GBP to KES Exchange Rate Today
British Pound to Kenyan Shilling conversion for the UK's 150,000+ Kenyan diaspora. Track live GBP/KES rates every 30 minutes for remittances from London, Manchester, Birmingham to Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu—leveraging M-PESA's revolutionary instant transfers.
Advertisement
Loading comparison...
Compare money transfer service fees for the best rates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the British Pound to Kenyan Shilling exchange rate?
The GBP to KES exchange rate typically ranges between 165-210 KES per 1 GBP. The Central Bank of Kenya allows the shilling to float, though it intervenes for stability. The UK has strong Kenya ties—a substantial Kenyan community (150,000+) plus historical connections. The strong pound gives British Kenyans excellent remittance value. The rate has gradually increased as the shilling weakens—common for African currencies. Our converter shows real-time mid-market rates updated every 30 minutes from OpenExchangeRates.
How can Kenyans in the UK send money to Kenya?
British Kenyans have excellent M-PESA-enabled options: Remitly (very popular, instant M-PESA delivery), WorldRemit (M-PESA widely used), Sendwave (low fees, M-PESA), Western Union or MoneyGram (extensive agent network); direct M-PESA transfers (revolutionary—60%+ of Kenyans use it); or bank transfers to Equity, KCB, Cooperative, or M-PESA-linked accounts. For London, Manchester, Birmingham communities sending to Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, M-PESA has transformed remittances—instant delivery in seconds, not days.
Why is M-PESA important for UK-Kenya transfers?
M-PESA revolutionized Kenyan finance and UK-Kenya remittances: 60%+ of Kenyan adults use it, even in remote villages without banks. For British Kenyans, M-PESA means instant delivery (seconds vs days), low fees (£1-3 vs £15-40 for banks), wide acceptance everywhere, and no need for recipients to have bank accounts. Services like Remitly and WorldRemit deliver straight to M-PESA wallets. It's why Kenya leads Africa in mobile money—critical for the 150K+ British Kenyan diaspora supporting families.
Why does the shilling weaken against the pound?
KES depreciation (1 GBP ≈ 170-210 KES) reflects: Kenya's persistent trade deficit, moderate-to-high inflation (5-9%), occasional political uncertainty, external debt servicing, drought cycles affecting agriculture, and tourism volatility. Sterling's strength as a major reserve currency amplifies the gap. For British Kenyans (NHS workers, professionals), the climbing GBP/KES rate means more shillings per pound—beneficial for remittances but recognizing that families back home face economic challenges.
When is the best time to send pounds to Kenya?
The shilling tends to gradually weaken, so dramatic timing opportunities are infrequent. For monthly family support via M-PESA (very common), consistent transfers work well. For large transfers (land in Nairobi, school fees, medical bills, business investment), watch: Central Bank of Kenya policy, UK economic data, inflation reports, election periods (volatility), and drought/food security news. Send when GBP/KES is elevated (shilling weak) to maximize shillings. Rate alerts help British Kenyans catch favorable moments.