How to Track Your Money Transfer to Kenya

After sending money, you want to know: where is it? This guide explains how to track transfers across all major providers and what different statuses mean.

General Transfer Timeline

Tracking by Provider

Sendwave

How to Track:

1. Open Sendwave app
2. Tap "Activity" or transaction history
3. Select your transfer
4. View current status

Status Meanings:

• Processing: Payment being verified
• Sending: Money on the way
• Completed: Delivered to M-Pesa

Notifications:

• Push notification when sent
• Push notification when delivered

Remitly

How to Track:

1. Open Remitly app
2. Go to "Activity"
3. Tap transfer to see details

Status Meanings:

• Order placed: Transfer initiated
• Funded: Your payment received
• Processing: Being sent
• Ready for pickup/Delivered: Complete

Notifications:

• Email at each stage
• Push notifications (if enabled)
• SMS option available

WorldRemit

How to Track:

1. Open WorldRemit app or website
2. Go to "Transfers"
3. Click on transaction

Status Meanings:

• Received: Order created
• Processing: In progress
• Sent: Money dispatched
• Collected/Received: Complete

Notifications:

• Email confirmations
• SMS updates

Wise

How to Track:

1. Log in to Wise
2. Go to "Activity"
3. Click on transfer
4. View detailed timeline

Status Meanings:

• We've received your money: Payment processed
• Preparing your transfer: Currency conversion
• On its way: Sent to recipient bank
• Delivered: In recipient's account

Notifications:

• Email at each stage
• App push notifications
• Detailed timeline in app

Western Union

How to Track:

1. Go to westernunion.com/track
2. Enter MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number)
3. Enter sender info

Or in app:

1. Open WU app
2. Go to "Track Transfer"
3. View status

Status Meanings:

• In progress: Being processed
• Available: Ready for pickup
• Completed: Collected

Understanding Common Statuses

"Processing" or "In Progress"

What it means:

• Your payment is being verified
• Standard compliance checks
• Usually clears quickly

How long: Minutes to 24 hours

Action: Wait. This is normal.

"Under Review"

What it means:

• Additional verification needed
• Usually for larger amounts or first transfers
• Compliance team looking at transaction

How long: 1-24 hours (sometimes longer)

Action:

• Check email for requests
• Provide any requested documents
• Contact support if no communication after 24 hours

"On Hold"

What it means:

• Something needs attention
• Could be payment issue or verification needed

How long: Varies

Action:

• Check email immediately
• Contact support
• May need to provide documentation

"Sent" or "On Its Way"

What it means:

• Money has left the provider
• En route to recipient
• For M-Pesa: should arrive within minutes
• For bank: may take 1-2 days

Action: None needed. Almost there!

"Delivered" or "Completed"

What it means:

• Money is in recipient's account/M-Pesa
• Transfer successful

Action: Confirm with recipient

When Transfers Take Longer Than Expected

M-Pesa Delays

Normal time: 1-30 minutes

If delayed:

1. Check transfer status in app
2. Wait 1 hour
3. If still delayed, contact support

Common causes:

• M-Pesa system maintenance
• High volume periods
• Phone number issues

Bank Transfer Delays

Normal time: 1-3 business days

If delayed:

1. Check if business day in Kenya
2. Verify bank details were correct
3. Contact support after 3 business days

Common causes:

• Weekends/holidays
• Incorrect details
• Compliance review

What To Do If Transfer Is Stuck

Step 1: Check Status

Look at exact status in app:

• Is there a specific message?
• Any requests for action?

Step 2: Check Email

Providers send verification requests via email:

• Check spam folder
• Look for any requests
• Respond promptly

Step 3: Contact Support

If no progress after reasonable time:

Sendwave:

• In-app chat
• support@sendwave.com

Remitly:

• In-app chat
• 1-888-736-4859

WorldRemit:

• In-app chat
• Live chat on website

Wise:

• In-app chat
• Help center tickets

What to Have Ready

When contacting support:

1. Transaction reference number
2. Date and time of transfer
3. Amount sent
4. Recipient details
5. Current status shown

Transfer Reference Numbers

Where to Find Them

Why They Matter

• Required for support inquiries
• Recipient may need for pickup
• Your proof of transaction

Sharing Tracking with Recipient

For M-Pesa Transfers

Your recipient will receive:

• SMS from M-Pesa when money arrives
• Shows amount in KES
• No tracking needed on their end

For Cash Pickup

Share with recipient:

• Reference/MTCN number
• Pickup location
• Amount they'll receive
• Their required ID

For Bank Deposits

Tell recipient:

• Expected arrival date
• Amount in KES
• Ask them to check their bank

Business Hours Matter

Kenya Time (EAT)

• UTC+3
• No daylight saving time

Bank Processing Hours

• Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM EAT
• Weekend transfers: Process Monday

When to Send for Same-Day Bank Delivery

• Before 10:00 AM EAT = Same day likely
• After 2:00 PM EAT = Next business day likely

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my transfer taking so long?

Common reasons:

1. First transfer (extra verification)
2. Large amount (compliance review)
3. Bank details verification
4. Weekend/holiday

Can I cancel a transfer in progress?

Usually only before it's sent:

• Contact support immediately
• Harder once "sent" or "delivered"
• May take days for refund

My recipient didn't get the money but it shows delivered?

1. Verify M-Pesa/bank details sent to
2. Recipient should check again
3. Contact support with details
4. May be wrong number/account

How do I get proof of transfer?

• Download receipt from app
• Request confirmation email
• Screenshot transaction details

Conclusion

Tracking money transfers:

1. Use the app for real-time status
2. Check email for any requests
3. Wait reasonable time before worrying
4. Contact support with reference number if issues
5. Confirm with recipient once marked delivered

Most transfers complete without issues. When something's wrong, the tracking status usually tells you why.

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