To send a bank transfer to Kenya with MAJORITY, enter your recipient's account number, full account name, and the name of their Kenyan bank, then confirm the rate and amount in the app.
Quick answer
A bank transfer moves US dollars from your account directly into your recipient's Kenyan shilling (KES) bank account. You will need your recipient's full name as it appears on their bank account, their bank's name, and their account number. Once you confirm the amount and exchange rate in the app, most transfers settle quickly, though the documented range is 30 minutes to 5 business days depending on the receiving bank. If your recipient prefers to receive funds on their phone via M-Pesa, that mobile-wallet option is available as an alternative delivery method in the app.
What you need to know
- A bank transfer deposits KES directly into your recipient's account at a Kenyan bank such as Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Cooperative Bank of Kenya, or NCBA Bank Kenya.
- Unlike some countries that require a specialized interbank code, a Kenya bank transfer uses three standard inputs: the recipient's account number, their full account name, and their bank.
- The account name must match the name on the bank account exactly. A mismatch is among the most common reasons a transfer is held or returned.
- Delivery time for a bank transfer to Kenya is 30 minutes to 5 business days. Many transfers settle faster through Kenya's electronic funds transfer and real-time settlement delivery methods.
- The live exchange rate and the KES amount your recipient will receive are shown in the app before you confirm the transfer.
- Bank transfers are included in the membership at $0 per transfer; the membership itself is $6.99 per month.
What you need before you start
A bank transfer to Kenya requires three pieces of information from your recipient. Collecting them before you open the app keeps the process straightforward.
- Full name on the bank account. The name must match the account holder name exactly as the Kenyan bank has it on file. Even a minor difference — a middle name omitted, a shortened first name — can cause a delay.
- Bank name. The Kenyan bank that holds the account, such as Equity Bank, KCB, or Cooperative Bank of Kenya. The supported banks appear in a dropdown when you add the recipient in the app.
- Account number. Your recipient's account number at their Kenyan bank. This is the number they use to receive deposits. They can find it in their bank's mobile app, on a recent bank statement, or by contacting their branch directly.
- Your government-issued ID on file. Your verified ID is required as the sender. Once your account is open, this step is complete and does not need to be repeated for each transfer.
Kenyan banks supported for bank transfers
Direct deposits are supported to major Kenyan commercial banks, including both large retail networks and regional institutions. The list below covers the documented bank partners for the Kenya destination.
| Bank | Type |
|---|---|
| Equity Bank | Large retail bank, nationwide network |
| Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) | Large retail bank, nationwide network |
| Cooperative Bank of Kenya | Large retail bank, nationwide network |
| NCBA Bank Kenya | Large retail bank |
| Barclays Bank of Kenya | International retail bank |
| Stanbic Bank Kenya | International retail bank |
| Ecobank Kenya | Pan-African retail bank |
| Family Bank Limited | Mid-size retail bank |
The app shows the full current list when you add a recipient. If your recipient's bank is not in the dropdown, ask whether they hold an account at one of the listed partners, or consider sending via the M-Pesa mobile wallet option instead.
Step-by-step: send a bank transfer to Kenya
The entire process happens inside the app. The steps below cover the standard path for a first-time bank transfer to a new recipient.
- Open the app and tap Send money.
- Select Kenya as the destination country.
- Select Bank transfer as the delivery method. The alternative is M-Pesa, Kenya's mobile wallet, which many recipients also use.
- Add your recipient. Enter their full name exactly as it appears on their bank account, select their Kenyan bank from the dropdown, and enter their account number. Save the recipient so you can reuse the details for future transfers.
- Enter the USD amount you want to send. The app immediately shows the current USD-to-KES exchange rate and the exact KES amount your recipient will receive.
- Review the transfer summary. Confirm the recipient name, the bank, the account number, the USD amount, the KES amount, the exchange rate, and the estimated delivery time before tapping confirm.
- Authenticate with your PIN or biometrics and submit the transfer.
- Track the transfer on the activity screen. A notification arrives when the funds are released and another when they are deposited to your recipient's Kenyan bank account.
If anything in the summary looks incorrect, tap back before confirming. A returned transfer due to an incorrect account number or mismatched name can take several business days to resolve.
How long a Kenya bank transfer takes
The documented delivery range for a bank transfer to Kenya is 30 minutes to 5 business days. Kenya's banking infrastructure includes real-time gross settlement (RTGS) for large-value transfers and an electronic funds transfer (EFT) system for standard transactions. Many transfers complete well within the first business day.
Several factors can push delivery toward the longer end of the range:
- Weekend or public holiday. Some receiving banks process incoming international transfers only on business days.
- First transfer to a new recipient. Some banks apply an additional compliance check on the first inbound international transfer to a new account.
- Mismatched account details. An account number that does not match, a name discrepancy, or a closed account triggers a manual review and can delay or return the transfer.
- Large amount. Transfers above certain thresholds may be reviewed for compliance before release.
The in-app estimated delivery time is the most accurate number for your specific transfer. It reflects the receiving bank, the time of day, and any holiday in either country.
What it costs to send a bank transfer to Kenya
A bank transfer to Kenya through the membership has two cost components: the monthly membership and the exchange rate.
- The monthly membership is $6.99 per month. It includes international money transfers to more than 30 countries, including Kenya, at $0 per transfer regardless of delivery method.
- The exchange rate is the rate at which your US dollars convert to Kenyan shillings at the time you confirm the transfer. The rate and the KES amount your recipient will receive both appear in the app before you submit, so you decide based on the actual number.
There is no per-transfer fee on bank transfers to Kenya at the member tier. The Kenyan receiving bank typically does not deduct a fee on local-currency (KES) deposits, though policies vary by institution.
What to do next
- Ask your recipient whether they want a direct bank deposit or a mobile-wallet transfer via M-Pesa, and collect the three required details: their full account name, account number, and bank name.
- Open the app, tap Send money, select Kenya, and choose Bank transfer.
- Add the recipient with the details from step 1, enter the USD amount, review the rate and KES total, and confirm.
- Save the recipient. After the first successful transfer, subsequent sends take only a few taps.
Related MAJORITY resources
MAJORITY is a financial membership for migrants in the US that includes money transfers to more than 30 countries, including Kenya. Bank transfers to Kenya land in your recipient's account at major Kenyan banks, with the exchange rate and estimated delivery time shown in the app before you confirm. There is no per-transfer fee at the member tier, and the membership is $6.99 per month.
Frequently asked questions
What information do I need to send a bank transfer to Kenya?
You need three things from your recipient: their full name exactly as it appears on their bank account, their account number at their Kenyan bank, and the name of their bank. Gather these before you open the app to avoid delays.
Which Kenyan banks can receive a bank transfer?
Bank transfers are supported to Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Cooperative Bank of Kenya, NCBA Bank Kenya, Barclays Bank of Kenya, Stanbic Bank Kenya, Ecobank Kenya, and Family Bank Limited, among others. The full current list appears in the app when you add a recipient.
How long does a bank transfer to Kenya take?
The documented delivery range is 30 minutes to 5 business days. Many transfers settle faster through Kenya's electronic banking delivery methods. The in-app estimated delivery time is the most accurate number for your specific transfer.
Is there a fee to send a bank transfer to Kenya?
There is no per-transfer fee on bank transfers to Kenya at the member tier. The monthly membership is $6.99 and includes money transfers to more than 30 countries. The exchange rate at the time of the transfer applies, and both the rate and the KES amount appear in the app before you confirm.
Can I send to an M-Pesa wallet instead of a Kenyan bank account?
Yes. M-Pesa is available as an alternative delivery method in the app when you select Kenya. If your recipient prefers to receive funds on their M-Pesa mobile wallet rather than a bank account, choose the mobile-wallet option instead of Bank transfer when setting up the send.
What happens if I enter the wrong account number or name?
If the account number does not exist or is closed, the transfer is typically held and returned to your balance after the receiving bank rejects it. If the name does not match the account holder on file, the transfer is held for manual review. Contact support through the app to resolve and reissue the transfer in either case.
Disclosures
The MAJORITY app facilitates banking services through Axiom Bank, N.A. ("Axiom"), Member FDIC. The funds deposited in the account held at Axiom, Member FDIC, are FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 per depositor in the event Axiom fails and subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Non-deposit products or services such as money transfers and telecom services are not FDIC-insured.
MAJORITY Visa® Debit Card is issued by Axiom Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.