How to send money from M-PESA to a DTB account
By Arnold Ochieng · Diamond Trust Bank Kenya hub · paybillke is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Diamond Trust Bank Kenya.
Use paybill 516600, and put your 10-digit DTB account number in the account field. That is the whole answer. DTB publishes this flow itself, so there is no guesswork in it. The money normally lands within minutes, and the M-PESA confirmation SMS is your receipt.
The steps
- Open M-PESA, or dial *334#.
- Choose Lipa na M-PESA, then Pay Bill.
- Business number: 516600.
- Account number: your 10-digit DTB account number, no spaces.
- Enter the amount, enter your M-PESA PIN, and confirm.
- Read the confirmation SMS before you close it. It names the account holder, which is your one chance to catch a wrong account number.
From Airtel Money the account number is different
This is the part almost nobody publishes, and it is the single most common reason an Airtel deposit to DTB fails.
The paybill is the same, 516600. But DTB's own instructions for Airtel Money say to enter your branch code followed by your 10-digit account number, where the M-PESA flow takes the account number on its own. If you copy the M-PESA instruction into Airtel Money, the reference will not resolve.
Your branch code is on your statement and your cheque book. If you cannot find it, ask DTB on 0719 031 888 before you send, not after.
What it costs
The charge is Safaricom's standard pay-bill tariff for the amount band, not a DTB fee. DTB puts this plainly on its own site: deposits from any DTB paybill into DTB accounts are subject to mobile network operator charges. DTB does not charge you to receive.
Because the tariff is banded rather than a percentage, one payment of KES 10,000 costs less than four payments of KES 2,500. Our paybill cost calculator gives the exact figure for your amount, and the M-PESA charges guide explains the bands.
Going the other way, DTB to M-PESA, is a DTB charge and it is banded too. Those bands are on our DTB charges page.
Sending the other way, DTB to M-PESA
If it does not arrive
About this guide
| Field | From M-PESA | From Airtel Money |
|---|---|---|
| Business number | 516600 | 516600 |
| Account number | Your 10-digit DTB account number | Your branch code, then your 10-digit account number |
| Charge | The mobile network's pay-bill tariff | The mobile network's pay-bill tariff |
| DTB fee to receive | None | None |
| Time to reflect | Usually within minutes | Usually within minutes |
Frequently asked
What is the DTB paybill number?
516600. The account is your 10-digit DTB account number.
Which bank is paybill 516600?
Diamond Trust Bank Kenya.
How long does an M-PESA deposit to DTB take?
Usually minutes. If it has not landed in an hour, call DTB on 0719 031 888 with the M-PESA code.
Does DTB charge me to receive from M-PESA?
No. The only charge is the mobile network's pay-bill tariff, which Safaricom or Airtel sets.
Is the Airtel Money account number the same?
No. DTB asks for your branch code in front of the 10-digit account number when you pay from Airtel Money.
How do I send from DTB to M-PESA?
Use *382# or the m24/7 app: Move money, then M-PESA/Airtel money. That direction carries a DTB fee.