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Kenya Mobile Money Charges

M-Pesa, Airtel, T-Kash - including all government levies. Updated July 2026.

How much does it cost to send money via mobile money in Kenya?

In Kenya, mobile money fees vary by operator (M-Pesa, Airtel, T-Kash) and amount band. Use the calculator below for the exact cost in KES, including government levies. Typical fees range from flat unit amounts to a percentage of the transfer; withdrawals usually add a separate charge.

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Compare M-Pesa, Airtel, T-Kash fees in Kenya

ProviderSendWithdrawLevyTotal
MPSM-PesaCheapest
Ksh13.00Ksh29.00Ksh1.95Ksh14.95
AIRAirtelCheapest
Ksh13.00Ksh29.00Ksh1.95Ksh14.95
TKST-KashCheapest
Ksh13.00Ksh29.00Ksh1.95Ksh14.95
Fees shown for Ksh1,000 KES. Use the calculator above for your exact amount.

Which mobile money providers work in Kenya?

MPS

M-Pesa

Kenya · KES

Send money fees

Free tierFree
Ksh101-Ksh500Ksh7
Ksh501-Ksh1,000Ksh13
Ksh1,001-Ksh1,500Ksh23

Withdrawal fees

Ksh50-Ksh100Ksh11
Ksh101-Ksh500Ksh29
Ksh501-Ksh1,000Ksh29
Ksh1,001-Ksh1,500Ksh29
AIR

Airtel Money

Kenya · KES

Send money fees

Free tierFree
Ksh101-Ksh500Ksh7
Ksh501-Ksh1,000Ksh13
Ksh1,001-Ksh1,500Ksh23

Withdrawal fees

Ksh50-Ksh100Ksh11
Ksh101-Ksh2,500Ksh29
Ksh2,501-Ksh3,500Ksh52
Ksh3,501-Ksh5,000Ksh69
TKS

T-Kash

Kenya · KES

Send money fees

Free tierFree
Ksh101-Ksh500Ksh7
Ksh501-Ksh1,000Ksh13
Ksh1,001-Ksh1,500Ksh23

Withdrawal fees

Ksh50-Ksh100Ksh11
Ksh101-Ksh2,500Ksh29
Ksh2,501-Ksh3,500Ksh52
Ksh3,501-Ksh5,000Ksh69

Government Levies & Taxes

!

Excise Duty (15% on fee)

Levy active

Kenya charges 15% excise duty on the transaction fee itself — not on the transfer amount. For example, a KES 13 M-Pesa fee becomes KES 14.95 total (KES 13 + KES 1.95 excise). The rate was raised from 12% to 15% by the Finance Act 2023. Does NOT apply to Buy Goods (Till number) transactions. The 16% VAT on person-to-person mobile money transfers proposed by the Finance Bill 2026 was DROPPED in the version passed by the National Assembly in June 2026, so no VAT applies on top of this excise.

Rate
15% on fee
Applies to
Send & withdraw
Paid by
Sender

Fee data last verified July 2026. Always confirm with your provider before large transactions.

Sending money to Kenya?

Compare the services that deliver to Kenya - neutral verdict, no-affiliate, with the real recipient-side costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 15% excise duty on M-Pesa?
Kenya charges 15% excise duty on the transaction fee itself - NOT on the transfer amount. For example, a KES 13 M-Pesa fee becomes KES 14.95 total (KES 13 + KES 1.95 excise). The rate was raised from 12% to 15% by the Finance Act 2023. The 16% VAT proposed by the Finance Bill 2026 was dropped from the version passed in June 2026 - no VAT applies on top.
Is M-Pesa free for small amounts?
Yes, M-Pesa charges no fee for sends between KES 1–100. Above that, fees start at KES 7.
What are the mobile money providers in Kenya?
The main mobile money providers in Kenya are M-Pesa, Airtel Money, T-Kash. Use our calculator above to compare fees across all providers.
Which is the cheapest mobile money provider in Kenya?
The cheapest provider depends on the amount. Use our fee calculator to compare all providers side by side for your specific amount.
How do I avoid paying high mobile money fees in Kenya?
Tips: 1) Compare providers using MomoCalc before sending. 2) Use the provider's app instead of an agent. 3) Send larger amounts less frequently. 4) Know the official fees so agents can't overcharge.