Zakat in Kenya: who pays, how much and when

The short answer

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. A Muslim who owns wealth above the nisab (the minimum amount) for one lunar year must give 2.5% of it to eligible people. The nisab is about 87.48 g of gold or 612.36 g of silver. In Kenya, many people pay in Ramadan, in shillings, by M-Pesa.

What is Zakat?

Zakat is a fixed, compulsory payment from your wealth. It is the third pillar of Islam, after the declaration of faith and prayer. The word means “purification” and “growth”. Paying it cleans your wealth and helps the community grow stronger.

The Qur’an links prayer and Zakat many times, for example in 2:43: “establish prayer and give Zakat”. Zakat is not a favour. The money belongs by right to the people who receive it.

Zakat is different from Sadaqah (voluntary charity). Read more in Zakat vs Sadaqah.

Who must pay Zakat?

Zakat is due from every adult Muslim of sound mind who owns wealth above the nisab for one full lunar year. It does not matter if you are a man or a woman, or if you live in Nairobi, Garissa or abroad.

You must be Muslim, an adult and of sound mind. Scholars differ on Zakat from the wealth of children, so ask your local scholar.
Your wealth must be above the nisab after you subtract debts that are due.
You must own it fully, and it must be yours to use.
You must have kept it for one lunar year (about 354 days).

If your wealth is below the nisab, you do not pay Zakat. You can still give Sadaqah.

What is the nisab in Kenya?

The nisab is the smallest amount of wealth that makes Zakat compulsory. It is measured in gold or silver. It is the same in every country, but its value in shillings changes with the market price.

Common nisab values (scholars may differ slightly)
Measure	Nisab weight	Notes
Gold	87.48 g	Pure gold, by weight
Silver	612.36 g	Lower threshold, so more people become eligible

Scholars use different views on which to follow. Silver gives a lower threshold, so more people must pay and more people receive help. Many scholars advise using silver for this reason. Others use gold. Ask your local scholar which one to follow.

To find the nisab in KES, multiply the weight by today’s price per gram from a trusted gold or silver price source. Our Zakat calculator for Kenya does this for you.

How much Zakat do I pay, and how do I calculate it?

The usual rate is 2.5%, or one fortieth, of your zakatable wealth. Here are the steps.

How to work out your Zakat in five steps
Step	What to do	Details
1	Add up what you own that is zakatable	Cash, M-Pesa and bank balances, gold and silver, business stock, money owed to you that you expect to get back
2	Subtract debts that are due now	Rent due, loan instalments due, bills you must pay soon
3	Compare with the nisab	If the total is below the nisab, no Zakat is due
4	Check the lunar year	You must have held the wealth above the nisab for one full Islamic year
5	Multiply by 2.5%	For example, KES 400,000 of zakatable wealth gives KES 10,000

The KES 400,000 example is only to show the sum. Your own figures will be different.

Use our Zakat calculator (KES) to do these steps with your own numbers in a few minutes.

What kinds of wealth count for Zakat?

Zakat applies to savings, gold and silver, business goods and some other assets. It is not due on things you use every day.

Cash and savings: money in your pocket, bank, Sacco account or M-Pesa wallet.
Gold and silver: coins, bars and, in most views, jewellery.
Business stock: goods you hold for sale, plus cash from the business.
Money owed to you: debts you are sure to get back.
Livestock and farm produce: special rules apply.

You do not pay Zakat on your home, your car for personal use, your clothes or your household items. Details for each type are in Zakat on gold, savings, livestock and business.

When should I pay my Zakat?

Zakat is due once your wealth has stayed above the nisab for one lunar year. Pick one fixed date each year, called your Zakat date, and calculate on that day.

Many Muslims in Kenya choose Ramadan because rewards are said to be greater and families need support before Eid. This is a custom, not a rule. If your Zakat date is in another month, you may pay then. Do not delay without a good reason once it is due.

Who can receive my Zakat?

The Qur’an names eight groups who can receive Zakat in 9:60. They include the poor, the needy, people in debt and travellers in need. You cannot give Zakat to your parents, grandparents, children or spouse.

The full list is in Who can receive Zakat?. Many people give through a trusted organisation so that the money reaches those in real need. In Kenya, look for a registered organisation, one that is registered with the Kenya NGO Board.

How can I pay Zakat in Kenya?

You can give to people you know who qualify, or through a registered charity. With Islamic Relief Kenya you can pay your Zakat online.

Go to the Islamic Relief Kenya donation page and choose the ZAKAT fund.
Pay by card or M-Pesa.
Or use Lipa na M-Pesa: PayBill 949210, account name ZAKAT.

Islamic Relief Kenya is registered with the Kenya NGO Board (Reg. No. 218/051/204/0374/3386).

Give your Zakat with confidence

Choose the ZAKAT fund. Pay by M-Pesa or card, in Kenya shillings or other currencies.

Give your Zakat

Frequently asked questions

What is Zakat in Islam?

Zakat is the compulsory yearly payment of 2.5% of your savings and other zakatable wealth, given to eligible people. It is the third pillar of Islam and is meant to purify wealth and support those in need.

What is the nisab for Zakat?

The nisab is the minimum wealth that makes Zakat due. It is commonly given as 87.48 g of gold or 612.36 g of silver. Scholars may differ, and silver gives a lower threshold. Ask your local scholar which to follow.

How much Zakat do I pay?

You pay 2.5% of your zakatable wealth if it has stayed above the nisab for one lunar year. For example, KES 400,000 of zakatable wealth means KES 10,000 in Zakat. Livestock and crops have different rates.

Do I pay Zakat on M-Pesa and bank savings?

Yes. Money in your M-Pesa wallet, bank or Sacco account counts as cash. Add it to your other zakatable wealth, subtract debts that are due, and pay 2.5% if the total is above the nisab for a year.

Do I pay Zakat on my house or car?

No. A home you live in and a car for personal use are not zakatable. Zakat applies to property or goods held for trade. Rental property rules can differ between scholars, so ask your local scholar.

Can I pay Zakat in instalments?

Many scholars allow Zakat to be paid in parts through the year once you have worked out the total, as long as the full amount is given. Ask your local scholar if you want to spread payments.

Is it better to pay Zakat in Ramadan?

Many Muslims pay in Ramadan for extra reward and to help families before Eid. However, Zakat is due when your lunar year is complete, so you may pay on your Zakat date in any month.

Who cannot receive Zakat?

You cannot give Zakat to your parents, grandparents, children or spouse. Most scholars also say it cannot go to the family of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or to people who are not in need. See the eight categories in Qur’an 9:60.

How can I pay Zakat to Islamic Relief Kenya?

Use the donation page and choose the ZAKAT fund, or pay with Lipa na M-Pesa PayBill 949210 and the account name ZAKAT. Islamic Relief Kenya is registered with the Kenya NGO Board.

Rules on this page are widely agreed. Where scholars differ, ask your local scholar or imam. Last reviewed 2 October 2026.