Here Are The Best Ways To Send Money From The USA to Kenya Via M-Pesa

Most Kenyans living and working in the US support their families and friends back home by sending money to mobile wallets, especially M-Pesa. However, if you've been through the process before, you'll know that finding the most affordable way to send money to Kenya from America can be challenging, let alone to M-Pesa.

Before you send money from the US to Kenya, you first need to exchange your dollars for shillings, which needs a third-party service. Fortunately, there are several market-leading money transfer services you can use to transfer money to your loved ones in Kenya. You can compare the fees in real time using Monito’s live comparison engine below! 👇

7 Ways to Send Money From the USA to Kenya via M-Pesa

Whether you want to send a few bucks to your loved ones or a large amount for your business in Kenya, there's a method that's most convenient for you. Here are the seven best ways to send money from the USA to Kenya via M-Pesa.

1. Remitly

Remitly is an online money transfer service that allows users in the US, Australia, Canada and the UK to send money to over 40 countries, including Kenya. It’s popular for sending money from the US to Kenya due to its hassle-free process, competitive exchange rates and zero transfer fees.

All you need to do is create an account through their official website or app then choose a delivery provider option. In this case, M-pesa. Once you’ve selected the M-Pesa, enter your recipient’s name and address along with your payment information. 

Remitly also offers you the convenience of immediate transfers when funding the transaction using a debit or credit card. If the transaction is funded via a bank account, funds may take three to five days to reach the recipient.

With Remitly, you can be sure your money and personal data are safe due to their strict verification process. You can also track your transfers with the Remitly app to see the progress and cancel transfers to get your money back if you sent money erroneously.

• Average cost: 2-3% exchange rate margin
• Transfer limits: $2,999 in 24 hours, $10,000 in 30 days, 18,000 in 180 days 

2. WorldRemit

WorldRemit is one of the most popular money transfer services, letting users send money to over 130 destinations globally. You can use WorldRemit to send money from the US to Kenya via M-Pesa.

To get started, you’ll need to create an account on their website or download the app. After that, you’ll need to provide the recipient’s details, including their name and address. Choose a method you want your beneficiary to receive the funds. In this case, choose Kenya as your preferred destination, then M-Pesa.

The best thing about WorldRemit is that they’ll show you the exchange rates and fees upfront. You can top up your account using a debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. Your recipient will receive the funds in a matter of minutes.

• Average cost: $3.99 transfer fee
• Transfer limits: Ksh 150,000 per transfer. When sending to multiple recipients, your total daily limit is 140,000 for all transfers

3. Sendwave

Sendwave is a reliable money transfer service that you can use to send money from the US to Kenya. Unlike Remitly and WorldRemit, this service is mobile-based and can only be accessed through its mobile app.

SendWave doesn't charge for money transfers. They make their cut from the conversion rates. This transparency makes the service popular because you know what to expect. With SendWave, the sender and recipient can track the transfer and receive updates on the estimated transfer time.

To use Sendwave to send money to Kenya, you’ll need to download the app, register, and verify your identity.

It's important to note that SendWave only accepts debit cards to fund the transaction. If you don't have a card or want to transfer funds from your bank account, you might have to consider another option.

• Average cost: 2-3% exchange rate margin
• Transfer limits: Ksh 70,000 per transaction and a maximum of two transactions

4. Wise

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service headquartered in the UK. You can also use it to send money to Kenya from the US fast, cheaply and securely. The platform is transparent with its fees; you can see all the upfront charges.

To transfer money via Wise to M-Pesa in Kenya, you must create a Wise account and have the recipient's full name and M-Pesa number starting with the country code (254). The transfer cost varies depending on the source of funds. Make sure you go through all the options to find one that suits you best.

Transfers from Wise to Mpesa can take as little as 30 minutes, but sometimes the conversion can take up to two working days. The best part about using Wise to send money to Kenya via M-Pesa is that there's no limit to how much you can send. Only the applicable M-Pesa limits apply.

• Average cost: $5.23 + 1.17%
• Transfer limits: Ksh 150,000 per transfer, Ksh 300,000 per day

5. PayPal

PayPal is another safe and efficient method that you can use to send money from the USA to Kenya via M-Pesa. The service is most popular when sending money to your M-Pesa number back home. If your family can access the number you linked on PayPal to M-Pesa, this method ensures the money gets to them in minutes.

To use PayPal to Mpesa, you must ensure your account is linked to the M-Pesa number you're sending to. Once connected, you can withdraw the money to M-Pesa and have it in 2 hours maximum.

If you need to send money to a different number, you have to send money from your PayPal account to the recipient's, and they can initiate the withdrawal to M-Pesa.

• Average cost: 3.3% of the amount converted to Ksh from USD
• Transfer limits: Kshs.150,000 per transaction and Kshs.300,000 per day

6. Western Union

Western Union is the oldest money transfer service. You can send money to more than 200 countries across the globe. 

Initially, you could only send money via bank transfer or cash pickup. Today, you can send the money online either on their website or app or through an agent near you. You can fund the transfer using your debit or credit card and a cash-in store.

When sending online, you choose the receiver's country as Kenya, mobile wallet as the method the receiver wants the money, and then decide how to fund the transfer and the amount to send. You’ll see how much the receiver will get and the transfer fees for that transaction. They will also tell you how long it takes for the money to get to the recipient.

• Average cost: Transfer fees start at $4.99
• Transfer limits: $2,500 per day

7. MoneyGram

MoneyGram is the second largest money transfer service after Western Union. The mode of operation is similar to that of Western Union. You can send the money online, through their app, official website, or through its thousands of agents.

Their app has a calculator showing how much the recipient will receive after they get their cut from the markup. This service is quite affordable and efficient. It comes through when you need to send cash quickly. MoneyGram to Mpesa transactions take less than 10 minutes to process.

• Average cost: 2.6% transfer fee
• Transfer limits: Ksh 150,000 per transaction and Ksh 300,000 per day

Final Thoughts

Every Kenyan in the USA who has links back at home often needs to send money to Kenya. The most convenient way for those at home to receive the money is via M-Pesa since it's affordable and easily accessible. Plus, your loved ones can access the funds immediately. 

When choosing the best way to send money from the US to Kenya via M-Pesa, consider the fees charged, exchange rates, and speed.