We tracked GBP to KES rates from five providers over 99 days. Here is who led, how M-PESA limits affect larger transfers, and what UK regulation does and does not cover.
Short answer: in our GBP to KES records from 18 May to 11 October 2026, Sendwave had the top published rate on 67 of 99 days, Pesa on 17 and LemFi on 15. The typical gap between the top and bottom rate was 1.33%. Remitly's standard (Economy) rate was last on 84 days. The leader changes, so compare live rates before each transfer.
How we checked. We used CheckRate's own records of each provider's last published standard rate of the day for pounds to Kenyan shillings, counting only days with at least three providers recorded. That gave 99 days between 18 May and 11 October 2026. We checked UK authorisations on the FCA Register between 9 and 11 October 2026, read Safaricom's M-PESA tariff page, and read each provider's own Kenya payout pages. Full details are on our methodology page.
Corrections. An earlier version of this article said the M-PESA per-transaction limit is KES 150,000; Safaricom's tariff page says KES 250,000. It said Taptap Send mainly pays to bank accounts in Kenya, but its Kenya page lists M-PESA and Airtel Money too. It ranked providers without evidence. It showed May 2026 rate tables and UK bank fees we could not support. It also described UK regulation inaccurately. We have rewritten the article from checked sources.
CheckRate is not paid by the providers named here, and our links go to their public websites.
What our GBP to KES data shows
| Measure | GBP to KES, 18 May to 11 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|
| Days recorded | 99 |
| Providers tracked | LemFi, Pesa, Remitly, Sendwave, Taptap Send |
| Days at top | Sendwave 67, Pesa 17, LemFi 15 |
| Median gap, top vs bottom rate | 1.33% |
| Smallest / largest daily gap | 0.50% / 1.81% |
| Top rate range seen | about KES 170 to 176 per pound |
Average rank across the period (1 is the highest rate that day), with days in last place in brackets:
| Provider | Average rank | Days last |
|---|---|---|
| Sendwave | 1.52 | 0 |
| Pesa | 2.48 | 5 |
| LemFi | 2.69 | 0 |
| Taptap Send | 3.34 | 8 |
| Remitly (Economy) | 4.86 | 84 |
Limits of this data: these are published standard rates, not the exact quote the app shows for every amount or payment method. Remitly's first-transfer promotional rates are excluded. Wise is excluded because it charges a separate fee at checkout that our records do not capture. Our records have a gap in September 2026. WorldRemit is not in our GBP to KES tracking.
In practice, a 1.33% gap on GBP 300 is worth about GBP 4, and on the widest day (1.81%) about GBP 5.43. The gap is smaller than on some other corridors we track, but it is not zero, and three different providers took the top spot during the period.
Rates, fees, delivery times and the amount received all change, so check the live GBP to KES page before you send.
How these providers are regulated in the UK
Each firm below was listed on the FCA Register as an Authorised Electronic Money Institution when we checked between 9 and 11 October 2026.
| Brand | Registered company | FRN | Authorised since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taptap Send | Taptap Send UK Limited | 900842 | 12 Mar 2018 |
| Sendwave (and WorldRemit) | WorldRemit Ltd, trading names SendWave and Zepz | 900891 | 19 Oct 2018 |
| LemFi | RightCard Payment Services Limited, trading name Lemfi | 900424 | 4 Apr 2018 |
| Pesa | Pesapeer Payments Limited | 931425 | 13 Jul 2021 |
| Remitly | Remitly U.K., Ltd | 1047222 | 11 Sep 2026 |
What this means for you:
You can confirm any firm yourself by searching its FRN on the FCA Register.
How each app pays out in Kenya
| Provider | Payout options listed for Kenya |
|---|---|
| Taptap Send | M-PESA, Airtel Money, any bank account, M-PESA Paybill and Till numbers |
| LemFi | M-PESA, KCB, Equity, Standard Chartered; bank accounts and mobile money |
| Sendwave | Mobile wallets and bank accounts |
| Remitly | M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Equitel, bank deposit, cash pickup |
| WorldRemit | M-Pesa, Airtel, Equitel, bank, cash pickup |
| Pesa | Bank account or mobile wallet |
Sources: Taptap Send Kenya help page (updated 8 October 2026), LemFi Kenya page, Sendwave Kenya FAQ, WorldRemit Kenya mobile money page, Remitly's Kenya page and Pesa.
M-PESA limits and large transfers
Safaricom's consumer tariffs and limits page (updated 4 August 2026) sets these limits:
| M-PESA limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum per transaction | KES 250,000 |
| Maximum per day | KES 500,000 |
| Maximum account balance | KES 500,000 |
At the top rates we recorded (about KES 170 to 176 per pound), KES 250,000 is roughly GBP 1,420 to 1,470, and KES 500,000 is roughly GBP 2,840 to 2,940. Sendwave's Kenya FAQ notes that "M-Pesa has its own limits we have to follow."
So for a deposit on land, a car or a large family cost, an M-PESA payout may not fit in one go. The balance cap also counts money already in the wallet. A bank payout is not subject to M-PESA's limits, and every provider in the table above lists a bank option.
Paying school fees and bills directly
If a school, landlord or business has given you an M-PESA Paybill or Till number, you may be able to pay it directly. Taptap Send's Kenya page lists Paybill and Till as payout options, so the money goes straight to the payee instead of to a relative who then pays it on. Use the Paybill number and account reference the school gives you, and keep the receipt as proof of payment.
Step by step: sending GBP to KES
Mistakes to avoid
Frequently asked questions
Which app gave the most shillings per pound in your data?
Sendwave led on about two thirds of the days we recorded, as the tables above show. Past leaders are no guarantee for today, so compare live rates on the GBP to KES page before you send.
How much can I send to M-PESA in one transfer?
Safaricom sets per-transaction, daily and balance limits, listed in the M-PESA limits section above. For anything near those figures, a bank payout is the simpler route.
Can I pay a school's Paybill number from the UK?
Of the provider pages we read, only Taptap Send's lists Paybill and Till payouts. With other apps, you would usually send to a relative's M-PESA or bank account and they would pay the school.
Is Sendwave the same company as WorldRemit?
In the UK, both trade under WorldRemit Ltd (FRN 900891), whose trading names on the FCA Register include SendWave and Zepz. Sendwave is a Zepz brand. It is not part of Wave.
Is my money protected if the provider fails?
Safeguarding keeps your money separate from the firm's own funds, but there is no FSCS cover (FCA). The regulation section above sets out what each firm is authorised as.
What if I am scammed into sending money to Kenya?
Contact the provider straight away. The UK reimbursement scheme will not help because it excludes international payments (PSR PS25/5), so checking who you are paying before you send matters more than usual.
Sources
Related: Live GBP to KES rates · Send money to Kenya · Sendwave profile · Is Sendwave safe? · Remittance fees explained
CheckRate Editorial Team
The CheckRate team records remittance providers' published exchange rates and compares them using provider terms and regulator records. We are not paid by the providers we compare.