Cheapest Way to Send Money in Kenya: M-Pesa, Pesalink, and Bank Transfers (2026)
A complete comparison of money transfer fees in Kenya including M-Pesa, Pesalink, bank transfers, and international remittance services. Updated February 2026 with current Safaricom tariffs.
By PesaMarket Research Team · Last updated February 2026
M-Pesa is the cheapest way to send money within Kenya for amounts under KES 1,000 (free for transactions under KES 100). For bank transfers, Pesalink costs KES 10-50. For international transfers to Kenya, Wise offers the best exchange rates.
M-Pesa Transfer Fees (2026 Tariff)
M-Pesa remains the cheapest and most convenient way to send money within Kenya for everyday amounts. Safaricom eliminated fees for person-to-person transfers under KES 100 in 2021, and this policy remains in effect.
For amounts between KES 101 and KES 1,000, M-Pesa charges between KES 7 and KES 13. These fees are significantly lower than bank transfer charges for the same amounts. M-Pesa transactions also settle instantly, making it the fastest domestic transfer option.
The main limitation of M-Pesa is the per-transaction cap of KES 150,000 and daily limit of KES 300,000. For amounts above this, you need bank or Pesalink transfers.
| Amount Range (KES) | M-Pesa Fee (Registered) | M-Pesa Fee (Unregistered) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 100 | Free | N/A |
| 101 - 500 | KES 7 | KES 45 |
| 501 - 1,000 | KES 13 | KES 49 |
| 1,001 - 1,500 | KES 23 | KES 59 |
| 1,501 - 2,500 | KES 33 | KES 69 |
| 2,501 - 3,500 | KES 53 | KES 89 |
| 3,501 - 5,000 | KES 57 | KES 97 |
| 5,001 - 10,000 | KES 67 | KES 107 |
| 10,001 - 20,000 | KES 77 | KES 157 |
| 20,001 - 35,000 | KES 97 | KES 197 |
| 35,001 - 50,000 | KES 97 | KES 277 |
| 50,001 - 150,000 | KES 105 | N/A |
Pesalink: The Cheapest Bank Transfer Option
Pesalink is an interbank transfer service that connects 40+ banks in Kenya. It is significantly cheaper than traditional bank-to-bank transfers (RTGS or EFT) for amounts under KES 999,999.
Pesalink charges a flat fee of KES 10 for transfers under KES 500, KES 25 for transfers between KES 500 and KES 10,000, and KES 50 for transfers between KES 10,000 and KES 999,999. Compare this to RTGS which costs KES 500+ for any amount.
You can initiate Pesalink transfers through your bank's mobile app, USSD code, or internet banking portal. Transfers settle within seconds, similar to M-Pesa.
| Transfer Method | Fee Range | Speed | Max Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-Pesa to M-Pesa | Free - KES 105 | Instant | KES 150,000 |
| Pesalink | KES 10 - KES 50 | Instant | KES 999,999 |
| EFT (Bank) | KES 150 - KES 300 | 1-3 days | No limit |
| RTGS (Bank) | KES 500 - KES 1,000 | Same day | No limit |
| M-Pesa to Bank | KES 0 - KES 197 | 1-3 hours | KES 150,000 |
| SWIFT (International) | KES 2,000 - KES 5,000 | 3-5 days | No limit |
Cheapest International Transfers to Kenya
For receiving money from abroad, the transfer service you choose matters more than the fee itself. The exchange rate markup is where most services make their real profit.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) consistently offers the best exchange rates, typically within 0.3-0.5% of the mid-market rate. Their fee for sending USD to M-Pesa is around $1-3 for amounts under $500. Funds arrive in minutes when sent to M-Pesa.
Remitly and WorldRemit are competitive alternatives with slightly higher exchange rate markups (0.5-1.5%) but frequent promotional offers for first-time users. Both support direct M-Pesa delivery.
Western Union and MoneyGram remain the most expensive options, with exchange rate markups of 2-4% plus flat fees. They are best avoided unless the recipient has no M-Pesa or bank account.
| Service | Exchange Rate Markup | Typical Fee (USD) | Speed to M-Pesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 0.3 - 0.5% | $1 - $3 | Minutes |
| Remitly | 0.5 - 1.5% | $0 - $5 | Minutes |
| WorldRemit | 0.5 - 1.5% | $1 - $5 | Minutes |
| Sendwave | 1 - 2% | Free | Minutes |
| Western Union | 2 - 4% | $5 - $25 | Minutes to hours |
| MoneyGram | 2 - 4% | $5 - $20 | Minutes to hours |
| Bank Wire (SWIFT) | 2 - 5% | $25 - $50 | 3 - 5 days |
Tips to Reduce Transfer Costs
Send to registered M-Pesa users whenever possible. Sending to unregistered numbers costs 3-5 times more in fees because the recipient must withdraw from an M-Pesa agent.
For recurring payments like rent, use Lipa na M-Pesa (Buy Goods or Pay Bill) instead of Send Money. Business numbers often have lower or no fees for the sender.
For international transfers, avoid converting currency at the bank. Services like Wise let you send in the original currency and convert at a better rate on their end.
Batch small transfers into one larger transfer where possible. M-Pesa fees scale sub-linearly: sending KES 10,000 once costs KES 67, but sending KES 1,000 ten times costs KES 130.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is M-Pesa free for small amounts?
- Yes. M-Pesa person-to-person transfers under KES 100 are completely free. This has been the case since Safaricom eliminated low-value fees in 2021. Transfers between KES 101-500 cost just KES 7.
- What is the cheapest way to send KES 50,000 within Kenya?
- Pesalink at KES 50 flat fee is the cheapest option for KES 50,000. M-Pesa charges KES 97 for the same amount. A bank EFT would cost KES 150-300. Pesalink transfers settle instantly through your bank app.
- How much does M-Pesa to bank transfer cost?
- M-Pesa to bank transfers range from free (for some promotional periods) to KES 197 depending on the amount. For amounts under KES 10,000, the fee is typically KES 0-65. Transfers complete within 1-3 business hours.
- Which is cheaper for international transfers, Wise or Remitly?
- Wise is generally cheaper due to its tighter exchange rate spread (0.3-0.5% vs Remitly's 0.5-1.5%). However, Remitly often offers promotional rates for first-time users that can undercut Wise temporarily. Compare both before each transfer.
- Can I send money from M-Pesa to a bank account for free?
- Safaricom occasionally runs promotions waiving M-Pesa to bank fees, but there is no permanent free tier. The standard fee ranges from KES 0 for very small amounts up to KES 197 for amounts between KES 20,001 and KES 35,000.
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