How to send money to Kenya from the UK

Sending from Britain to Kenya, made clear

If you support family, pay bills, or manage business ties in Kenya, getting money there quickly and affordably matters. The good news is that UK senders now have reliable, low-cost options that are easy to use on your phone or in branch. The challenge is picking the right route for your situation. Fees, exchange rates, and speed can vary widely, and the fastest method is not always the cheapest.

This guide walks you through the main choices for sending pounds to Kenyan shillings, including instant M-Pesa, card transfers to Visa and Mastercard, cash pickup, and direct bank deposits to Equity and other banks. We explain the trade-offs in plain English so you can choose confidently and avoid avoidable costs.

Good value is a mix of low fees, fair exchange rates, and a delivery method that suits your recipient.

Who this suits best

UK consumers sending personal support, paying for education or healthcare, or covering regular household costs in Kenya will find the options here practical and transparent. It also helps anyone making time-sensitive payments that need instant delivery to M-Pesa, cards, or Equity Bank, as well as people who prefer the reassurance of in-branch services at UK Post Office locations.

What your choices actually are

You can send money from the UK to Kenya using specialist transfer apps, bank-to-bank transfers, or in-person services. Leading UK-facing apps such as Wise prioritise low, transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate, making frequent transfers cost-effective. Western Union stands out for flexibility and instant delivery to Equity Bank, with cash pickup and mobile wallet options. Revolut supports rapid card-to-card payouts, often under 30 minutes, while Grey enables instant deposits to M-Pesa with minimal fees. Paysend offers a simple flat £1 fee to cards for modest amounts, Ria provides a £0 first transfer with broad cash pickup coverage, and Remitly lets you choose between cheaper Economy and faster Express.

Most services support GBP funding from UK bank accounts or cards, displaying fees and rates upfront in their apps. For many users, M-Pesa is the quickest everyday option, while bank deposits suit larger, planned transfers.

How pounds become shillings, step by step

Open the app or visit an agent, choose Kenya as the destination, and enter your amount in GBP. You will see fees and the exchange rate before you confirm. Funding with a UK debit card is common for speed, while bank transfer can be cheaper for larger amounts. Your recipient’s delivery method determines how fast funds arrive. Card transfers to Visa or Mastercard in Kenya can arrive within minutes. M-Pesa is often instant. Bank deposits to leading banks, including Equity, can complete in seconds for some providers, while others may take a few hours. If your recipient prefers cash, select a nearby pickup location and share the reference code securely.

Once sent, you will get real-time tracking in most apps. For reliability, match the name on the recipient’s ID or account exactly and double-check phone numbers for M-Pesa.

Why comparing saves real money

Small differences add up. A provider using the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent fee can often beat a “zero fee” offer that hides costs in a poorer rate. If time is critical, instant card transfers or M-Pesa may be worth a slightly higher fee, especially for urgent bills. For frequent senders, consistently low fees and reliable timelines reduce stress and help your budget go further.

Wise delivers low, transparent pricing with most transfers completing under a day, and many in seconds. Western Union’s instant delivery to Equity Bank and broad UK agent network is valuable when you need speed or cash access. Revolut’s fast card payouts suit time-sensitive payments. Grey’s instant M-Pesa and real-time KES conversion are ideal for mobile money users. Paysend’s flat £1 fee works well for smaller card transfers. Ria’s first-transfer discount lowers initial costs. Remitly’s Economy vs Express choice helps you balance cost and urgency.

Quick wins and trade-offs at a glance

Tip: Match the delivery method to your recipient’s reality. M-Pesa for daily needs, card for speed, bank for larger planned transfers, cash for recipients without accounts.

Watch-outs before you press send

Be cautious with exchange rates that look generous after a “zero fee” claim. If the rate is weaker than the mid-market rate, you may pay more overall. Check delivery estimates carefully, as bank transfers can vary by provider and funding method. When sending to M-Pesa or cards, a single digit wrong in the phone or card number can delay funds or send them to the wrong person. For cash pickup, make sure your recipient has valid ID and knows the collection location and hours. Finally, verify any promotional codes and their limits, such as first-transfer-only offers, and confirm whether your provider adjusts pricing at weekends or out-of-hours.

Other routes you could consider

1. Traditional bank SWIFT transfer to a Kenyan bank account - reliable for larger amounts, but usually slower and more expensive than specialist apps.
2. In-branch UK Post Office sending via Western Union - helpful if you prefer face-to-face service or paying in cash.
3. Prepaid cards or multi-currency accounts - can work for travellers and students, but watch top-up and FX fees.
4. Money orders and postal solutions - limited availability and slower; generally less practical for urgent needs.
5. Couriering cash is not recommended - security risks and potential legal issues.

Common questions, answered

• How fast can money arrive in Kenya? Many services deliver to M-Pesa or cards within minutes, with some bank deposits to Equity arriving instantly. Most reputable options complete within a day.

• Which is cheapest overall? It often depends on your amount and funding method. Providers that use the mid-market rate with transparent fees, like Wise, typically offer strong value for frequent sends.

• Is cash pickup still a good option? Yes, particularly for recipients without accounts or digital wallets. Western Union and Ria provide broad pickup networks across Kenya.

• Are card transfers safe? Card-to-card transfers via regulated apps such as Revolut or Paysend are widely used. Always double-check the recipient’s details and send only to trusted contacts.

• What details do I need? Usually your recipient’s full name, delivery method, and either M-Pesa number, card details, or bank account and branch info. You will need your own ID for verification.

How Switcha makes it simpler

Switcha helps UK consumers compare trusted money transfer providers side by side, focusing on the fees you will actually pay and the real exchange rate you will get. Instead of downloading multiple apps to test pricing, you can scan live estimates, see delivery times for M-Pesa, card, cash pickup, and bank deposits, and filter by speed or total cost. We show clear pros and cons so you can choose with confidence, whether you value the mid-market rate, instant delivery to Equity or M-Pesa, or predictable flat fees. With Switcha, you keep more of your money working for the people who need it in Kenya.

Important information

This guide is for general information only and is not financial advice. Prices, exchange rates, limits, and delivery times can change. Always check details in the provider’s app or branch before you send and keep your recipient’s information secure.