Compare the best ways to send money from United States to Kenya

We compared 8 companies sending money from the United States to Kenya. WorldRemit is the best and cheapest, while TapTap Send is the fastest.

Sending $7,000 with WorldRemit gets your recipient 915,578.43 KES at 130.8154 KES per USD.

Best companies for USD/KES transfers

8 of 8 providers

Last updated on 28 October 2026

Based on 7,000 USD transfer

Best companies for USD/KES transfers

Sort Cheapest
Promoted

Wise

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $73.08 1 USD = 129.8500 KES +0.02% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 899,461.00 Within minutes
Multi-currency cardReceive to bank accountDedicated support for large transfers

Ways to receive money in Kenya with Wise when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositWithin minutesAvailable via:Bank Transfer
$73.081 USD = 129.8500 KES
KES 899,461.00You pay$7,000.00
Promoted

Xe

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $0.00 1 USD = 126.8067 KES +2.39% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 887,646.90 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Kenya with Xe when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
Free1 USD = 126.8067 KES
KES 887,646.90You pay$7,000.00

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Showing top United States to Kenya deals for 7,000 USD. Do a live search with your exact amount for today's best rates.
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WorldRemit

Pay via Debit card
Fee $0.99 1 USD = 130.8154 KES -0.72% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 915,578.43 Minutes - 2 days
Cheapest
Receive to bank account or cash pickup

Ways to receive money in Kenya with WorldRemit when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Mobile moneyMinutes - 2 days
$0.991 USD = 130.8154 KES
KES 915,578.43You pay$7,000.00
Card depositMinutes - 2 days
Free1 USD = 128.5020 KES
KES 899,514.00You pay$7,000.00
Exclusive: Special Rate for 1st Transfer

Key Currency

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $0.00 1 USD = 129.5551 KES +0.25% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 906,885.90 Minutes - 3 days
Personal account managerReceive to bank account

Ways to receive money in Kenya with Key Currency when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 3 days
Free1 USD = 129.5551 KES
KES 906,885.90You pay$7,000.00
Exclusive: First Transfer Deal

Regency FX

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $0.00 1 USD = 129.5292 KES +0.27% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 906,704.07 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountProfessional, personal service

Ways to receive money in Kenya with Regency FX when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
Free1 USD = 129.5292 KES
KES 906,704.07You pay$7,000.00

TapTap Send

Pay via Debit card
Fee $0.00 1 USD = 129.0200 KES +0.66% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 903,140.00 Minutes
Fastest
Receive to bank account

Ways to receive money in Kenya with TapTap Send when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Mobile moneyMinutesAvailable via:Airtel, M-PESA
Free1 USD = 129.0200 KES
KES 903,140.00You pay$7,000.00
$0 fee on first online transfers

MoneyGram

Pay via Debit card
Fee $0.99 1 USD = 129.0183 KES +0.67% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 903,128.10 Minutes - 24 hours

Ways to receive money in Kenya with MoneyGram when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Mobile walletMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Select Wallets
$0.991 USD = 129.0183 KES
KES 903,128.10You pay$7,000.99
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:All Banks
$1.991 USD = 127.9616 KES
KES 895,731.20You pay$7,001.99
Cash pickupMinutes - 24 hours
$75.991 USD = 127.8156 KES
KES 894,709.20You pay$7,075.99
Card depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Bank Debit Card
$1.991 USD = 121.9759 KES
KES 853,831.30You pay$7,001.99
$0 fee on first online transfers

MoneyGram

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $105.00 1 USD = 129.0183 KES +0.67% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 903,128.10 Minutes - 24 hours

Ways to receive money in Kenya with MoneyGram when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Mobile walletMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Select Wallets
$105.001 USD = 129.0183 KES
KES 903,128.10You pay$7,105.00
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:All Banks
$105.001 USD = 127.9616 KES
KES 895,731.20You pay$7,105.00
Card depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Bank Debit Card
$74.991 USD = 127.9300 KES
KES 895,510.00You pay$7,074.99
Cash pickupMinutes - 24 hours
$105.001 USD = 127.8156 KES
KES 894,709.20You pay$7,105.00
$0 fee on first online transfers

MoneyGram

Pay via Credit card
Fee $210.00 1 USD = 129.0183 KES +0.67% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 903,128.10 Minutes - 24 hours

Ways to receive money in Kenya with MoneyGram when paying by credit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Mobile walletMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Select Wallets
$210.001 USD = 129.0183 KES
KES 903,128.10You pay$7,210.00
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:All Banks
$177.991 USD = 127.9616 KES
KES 895,731.20You pay$7,177.99
Cash pickupMinutes - 24 hours
$179.991 USD = 127.8156 KES
KES 894,709.20You pay$7,179.99
Only available via Mobile App

Sendwave

Pay via Debit card
Fee $0.49 1 USD = 128.8699 KES +0.78% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 902,026.29 Minutes - 3 days
Receive to bank account or cash pickup

Ways to receive money in Kenya with Sendwave when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 3 days
$0.491 USD = 128.8699 KES
KES 902,026.29You pay$7,000.00
Mobile moneyMinutes - 3 days
$0.491 USD = 128.8310 KES
KES 901,753.94You pay$7,000.00

Wise

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $73.08 1 USD = 129.8500 KES +0.02% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 899,461.00 Within minutes
Recommended
Multi-currency cardReceive to bank accountDedicated support for large transfers

Ways to receive money in Kenya with Wise when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositWithin minutesAvailable via:Bank Transfer
$73.081 USD = 129.8500 KES
KES 899,461.00You pay$7,000.00

Xe

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $0.00 1 USD = 126.8067 KES +2.39% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 887,646.90 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Kenya with Xe when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
Free1 USD = 126.8067 KES
KES 887,646.90You pay$7,000.00
$0 fee on first online transfers

MoneyGram

Pay via Cash deposit
Fee $60.79 1 USD = 126.5486 KES +2.60% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 885,840.20 Minutes - 24 hours

Ways to receive money in Kenya with MoneyGram when paying by cash deposit.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Cash pickupMinutes - 24 hours
$60.791 USD = 126.5486 KES
KES 885,840.20You pay$7,060.79

Xe

Pay via Debit card
Fee $35.00 1 USD = 126.8067 KES +2.39% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 883,208.67 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Kenya with Xe when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
$35.001 USD = 126.8067 KES
KES 883,208.67You pay$7,000.00

Xe

Pay via Credit card
Fee $210.00 1 USD = 126.8067 KES +2.39% vs mid-market Recipient gets KES 861,017.49 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Kenya with Xe when paying by credit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
$210.001 USD = 126.8067 KES
KES 861,017.49You pay$7,000.00
How Our Results Work
Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 129.8798 KES Updates every 60 minutes.

How to send money from US to Kenya

Pick a company

If you're sending a one-off transfer, then WorldRemit is the best option.

WorldRemit was the cheapest on 20 of the 20 days it quoted $7,000 transfers to Kenya.

For recurring transfers, I'd suggest using an app or a multi-currency account with WorldRemit.

For large transfers, a broker like Key Currency is the best option.

If your recipient needs cash, MoneyGram is the cheapest.

How much you send will affect the best option for you right now.

Pay for it

You have 4 ways to pay for your transfer to Kenya, including debit card, bank transfer, credit card, and cash deposit.

Usually, using bank transfer to fund your transfer is the cheapest but slowest option (ACH and takes a day or two).

You can use a debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay for quicker deposit but its a bit more expensive.

I suggest avoiding credit cards since these are most expensive and have cash advance fees (Amex is very rarely accepted in general).

Check and send

First time round you'll need to confirm who you are.

An SSN isn't required, an ITIN or a foreign passport works with most companies here.

Compare amounts

How much USD are you sending to Kenya?

How much USD you send to Kenya heavily affects the best ways and the cheapest options. Use the table below to check how the cheapest options change and how much more you'd get by comparing.

Our analysis shows WorldRemit was the cheapest in 100% of the transfers from $5,000 it quoted, and in 91% of all the transfers it quoted.

Cheapest service
$500-1.67%$0.00KES 66,050.00with debit card to bank deposit+KES 2,505.37
$2,000-0.69%$0.99KES 261,501.33with debit card to mobile money+KES 5,642.98
$5,0000.66%$0.00KES 645,100.00with debit card to mobile money+KES 6,038.05
$7,000This page-0.72%$0.99KES 915,578.43with debit card to mobile money+KES 18,586.64
$10,0000.25%$0.00KES 1,295,546.58with bank transfer to bank deposit+KES 17,155.03
$50,0000.20%$0.00KES 6,481,011.25with bank transfer to bank deposit+KES 87,941.63
$100,0000.15%$0.00KES 12,968,534.08with bank transfer to bank deposit+KES 180,817.02
$250,0000.15%$0.00KES 32,421,335.69with bank transfer to bank deposit+KES 451,451.80

Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 129.8798 KES

USD/KES Exchange Rate History

Is today a good time to send money from US to Kenya?

The cheapest way to send USD to KES can change every day, or stay with the same company all month.

We've compared the mid-market rate with the cheapest option each day (today it's WorldRemit), across 30 days of comparisons for 7,000 USD transfers to Kenya.

KES received for $7,000, after fees

Wed, Oct 28, 2026Mid-market rateKES 909,158.80 WorldRemit KES 915,578.43WorldRemitKES 915,578.43Key CurrencyKES 906,885.90Regency FXKES 906,704.07

890,000
895,000
900,000
905,000
910,000
915,000
920,000
At the mid-market rateWith the cheapest optionWorldRemitKey CurrencyRegency FX
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.6098 – KES 907,268.73
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8885 $0.99 KES 916,089.85 +KES 8,821.12
Key Currency 129.2858 $0.00 KES 905,000.56 −KES 2,268.17
Regency FX 129.2599 $0.00 KES 904,819.11 −KES 2,449.62
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.7499 – KES 908,249.61
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8484 $0.99 KES 915,808.91 +KES 7,559.30
Key Currency 129.4256 $0.00 KES 905,978.98 −KES 2,270.63
Regency FX 129.3996 $0.00 KES 905,797.33 −KES 2,452.28
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.7804 – KES 908,462.60
Key Currency Cheapest 129.4559 $0.00 KES 906,191.44 −KES 2,271.16
Regency FX 129.4300 $0.00 KES 906,009.75 −KES 2,452.85
WorldRemit No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.7498 – KES 908,248.41
Key Currency Cheapest 129.4254 $0.00 KES 905,977.79 −KES 2,270.62
Regency FX 129.3994 $0.00 KES 905,796.14 −KES 2,452.27
WorldRemit No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 128.2804 – KES 897,962.70
Sendwave Cheapest 128.9002 $0.49 KES 902,237.96 +KES 4,275.27
Key Currency 127.9597 $0.00 KES 895,717.79 −KES 2,244.90
Regency FX 127.9340 $0.00 KES 895,538.20 −KES 2,424.49
WorldRemit No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.5173 – KES 906,621.08
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8442 $0.99 KES 915,779.58 +KES 9,158.50
Key Currency 129.1935 $0.00 KES 904,354.53 −KES 2,266.55
Regency FX 129.1676 $0.00 KES 904,173.20 −KES 2,447.88
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.7599 – KES 908,319.59
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8442 $0.99 KES 915,779.58 +KES 7,459.99
Key Currency 129.4355 $0.00 KES 906,048.80 −KES 2,270.79
Regency FX 129.4096 $0.00 KES 905,867.13 −KES 2,452.46
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.6701 – KES 907,690.63
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8485 $0.99 KES 915,810.10 +KES 8,119.47
Key Currency 129.3459 $0.00 KES 905,421.40 −KES 2,269.23
Regency FX 129.3200 $0.00 KES 905,239.87 −KES 2,450.76
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.8500 – KES 908,949.92
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8687 $0.99 KES 915,951.41 +KES 7,001.49
Key Currency 129.5254 $0.00 KES 906,677.54 −KES 2,272.38
Regency FX 129.4994 $0.00 KES 906,495.75 −KES 2,454.17
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.8106 – KES 908,674.14
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8558 $0.99 KES 915,860.70 +KES 7,186.56
Key Currency 129.4861 $0.00 KES 906,402.46 −KES 2,271.68
Regency FX 129.4601 $0.00 KES 906,220.72 −KES 2,453.42
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.7596 – KES 908,317.52
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.9466 $0.99 KES 916,496.42 +KES 8,178.90
Key Currency 129.4352 $0.00 KES 906,046.73 −KES 2,270.79
Regency FX 129.4093 $0.00 KES 905,865.06 −KES 2,452.46
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.6989 – KES 907,892.03
Key Currency Cheapest 129.3746 $0.00 KES 905,622.30 −KES 2,269.73
Regency FX 129.3487 $0.00 KES 905,440.73 −KES 2,451.30
WorldRemit No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.6989 – KES 907,892.03
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8558 $0.99 KES 915,860.70 +KES 7,968.67
Key Currency 129.3746 $0.00 KES 905,622.30 −KES 2,269.73
Regency FX 129.3487 $0.00 KES 905,440.73 −KES 2,451.30
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.8099 – KES 908,669.33
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8558 $0.99 KES 915,860.70 +KES 7,191.37
Key Currency 129.4854 $0.00 KES 906,397.66 −KES 2,271.67
Regency FX 129.4594 $0.00 KES 906,215.93 −KES 2,453.40
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.7399 – KES 908,179.40
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8558 $0.99 KES 915,860.70 +KES 7,681.30
Key Currency 129.4156 $0.00 KES 905,908.95 −KES 2,270.45
Regency FX 129.3896 $0.00 KES 905,727.31 −KES 2,452.09
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.7103 – KES 907,971.87
Key Currency Cheapest 129.3860 $0.00 KES 905,701.94 −KES 2,269.93
Regency FX 129.3600 $0.00 KES 905,520.34 −KES 2,451.53
WorldRemit No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.8502 – KES 908,951.27
Key Currency Cheapest 129.5256 $0.00 KES 906,678.90 −KES 2,272.37
Regency FX 129.4996 $0.00 KES 906,497.11 −KES 2,454.16
WorldRemit No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.9902 – KES 909,931.70
Key Currency Cheapest 129.6653 $0.00 KES 907,656.87 −KES 2,274.83
Regency FX 129.6393 $0.00 KES 907,474.89 −KES 2,456.81
WorldRemit No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 130.0983 – KES 910,688.07
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.9451 $0.99 KES 916,486.20 +KES 5,798.13
Key Currency 129.7731 $0.00 KES 908,411.35 −KES 2,276.72
Regency FX 129.7470 $0.00 KES 908,229.21 −KES 2,458.86
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 130.0983 – KES 910,688.07
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.9451 $0.99 KES 916,486.20 +KES 5,798.13
Key Currency 129.7731 $0.00 KES 908,411.35 −KES 2,276.72
Regency FX 129.7470 $0.00 KES 908,229.21 −KES 2,458.86
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.8901 – KES 909,230.60
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.9451 $0.99 KES 916,486.20 +KES 7,255.60
Key Currency 129.5654 $0.00 KES 906,957.52 −KES 2,273.07
Regency FX 129.5394 $0.00 KES 906,775.67 −KES 2,454.92
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate – – –
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8543 $0.99 KES 915,850.76 –
Key Currency No quote collected this day – – – –
Regency FX No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.9200 – KES 909,440.22
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8543 $0.99 KES 915,850.76 +KES 6,410.54
Key Currency 129.5952 $0.00 KES 907,166.62 −KES 2,273.60
Regency FX 129.5692 $0.00 KES 906,984.74 −KES 2,455.48
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.8899 – KES 909,229.24
Key Currency Cheapest 129.5652 $0.00 KES 906,956.16 −KES 2,273.08
Regency FX 129.5392 $0.00 KES 906,774.32 −KES 2,454.92
WorldRemit No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.8501 – KES 908,950.60
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8543 $0.99 KES 915,850.76 +KES 6,900.16
Key Currency 129.5255 $0.00 KES 906,678.23 −KES 2,272.37
Regency FX 129.4995 $0.00 KES 906,496.44 −KES 2,454.16
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.7541 – KES 908,278.67
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8947 $0.99 KES 916,133.24 +KES 7,854.57
Key Currency 129.4297 $0.00 KES 906,007.97 −KES 2,270.70
Regency FX 129.4038 $0.00 KES 905,826.31 −KES 2,452.35
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.7541 – KES 908,278.67
Key Currency Cheapest 129.4297 $0.00 KES 906,007.97 −KES 2,270.70
Regency FX 129.4038 $0.00 KES 905,826.31 −KES 2,452.35
WorldRemit No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.8100 – KES 908,669.83
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8947 $0.99 KES 916,133.24 +KES 7,463.41
Key Currency 129.4855 $0.00 KES 906,398.15 −KES 2,271.68
Regency FX 129.4595 $0.00 KES 906,216.42 −KES 2,453.41
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.8500 – KES 908,949.71
Key Currency Cheapest 129.5253 $0.00 KES 906,677.34 −KES 2,272.37
Regency FX 129.4994 $0.00 KES 906,495.55 −KES 2,454.16
WorldRemit No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 129.8798 – KES 909,158.80
WorldRemit Cheapest 130.8154 $0.99 KES 915,578.43 +KES 6,419.63
Key Currency 129.5551 $0.00 KES 906,885.90 −KES 2,272.90
Regency FX 129.5292 $0.00 KES 906,704.07 −KES 2,454.73

Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference

Each line shows what the recipient gets when you send $7,000, after fees, as quoted by each company. The mid-market line shows what $7,000 converts to at the real exchange rate, with no fees or markup. Rates are checked once a day. Sponsored placements never affect this data. There are no bank quotes for this period.

Understanding USD/KES exchange rate

The dashed line is what you'd get at the mid-market rate with no fees, and the blue line is the cheapest option that day.

When the blue line goes above the dashed one, you're getting more KES per USD than the mid-market rate can offer.

This could be due to money transfer offers, FX rate adjustments, or market competitiveness.

In the past month, a money transfer company beat the mid-market rate on 20 of the last 30 days.

Right now, WorldRemit pays 915,578.43 KES on 7,000 USD, which is 6,419.63 KES more than the mid-market amount, so it's a good deal (pretty much free money).

Today's payout isn't the best this month though, since the highest receive amount was 916,496.42 KES.

If you can wait and want to get the most out of your transfer, create a rate alert and we'll let you know when the rate improves.

If you need to send money now, it's a good time to send.

Cheapest over time

Picking the cheapest money transfer company

Just because a company is the cheapest today doesn't mean it's always the best option for sending money to Kenya.

We've tracked 207 comparisons to check how often today's top companies were the cheapest across 8 amounts over the past month.

  1. WorldRemitAppeared in 90 comparisons

    Cheapest in 91% of them

  2. Key CurrencyAppeared in 116 comparisons

    Cheapest in 67% of them

  3. Regency FXAppeared in 116 comparisons

    Never the cheapest

Based on 207 comparisons across 8 amounts over the last 30 days.

Is the cheapest money transfer company always the best?

Different companies can come out cheapest depending on the day and the amount you send.

To keep things fair, we only count the comparisons each company appeared in, and only analyze companies that appeared in at least 50% of all comparisons (so occasional cheapest options don't skew it).

Today WorldRemit is the cheapest, but it only quotes some of the amounts we track, so it isn't included in these figures.

Key Currency (today's second cheapest) was the cheapest in 67% of its comparisons, so if you send money to Kenya regularly, it's worth comparing it with WorldRemit before each transfer.

Ways to send money from the US to Kenya

There are 8 companies available for sending money from the US to Kenya, across app, broker, online, in person, multi-currency account, and global account, and more.

For regular transfers home

Money transfer apps

If you send a few hundred dollars home every payday, an app is usually the cheapest way and the least work.

WorldRemit charges $0.99 on a $7,000 transfer with -0.72% markup, saves your recipient's details for next time, and KES arrives in minutes - 2 days.

Over the past month, WorldRemit was the cheapest app on 100% of the days it appeared for $7,000 transfers.

Funding from a US bank account or debit card avoids the 1% federal tax that applies to cash-funded transfers.

Sending without a US bank account

Cash & in-person transfers

Paying in cash at an agent can work without a US bank account.

The ID accepted depends on the company and the amount, so check before visiting if you do not have an SSN.

Hand $7,000 to a MoneyGram agent in the US, and your recipient will get 903,128.1 KES in minutes - 24 hours.

Our data shows MoneyGram came out cheapest among in-person options on 100% of days in the past month.

However, transfers funded with cash or a money order carry a 1% federal tax since January 1, 2026. To avoid it, fund with a debit card or bank account instead (most agents take both).

For one-off transfers

Online transfers

For a one-off transfer, an online service funded from your checking account is usually the cheapest way to send money to Kenya.

Of all online companies listed here, MoneyGram gets you the most KES per USD.

On a $7,000 transfer, you will get 903,128.1 KES after a $0.99 fee and 0.67% markup.

In our comparisons over the past month, it was the cheapest online service on 20 of the 29 days it quoted.

But, bank funding (ACH) takes 1 to 3 business days to clear, while debit cards (and Google Pay/Apple Pay) are usually instant but cost a bit more.

For transfers over $10,000

Currency brokers

For large transfers to Kenya (e.g. a property purchase, tuition, or moving to Kenya), a broker like Key Currency charges no fee, gives you a dedicated account manager, and adds 0.25% markup on USD/KES that gets lower the more you send.

Our analysis shows Key Currency was the cheapest broker in 100% of the transfers from $5,000 it quoted.

It's also good to check Wise since you get a bulk discount on transfers over $25,000.

Business payments from the US

Global accounts

Global accounts are for US businesses paying people abroad.

Companies like Airwallex, WorldFirst, or Payoneer handle the recurring and batch payments, invoicing, tracking, and more.

Holding & spending currencies

Multi-currency accounts

A multi-currency account like Wise is the best for holding and receiving KES.

This is useful for traveling to Kenya, building up KES balance, or receiving payments in KES.

Wise converts $7,000 at 0.02% markup plus small fee and holds the KES until you spend it.

Over the past month, it came out cheapest among multi-currency accounts on 100% of days.

Ways to fund USD and receive KES in Kenya

With WorldRemit, paying by debit card and receiving through mobile money is the cheapest combination. Sending $7,000 gives your recipient 915,578.43 KES.

Deposit USD by debit card, bank transfer, credit card, and cash deposit.

The simplest way is to pay from your US checking account

Pay by bank transfer using your routing and account numbers.

An ACH payment is usually cheaper than a card, but it may take some time for it to clear before a money transfer company can send the money to Kenya.

You can deposit cash

You'll need to visit the nearest MoneyGram branch and hand over $7,000.

MoneyGram is the cheapest option and will get you 903,128.1 KES on a $7,000 transfer after fees.

Transfers funded with physical cash are subject to the 1% US remittance transfer tax, but funding from a US bank account or with a US-issued debit or credit card is exempt.

Zelle, Venmo and Cash App only support domestic transfers, so they cannot send money to Kenya.

Your recipient in Kenya can collect KES through bank deposit, mobile money, card deposit, mobile wallet, and cash pickup.

They can collect cash in Kenya

Your recipient can collect KES from a participating MoneyGram location in Kenya.

They should take a valid photo ID and the collection reference, and check that the name on the transfer matches their ID.

  1. 1
    Debit card Mobile money

    You pay $7,000.00

    KSh915,578

    Cheapest

  2. 2
    Bank transfer Bank deposit

    You pay $7,000.00

    KSh906,886

    -KSh8,693

  3. 3
    Debit card Mobile wallet

    You pay $7,000.99

    KSh903,128

    -KSh12,450

  4. 4
    Bank transfer Mobile wallet

    You pay $7,105.00

    KSh903,128

    -KSh12,450

  5. 5
    Credit card Mobile wallet

    You pay $7,210.00

    KSh903,128

    -KSh12,450

Show moreShow less
  1. 6
    Debit card Bank deposit

    You pay $7,000.00

    KSh902,026

    -KSh13,552

  2. 7
    Debit card Card deposit

    You pay $7,000.00

    KSh899,514

    -KSh16,064

  3. 8
    Credit card Bank deposit

    You pay $7,177.99

    KSh895,731

    -KSh19,847

  4. 9
    Bank transfer Card deposit

    You pay $7,074.99

    KSh895,510

    -KSh20,068

  5. 10
    Debit card Cash pickup

    You pay $7,075.99

    KSh894,709

    -KSh20,869

  6. 11
    Bank transfer Cash pickup

    You pay $7,105.00

    KSh894,709

    -KSh20,869

  7. 12
    Credit card Cash pickup

    You pay $7,179.99

    KSh894,709

    -KSh20,869

  8. 13
    Cash deposit Cash pickup

    You pay $7,060.79

    KSh885,840

    -KSh29,738

Things to consider before sending USD to Kenya

The way you fund the transfer now affects the tax, while US law gives you specific rights if something goes wrong.

Find the right USD/KES company

Cheapest way to send money to Kenya

The cheapest option is WorldRemit, funded by debit card with mobile money for the payout. Your recipient gets 915,578.43 KES, which is 0.95% more than the next best option.

Fastest way to send money to Kenya

The fastest option is TapTap Send. Pay by debit card and choose mobile money for the payout. Your recipient gets 903,140 KES, with the money arriving in minutes.

Cash-funded transfers now carry a 1% tax

Since January 1, 2026, a 1% federal tax applies when an international transfer is funded with cash, a money order, a cashier's check or a traveler's check.

Funding from a US bank account, including ACH, or with a US-issued debit or credit card is exempt.

The rule applies to how you pay in, so your recipient can still collect cash without triggering the tax.

The $10,000 rule is not a transfer limit

There is no federal cap on how much of your own money you can send electronically abroad.

Your bank or transfer company can set its own limit and ask for proof of where a large or unusual payment came from.

Cash reports and the declaration for physically carrying more than $10,000 across the US border are separate rules.

Do not split cash transactions to avoid a report.

You normally have 30 minutes to cancel

The US Remittance Transfer Rule requires a covered company to show the exchange rate, fees and expected amount received before you pay.

You can normally cancel within 30 minutes at no charge, provided the money has not been deposited or collected.

You also have error-resolution rights if the wrong amount arrives or the transfer never turns up.

Contact the company first and keep the receipt.

The CFPB explains the cancellation and error process.

Need to send a large amount of USD to Kenya?

For transfers over $10,000, WorldRemit is the best option.

It offers the best exchange rate, which is more important than the fee for large transfers to Kenya.

While WorldRemit may not always be the cheapest or fastest way to send KES, they offer years of experience, and will offer you the peace of mind you need when sending large amounts abroad.

Read Review

How we analyze the market

We track, save, and analyze the cost, speed, and product offerings of the leading money transfer services available between Kenya and United States.


We work with leading money transfer companies to provide real time fees and exchange rates. In the past 30 days alone, we analyzed 207 comparisons across 8 amounts.

This page covers the cheapest and fastest options for USD/KES transfers. This is how we pick them:

  • Cheapest: the company that gets your recipient the most, after fees and the exchange rate. On a tie, live pricing from the company takes priority over the rates we collect by hand.

  • Fastest: the company with the shortest estimated delivery time once you’ve paid. On a tie, the one that pays out more takes priority.

For a deeper understanding of our commitment to integrity and transparency, check out these articles:

Any tax information is for general guidance only and does not constitute tax advice. Speak to a qualified tax adviser about your circumstances.