Best way to send money from the UK
to Kenya
10 providers compared · Free · No sign-up
Today’s Snapshot
Best rate
175.63
KES/GBP
via Sendwave
You save
6,578
KES
vs worst
Compared
10
providers
ranked
Updated:
Live snapshot · refreshes every 1 min
As of April 03, 2026, Sendwave offers the best rate for GBP to KES, delivering 175,630 KES on a £1,000 transfer at a rate of 175.6300. That's 5,623 KES more than Wise in this comparison. Sendwave also charges no transfer fee on this corridor.
We compared 10 providers: Sendwave, Dahabshiil, Africhange, WorldRemit, TapTapSend, LemFi, Remitly, Mukuru, Wise, Ria. Rankings update automatically as rates change throughout the day.
Summary
- Best on £1,000: 175,630 KES via Sendwave
- Receive range: 169,052 – 175,630 KES
- Potential savings: 6,578 KES
- Promotional offer: up to 175,220 KES via Sendwave (terms apply)
Best in 2026: Sendwave
Right now, Sendwave delivers the most KES, around 175,630 KES on £1,000. That's 6,578 KES more than the priciest option. Compare all 10 providers in the table.
Number of providers
10
Cheapest provider (on average)
SendwaveLowest total cost (on average)
0.0%
Highest total cost
0.0%
Most transferred amount
1,000 GBP
Fastest transfer time
Instant
Recommended providers
Cost Analysis: GBP to KES
Avg FX markup
-0.89%
Rate spread
6.5782 KES
Avg transfer fee
£18.28
Median fee
£0.00
8 of 10 providers fee-free
Fees and fee-free counts are as reported by each provider's API. Some providers embed fees in the exchange rate or add payment-method charges at checkout.
Avg recipient receives by payment method
| Pay-in method | Avg. recipient gets (KES) |
|---|---|
| ★Debit card | 175,220 |
| Bank transfer | 169,994 |
Avg recipient receives by delivery method
| Delivery method | Avg. recipient gets (KES) |
|---|---|
| ★Mobile Money | 172,551 |
| Bank Deposit | 170,759 |
| Cash Pickup | 168,779 |
Transfer speed
Under 1 hour – 2 days
avg 9 hours
Market competition
High
10 providers
Rate stability
moderate
SCVI 4.1
Does the transfer amount affect cost?
Yes, transfer fees on this corridor are typically fixed (£0.00–£63.78 GBP), so sending more reduces your cost as a percentage. For example, the same £0.00–£63.78 fee represents a larger slice of a £50 transfer than a £1,000 one. The average FX markup of -0.89% applies to all amounts.
How much your recipient gets at different amounts
Using the best rate right now (Sendwave). For live ranking after changing amount, use the comparison table at the top.
| You send | Your recipient gets |
|---|---|
| £500 | 87,815 KES |
| £1,000 | 175,630 KES |
| £5,000 | 878,150 KES |
GBP to KES Exchange Rate: Today's Conversion
Snapshot refreshes every 1 min. For instant ranking after changing amount, use the comparison table at the top.
| You send (GBP) | ✓ Best (Sendwave) | Worst (Ria) | You lose |
|---|---|---|---|
| £1 | 176 | 169 | −7 |
| £5 | 878 | 845 | −33 |
| £10 | 1,756 | 1,691 | −65 |
| £25 | 4,391 | 4,226 | −165 |
| £50 | 8,782 | 8,453 | −329 |
| £100 | 17,563 | 16,905 | −658 |
| £200 | 35,126 | 33,810 | −1,316 |
| £500 | 87,815 | 84,526 | −3,289 |
| £1,000 | 175,630 | 169,052 | −6,578 |
| £2,000 | 351,260 | 338,104 | −13,156 |
| £5,000 | 878,150 | 845,259 | −32,891 |
| £10,000 | 1,756,300 | 1,690,518 | −65,782 |
| £50,000 | 8,781,500 | 8,452,592 | −328,908 |
| £100,000 | 17,563,000 | 16,905,183 | −657,817 |
All-in rates include transfer fees and FX margin. “You lose” = KES your recipient misses out on vs the best provider. Best/worst provider above are from the snapshot at page load; for live ranking use the comparison table at the top of the page. Rates refresh every 15 min.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest way to send money from the UK to Kenya?
The cheapest way to send money from the UK to Kenya is through an online provider. Among the 10 available, Sendwave was most often the cheapest provider in comparisons on SawaFX.com.
How much does it cost to send money from the UK to Kenya?
If you send money with the cheapest available provider, the transfer fee for a GBP–KES transfer is 0.0% of the transfer amount (including transfer fee and exchange rate margin).
Across all 10 providers, the average FX markup on this corridor is -0.89%. Transfer fees range from £0.00–£63.78 GBP.
In contrast, the cost of the most expensive option is 0.0%.
Is WorldRemit a good option for sending money from the UK to Kenya?
WorldRemit is a popular provider. The average cost of online money transfers from the UK to Kenya with WorldRemit is 0.0% of the amount you send, whereas the cheapest online services have an average cost of 0.0%.
Ria is the provider that is most often the cheapest for money transfers to a cash pick-up location in Kenya.
What's the cheapest provider to send money from the UK to a cash pick-up location in Kenya?
Over the past 3 months, the provider that was most often the cheapest for cash pick-up transfers in Kenya was Ria, with an average cost of 0.0% of the amount you send (includes fees + exchange rate margin).
The average total cost to send to a bank account rather than to a pick-up location during the same period was 0.0%. Dahabshiil was the provider most often the cheapest for transfers to bank accounts in Kenya.
What is the fastest option to send money from the UK to Kenya?
The provider that was most often the fastest in comparisons of the past 30 days was Sendwave (average fastest transfer time: Instant).
How stable is the GBP to KES exchange rate?
The GBP/KES exchange rate is currently rated “moderate” (SCVI score: 4.1) according to SawaFX's rate stability index. A lower SCVI score means provider rates are more consistent : less day-to-day volatility makes it easier to time your transfer.
About money transfers from the UK to Kenya
SawaFX compares 10 providers offering international money transfer services from the UK to Kenya. The total cost of the cheapest available option was 0.0% of the transferred amount.
In comparison, the total cost of the most expensive provider was on average 0.0%.
What is the average FX markup on GBP to KES transfers?
The average FX markup on this corridor is -0.89% above the mid-market rate. The spread between the best and worst exchange rate offered is 6.5782 KES; meaning your recipient can receive significantly less depending on which provider you choose.
The FX markup is often the “hidden” cost: it is built into the exchange rate rather than charged as a separate fee. Always compare the total amount your recipient gets, not just the headline rate.
Is it cheaper to pay by bank transfer or debit card when sending GBP to Kenya?
Yes, the payment method you choose affects how much your recipient receives. On this corridor, paying by Debit card leads to the best outcome on average in this snapshot.
- Debit card: avg 175,220 KES received(best)
- Bank transfer: avg 169,994 KES received
Credit card payments typically incur a surcharge. Bank transfer is usually the cheapest pay-in method. Averages above are from the snapshot at page load; for live ranking use the comparison table at the top.
Does the delivery method affect how much is received in Kenya?
The delivery method can affect your rate. On this corridor, Mobile Money delivers the best average recipient amount in this snapshot.
- Mobile Money: avg 172,551 KES(best)
- Bank Deposit: avg 170,759 KES
- Cash Pickup: avg 168,779 KES
Averages above are from the same snapshot at page load. For live best provider and amounts, use the comparison table at the top.
Is it better to send a larger amount from the UK to Kenya?
Transfer fees on this corridor are typically fixed (£0.00–£63.78 GBP), so the cost as a percentage is lower when you send more. For example, a £5 fee on a £50 transfer is 10%; on a £500 transfer it drops to just 1%. The average FX markup of -0.89% applies to all amounts regardless of size.
Why do GBP to KES exchange rates differ between providers?
Every provider adds a markup on the mid-market (interbank) rate. On this corridor, the average markup is -0.89%. Some providers charge a fixed fee with a tighter exchange rate; others advertise “no fees” but recoup costs through a wider spread. SawaFX compares the total cost (exchange rate margin plus fees), so you always see the real amount your recipient gets.
How often are GBP to KES rates updated on SawaFX?
SawaFX refreshes rates every 15 minutes directly from each provider. The rates shown always include all transfer fees and the FX markup, so the “amount received” you see is what your recipient would actually get, not a misleading headline rate.
About GBP → KES Money Transfers
SawaFX compares 10 providers offering money transfers from the UK to Kenya. The cheapest option — Sendwave delivers 175,630 KES on a £1,000 transfer, 6,578 KES more than the most expensive option. Rates are live and update throughout the day. Transfers typically arrive within Under 1 hour to 2 days depending on provider and payment method.
Data as of . Rankings update every 15 minutes.
Why compare GBP → KES on SawaFx?
- Free. We never charge you. Compare as many corridors and amounts as you like.
- Live rates, fees included. The "You receive" column is the real amount; no surprises.
- One stop. 10 providers on one page. No need to open five tabs or sign up anywhere.
- Independent. We rank by who delivers the most KES. We may earn a small commission when you click through; that never changes the order.
How your recipient receives money in Kenya
Airtel Money
Send to Airtel Money wallets across Kenya for instant mobile delivery.
Bank Transfer
Deposit to Equity Bank, KCB, Co-operative Bank, NCBA, and all Kenyan banks via the SWIFT/RTGS network.
Cash Pickup
Your recipient collects cash at a local agent or partner outlet in KES.
GBP → KES Monthly Report
Charts, trends, and provider rankings for this corridor
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- ·Send money from the UK to Zambia
Send money to Kenya from other countries
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