WordPress Plugin
Accept M-Pesa payments directly on your WordPress site or WooCommerce store. No-code setup, automated order updates, and shortcode payment forms.
Features
The PayNexus WordPress plugin is designed for both WooCommerce stores and standalone WordPress sites.
WooCommerce Integration
Seamless M-Pesa gateway for WooCommerce. Customers pay via STK Push at checkout and orders update automatically.
Shortcode Payment Forms
Embed customizable payment forms anywhere using [paynexus_payment_form]. No WooCommerce needed.
Automated Order Updates
Orders are marked as paid automatically after M-Pesa confirmation via webhooks. No manual action required.
WordPress Admin Records
All payments are logged in your WordPress admin for easy reconciliation and record keeping.
Installation
Get the plugin running in under 2 minutes.
Download the Plugin ZIP
Grab the latest version from the WordPress Plugin Directory or download it directly.
Upload in WordPress Admin
Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin in your WordPress dashboard. Select the ZIP file and click Install Now.
Activate the Plugin
After installation, click Activate Plugin. You'll see a new PayNexus menu item in your admin sidebar.
Enter Your API Keys
Navigate to PayNexus → Settings and paste your public and secret API keys. Save changes to connect your payment account.
WooCommerce Checkout
Enable PayNexus as a payment gateway for your WooCommerce store.
Enable the Gateway
Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Payments. Find M-Pesa (PayNexus) and click Set up or Enable.
Configure Settings
Enter your API keys and select the default payment account. You can also set the payment title and description shown at checkout.
Customer Checkout Flow
Customers select M-Pesa at checkout, enter their phone number, and confirm the STK Push on their phone. Orders update to Processing once payment is confirmed.
Works with WooCommerce 5.0+. Make sure you have the latest version of both WooCommerce and the PayNexus plugin for best results.
Shortcode Payment Forms
Use the [paynexus_payment_form] shortcode to embed payment forms on any page, post, or widget. No WooCommerce required.
Basic Usage
[paynexus_payment_form]This renders a default payment form with a customer-entered amount field.
With Attributes
[paynexus_payment_form
amount="1000"
description="Service payment"
reference="PAYNEXUS"
]Attributes
| Attribute | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
amount |
Fixed amount in KES. Leave empty to let the customer enter the amount. | Customer enters amount |
description |
Payment description shown to the customer. | "M-Pesa Payment" |
reference |
Unique payment reference (invoice, order, or booking ID). | Auto-generated |
Use Cases
Shortcode forms work for any payment scenario on WordPress:
Donations
Accept contributions with custom descriptions.
Memberships
Collect membership fees and subscription payments.
Bookings
Take deposits or full payments for appointments.
Invoices
Send payment links tied to invoice references.
Deposits
Collect down payments before service delivery.
Service Payments
One-time or recurring payments for services.
Plugin Settings
After activation, configure the plugin from PayNexus → Settings in your WordPress admin:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Public Key | Your pk_ key for read operations. Used for verifying payment status on the frontend. |
| Secret Key | Your sk_ key for write operations. Used server-side to initiate payments. Never expose publicly. |
| Payment Account | Select which PayNexus payment account (Till/Paybill) to use for transactions. |
| Webhook URL | Auto-generated endpoint for receiving payment confirmations. Keep this secure. |
| Currency | Default currency for payments. Typically KES (Kenyan Shilling). |
Troubleshooting
Ensure your secret key is correctly entered in PayNexus → Settings. Also verify that your phone number is in the correct format (2547...) and that your M-Pesa account is active.
Check that your webhook URL is reachable from the public internet. If using a firewall or security plugin, allow requests from PayNexus IPs. Also ensure WP_CRON is functioning on your site.
Make sure the ZIP file structure is correct — the main plugin file should be at the root of the ZIP, not inside a subfolder. Re-upload if necessary.