What Currency Does Kenya Use?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Exchange rate (approximate):
1 USD ≈ 129.17 KES
1 GBP ≈ 173.17 KES
Rates are indicative (July 2026) and change daily. Always check live rates before travelling. Rates by Exchange Rate API.
KES converter
100 KES ≈ 0.7742 USD
Kenyan shilling conversion table
| Amount | USD → KES | GBP → KES | EUR → KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 129.17 | 173.17 | 147.54 |
| 5 | 645.86 | 865.83 | 737.70 |
| 10 | 1,292 | 1,732 | 1,475 |
| 20 | 2,583 | 3,463 | 2,951 |
| 50 | 6,459 | 8,658 | 7,377 |
| 100 | 12,917 | 17,317 | 14,754 |
| 500 | 64,586 | 86,583 | 73,770 |
| 1,000 | 129,172 | 173,167 | 147,541 |
| KES | → USD | → GBP | → EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0077 | 0.0058 | 0.0068 |
| 5 | 0.0387 | 0.0289 | 0.0339 |
| 10 | 0.0774 | 0.0577 | 0.0678 |
| 20 | 0.1548 | 0.1155 | 0.1356 |
| 50 | 0.3871 | 0.2887 | 0.3389 |
| 100 | 0.7742 | 0.5775 | 0.6778 |
| 500 | 3.8708 | 2.8874 | 3.3889 |
| 1,000 | 7.7416 | 5.7748 | 6.7778 |
Indicative rates (July 2026). Banks and card providers add their own margin and fees, so the amount you actually receive will differ slightly.
Against the US dollar, 1 KES is worth about 0.0077 USD. Of the 141 currencies covered on this site, the Kenyan shilling ranks 93rd by value per unit (1st = the most US dollars per unit). A high or low number says nothing about economic strength — it simply reflects how the currency is denominated.
Travel Money Card
Travelling to Kenya? Avoid poor airport exchange rates — a prepaid travel money card or multi-currency card usually gets you a far better deal on Kenyan shilling spending.
What is money called in Kenya?
Money in Kenya is called the Kenyan shilling — its ISO 4217 currency code is KES, and its symbol is Sh. The Kenyan shilling is the official legal tender in Kenya and is used for all everyday transactions — from paying for goods and services to converting money at banks and exchange bureaus. When travelling, you may also see it referred to as the Kenya currency or simply money in Kenya. The Kenyan shilling is subdivided into 100 cents, though small-denomination coins may not always be in everyday circulation.
Is the Kenyan shilling used anywhere else?
No — Kenya is the only country on this site using the Kenyan shilling as its official currency.
Not to be confused with other shilling currencies
Several currencies carry the name “shilling”, but each one is separate, with its own code, value and issuing country. The Kenyan shilling (KES) is the currency of Kenya.
| Currency | Code | Used in | 1 USD = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somali shilling | SOS | Somalia | 572.00 |
| Tanzanian shilling | TZS | Tanzania | 2,624 |
| Ugandan shilling | UGX | Uganda | 3,657 |
Practical money tips for Kenya
Card payments are widely accepted in most cities, but it's still worth carrying some Kenyan shilling in cash for smaller vendors, local transport and rural areas. Notify your bank before travelling to avoid transactions being blocked, and compare card fees — many cards charge a foreign transaction fee that a dedicated travel money card avoids.
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Kenya in context
- Kenya covers 580,367 km², making it the 47th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- It shares a land border with 5 countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda.
- With 53,330,978 people, Kenya holds about 12.2% of the population of Eastern Africa.
- Traffic drives on the left, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Kenya is a member state of the United Nations.
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Kenya currency — FAQ
What is the currency of Kenya?
The currency of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling (currency code: KES, symbol: Sh).
What is the currency code for Kenya?
The ISO 4217 currency code for the Kenyan shilling is KES.
What is the Kenyan shilling symbol?
The symbol for the Kenyan shilling is Sh. You will see this on price tags and receipts throughout Kenya.
What currency is used in Kenya?
The official currency used in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling (KES).
Can I use US dollars in Kenya?
The official currency of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling, not the US dollar. While USD may be accepted in some tourist hotels and major cities, you will generally get better rates paying in Kenyan shilling and should exchange money before or on arrival.
What is the exchange rate for Kenya?
As of July 2026, approximately 1 USD = 129.17 KES and 1 GBP = 173.17 KES. Rates change daily — always check a live source before travelling or sending money.
What is money called in Kenya?
Money in Kenya is called the Kenyan shilling (KES).
Do other countries use the Kenyan shilling?
No — Kenya is the only country on this site using the Kenyan shilling as its official currency.
What is the Kenyan currency?
The Kenyan currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES), the official money of Kenya.
What is the currency of the Republic of Kenya?
The Republic of Kenya is the formal name of Kenya. Its currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES).
How much is 100 KES in US dollars?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 KES is about 0.7742 USD or 0.5775 GBP. Use the converter above for other amounts.
How much is 100 US dollars in Kenyan shilling?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 USD is about 12,917 KES.
Is the Kenyan shilling the same as other shilling currencies?
No. Several currencies share the word, but each is a separate currency with its own code and value. The Kenyan shilling is KES; others include Somali shilling (SOS), Tanzanian shilling (TZS), Ugandan shilling (UGX).
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