How to send money to Kenya from the US

What you need before you start

Three things, all of which you likely already have:

• A US bank account or debit card to fund the transfer.

• Your recipient’s Safaricom number, registered for M-Pesa in their own name.

• The AnyMoney app (iOS or Android), with a one-time identity verification — most checks clear within the hour during business hours.

Sending, step by step

The whole flow takes a few minutes once your account is set up:

• Add your recipient once — choose M-Pesa and enter their Safaricom number with the country code. Their details are saved for every future transfer.

• Enter the amount in dollars. The app shows the rate at that very moment and exactly how many shillings will arrive.

• Review the full quote — rate, fee, and the receive amount — before you confirm anything.

• Pay from your linked bank account or debit card.

• Track every step in the app until the money lands.

How the money arrives in Kenya

Transfers to Kenya are paid in shillings (KES) to M-Pesa. The shillings land in your recipient’s wallet with the usual M-PESA confirmation message; they can send on, pay via Paybill or Till, buy airtime, or withdraw at any M-Pesa agent. Only Safaricom lines can receive M-Pesa, and wallets have per-transaction and daily limits set by Safaricom.

How long it takes

Depending on the payment method, transfers typically arrive within a few minutes or up to a few business days. Whatever the path, you can follow every step in the app — and your recipient can be notified the moment it lands.

What it costs

Zero fees on your first transfer — the fee is waived in full. After that, every fee is part of the quote you see before you confirm, never a surprise after. The rate you see in the app is the rate at that very moment, updated regularly to honor our best-rate commitment. Compare us with anyone: our rates are public, on this site, before you sign up.

How much can you send?

Limits depend on your verification level and payment method. The app shows your exact limits during registration and in your account dashboard — and higher limits are available with additional verification.

Before you send to Kenya

Three things worth checking with your recipient:

• Confirm the number is Safaricom and registered for M-Pesa in your recipient’s name.

• Save it with the +254 code.

• For a large sum, check Safaricom’s wallet limits with your recipient first; an amount above them cannot be delivered in one go.