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M-Pesa Charges, Limits, Till vs Paybill Explained (Kenya 2026)

By ZaKenya Money Desk 2 min read
M-Pesa Charges, Limits, Till vs Paybill Explained (Kenya 2026)

Key points

  • M-Pesa limits and charges are published by Safaricom and change over time — check the app before large transfers.
  • Till (Buy Goods) is built for merchant checkout; Paybill is built for billed accounts with an account number.
  • Businesses should pick the product that matches how customers pay and how you reconcile.
  • Practical takeaway: Before sending a large amount, open official Fee Calculator / tariff info in the Safaricom app, and double-check whether the merchant gave you a Till or a Paybill + account number.

Updated August 2026. Portals and fees change — always confirm on the official site before you pay or submit.

Most Kenyan adults use M-Pesa daily, but fee bands and product names still confuse people — especially first-time business owners.

Limits (how to think about them)

Safaricom sets maximums for single transactions, daily totals, and wallet balance tiers. Exact shilling figures move; treat any screenshot on WhatsApp as stale until you confirm in-app.

Charges (principles)

  • Send Money between customers usually costs the sender on a banded tariff.
  • Some deposit/withdrawal agent fees differ from app-to-app transfers.
  • Business products have merchant fee schedules separate from consumer Send Money.

Till Number vs Paybill

Till (Buy Goods and Services): customer pays a merchant till; often used in shops and restaurants. Reconciliation is by till statements.

Paybill: customer enters a business number and an account number (school admission no., invoice ID, meter, etc.). Better when you must map one payment to one account.

Practical tips

  1. Confirm the number type before paying — wrong product = painful reversals.
  2. Save the SMS until goods/services are confirmed.
  3. For business, download statements weekly.

Official links

FAQ

Where do I see live fees?

Official Safaricom app / website tariff tools — not third-party blogs alone.

Can fees be zero?

Promotions and some corridors exist; do not assume zero without checking.

Reversal failed — what now?

Use official customer care with the transaction code quickly; success is not guaranteed after goods are consumed.

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Editorial guide for general information only. Not legal, tax, or financial advice. ZaKenya is not affiliated with government agencies or Safaricom.