USD to KES Exchange Rate Today
US Dollar to Kenyan Shilling conversion for Kenyan-American community. Track live USD/KES rates every 30 minutes for remittances, family support, or investments in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu—leveraging M-PESA's revolutionary mobile money platform for instant transfers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the US Dollar to Kenyan Shilling exchange rate?
The USD to KES rate typically ranges between 125-160 KES per 1 USD. The Central Bank of Kenya allows the shilling to float, though it intervenes to prevent excessive volatility. Kenya receives over $4 billion annually in remittances, with the US being a major source from the 150,000+ Kenyan-American community. The rate has gradually increased as the shilling weakens—common for African currencies facing structural economic challenges. Our converter shows real-time mid-market rates updated every 30 minutes.
How can Kenyans in America send money to Kenya?
Kenyan-Americans have excellent remittance options: Remitly (very popular for Kenya, M-PESA, bank accounts), WorldRemit (M-PESA instant delivery, widely used), Sendwave (low fees, M-PESA), Western Union or MoneyGram (extensive agent network); direct M-PESA transfers (revolutionary mobile money—60%+ of Kenyans use it); or bank transfers to Equity, KCB, Cooperative, or M-Pesa-linked accounts. For Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, or rural areas, M-PESA has transformed remittances—instant, cheap, and ubiquitous.
Why is M-PESA so important for Kenya transfers?
M-PESA revolutionized Kenyan finance: 60%+ of adults use it, even in remote villages without bank branches. For US-Kenya remittances, M-PESA means instant delivery (seconds, not days), low fees ($1-3 vs $15-40 for banks), wide acceptance everywhere in Kenya, and no need for recipients to have bank accounts. Services like Remitly and WorldRemit deliver straight to M-PESA wallets. It's the primary reason Kenya leads Africa in mobile money—critical for diaspora remittances.
Why does the Kenyan shilling weaken against the dollar?
KES depreciation reflects: Kenya's persistent trade deficit (imports exceed exports), moderate-to-high inflation (5-9%), occasional political uncertainty, external debt servicing needs, drought cycles affecting agriculture, and tourism volatility. The shilling has gradually weakened over decades—typical for sub-Saharan African currencies. For Kenyan diaspora, climbing USD/KES rates mean more shillings per dollar sent, benefiting remittance recipients but reflecting economic challenges back home.
When is the best time to send dollars to Kenya?
The shilling tends to gradually weaken, so dramatic timing opportunities are infrequent. For monthly family support via M-PESA, consistent transfers work well. For large transfers (land purchase in Nairobi/rural Kenya, school fees, medical bills, business investment), watch: Central Bank of Kenya policy, inflation reports, election periods (can cause volatility), and drought/food security news. Send when USD/KES is elevated (shilling weak) to maximize shillings received. Rate alert services help catch favorable moments.