USD to KES Exchange Rate Today
US Dollar to Kenyan Shilling conversion for one of Africa's busiest US remittance corridors. Track live USD/KES rates every 30 minutes for family support, instant M-Pesa transfers, bank deposits, or travel to Nairobi and Mombasa.
1000 USD =
129,410.00KES
1 KES = 0.0077 USD
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Compare money transfer service fees for the best rates
USD to KES conversion table
Common amounts at the current mid-market rate of 1 USD = 129.41 KES.
Mid-market rate — the midpoint banks trade at, before any provider adds a margin. What you actually receive is below.
What you actually get for 1,000 USD
Nobody converts at the mid-market rate. At 1 USD = 129.41 KES, a perfect conversion of 1,000 USD would be 129,410 KES. Here is what 16 services would really send, fee and exchange-rate margin included.
On 1,000 USD, the gap between the best and worst option here is 4,522 KES — the same money, converted on the same day. That difference is the fee plus the margin each service builds into its rate, and it is the only part of this page you can do anything about. How exchange-rate markups work.
Typical pricing for a bank-funded transfer, not a live quote — promotional offers and payment method can change it. Check the provider before sending. Rows marked est. use the provider's general figure, and USD est. one measured for USD sends but not for KES specifically. Neither is ranked cheapest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the US Dollar to Kenyan Shilling exchange rate?
The USD to KES exchange rate has recently been around 127-130 shillings per 1 US dollar (about 129 in mid-2026). After spiking close to 160 in early 2024, the shilling recovered sharply and has since held relatively steady by African-currency standards, guided by the Central Bank of Kenya. The United States is a major source of the remittances Kenya receives each year, making USD/KES a heavily used corridor. The figure above is the live mid-market rate, refreshed every 30 minutes.
How can Americans send money to Kenya?
On rate, Instarem and Paysend are usually the cheapest: Instarem takes no transfer fee with a small markup, and Paysend pairs a low flat fee with a tight rate. For instant M-Pesa delivery, Remitly, WorldRemit and Sendwave are the popular apps, often free on a first send. Wise gives the exact mid-market rate but charges more to Kenya. Compare the shillings received per $100 rather than the headline fee. See our Send Money to Kenya guide for the full breakdown.
Can I send money straight to M-Pesa?
Yes. M-Pesa is the standard way to receive money in Kenya. WorldRemit, Remitly, Sendwave, Wise and others deposit directly into a recipient's M-Pesa wallet using their phone number, usually within seconds. The money can be spent, used to pay bills, or withdrawn as cash at any M-Pesa agent, so the recipient needs no bank account. It is the main reason Kenya leads the world in mobile money.
Should I exchange dollars in the US or in Kenya?
For cash to spend, exchange in Kenya — licensed forex bureaus in Nairobi and Mombasa give far better USD/KES rates than US airport kiosks. For sending money home, skip cash exchange entirely: an app such as Instarem, Remitly or Wise delivers shillings to an M-Pesa wallet or bank account at a much better rate than any storefront. US dollars are accepted at some safari lodges and coastal resorts, but you'll get a poor built-in rate paying in dollars.
Is Kenya expensive for US tourists?
Kenya is affordable for Americans. With $1 buying roughly 127-130 shillings, everyday costs — local meals, matatu and boda-boda transport, guesthouses — stay low. The pricier items are safari park fees and lodges (Maasai Mara, Amboseli) and coastal beach resorts, which sit closer to international levels. Pay in shillings rather than dollars for the best value.
Popular KES Currency Pairs
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