Cheapest way to send money to a Kenyan bank
Compare M-PESA paybill, bank app pull, and SWIFT wire side-by-side. Enter the amount and the destination bank, we show you the cheapest method.
Cheapest option
M-PESA paybill
Pay Bill → 522522 → recipient bank account · KES 34 fee · 1-15 min
| Method | Fee (KES) | Time |
|---|---|---|
M-PESA paybill Pay Bill → 522522 → recipient bank account | 34 | 1-15 min |
Bank app pull Open the bank app → Get Money from M-PESA Only works for your own account, not for sending to someone else | 35 | Same minute |
Fees include KRA excise duty where applicable. Bank app pull fees are typical ranges, your bank's exact tariff may vary slightly. Customer pays the M-PESA paybill fee; the recipient's bank does not add a fee on incoming M-PESA paybill deposits.
Three ways to send M-PESA to a bank
M-PESA paybill
Open M-PESA → Pay Bill → enter the bank's paybill (KCB 522522, Equity 247247, Co-op 400200, etc.) → enter the recipient's bank account number → amount → PIN. Funds reflect in the bank account within 1-15 minutes. Customer pays the standard paybill tariff.
Bank app pull
From the bank's own app or USSD, pull money from your M-PESA balance into your bank account. Works only for your own account. Bank charges a small fee (typically KES 30-150 depending on amount). Often faster than paybill.
SWIFT wire
For amounts above the M-PESA per-transaction cap of KES 250,000. Bank-to-bank wire transfer; takes 1-3 business days; bank fee typically 0.5% with a KES 500 minimum and KES 5,000 cap. Generates the clearest paper trail for institutional transfers.
When each method wins
- Under KES 1,000: M-PESA paybill (lowest fee in absolute terms).
- KES 1,000 - 5,000: Roughly tied between paybill and bank app pull. Pick the one that's most convenient.
- KES 5,000 - 50,000: Bank app pull usually wins on fee. Paybill wins on speed if you're sending to someone else.
- KES 50,000 - 250,000: The paybill charge stops at KES 108 (from KES 45,001). Bank app pull typically charges KES 100-150. Roughly tied.
- Above KES 250,000: SWIFT wire is the only option (M-PESA cap blocks paybill and app pull above this amount).
Caveats
- Bank app pull fees are approximate ranges. Each bank has its own exact tariff, check your bank's app for the live fee.
- The recipient bank doesn't add a fee on incoming M-PESA paybill deposits, the M-PESA fee is the only fee.
- Some banks waive the bank-app-pull fee for premium account holders.
- For sending to someone else (not yourself), only paybill works. Bank app pulls are for your own account.