckon with in mobile banking.

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via Sendwave

• Transaction Fee: 0
• Exchange Rate (varies): 1 GBP = 151.33 KES
• Amount You Pay:00GBP
• Amount Recipient Receives: 15,133.00KES
• Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: 30 seconds

What We Like About Sendwave:

• Instant money transfers to mobile wallets
• Minimum transfer limit of $1 to most regions
• Fast signup & mobile user interface

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:

• $999/£999/€999 per day & $2,999/£2,500/€2,500 per month for new customers
• $2,999 per day & $12,000 per month for verified accounts

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts: M-Pesa

Money Transfer Platforms: https://www.sendwave.com/, the Sendwave Android or iOS App

Sender Payment Options: Visa or MasterCard debit cards, PostePay cards in Italy & Correos cards in Spain.

Recipient Delivery Channels: Bank transfer, Mobile Money Accounts, Sendwave Pick Up Locations

Transfer time send Money to Kenya: Up to 15 minutes for Mobile Money Transfers, 1-3 Business Days for Bank Transfers

10.Xoom, powered by Paypal – Best for Reliable, Established Brand for International Money Transfers, Airtime Top Up, Paying Bills

Xoom is a fast, safe and reliable money transfer platform owned by Paypal. It offers web-based money transfers in minutes to at least 160 countries worldwide. Here, arrange for a bank transfer for up to $60,000 and pay as little as $4.99 regardless of the transaction amount. The maximum limit is higher for verified accounts, sparing you the hassle of providing personal information every time you transact large amounts.

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via Xoom

• Transaction Fee: $4.99
• Exchange Rate (varies): 1 GBP = 145.7026 KES
• Amount You Pay:00GBP
• Amount Recipient Receives: 14,570.00KES
• Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: In Minutes

What We Like About Xoom:

• $10 minimum transaction limit
• Low transaction fees on international money transfers
• Supports utility bill payments & cash pickups
• Has the latest online & app user interface
• 24/7 multi-lingual customer support

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:

• Tier 1 – $2,999 in 24 hours, $6,000 in 30 days
• Tier 2 – $10,000 in 24 hours, $20,000 in 30 days
• Tier 2 – $50,000 in 24 hours, $60,000 in 30 days

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts: M-Pesa

Money Transfer Platforms: https://www.xoom.com/kenya/send-money, the Xoom Android or iOS App

Sender Payment Options: PayPal, Bank account, Credit or Debit cards

Recipient Delivery Channels: Bank transfer, Cash Pickup, M-Pesa

Transfer time to send Money to Kenya: In Minutes for Amounts below $10,000, 2-3 Business Days for transactions above $10,000

Bonus: PayPal – Best for Inter-bank Transfers

Finally, if you make frequent online purchases, or pay remote workers based in Kenya, switch to PayPal for instant transfers to the bank or mobile wallets. PayPal boasts of a vast global network and secure money transfer through its 24/7 fraud monitoring strategies. Indeed, at least 75% of online merchants across the globe have PayPal as one of their payment options.

Send Money to Kenya: £100 via PayPal

• Transaction Fee: $4.99
• Exchange Rate (varies): 1 GBP = 130.88 KES
• Amount You Pay:00GBP
• Amount Recipient Receives: 13,088.00KES
• Transfer Time to Mobile Money Account: Instant

What We Like About PayPal:

• No charges for PayPal to PayPal money transfers
• No charges to send money to Kenya from a linked bank account
• Instant transfers when using debit or credit cards or sending to a mobile wallet

Other Parameters

Maximum Transaction Amount:

• Up to $4,000 for unverified PayPal Account, Up to $60,000 for a verified PayPal Account (Limited to $10,000 per transaction)

Registered & Active Mobile Money Accounts: M-Pesa

Money Transfer Platforms: http://www.paypal.com, the PayPal Android or iOS App

Sender Payment Options: Bank Account, PayPal Cash Card, Debit & Credit Cards

Recipient Delivery Channels: Bank transfer, PayPal Account, Mobile Money Accounts

Transfer time send Money to Kenya: 1 – 5 Business Days to Bank Accounts, Instant to another Paypal Account or Mobile Wallet

Conclusion

The ten money transfer companies above work with local banks and money transfer agents to facilitate a fast and secure transaction when sending money to Kenya. More so, they implement additional safety measures alongside secure passwords. These include 4-digit PINs, two-factor authentications, touch and face recognition. That way, customers know their funds are protected while on transit to Kenya.