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Find the best way to send money to Kenya
Learn how to send money to Kenya from the US in our step-by-step guide.
Looking for the best way to send money from the United States to family, friends or businesses in Kenya (or even to your own overseas bank account)?
Don't head straight to your American bank – compare specialist money transfer services instead. They nearly always offer better KES exchange rates and lower fees, so for the same amount of US dollars you send, your recipient will receive more Kenyan shillings.
Of the companies we've compared, MoneyGram is among the cheapest, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting from $0. Need a really fast transfer? Wise (TransferWise) can get money to your recipient in Kenya within minutes.
Best ways to send money to Kenya from the US
The best way to send money to Kenya depends on your payment method, how you want your money to be received and how fast you need it to arrive.- Online money transfer provider. When buying US dollars or Kenyan shillings money transfer specialists typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than a local bank.
- Bank transfer. Bank transfers are an easy way to send money to Kenya but they charge extra for the convenience and are often slower than other methods. US banks generally add a 3% to 6% markup onto exchange rates.
- Cash pickup. If you need your money to arrive fast, cash pickup gives your recipient instant access to the money you've sent when they collect it from their agent location in Kenya.
- Mobile wallet. Essentially an electronic wallet service, mobile wallets allow users to store, send and receive eligible currencies using their phone, often with fees attached.
- Home delivery. If your recipient may struggle to get to a cash pickup location, you may be able to opt for door-to-door cash delivery.
Compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Kenya
Use our table to compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Kenya. You can compare deposit and receiving options, fees and transfer speeds, then click the "Go to site" button when you've found the best one to get your money to Kenya.
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Cheapest way to send money to Kenya
Bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to Kenya. MoneyGram and Western Union have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've compared.
When you're hunting down the cheapest ways to send money to Kenya, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer. This has a couple of elements:
- Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your American bank, some money transfer services charge either a fixed or percentage-based fee for making your transfer.
- Exchange rates. Another way money transfer providers make money is to add a margin to the mid-market USD/KES exchange rate.
Some providers may charge the mid-market rate but add fees on top. Others may have very low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many Kenyan shillings your recipient will end up with.
Fastest way to send money to Kenya
Many online providers can offer transfers to Kenya within minutes, although you're likely to pay a premium for the convenience.
Here are some of the fastest average transfer speeds to Kenya:- Wise (TransferWise) — within minutes
- MoneyGram — within minutes
- Western Union — within minutes
Actual transfer times from the United States to Kenya can depend on several different factors including transfer amount, payment method and currency.
Safest way to send money to Kenya
The safest way to get your money to Kenya is to use a provider registered with the United States's industry regulator, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. All of the companies we've compared in our table are overseen by a local regulator and comply with the relevant laws and regulations in both the United States and Kenya.
A great way to dive deeper is by reading our extended reviews of each transfer service and researching first-hand customer feedback on Trustpilot and similar platforms.
Large money transfers to Kenya
If you need to make a sizable money transfer to Kenya, consider using a provider such as to benefit from its expertise in handling larger transfer amounts.
Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:- Tax guidance. Large transfers to Kenya may have tax implications for you or your recipient. A transfer specialist can help get you up to speed on IRS's latest advice.
- Foreign exchange (forex) tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the KES exchange rate you want.
- Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can help and advise you on your transfer needs.
- Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, providers such as Airwallex and Wise (TransferWise) can give you support over the phone.
How to send money to Kenya from the US
To send money to Kenya, you'll need the necessary documentation, your recipient's details and a way to pay.
- Compare your options.
Use our table to find a money transfer provider that sends funds to Kenya. One may be better for cash pickups while another may suit a bank transfer. Once you've found the best one for your requirements, click "Go to site". - Create an account.
You'll need to give your name, address, contact details, proof of ID and method of payment.- Provide your recipient's details.
Enter your recipient's name and contact information. If you're sending straight to their Kenyan bank account, you'll need the account number, SWIFT or IBAN plus their bank branch's address.- Enter your transfer amount.
Check you're happy with the fees, exchange rates and transfer speed, then enter the amount you wish to send. Double-check the total Kenyan shillings your recipient gets.- Complete your transfer.
Send your money transfer to Kenya. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.How to choose the best money transfer companies to send money to Kenya
When choosing a money transfer provider to send money from the United States to Kenya, it's important to consider the cost, how you want your recipient to receive the funds and the turnaround time. Here are other features to review:
- Exchange rates. Banks and transfer services use the mid-market rate to trade with one another. It is the best rate you can get. However, not all money transfer providers offer you this mid-market rate so compare the KES you're offered to the mid-market rate and look for the smallest difference.
- Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of your transfer amount? For example, a provider offering to transfer your money to Kenya for a flat or low fee might work out better if you plan to send a large amount.
- Transfer type. Does your recipient have a Kenyan bank account or is cash or cell phone top-up a better option? Each transfer type will have different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be more expensive than bank transfers.
- Transfer speed. If you need your transfer to arrive quickly, you can pay for an express delivery. Companies such as Western Union offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, online money transfer services offer the best value and get your money to Kenya faster and cheaper than banks.
- Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service. For example, MoneyGram has a transfer limit of $25,000 while Instarem allows unlimited transfers.
- Discounts. Some providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up. Others may offer a discount if you transfer more than a specific amount of Kenyan shillings.
Frequently asked questions
Whether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.
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Ask a Question
6 Responses
- Provide your recipient's details.
Hello how can one send $450 from usa cheaply to kenya…..
Hi Alex,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
You can see a personalized comparison of providers who can send money to Kenya if you fill out the form above next to “I want to send”. Enter S450 choose USD on the first dropdown and KES on the next. Finally click on Calculate and it will show a comparison specific to your requirements. Once you have chosen which provider to go to, simply click on “Go to site” to be redirected to their page.
Cheers,
Joel
I have a US$ account in a Kenyan bank and would like to send US$2,000 direct into my account. Most money transfer service providers insist on converting my US$ to be received in KES in Kenya. Are there service providers who can transfer dollars to a dollar account in Kenya?
Hi Charles,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Generally, your USD would automatically be converted into the local currency. However, if you want to keep it in USD, then the common way to do it is simply do a bank to bank money transfer. However, this is only possible if your recipient has a USD bank account.
Another way to do it is find a platform that allows you to send and receive the same currencies. This may include PayPal and Payoneer. These two platforms allow you to send USD money and your recipient will receive it in USD money. However, if your recipient needs to transfer it to their bank account, it will still be converted to local currency unless the bank account is in USD.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Can money come with a plane, carrier
Hi John,
Thanks for your question.
If you are referring to how to receive the money sent to you, there are different options available depending on the money transfer company. Generally, recipients can receive money by cash pick up or through a bank account.
Cheers,
Anndy