Comparison
Fundraising platforms in Kenya
By the SenteMe team. Sources checked 23 September 2026.
SenteMe publishes this comparison and is one of the options in it. Competitor details come from their own published pages, linked below.
Quick answers
- Does GoFundMe work in Kenya?
- Not for organisers living in Kenya. Kenya is not on GoFundMe’s list of 20 countries where organisers can withdraw money. A relative or friend in a supported country can organise it for you and send the money on, but they are personally responsible for the funds and you pay transfer costs.
- What does M-Changa charge?
- M-Changa’s fee page lists a 4.25% platform fee on donations (3.5% for fundraisers raising KES 3 million or more within 30 days), 0% processing on M-Pesa and mobile money, and 2.5% on Visa, Mastercard and PayPal. Withdrawal charges are separate, including KES 550 per bank transfer under KES 500,000.
- How do I run a harambee online?
- Create one campaign page with a clear target and share the link where your people already are, usually WhatsApp. Contributors pay by M-Pesa, and everyone sees the same running list, so nobody has to forward payment messages or keep a notebook.
Side by side
| Platform | Contributors pay by | Fees | Money reaches the organiser |
|---|---|---|---|
| SenteMe | M-Pesa; cards and eligible regional methods on campaigns where card is offered | Standard 7.5% withdrawal deduction, potentially higher for provider costs and rounding; card processing and conversion separate | To M-Pesa in KES, subject to verification and available balance |
| M-Changa | M-Pesa and mobile money, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal | 4.25% platform (3.5% above KES 3M in 30 days); 0% mobile money, 2.5% card/PayPal processing | Mobile money (provider charges apply), Kenyan bank EFT (KES 550 under KES 500,000), international bank transfer (USD 25) |
| GoFundMe | Cards and methods offered at checkout | Varies by the fundraiser’s country | Not to organisers in Kenya; only via an organiser in a supported country |
Choosing between them
If most of your supporters are in Kenya and pay by M-Pesa, you want a platform built around M-Pesa, and both M-Changa and SenteMe are. Compare what reaches you after all charges, not just the headline platform fee: processing, withdrawal and conversion costs all come out of the same money.
If many supporters are abroad, check that card payments are offered on your campaign and what they cost. GoFundMe only makes sense if someone you trust in a supported country is willing to be the organiser and take responsibility for sending the money on.
Harambee, pledges and trust
A harambee works because people can see the effort growing. Whatever platform you choose, show a clear target and what it is for, post updates, and let contributors see that their money arrived. That is what turns a one-off contribution into support for the next time.
More questions
Can I create a GoFundMe from Kenya?
GoFundMe asks organisers from unsupported countries not to create an account or fundraiser, and says money raised by such fundraisers is likely to be refunded. Use a platform that pays out in Kenya, or ask someone in a supported country to organise.
Is there an alternative to GoFundMe in Kenya?
Yes. M-Changa and SenteMe both collect by M-Pesa and pay out in Kenya. Compare their fees, card options and withdrawal rules in the table above before you share your link.
How do I raise money for hospital bills in Kenya?
Start a campaign with the hospital name, the amount needed and what it covers, and share it with family, church and work groups. Clear details and updates from the family make people far more willing to give and to share.
Sources
Raising money in Kenya?
Start a SenteMe campaign in minutes. Collect by M-Pesa, share one link, and let every supporter see the running total.