PAYMENT METHODS · KENYA · MERCHANTS
Kenyan customers pay in several ways, from M-Pesa and Airtel Money to cards, PesaLink and bank transfers. This page explains what each method is typically used for and sets out clearly which one Payment Gateway Kenya supports: M-Pesa.
Choosing how to collect money in KES starts with understanding how your customers already pay. The first part of this page describes the Kenyan market in neutral terms. The second part explains our offer, which is limited to M-Pesa in Kenya.
This section is market context only. It describes methods that exist in Kenya and does not mean Payment Gateway Kenya supports them. Payments in Kenya are overseen by the Central Bank of Kenya under the National Payment System Act 2011.
Safaricom's mobile money service, used by consumers and businesses for everyday payments. Businesses typically receive money through PayBill or Till numbers. Safaricom's Daraja documentation also describes M-PESA Express (Lipa na M-PESA Online), a payment prompt started by the business and often called 'STK Push' in the market.
A mobile money service offered by Airtel Kenya. Customers use it to send money, pay bills and pay merchants from a mobile wallet. Payment Gateway Kenya does not support Airtel Money.
Cards issued by Kenyan and foreign banks are used in shops and for online purchases. Online card payments usually involve the cardholder's bank authenticating the payment. Payment Gateway Kenya does not offer card payments in Kenya.
An interbank transfer service that lets customers send money between participating Kenyan bank accounts. It is used for person-to-person transfers and some business payments. Payment Gateway Kenya does not support PesaLink.
Traditional transfers between bank accounts, often used for invoices, supplier payments and larger business transactions. The customer usually starts the transfer from their own bank. Payment Gateway Kenya does not support bank transfers as a payment method.
The table below compares methods by common use, not by cost or speed. Fees and timings depend on the provider and the account, so check them directly with each provider.
| Method | Type | Typical uses | Supported by Payment Gateway Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-Pesa | Mobile money | Online checkout, bill payments, retail payments via PayBill or Till, business payouts to customers | Yes: pay-ins, plus payouts where confirmed for the account |
| Airtel Money | Mobile money | Person-to-person transfers, bill payments, merchant payments | No |
| Debit and credit cards | Card | In-store purchases, online shopping, international purchases | No |
| PesaLink | Interbank transfer | Transfers between bank accounts, some business payments | No |
| Bank transfers | Bank-to-bank | Invoices, supplier payments, larger business transactions | No |
Payment Gateway Kenya is a payment gateway for M-Pesa pay-ins, with payouts where confirmed for your account. You connect through our API (H2H) or our Hosted Payment Page. These are two ways into the same gateway, not separate products, and H2H is not white-label.
We keep three flows separate. A pay-in is when your customer pays you, a payout is when your business pays a customer, and a merchant settlement is when funds are sent to you. Merchant settlements are sent on the same day (T+0).
Postbacks send transaction status to your system so you can update orders. They are not a customer notification service. Our overall transaction success rate is 85%, measured as successful transactions divided by all transactions.
Illustrative flow: an M-Pesa pay-in through the gateway.
Your customer selects M-Pesa at checkout on your site or on the Hosted Payment Page.
Your system, or the Hosted Payment Page, sends the payment request to the gateway with the amount in KES.
The customer approves the payment on their phone using their M-Pesa PIN.
A postback sends the transaction status to your system, and you confirm the order to your customer through your own channels.
See the full details of our M-Pesa payment gateway, including connection options.
Short answers to common questions about payment methods in Kenya and what Payment Gateway Kenya supports.
Common payment methods in Kenya include M-Pesa, Airtel Money, debit and credit cards, PesaLink and bank transfers. Each suits different uses, from everyday mobile payments to larger bank-to-bank business payments.
M-Pesa only. We offer M-Pesa pay-ins, plus payouts where confirmed for your account. We do not offer cards, Airtel Money, PesaLink or bank transfers in Kenya.
Safaricom's Daraja documentation describes M-PESA Express (Lipa na M-PESA Online) as a payment prompt started by the business, often called 'STK Push' in the market. PayBill and Till are separate transaction types that customers use to pay a business number.
You can connect through our API (H2H) or our Hosted Payment Page. Both are routes into the same gateway, not separate products. H2H is not white-label.
Merchant settlements are sent on the same day (T+0). This describes when settlement is sent, not when funds are credited to your account.
Kenya was not on Shopify's official Shopify Payments country list when checked on 5 November 2026. If you run a Shopify store and want to accept M-Pesa, ask our team about your options.
Payment services in Kenya operate under the oversight of the Central Bank of Kenya and the National Payment System Act 2011. For questions about how Payment Gateway Kenya operates within this framework, ask our team.
Pricing is custom. Talk to sales and we will discuss your business and the flows you need, such as pay-ins and payouts.
If M-Pesa is how your customers pay, tell us about your business and how you plan to connect. Pricing is custom, so talk to sales for a quote. Get started to contact our team.