07 Oct 2025
Kenyan expats around the globe form a vibrant diaspora community, sending home billions in remittances each year to support their families and local economies. In fact, Kenya received over USD 5 billion in diaspora remittances in the year up to June 2025 – a critical source of foreign exchange and household income back home. If you are a Kenyan living abroad, whether in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, or elsewhere, you understand how important fast and secure money transfers are for staying connected with loved ones.
This guide focuses on sending money to Kenya using ACE Money Transfer, highlighting why ACE is a top choice for Kenyan expats and how to use it step-by-step. We’ll also look at where Kenyan expats are living (the top host countries) and which Kenyan hometowns many diaspora members originate from.
Top 10 Countries Hosting Kenyan Expats: Kenyans have migrated all over the world, but a few countries host the largest Kenyan expat populations. Below are the top 10 destinations for Kenyan emigrants (expats), along with estimated population figures:
Note: Other countries with notable Kenyan expat communities include Qatar and Bahrain in the Gulf, as well as other African nations like South Sudan and Mozambique as per migrationpolicy. The Kenyan diaspora is truly global, spanning from North America and Europe to the Middle East, Asia, and other African countries. Kenyan expats are often highly educated and economically active abroad, which is reflected in the substantial remittances they send back home.
Distribution of Kenyans abroad by county of birth
Interestingly, many members of the Kenyan diaspora hail from a few key cities/counties in Kenya. According to a Central Bank of Kenya survey, the majority of Kenyans abroad come from urban areas. Nairobi alone accounts for about 26% of diaspora members by origin (county of birth), by far the largest share.
Other top “hometowns” of the diaspora include Kiambu (10%), Nyeri (6%), Nakuru (4%), Mombasa (4%), Kisumu (3%), and Kakamega (3%).
Several smaller cities/counties also contribute notable numbers of emigrants: for example, Meru, Machakos, Kirinyaga, Bungoma, and Bomet each account for roughly 2% of Kenyans abroad, while Uasin Gishu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kericho, and others contribute around 1–2% each. This means if you’re originally from Nairobi, Mombasa, Meru, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kiambu, Machakos, Nyeri, Uasin Gishu (or virtually any Kenyan county), you likely have compatriots from your hometown living abroad just like you.
And no matter which part of Kenya you come from, you want a reliable way to send money back to your family in that town or village. ACE Money Transfer is one such reliable solution, used by expats from all these Kenyan regions to remit funds safely.
As a Kenyan expat, you have many options for sending money home, but ACE Money Transfer stands out as a trusted, cost-effective service focused on expat needs. Here are some key reasons why ACE is a preferred choice for remitting money to Kenya:
ACE Money Transfer offers Kenyan expats a blend of security, affordability, speed, and convenience – all essential qualities in a remittance service. Now, let’s look at the specific ways you can send money to Kenya with ACE and how to do it step by step.
When using ACE Money Transfer, you have several payout options for how your money can be delivered to your beneficiary in Kenya. These methods ensure that no matter where your family is in Kenya – whether in a big city like Nairobi or Mombasa, or a rural town – they can receive the funds quickly in a form that’s accessible to them. Here are the available money transfer methods for Kenya and how they work:
Sending directly to a bank account is a popular and convenient option. ACE Money Transfer offers an instant bank deposit service for Kenya. This means as a Kenyan expat, you can transfer money straight into your recipient’s bank account at any commercial bank in Kenya – such as KCB, Equity, Cooperative Bank, Standard Chartered, etc. The funds are deposited securely and can be available almost immediately or within minutes in many cases.
In the ACE app/website, select the bank deposit option, enter your beneficiary’s bank details (account number, bank name), and complete the transfer. ACE routes the payment to the Kenyan banking system, where it’s credited to the account. Because it’s an electronic direct deposit, this method is quick and safe, ensuring the money reaches your loved one’s bank safely even if they are far from any agent location. For the recipient, the money simply appears in their bank balance – they can withdraw it or use it as needed. This option is especially useful if your family prefers dealing with banks or if the amount is large (since it goes straight into an account).
Mobile money is extremely popular in Kenya – especially M-Pesa by Safaricom, which is used by a vast majority of Kenyan households. ACE Money Transfer recognizes this and makes it very easy to send money directly into mobile wallet accounts. You can send money online from abroad straight to your recipient’s M-Pesa, Airtel Money, or Telkom mobile wallet in Kenya.
It’s one of the easiest and fastest ways for someone in Kenya to receive money. The funds pop up as an M-Pesa (or other wallet) balance on their phone within seconds of your transfer – no bank trip required. Recipients can then withdraw cash from an M-Pesa agent in their village, pay bills, buy goods, or send money onwards using their mobile phone. For you as the sender, it’s just as simple: during the transfer, choose the mobile wallet option and provide the recipient’s mobile number linked to their wallet. ACE processes it instantly.
This feature is a hallmark of ACE’s service to Kenya, demonstrating their commitment to convenient solutions the customers want. Mobile wallet transfersvia ACE Money Transfer are instant and secure, letting you stay connected with your loved ones by ensuring they get the money in real time. For example, if you’re in the UK and your mother in Kenya needs money urgently for an expense, you can send to her M-Pesa wallet and she’ll have it almost immediately. Read more at How to remit money to m-Pesa.
ACE Money Transfer also supports cash pickup in Kenya through local payout partners. Currently, recipients in Kenya can collect cash at designated payout locations or bank branches if this option is chosen. For instance, ACE has partnered with institutions like UBA Bank for payouts in some countries (as they do in Cameroon). In Kenya’s case, major remittance payout partners or banks would serve this role. The sender would select “Cash Pickup” as the delivery mode, and the recipient would go to the specified bank branch or money transfer agent (with ID and transaction reference) to collect the cash. This method provides flexibility for recipients who may prefer receiving physical cash or don’t have a bank account. (Always check ACE’s app for the latest list of cash pickup partners in Kenya, as these can be updated or expanded.)
Even with cash pickup, note that in Kenya the mobile wallet network is so extensive that digital delivery tends to be more common. However, ACE’s goal is to offer “seamless payout services” so every customer can choose what’s convenient.
Beyond sending money, ACE also lets you send instant airtime top-ups to Kenyan mobile numbers. This is a thoughtful way to support your family by recharging their prepaid mobile phone credit or data. Using the ACE mobile app or website, you can pay to refill your recipient’s airtime balance directly. This feature ensures you remain connected with loved ones – you can top up a family member’s mobile phone in Kenya within seconds from abroad. While not a cash remittance per se, it’s a useful service if you want to quickly provide phone credit (for example, to ensure they have call time or internet bundle, perhaps as a complement to sending money). Many Kenyan expats find this helpful for small gestures of support.
Whether you choose Bank Deposit, Mobile Wallet, Cash Pickup, or Airtime, ACE Money Transfer has you covered with fast and secure options. The receiver can get the money in the way that works best for them, which makes ACE very versatile. All these payout methods are designed to be instant or very quick – for instance, mobile wallets are delivered in seconds, and even bank deposits via ACE are often completed within minutes (or at most a day) thanks to instant processing. This multi-channel approach is one of the reasons ACE is so convenient for Kenyan beneficiaries.
Sending money to Kenya via ACE Money Transfer is straightforward. Here is a simple step-by-step walkthrough of the process:
This entire process is designed to be user-friendly. From creating an account to completing a transfer, ACE has made it “extremely easy and convenient” for customers. If you ever want a visual guide, ACE’s website even offers a tutorial video (accessible via the “View Tutorial” link in the help section) showing how the steps work. But as you can see above, it really boils down to: register, provide KYC, enter transfer details, and pay – quite simple. The first time you do it, it might take a few extra minutes to register and upload documents, but subsequent transfers can be done in just a couple of minutes since your info is saved.
Ensure the information you provide is accurate to avoid delays. Small errors in the beneficiary’s name or account number, for instance, could affect the delivery. Also, be mindful of time zone differences or local banking hours if sending to a bank account (transfers sent late Friday might clear on Monday if it’s a bank deposit due to weekend). ACE will notify you if any additional info is needed. In most cases, though, transfers are smooth and near-instant.
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From the sender’s perspective, ACE gives flexibility in how you pay for your remittance. As mentioned in step 4 above, you are not limited to one funding source. You can use whatever suits you best, such as:
ACE makes it easy to pay for your transfer in whatever way is most convenient for you. All methods are secure, and you’ll see the fees (if any) and exchange rate before confirming. Many Kenyan expats appreciate this flexibility – you might use your debit card for one transfer, and next time use bank transfer, depending on your situation. The goal is to remove any hurdles so you can send money to Kenya quickly and effortlessly.
(Note: The availability of certain payment methods depends on the country you’re sending from. The ACE platform will automatically show you the options applicable to you. But across the board, debit/credit card is universally available and very fast.)
We’ve touched on this in the “Methods” section, but to summarize the payout options in Kenya:
All these methods ensure that your loved ones in Nairobi, Mombasa, Meru, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kiambu, Machakos, Nyeri, Uasin Gishu, or anywhere in Kenya can swiftly get the support you send. ACE’s network in Kenya leverages the country’s advanced banking and mobile money infrastructure to make receiving funds simple.
With ACE Money Transfer, deliveries are usually very fast. Mobile wallet transfers are available within seconds, as noted earlier. Cash pickups are available immediately once processed, and bank deposits typically within 1 business day (often sooner). Many users report their family seeing the deposit in minutes after they complete the send on ACE. Of course, factors like bank operating hours or additional verification can occasionally cause minor delays, but ACE provides status tracking so you’re never in the dark about your transfer’s progress. Read: How to Track Your Money Transfer.
ACE prides itself on transparent fees and competitive rates. Before you finalize a transaction, ACE will show you exactly how much the recipient will get in KES, the exchange rate applied, and any fees charged. For example, if you send £1000 from the UK to Kenya, you might see it converts to (say) KSh 150,000 at ACE’s rate, with a small fee (or even zero fee if a promo) – all laid out clearly. There are no hidden charges; what you see is what you pay. This is important for expats on a budget – you want to maximize what your family receives. With ACE, more of your money actually goes to your loved ones, rather than being lost in high fees.
While we won’t go into detail about other providers, here’s a quick comparison showing how ACE Money Transfer stands out from traditional remittance methods and big global operators.
| Feature | ACE Money Transfer | Traditional Banks / Big MTOs |
Transfer Fees | Low and transparent; no hidden charges. | Higher fees, often with hidden costs or intermediary deductions. |
Exchange Rates | Competitive rates for KES. | Usually less favorable; banks apply wide margins. |
Speed of Transfer | Instant to mobile wallets (M-Pesa, Airtel), within 1 business day to banks. | 2–5 business days typical for international wires. |
Mobile Wallet Support | Fully integrated with M-Pesa, Airtel, and Telkom Kenya. | Often unavailable or limited to bank accounts only. |
Geographic Reach | Strong in Europe, UK, Canada, and Australia—localized payment options (SEPA, Trustly, etc.). Read: How Can You Send Money from Australia to Kenya via M-Pesa? | Focused on major corridors only; limited EU support. |
User Experience | Simple web & app interface, instant tracking, 24/7 access. | Complex banking portals or in-person visits required. |
Customer Rewards | Regular promotions, referral and loyalty programs. Become part of Earn with ACE. | Rare or no customer rewards. |
Compliance & Security | Fully regulated and encrypted global platform. | Varies; banks secure but often slower and less flexible. |
Customer Focus | Built for expats; continuous UX and support improvement. | Generic service; limited personalization for remitters. |
ACE delivers a rare combination of cost-efficiency, speed, and convenience, purpose-built for Kenyan expats. Its direct integration with M-Pesa and all major Kenyan banks makes it the smarter, faster, and more affordable choice.
Sending money back to Kenya has never been easier or more secure than it is today with services like ACE Money Transfer. As a Kenyan abroad, you carry the responsibility and desire to support your family and community back home – whether it’s paying for your siblings’ education, taking care of medical bills for parents, investing in property, or simply gifting your loved ones on special occasions. Remittances are a lifeline for many households in Kenya and a backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing to development and financial stability. By using ACE, you ensure that this lifeline reaches quickly and safely.
ACE Money Transfer stands out as a fast, affordable, and reliable bridge between the Kenyan diaspora and their motherland. It caters specifically to the needs of expats, from Nairobians in London to Kalenjin in Texas, from coastal Kenyans in Dubai to upcountry Kenyans in Toronto – no matter your city of origin or city of residence, ACE helps you deliver on your promises to your family. With its user-friendly platform, excellent rates, and variety of payout methods (bank, M-Pesa, etc.), ACE has made the act of sending money home as smooth as a local transfer.
So, if you’re a Kenyan living abroad and looking for the best way to send money to Kenya, trust the service that thousands of other Kenyans trust. ACE Money Transfer has proven to be a dependable partner for the Kenyan diaspora, handling remittances with care, speed, and integrity. By leveraging ACE, you can continue to uplift your loved ones and invest in Kenya’s future, all while experiencing a hassle-free process.
With ACE Money Transfer, you’re just a few clicks away from making that happen. As their motto suggests, they are “delivering your promises”. Turning your hard-earned money into tangible support back home. Give it a try, and join the growing community of satisfied Kenyan customers who have made ACE their go-to remittance solution. Your family in Kenya is counting on you, and ACE is here to ensure your support reaches them fast and securely.
