Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
Many Kenyans working abroad pay school fees for children, nieces, nephews or siblings back home. Getting money to the school on time, without losing too much to fees and exchange rates, takes a little planning. This guide compares the main routes and shows how to keep proof of payment so the learner is never sent home for fees that were actually paid.
On this page
- Start with the school’s official payment details
- Option 1: International bank transfer to the school account
- Option 2: Send to M-Pesa, then pay the school paybill
- Option 3: Remittance apps paying a bank account
- Option 4: Paying through a Kenyan bank account you hold
- Keep proof of every payment
- Plan ahead for the school calendar
Start with the school’s official payment details
Every school publishes official bank account details, and many also have an M-Pesa paybill number. Get these directly from the school’s fee structure or bursar, never from a WhatsApp forward. Fee fraud through fake account numbers is a real risk. Confirm the account name matches the school’s registered name, and call the school office if anything changes. Our guide on how to pay school fees in Kenya explains how schools usually receive payments.
Option 1: International bank transfer to the school account
You can send money from your foreign bank directly to the school’s Kenyan bank account using a SWIFT transfer. You will need the school’s account name, account number, bank name, branch and the bank’s SWIFT code. Always put the learner’s full name and admission number in the payment reference. Bank transfers are traceable and good for large termly amounts, but they can take one to several working days and both banks may charge fees. Check the exchange rate your bank uses against the indicative rates published by the Central Bank of Kenya; a weak rate can cost more than the transfer fee.
Option 2: Send to M-Pesa, then pay the school paybill
Many remittance services and international partners can send money straight to an M-Pesa wallet in Kenya, as described on Safaricom’s M-Pesa Global page. A trusted relative can then pay the school’s paybill with the learner’s admission number as the account number. This is fast and convenient for smaller amounts, but remember M-Pesa wallet and transaction limits, and that the money passes through another person. Ask them to forward the M-Pesa confirmation message to you every time.
Option 3: Remittance apps paying a bank account
Licensed money transfer apps can send to Kenyan bank accounts, often with better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional banks. Compare the total amount the school will receive, not just the advertised fee. Use only services that clearly show the recipient amount before you pay.
Option 4: Paying through a Kenyan bank account you hold
Some diaspora parents keep a Kenyan account, sometimes a diaspora account offered by local banks, and pay fees from it using online or mobile banking. This lets you move money home when the exchange rate is favourable and pay the school locally later.
Keep proof of every payment
- Save the bank transfer confirmation or M-Pesa message.
- Email it to the school bursar with the learner’s name and admission number.
- Ask for an official receipt and check it against the term’s fee statement.
Plan ahead for the school calendar
Schools usually expect fees at or before opening day each term. International transfers can be delayed by weekends and public holidays in either country, so send at least a week early. If you also cover boarding items or pocket money, see our boarding school shopping list. For a wider overview of education from abroad, read our diaspora parents’ guide to CBC.