Got a question? We are here to answer!
Tuma Hela is a specialized global remittance and direct payment platform primarily for the Kenyan Diaspora. We enable you to send money with 100% control, ensuring funds are paid directly to verified service providers (schools, hospitals, vendors, etc.), eliminating the risk of misuse by intermediaries.
Tuma Hela was founded by Kenyan Diaspora tech experts, Francis Opore and Moses Maina, in partnership with the local group led by Michael Asola. We combine global tech standards with deep local market knowledge.
Yes. We utilize cutting-edge financial technology and security protocols. Funds are only disbursed to pre-verified institutions and merchants through our secure portal, ensuring high assurance and safety for every transaction.
Tuma Hela is designed to serve the global Kenyan Diaspora. We currently support transfers from the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, etc. Please check our sign-up page for the full list of supported originating countries.
Instead of sending cash to a relative, you use Tuma Hela to instruct a Direct Payment. For example, to pay school fees, you authorize Tuma Hela to pay the exact amount directly to the school's verified account. The funds never pass through a personal account in Kenya.
You can pay for a wide range of essential services including: School Fees, Rent, Hospital Bills, Internet/Digital TV Subscriptions, Airtime Purchases, Assured Food/Grocery Purchases (via partners like Citizen Duka), and verified Construction/Project Milestones.
"Chini ya Mattress" is our emergency cash advance solution. It allows you to immediately send a small, pre-authorized amount of cash to your loved one for unexpected and urgent needs, providing an instant financial safety net.
Yes. Our Project Assurance service allows you to approve and release funds directly to verified contractors or suppliers based on predefined project milestones, guaranteeing that the money is used only for the materials or labor specified.
Our exchange rates are competitive and displayed transparently before you finalize any transaction. We charge a minimal, transparent transaction fee for processing the direct payment, which is also clearly stated upfront. There are no hidden charges.
Direct Payments for most services (e.g., bills, fees, airtime) are typically completed and confirmed with the service provider within minutes to a few hours. Project assurance disbursements may take up to 24 hours to process verification steps.
If your required service provider (e.g., your child's specific school) is not on our platform, you can recommend them! We will initiate the verification and onboarding process immediately under our Partner with Us program to facilitate your payment.
In the rare event of a payment failure, the funds are immediately reversed to your Tuma Hela account. For refunds (e.g., overpayment of fees), the refund process is initiated by the Partner through our system to ensure the funds are returned securely to your Diaspora account.
You can apply through our Merchant/Service Provider Inquiry Form on our website. You will need to provide detailed business information and verifiable KYC documents (Certificate of Incorporation, KRA PIN, bank details, etc.) for our due diligence process.
Merchants receive Guaranteed, Assured Revenue from high-value Diaspora customers, reduced risk of payment disputes, streamlined settlement, and free marketing visibility as a Tuma Hela trusted partner.
The comprehensive Tuma Hela Merchant/Service Provider Partnership Agreement is available for review, download, and e-signing on the Partner section of our website, linked directly from the inquiry form.