An overview of the main payment methods in Kenya
Each method below works differently for the customer and for the business. The descriptions are general market information, not product claims, unless a method is marked as supported by Payment Gateway Kenya.
M-Pesa (supported)
Safaricom's mobile money service, used to pay from a phone wallet. Businesses can collect through PayBill, Till or a prompt-style request sent to the customer's phone. Payment Gateway Kenya supports M-Pesa pay-ins, plus payouts where confirmed for the account.
Cards
Debit and credit cards issued by banks, used online and at physical terminals. Payment Gateway Kenya does not support card payments in Kenya. Where card flows appear on our platform, they are 3D-only, and we never offer 2D or non-3DS processing.
Airtel Money
A mobile money wallet offered by Airtel to its subscribers in Kenya. Customers pay from a phone wallet in a similar way to other mobile money services. Payment Gateway Kenya does not support Airtel Money.
PesaLink
An interbank transfer service that lets customers send money between accounts at participating Kenyan banks. It is mostly used for account-to-account transfers rather than checkout. Payment Gateway Kenya does not support PesaLink.
Bank transfers
Direct transfers between bank accounts, often used for invoices, larger business payments and supplier settlements. Timing depends on the bank and the transfer type. Payment Gateway Kenya does not support bank transfers as a payment method.
Payment methods in Kenya by typical use
The table shows where each method is commonly used and who starts the payment. It is a general guide. Your own customer base and sector may differ.
| Method | Typical use | Who usually starts the payment | Supported by Payment Gateway Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-Pesa | Online checkout, bills, retail, payouts to customers | Customer (PayBill, Till) or business (prompt-style request) | Yes: pay-ins, plus payouts where confirmed for the account |
| Cards | Online checkout, international customers, in-store terminals | Customer | No |
| Airtel Money | Mobile wallet payments for Airtel subscribers | Customer | No |
| PesaLink | Account-to-account transfers between participating banks | Customer | No |
| Bank transfers | Invoices, larger business payments, supplier payments | Customer or business | No |
What Payment Gateway Kenya offers
We do not offer cards, Airtel Money, PesaLink or bank transfers in Kenya. If your business needs those methods, plan for them separately. For a wider view of the market, read our guide to payment service providers in Kenya.
How M-Pesa payments work for merchants
Safaricom's Daraja platform describes several M-Pesa transaction types. M-PESA Express (Lipa na M-PESA Online) is the prompt-style request started by a business. PayBill and Till are separate transaction types, where the customer starts the payment from their phone.
You may see the term 'STK Push' in Safaricom documentation and across the market. It is a market term for the prompt-style request, not a Payment Gateway Kenya product name. Our guide to Safaricom Daraja for merchants covers the terms in more detail.
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Illustrative flow, step 1: the customer chooses M-Pesa
At checkout on your site or on the Hosted Payment Page, the customer selects M-Pesa and enters their phone number. The amount is shown in KES.
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Illustrative flow, step 2: a payment request is sent
Your system, through the API (H2H) or the Hosted Payment Page, starts the pay-in request. The customer sees a prompt on their phone.
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Illustrative flow, step 3: the customer confirms
The customer approves the payment on their phone. The transaction is then marked as successful or failed.
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Illustrative flow, step 4: your system receives the status
A postback sends the transaction status to your system so you can update the order. Postbacks go to the merchant. They are not a customer notification service.
Keep three flows separate in your planning. A pay-in is when the customer pays you. A payout is when your business pays a customer, where confirmed for the account. Merchant settlement is when funds are sent to you.
Internally, we protect API credentials, use MFA and role-based access, and maintain business continuity planning and incident response. For setup details, see M-Pesa with Payment Gateway Kenya or ask our team.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions about payment methods in Kenya and what Payment Gateway Kenya supports. For anything not covered here, ask our team.
Which payment methods does Payment Gateway Kenya support in Kenya?
M-Pesa only. We offer M-Pesa pay-ins, plus payouts where confirmed for the account. We do not support cards, Airtel Money, PesaLink or bank transfers in Kenya.
Can I accept card payments through Payment Gateway Kenya?
Not in Kenya. Where card flows appear on our platform, they are 3D-only, and we never offer 2D or non-3DS processing.
How do I connect to Payment Gateway Kenya?
You connect through the API (H2H) or the Hosted Payment Page. These are two ways into the same gateway, not separate products. H2H is not white-label.
When are merchant settlements sent?
Merchant settlements are sent on the same day (T+0). This describes when settlement is sent, not when funds are credited to your account.
What is your transaction success rate?
Our overall transaction success rate is 85%, measured as successful transactions divided by all transactions. It is a product-wide figure, not a guarantee for any single merchant.
Is 'STK Push' a Payment Gateway Kenya product?
No. 'STK Push' is a market term found in Safaricom documentation. Safaricom's Daraja platform calls the prompt-style request started by a business M-PESA Express (Lipa na M-PESA Online).
Can I use Shopify Payments in Kenya?
Kenya was not on Shopify's official Shopify Payments country list when checked on 5 November 2026. We do not promise any third-party app, plugin or automatic install, so ask our team about your setup.
How much does Payment Gateway Kenya cost?
Pricing is custom. Talk to sales and we will discuss your business and the flows you need.